Electrical code compliance guide.
What the standards require, and what we make.

Electrical identification requirements can come from the NEC, NFPA 70E, project drawings, facility standards, and other requirements. This guide explains several of the standards that commonly affect engraved identification orders — and where we fit: you provide the governing content and specification, and we manufacture the engraved identification to it.

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Read this first

Who is responsible for what.

We manufacture engraved identification to the content, drawings, adopted code edition, and facility specification you provide.

We do not perform engineering or arc-flash studies, calculate hazard values, determine which code or edition applies to your project, certify compliance, or act for the local code authority. Those determinations come from a qualified person, your engineer, your facility standard, and your local code authority.

This guide is background information to help you specify an order. It is not legal or engineering advice, and it does not replace the adopted code or your local code authority’s direction. Always confirm the edition your jurisdiction has adopted.

Last technical review: August 2026. Code adoption varies by jurisdiction. Confirm the edition governing your project with your project documents and local code authority.

You

supply the requirement

YOU PROVIDE Content, values, drawings, adopted code edition, and facility standard.

WE MAKE The engraved tag or label, manufactured to your approved specification.

PROJECT REQUIREMENTS Governing requirements and final acceptance come from the applicable project documents, qualified professionals, and local code authority.

The standards, in plain language

What each standard generally calls for.

These summaries are general and edition-dependent. Code language changes between cycles, and your jurisdiction may have adopted a different edition. Confirm the governing requirement with your project documents and your local code authority before ordering.

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NEC 110.16 — arc-flash marking

This section changed across recent editions, so the requirement depends on the edition your jurisdiction has adopted. In NEC 2020, the detailed marking threshold was 1200A for covered service equipment, with a general warning marking on other covered non-dwelling equipment. NEC 2023 lowered the threshold to 1000A and expanded it to covered feeder-supplied equipment. NEC 2026 removed the 1000A threshold and expanded the marking requirement within the scope of 110.16. The 2026 marking information includes nominal system voltage, arc-flash boundary, the incident energy or the minimum required personal protective equipment (PPE) information as applicable, and the assessment date. Confirm the adopted edition with your project documents and local code authority. You supply the values and governing edition; we engrave the label to them.

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NFPA 70E 130.5(H) — arc-flash label content

NFPA 70E 130.5(H) requires covered equipment labels to include the nominal system voltage, the arc-flash boundary, and at least one of the permitted incident-energy or PPE information options. These values and selections come from the facility’s arc-flash risk assessment or qualified documentation — we don't calculate them. The label must also be sufficiently durable for the environment involved. You supply the values; we engrave the label to them.

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NEC 110.21(B) — field-applied hazard markings

NEC 110.21(B) establishes requirements for field-applied hazard markings, including effective warning, permanent attachment, and durability for the environment involved. An engraved marking can be one option when the selected material and mounting method meet the project’s environmental requirements. We can help identify suitable material options based on the requirements you provide.

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NEC 408.4 — circuit and source identification

NEC 408.4 covers circuit descriptions and directories, along with source identification for certain feeder-supplied switchboards, switchgear, and panelboards. You supply the circuit schedule, directory content, or source information; we engrave the directory or plate to it.

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NEC 110.22 — disconnect identification

NEC 110.22 generally requires each disconnecting means to be legibly marked to indicate its purpose, unless its purpose is evident from its location or arrangement, with the marking durable for the environment. The edition matters: NEC 2020 added circuit-source identification for covered disconnects in other than one- and two-family dwellings, and NEC 2023 added identification of that source’s location. Confirm the adopted edition governing your project. You supply the disconnect schedule and source information; we engrave the identification to it.

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NEC 690.12(D) — building rapid-shutdown marking

This is the building-level marking for a structure with a photovoltaic rapid-shutdown system. As applicable to the adopted edition, it identifies the presence of the rapid-shutdown system and the location of the initiation device or devices. The general building marking includes a simple diagram of a building with a roof and the required wording. Where NEC 690.12(D)(1) applies — a building with more than one rapid-shutdown type, or a photovoltaic system without rapid shutdown — additional detailed roof-plan information is required. The format also changed by edition: NEC 2020 specified particular colors and letter-size requirements for this building marking, while NEC 2023 removed those specific building-marking color requirements and instead requires legible text that contrasts with the background. NEC 2026 also revised the prescribed wording for the building marking. Use the exact wording required by the adopted edition and approved project documents. We manufacture the engraved building placard only where the project specification and adopted requirement permit an engraved format, to the wording and edition your plan set and local code authority specify.

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NEC 690.12(D)(2) — rapid-shutdown switch marking

This is a separate marking at the rapid-shutdown switch itself, with its own specific requirements — including a reflective label in a white-on-red format where required by the applicable edition. Because this marking requires a reflective label, We don't currently manufacture this switch label. We make engraved identification and don't currently produce reflective-film compliance labels.

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ANSI Z535.4 — product safety signs and labels

ANSI Z535.4 provides standardized design conventions for product safety signs and labels, including signal words, safety colors, and panel structure. It is a design standard, not a blanket requirement that every electrical compliance label follow it. Where a project or customer specification calls for an ANSI Z535.4 format, We manufacture to the supplied layout.

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ASME A13.1 — piping-system identification

ASME A13.1 establishes a system for identifying piping contents, including legends, colors, and flow direction. We manufacture engraved valve tags and other identification from customer-provided schedules, numbering systems, and facility standards.

A common point of confusion

Permanent isolation-point identification.

Facilities may use permanent engraved identification to identify disconnects, valves, and other energy-isolation points within their energy-control systems.

These permanent identification tags are separate from the lockout and tagout devices governed by OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147, which addresses hazardous-energy control procedures and the temporary devices applied during servicing.

We manufacture the permanent engraved identification. We do not currently manufacture the temporary tagout device.

Two different things

PERMANENT ID Engraved identification of a disconnect, valve, or isolation point. We make this.

TAGOUT DEVICE The temporary tag applied during a lockout/tagout event under OSHA 1910.147. We do not make this.

One thing to know

This guide covers our engraved compliance identification.

Some of the markings above are also produced elsewhere as printed, vinyl, decal, or reflective-film labels. For the compliance identification described in this guide, We manufacture the engraved format and don't currently produce the printed, vinyl, decal, or reflective-film versions. Where your specification calls for an engraved plate or tag, that is what we make. Where it calls for a printed or reflective type we don’t make, we’ll tell you.

Frequently asked

Code and ordering, answered.

Do you determine which code or edition applies to my project?

No. The governing code, adopted edition, required content, and any direction from the local code authority come from you, your engineer, your facility standard, and your jurisdiction. We manufacture the engraved identification to the specification you provide.

Can you calculate my arc-flash values or perform a study?

No. Arc-flash values come from a qualified study or your approved facility documentation. Send us the values and label content, and we engrave the label to them. We do not perform engineering or arc-flash studies.

Why does the guide mention different editions and thresholds?

Because code requirements change between cycles. Arc-flash marking under NEC 110.16 is a clear example: the detailed-marking threshold was 1200A in NEC 2020, dropped to 1000A and added covered feeder equipment in NEC 2023, and the 1000A threshold was removed in NEC 2026, which expanded the marking requirement within the scope of 110.16. Jurisdictions adopt new NEC editions on different schedules, so always confirm the edition governing your project before finalizing an order.

Do you make the temporary tagout device for lockout/tagout?

No. We make permanent engraved identification for energy-isolation points. The temporary tagout device applied during a lockout/tagout event is a separate product category we do not currently produce.

Do you make printed or reflective solar labels?

We make engraved identification and placards, including the building rapid-shutdown placard where the specification permits an engraved format. We do not produce printed, vinyl, or reflective-film labels — so we do not make the reflective white-on-red rapid-shutdown switch label. If your plan set requires a printed or reflective label type we don’t make, we’ll let you know.

What do you need from me to produce a compliance tag?

The content or values, the format or drawing, the adopted code edition or facility standard, and the material or size if you have a preference. Send a drawing, sample, photo, or written specification, and we’ll confirm the details and send a proof before production. Reorders match the approved layout already on file.

Is this guide legal or engineering advice?

No. It is general background to help you specify an order. It does not replace the adopted code, a qualified engineer, or your local code authority’s direction, and it should not be relied on as compliance advice.

Standards referenced

Where these requirements come from.

This guide references the codes, standards, and regulations below. The official organizations and agencies are the authoritative sources for the full, current text. Confirm the edition adopted in your jurisdiction.

NFPA — National Electrical Code (NFPA 70) and NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace. NFPA 70 → NFPA 70E →
OSHA — 29 CFR 1910.147, The Control of Hazardous Energy (lockout/tagout). 29 CFR 1910.147 →
ANSI — ANSI Z535.4-2023, Product Safety Signs and Labels. ANSI Z535.4-2023 →
ASME — ASME A13.1-2023, Scheme for the Identification of Piping Systems. ASME A13.1 →

Have your specification ready?

Send the content, values, drawing, or facility standard, along with the adopted code edition. We’ll confirm the format, help identify suitable material options, and send a proof before production. Reorders match the approved layout already on file. Engraved in-house in Chico since 1982.