International standard for tank marking ISO20560-2 officially published

On march 6^th, 2023, the new International standard for tank marking, ISO20560-2, has been published. This standard will meet the needs of a uniform identification of safety information of (storage)tanks.

This document specifies a safety information system for tanks made by combining several elements onto a single marking to communicate health and hazard safety information and information in case of an emergency for the purpose of accident prevention.

The organization’s risk assessment will determine when and where this safety information system for tanks will be used. Possible applications include, but are not limited to:

• markings installed on or near fixed above-ground tanks;
• markings installed on or near tanks used in production facilities, marine installations, offshore platforms, and ships;
• markings posted on or near interchangeable containers with fixed connection;
• markings installed on or near overground elements of underground tanks.

This document establishes additional principles to ISO 3864-1 for the purpose of establishing design principles for the display of safety information on tanks typically found in workplaces, industry, and other facilities with tanks and containers. It covers safety information for tanks only. It is not intended for use on product packaging.

Blomsma Signs & Safety has been actively involved in the realization of this standard. Together with internationally operating companies based in the Netherlands, we provided an expert committee member and the chairmanship of this ISO working group that developed the standard on behalf of NEN.

“We are very pleased with the outcome of this standard. We offer the industry and its workers a guide to harmonized information provision of tank markings, following on from the previously published standard for pipe marking. This can significantly improve safety on the shop floor. After all, visual language is proven to be more effective than written or verbal instructions and procedures. This is now further enhanced by the uniform and international character and scope of this standard.” Thus Brian Lenos, an active expert member of the ISO committee TC 145/SC 02/WG 06 “Safety identification for the content of piping systems and tanks”.

More information about ISO20560-2 can be found on the ISO website.