Section 23 05 53 and 22 05 53: What the Identification Spec Requires for Valve Tags and Nameplates
Closeout is two weeks out, the identification spec is three pages of boilerplate, and the punch list already says "valve tags not per spec." Here is how to read the section once and order the right thing the first time.
Important Disclaimer
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, safety, or professional compliance advice. Regulations, standards, and codes are subject to change and may be interpreted differently by authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ). Always consult with qualified safety professionals, licensed engineers, or legal counsel to determine the specific requirements applicable to your facility. TagBuilder is not responsible for any actions taken based on this information.
Sections 23 05 53 (HVAC) and 22 05 53 (plumbing) are the MasterFormat spec sections that tell you how to identify piping, valves and equipment on a project. They typically call for engraved equipment nameplates, tagged valves, a valve schedule, pipe markers and a set of submittal items. Every project edits the section, so the one in your own specification book is the only version that counts.
Why the identification section causes punch-list items
Identification is the last thing installed and the first thing an inspector or owner's representative can check with a tape measure. A tag that is 1 inch when the spec says 1-1/2 inch, or a nameplate fastened with adhesive when the spec says screws, is an easy item to write up.
The cost is rarely the tags themselves. It is a rejected submittal, a second order, a second trip up a ladder to hang them, and in the worst case retainage held until the item is closed. Reading the section carefully before you order is cheaper than any of that.
What these sections typically contain
Most 23 05 53 and 22 05 53 sections start from a master specification and are then edited by the design team. The language varies, but the same building blocks show up again and again.
- Equipment labels and nameplates: often engraved laminated plastic, commonly about 1/16 inch thick, with a stated color scheme. Minimum letter height for the equipment name is often around 1/4 inch, with smaller letters allowed for secondary data. Many specs call for screws or rivets rather than adhesive alone.
- Valve tags: commonly round, often a minimum of about 1-1/2 inch, carrying a system abbreviation and a number. Material is named in the spec (brass, aluminum, stainless or plastic), and attachment is usually a chain or S-hook.
- Valve schedules or charts: a list of every tag number with location, service and normal position. Often one copy is framed and mounted in the mechanical room and another goes into the O&M manual.
- Pipe markers: usually pointed to ASME A13.1 for legend, color and arrow practice. See our pipe marking guide for how that standard is commonly applied.
- Warning tags and signs: for items such as equipment that starts automatically or valves that must stay in a set position.
- Submittal items: product samples, the proposed valve schedule and the nameplate or label list, usually before anything is ordered.
Spec item by spec item: what it says and what to check
The table below lists the common identification items, what master-spec language usually says about each, and what to confirm in your own section before you place an order.
| Spec item | What it usually says | What to check before ordering |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment nameplate | Engraved laminated plastic, about 1/16 in. thick, named color scheme, about 1/4 in. minimum letters for the name | Exact thickness, color pairing, letter height for each line, mounting method |
| Nameplate attachment | Screws or rivets; adhesive alone often not allowed | Whether mounting holes are required on the plate and how many |
| Valve tag | Round, about 1-1/2 in. minimum, system abbreviation plus number | Minimum diameter, material, character height, number format |
| Valve tag attachment | Chain or S-hook, sometimes stainless or brass | Hardware material and chain length; whether insulated pipe needs a longer chain |
| Valve schedule | Every tag with location, service and normal position; framed copy plus O&M copy | Columns required, frame requirement, number of copies, who supplies the drawing |
| Pipe markers | Per ASME A13.1, with flow arrows | Legend wording, color, spacing, marker style |
| Submittal | Samples, schedule, label list | When it is due and whether you can order before it is returned |
A tag numbering scheme you can copy
Spec sections normally ask for a system abbreviation followed by a sequential number. Keep the format fixed so the tag on the pipe matches the line in the schedule exactly. The guide to creating a valve numbering system goes deeper, but the pattern below is enough for most jobs.
Pattern: SYSTEM-NNN, where CHW is chilled water, HHW is heating hot water, CW is domestic cold water, HW is domestic hot water. If the spec gives its own abbreviations, use those instead.
Sample valve schedule (8 rows)
This table is a sample valve schedule written the way many specs describe it: tag number, service, location, valve type and size, and normal position.
| Tag | Service | Location | Valve | Normal position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHW-001 | Chilled water supply | Mech Rm 105, pump header | Butterfly, 6 in. | Open |
| CHW-002 | Chilled water return | Mech Rm 105, pump header | Butterfly, 6 in. | Open |
| CHW-003 | AHU-1 coil supply | Mech Rm 105, above AHU-1 | Ball, 2 in. | Open |
| CHW-004 | AHU-1 coil bypass | Mech Rm 105, above AHU-1 | Globe, 2 in. | Closed |
| HHW-001 | Heating hot water supply | Mech Rm 105, boiler outlet | Gate, 4 in. | Open |
| HHW-002 | Heating hot water return | Mech Rm 105, boiler inlet | Gate, 4 in. | Open |
| CW-001 | Domestic cold water main | Mech Rm 105, entry wall | Ball, 3 in. | Open |
| HW-001 | Domestic hot water recirculation | Mech Rm 105, heater outlet | Ball, 1 in. | Open |
Two sample nameplates
These are written to typical spec wording: equipment name first in the largest letters, then service and location in smaller letters.
Nameplate 1
AHU-1
AIR HANDLING UNIT
SERVES: LEVEL 2 OFFICES
LOCATION: MECH RM 105
Nameplate 2
CHWP-1
CHILLED WATER PUMP
SERVES: CHW SYSTEM, AHU-1 TO AHU-4
LOCATION: MECH RM 105
Both would be ordered as engraved two-ply plastic in whatever color pairing the spec names, with the letter height for each line taken from the spec and mounting holes if the spec calls for screws or rivets.
Pre-order checklist
- Material: plastic, brass, aluminum or stainless, for tags and nameplates separately.
- Thickness: nameplates are often stated around 1/16 inch; confirm yours.
- Colors: face and core color, and whether different systems get different colors.
- Letter heights: minimum for the name line and for secondary lines.
- Holes or adhesive: whether the spec requires mechanical fasteners and how many holes.
- Attachment hardware: chain or S-hook, material, and length.
- Quantity of spares: some specs ask for a percentage of extra tags or blanks; check the closeout and extra-stock articles.
- Submittal timing: whether you must wait for the returned submittal before ordering.
Ready-made examples to match against your spec
If your spec reads like the common master language, two stock tags make good reference points. The 2-inch V-001 plastic valve tag is a round engraved plastic tag with a hole for a chain or S-hook. The 1.5-inch V-101 stainless tag is the smaller, metal option for specs that name stainless.
When the wording, size or color in your section does not match a stock item, the valve tag configurator and the rectangle nameplate configurator let you enter your own text, size and colors so the tag reads the way the schedule does.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Section 23 05 53 require?
It commonly covers identification for HVAC piping, valves and equipment: engraved equipment nameplates, valve tags with a system abbreviation and number, a valve schedule, pipe markers and submittal items. Each project edits the master text, so the exact sizes, colors and materials come from your own specification.
What is the difference between 23 05 53 and 22 05 53?
Division 23 covers HVAC and Division 22 covers plumbing. The identification language is usually very similar, so the same tagging approach applies, but the system abbreviations and the equipment lists differ.
How big should valve tags be under the spec?
Many specs name a minimum around 1-1/2 inch for round tags, with letter heights stated separately. Do not assume that number, because some sections call for larger tags on larger valves. Check the dimension in your section.
Do nameplates have to be screwed on, or can I use adhesive?
Many specs call for screws or rivets rather than adhesive alone, and some allow adhesive on surfaces where drilling is not practical. Read the attachment paragraph and, if it is unclear, ask the engineer in writing before ordering.
What goes on a valve schedule?
Commonly each tag number, the service, the location, the valve type and size, and the normal position. Many specs also want a framed copy in the mechanical room and another in the O&M manual.
Can I order before the submittal is returned?
That depends on the spec and your relationship with the design team. Ordering ahead of a returned submittal puts the cost of any change on you, so confirm the sequence in writing.
Send us one line from your valve schedule or nameplate list and we'll engrave a sample to your spec and mail it, no charge.
If you are still working out sizes and character counts, the valve tag size chart shows how many characters fit on each tag. You can request a sample through the free sample page so the submittal has a real piece to look at.
UL, NFPA, NEC, ASME, CEMA, TIA, ANSI and OSHA are names or marks of their respective organizations; TagBuilder is not affiliated with or endorsed by any of them. Requirements above are paraphrased summaries, not the text of any standard. Always work from the current published edition and your AHJ.
