Mechanical equipment tags
An equipment tag carries the unit’s drawing designation — AHU-1, P-3, B-2 — big enough to read from the floor, with what it is and what it serves underneath. They are engraved on the same plastic as our valve tags, in rectangles from 2″ × 1″ to 4″ × 2″ and squares up to 3″, with holes for screws, rivets or chain, or an adhesive back.
Ready-made equipment tags
Open one and number the whole run: AHU-1 to AHU-6, P-1 to P-12. Black with white letters unless your spec says otherwise.
Air handling unit
Pump
Boiler
Chiller
Cooling tower
Rooftop unit
Exhaust fan
Make-up air unit
Heat exchanger
Expansion tank
Domestic water heater
Fan coil unit
What goes on an equipment tag
- The drawing designation — AHU-1, P-3 — as the main line. It is what the drawings, schedules, O&M manual and work orders all call the unit.
- What it is on the top line, spelled out: AIR HANDLING UNIT, HEATING WATER PUMP.
- What it serves on the bottom line when that helps: SERVES 2ND FLOOR, PRIMARY, STANDBY.
Mechanical specifications written from MasterSpec Sections 22 05 53 and 23 05 53 ask for engraved plastic equipment labels carrying the drawing designation, with letter height set by how far away the label is read — about ¼″ for close reading and ½″ for reading from around six feet. Your project specification sets the numbers; check it.
Bigger nameplates (5″ × 2″, 6″ × 2″, 8″ × 2″ and up) are made to quote: email the list.
How big does the designation engrave?
Letter heights from the engine.
| Wording | Tag | Top line | Main line | Bottom line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIR HANDLING UNIT / AHU-1 / SERVES 2ND FLOOR | Rectangle 2½″ × 1¼″ | 5/32″ | 7/16″ | 5/32″ |
| Rectangle 3″ × 1½″ | 7/32″ | 17/32″ | 7/32″ | |
| Rectangle 4″ × 2″ | 9/32″ | 23/32″ | 9/32″ | |
| Square 3″ | 7/32″ | 21/32″ | 7/32″ | |
| PUMP / P-12 | Rectangle 2½″ × 1¼″ | 9/32″ | 1/2″ | — |
| Rectangle 3″ × 1½″ | 11/32″ | 19/32″ | — | |
| Rectangle 4″ × 2″ | 7/16″ | 13/16″ | — | |
| Square 3″ | 1/2″ | 29/32″ | — |
Tag the equipment with the valves
Equipment tags and valve tags go in the same order, one proof, one shipment.