Mechanical contractors onsite at high-tech fabs in Austin get up close and personal with a world few of us ever see — millions of pipes, drains, pumps, tanks, ducts, vents, compressors, boilers and conduits — which pose dangers to workers and others nearby. This infrastructure requires constant maintenance and when something goes wrong, mechanical contractors are often first on the scene dealing with signs, labels and warning devices that help communicate workplace dangers and ensure a smooth workflow.
Labeling pipes is one of the most important and labor-intensive tasks for mechanical contractors. Without labels, pipes become a lethal landmine for those performing underground maintenance and repairs. Roughly 80 percent of the labeling mechanical contractors do is pipe marking, according to an industry insider.