Professional Documents
Culture Documents
PIPING STUDY
by
SANJAY PRADHAN
Piping Study
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-2-
PIPING STUDY
In the Piping Study, the function of the piping design engineer is to apply knowledge
of fluid flow, stress analysis, material properties and engineering judgement. Piping
Engineer convert the process specifications into drawings and data of the Project or
Process Plant. From this drawings and data the required materials can be
purchased, fabricated and assembled into piping systems, which perform the
process requirements. This function must be fulfilled at the minimum design cost,
with close attention to the provision of an economic and satisfactory piping system,
which will operate without physical failure or excessive pressure losses for the life of
the plant. During the piping design stage, close communication must be maintained
with other engineers working on the project. Information on layout, vessels,
instrumentation, insulation, purchasing, and erection, must be received, processed,
and transmitted by the piping design office.
Piping design is the most lengthy and complex part of the entire design procedure
and always on the critical path of the project plan. Each pipeline must be treated
individually and be put through the universal engineering design assessment to
cover:
The piping engineer has therefore, considerable responsibility for economic and
accurate design. Over the years the design methods and the detail engineering
activities in consulting organization, large process and contracting companies for
piping design and the techniques have converged towards a procedure for
producing simple symbolic data conveying maximum information at minimum cost,
which is similar through-out the world.
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The basic elements of this procedure are:
Piping Engineer is responsible for a substantial part of the total project cost. Good
progress in piping is critical to completion of the project on time. In addition to the
function as a specialist design engineer, the piping engineer must provide
considerable amount of information transmittal and design continuity inside the
project design organization.
2.1 Adequacy – The piping design must be adequate to meet the process
specifications and the physical conditions in which the
plant is to operate.
2.2 Economy – Design must be optimised and must be cost effective so
as to be within project budget. Maximum use must be
made of company and National Standards. Standardized
formats for data presentation must be used. Data
retrieval of previously proven practices must be effective
to eliminate unnecessary design work.
2.3 Clarity – Much of the piping data is derived from and used by
other engineers and must be clear, consistent, and
reliable. Standardized formats are of considerable value
in this aspect.
2.4 Accuracy – Details of pipe work and purchasing data must be
complete and accurate. Mistakes do not emerge until
erection is under way and rectification work is costly and
delays project completion.
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3 PROCESS ENGINEERING DATA AND FLOWSHEET ( PFD )
FIG.1
The flowsheet is a simple diagrammatic picture of the plant, which shows the
equipment items connected by the essential process control circuits or major
process requirements. A typical flowsheet is shown in FIG.1. No attempt is made to
show equipment items to scale, in their correct elevations or in their correct relative
locations to each other. Simple symbols are used to represent different types of
equipment items. The aims of the flowsheet are to define exactly the essential
requirements of the process design and to present an easily understood picture of
the process stages and controls. Example of a typical flowsheet formats are shown
in the next two pages. For the process plants generally the flowsheet is split into
number of flowsheets to provide comprehensive data on particular stages of the
process. For example number of flowsheets may be produced for following stages:
• P Pump
• T Atmospheric Tank
• PV Pressure Vessel
• C Column
• H Heat Exchanger
• S Stirrer
• F Furnace or Fired Heater
• K Compressor
• KOD Knock out drum
And these or any other consistent system can be used successfully. Although the
flowsheets are produced outside the piping design section, their style, equipment
numbering system, and subdivision all form the basis for important piping design
documents. The process and piping engineers must evolve a mutually acceptable
form of flowsheet to prevent misunderstandings. The process engineering data are
used to supplement the pictorial information of the flowsheet. Details of equipment,
operation, control, materials of construction, heat and mass flows, temperatures,
pressures, and flow stream composition must all be provided to enable specialist
engineers to design the plant equipment. The piping engineer in particular must
have specifications of following items to design piping system.
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4 PIPING & INSTRUMENTATION DIAGRAM ( P&ID )
The P&ID is the most important document produced by the ‘Process Department’,
working in close contact with the project, process and piping engineers. When
complete, it will be used as a common data source by all the disciplines like piping,
instrument, erection, and operating staff who require a clear, unambiguous
statement of the piping design and connections. The symbols used to represent
process equipment items are frequently the same as described for the flowsheet.
Some of the standard symbols used in the P&ID, are shown in the FIG.2.
FIG.2
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The more pictorial style will promote greater familiarity with the equipment and the
designer’s objective of providing maximum information at minimum cost will be
achieved. All nozzles on equipment items must be shown in a roughly accurate
location whether for piping connections, instruments, vents, drains, or spares. All the
nozzles must be given the tag numbers. The pipe work representation is non-scalar
and entirely symbolic at this stage. P&ID should show the following details:
Every pipeline on the plant is shown, together with its installed ‘functional ‘ fittings
and valve, e.g. strainers, orifices, etc. Piping fittings such as elbows, flanges, etc.
are not shown but reducer should always be shown.
All the valves and functional fittings required in each pipe to meet all the above
foreseeable condition must be shown and identified in their correct functional
location. For example, a control valve must have block valves upstream and
downstream. It is no use showing both block valves on one side and hoping that the
detail piping designer will realize what is needed. In short, everything needed on
plant must be shown in the P&ID and accounted for purchasing and erection stages.
Conversely, any item not shown in the P&ID will not be installed on the plant.
Parallel to the initial P&ID work, the pipe sizes should be calculated. The process
engineer for the main process lines will normally prepare a very rough ‘size’
estimate. But with the final layout available and all pipes shown diagrammatically in
the P&ID, the process designer can assign pipe sizes regarded as finalized except
for the final check at final detail stage. The process designer should remember that
the P&ID covers all stages of plant start-up, operation and emergency and must
ensure that the pipe sizes selected cover all these condition adequately.
At this stage, the Process Engineer must consider the terminal point for all the pipes
shown in the P&ID, so that each individual pipe can be given a unique identity
known as line number. In the very simplest case a ‘pipe’ runs from one equipment
item to another, with two terminal points, without a branch connection. This simple
case presents no difficulties, but in the majority of cases found in practice, common
problems arise in case of following cases:
In establishing how many pipes exist, some general principles can be stated to
distinguish between `pipes’ with more than two terminal points and cases where
lines must be split into two or more pipes.
• A pipe must have only one specification to ensure that only one type of
material is used for fabrication. Hence, if the specification changes, a new
pipe must be created at the specification change point
• Pipes can have more than two terminals, but should run from on plant
location to one other location. Those, which connect to two items such as a
pair of pumps or heat exchangers, can properly be regarded as one pipe, but
a branch run to a separate vessel remote from the main run of the pipe
should be treated as a separate pipe and identified as such
• When a small piece of equipment is bypassed, the inlet pipe can be treated
as a pipe with two terminals at the equipment location, one terminal
connecting to the equipment item and the other connecting to the block valve.
Similarly, the outlet pipe starts with two terminals at the outlet and at the block
valve. On larger equipment items where the bypass line may be 20 ft. (6.1m)
long or more, it is better to treat the bypass as a separate pipe
• Bypass loops around control valves or similar equipment in a pipe should be
treated as part of the pipe
So far, each pipe has been assigned terminal points, a specification, and a size, but
no identity. It is vital that every pipe can be identified by is on unique reference and
this is most easily done by an alphanumeric system designed, firstly to split the
pipes by function and secondly, to give each pipe in the function groups a number.
The combination of `Function/Number’ is unique and identified any pipe from all
others. The functional split should separate process pipes from utilities generally
and should divide utility fluids. Each group is given an identifying letter as indicated
below:
Letters Function
Process pipes:
Utilities:
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The four features assigned to each pipe, namely:
• Size
• Functional letter
• Sequence number
• Pipe specification
If require other parameters like Insulation etc. will be added in the Line Number.
The P&ID now completed and can be released for piping layout, detailing and
material take of work. It will be used also by the instrument engineer as a guide to
instrument location, by the site engineer as a record of all piping, guide and
construction checklist. The importance of the P&ID as a project liaison and record
document requires formal approval by the project manager, process engineer, and
piping engineer. Strict control of modification procedure is essential to maintain
control of all piping work. Virtually all the process `knowhow’ and much engineering
technique are recorded on the P&ID and its security controlled to prevent
information leakage to unauthorized persons.
A section of a completed P&ID is shown in FIG.3 to illustrate the use of the symbols
and conventions described and to show the amount of detailed information
recorded.
In its final form the P&ID contains such a mass of detailed information that an index
of some form is required for easy and reliable reference by project staff. This index
is provided by a line schedule or line list, which is drawn up in the final stages of P&
ID draughting. The line schedule lists all pipes in group order and numerical order
and shows against each pipe its start and finish terminal points (in the direction of
process flow), design, operating, hydro test conditions etc.
The line schedule lists all pipes in group order and numerical order and shows
against each pipe its start and finish terminal points (in the direction of process flow),
design, operating, hydrotest conditions etc.
With the P&ID, line schedule, and piping specifications, layout and detailing of pipe
work can be preceded methodically. At this stage Piping Designers using these
source documents need have very little knowledge of the process or the project as a
whole since a complete basis for their design has been provided.
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FIG.3
MTO is a list of total number of valves, flanges, pipes and other piping elements
required for the plant. Each MTO include preparation of BOQ, construction work
volume and material requisition. Inquiries are floated immediately after the first MTO
and technical bid analysis is carried out to select the suitable vendors. Obtaining the
raw material required for pipe work forms a major part of the purchasing effort on the
project. The high cost of the material, the lengthy delivery times often needed, the
late project stage at which final requisition totals become available, and above all,
the sheer variety of types and sizes of materials required, pose difficult problems for
the purchase department.
The fact that a final statement of piping materials requirements is not available until
all the pipes have been detailed does not prevent reasonable estimates of major
material requirements being made at early project stages. A very rough estimate
can be made when the preliminary layouts, flowsheets & P&IDs are available, by
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combining data from these drawings with company or personal experience. As later
design work expands the basic data so the initial estimate is replaced by an actual
bill of material.
• The data for second MTO is obtained from the 3-D model when the
modelling is in progress
• Gives almost accurate information on the number of piping elements
• This is issued after the 3-D plant model is ready and finalized.
• This is the final MTO and must contain accurate information on the number of
piping elements.
6.1 Introduction
A plot plan is a master plan locating each unit/facility within the plot boundary. When
the process flowsheets, process data sheets, basic P&IDs, Contour Plans and other
required data are released, engineering design can be started on preparation of plot
plan activities. The most important task is to establish a rough layout for the plant
and for this purpose the basic proportions of the equipment items are estimated from
the flowsheets and P&IDs and integrated with the preliminary civil design to produce
a number of possible alternative layouts. Selection of the optimum layout is made to
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suit the plant design and physical constraints of the site and the finally agreed rough
layout is converted to a finished, firm design. All relevant requirements of civil,
mechanical, instrument, and electrical engineers are embodied in this final layout.
Basic drawings can be used for layout trails and recording the final layout.
Whichever method is chosen should be governed by considering which provides the
best method of communication between all designers and non engineering staff
concerned with producing the final layout or using this final layout as the basis for
further work.
The piping engineer is one of the leading members of the project team producing
layouts and layout is a responsibility of the piping section. In the preliminary stage,
some of the main factors to be considered are:
The intention should be to produce layouts for study, which are all practicable and
reasonably economic so that a final layout can be selected.
When one rough layout has been chosen for working up to the final plant layout,
more detailed attention must be paid to good piping practice and provision made for:
When completed and agreed, the final layout should not be altered. Attempts to
modify the layout after this stage (unless these modifications are very minor) can be
disastrous in terms of cost, completion time, and in loss of momentum and morale
within the project design team.
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6.2 Steps for Development of a PLOT PLAN
• Process Units
Process Units are separated from each other, from tank farms and the overall
site boundaries; located down wind but not uphill from any sources of ignition or
concentrations of people, and arranged in a manner such that streamlined flow
through the process units is maintained.
Boiler and Utility Plants are located, centrally to the main users, which they
supply, upwind of any equipment processing flammable or hazardous products,
and separated from any hazardous area. The main objective of centralizing the
boiler and utility plants is to minimize the interconnecting facilities between the
boiler and utility plants and their main users. This has the effect of reducing the
installed cost of any interconnecting system.
Another important factor to be considered when locating the boiler plant is the
height of the boiler exhaust stack and its location relative to the prevailing wind,
as it is most important that the products of combustion are dispersed without
polluting the local community of any of the on site facilities or buildings.
Utility plants comprise facilities such as utility water treatment, storage and
distribution and storage, instrument air and plant air compression. Since it is not
processing hazardous materials, should be grouped together in a single area
central to the main users, for the same reasons as for the boiler plant.
For the air compression plant it is important that intake air is taken from a safe
area where the air is clean and uncontaminated by hazardous, toxic or
flammable materials.
It should be noted that any air intake associated with the pressurizing system
must be taken from a safe location, which is free from contamination of
flammable toxic or hazardous material.
When locating the main electrical sub station where the plant is importing,
and in some cases exporting power to the national grid, care must be taken to
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define the sterile area created by the incoming power cable into the sub
station switchyard. Advice on the extent of this sterile area must be sought
from the project lead electrical engineer.
The location of the main electrical substation should be as close to the site
boundary and the maximum distance possible from the main processing plant
this has the effect of reducing high voltage cabling costs.
Control rooms are typically located upwind of any equipment handling toxic or
flammable materials and on the periphery of the process unit, which it serves,
with its doors facing away from, as well as towards, the operating unit.
• Flare
Flares are principally of the multi jet ground or elevated type, and as a result
will require large sterile areas around them to isolate them from personnel,
equipment and property from effects of heat radiation and convection.
The size of the sterile area is governed, in the case of the elevated flare by
the height of the flare tip above grade. The extent of the sterile area created
can be increased or decreased by altering the flare tip elevation.
In the case of the ground flare the sterile area of 150 meters radius is not so
readily altered as the sterile area is dictated by the method of construction of
the flare itself and if the sterile area requirement is severely compromised
then the use of an elevated flare must be considered.
When locating ground flares care must be taken to insure that the discharge
plume does no overheat area or create “no go areas” within the plant with
respect to operating personnel.
It can be seen therefore that the flare of either type must be located in a
remote location within the overall site facilities upwind and to the side of the
process facilities and far enough away from the boundary fence so as not to
effect the adjacent community.
• Cooling Towers
Water cooling towers are located downwind from all the facilities any sources
of ignition, and centres of population. The location of the cooling towers
must be such that their plumes do not pollute or create hazards for either the
operating company personnel or any adjacent communities. Cooling towers
are therefore being located down wind of processing facilities, utility plant,
administration buildings etc. and at such a distance not to be effected by
flammable, toxic or hazardous material discharges.
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• Tank Farms
Tank farms are located peripherally, and down wind of any sources of ignition
or centres of people within the facilities, and at the same time isolated from
hazardous areas. The location of the tank farm must also be optimised
relative to process units and the loading/unloading facilities.
Liquid gas storage tanks must be located in a remote area of the site, without
being close to the site boundaries, to minimise the risk of ignition of
undetected leakages by uncontrolled ignition sources, such as motor vehicles
on the public highways. Also the considerations for locating other tanks must
not be ignored, when locating liquid gas storage tanks.
The effluent plan location is also dependent upon the location of the final
treated effluent discharge, and the effluent discharge must not contaminate
any water intake to the facilities by recirculating the discharged effluent.
• Laboratory, canteen, first aid facilities, ambulance house, fire station, gate
house, offices and car parking for the total facility
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7 PIPING MATERIALS SPECIFICATION
Piping specifications are a most important feature of pipe work design, and work to
assemble the specifications should start in the piping section as soon as the
flowsheet and process engineering data are available.
The piping designer analyses the flow conditions and fluids specified in this process
data and separates all the individual pipes into groups, which have common
conditions of:
1. Piping material
2. Maximum pressure
3. Maximum temperature
4. Piping fabrication procedure whether socket welded, butt welded or screwed,
flanged, etc.
5. Gasket materials
6. Maximum and minimum sizes of pipe
By this analysis, the large number of pipes on the plant will be condensed into a
small number of groups on typical project with 250 pipes, probably five or six groups
would be found adequate and economic.
The grouping operations take no account of the diversity of process fluids handled
within a group; provided that above are satisfied, the fluid handled is unimportant. A
group constructed from carbon steel, for example could handle process fluids such
as caustic soda or solvents and utilities such as air, steam or water. Some care and
good judgments is needed when defining the conditions of pressure and
temperature to avoid uneconomic design.
The above mentioned six conditions established for each group constitute a
definition of piping design requirements for that group. The piping designer now
produces the material, component, and procedural information forming the piping
specifications for the groups. The first requirement is to establish the Piping Design
Code for the plant: this may be a national standard such as those in common use
e.g. ANSI B 31.1 – Code for Power Piping, ANSI B 31.3 – Code for Petrochemical
Piping etc.
Use of these codes provides a formalized design procedure. Use of these codes as
Piping Design Basis got following advantages:
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• It is easily understood by any engineer at any time in the plant design or
operation. The Basic design assumptions and procedures are set out and
ambiguities in design methods eliminated
• It Provides piping components that are compatible for strength, dimensions, and
assembly in ranges of materials suitable for fabrication by welding
• Specified materials and components by these codes are readily available as
stock or standard items from suppliers
Similarly, many useful materials (e.g. glass and plastics) are commonly available for
corrosive or hygienic duties but are not covered by codes. In these cases design
procedures are usually established by manufacturers to assist the piping designer.
From the range of components and materials available within the provisions of the
Piping Design Code, the designer now selects the appropriate items, flange ratings,
and wall thickness to the National standards laid down in the Code. Any non-Code,
company or makers standard items are also selected if required and combined with
the National standards to complete the list of permissible materials and components
forming the first part of the piping specification.
At this stage, sufficient information has been generated to enable bulk piping
material take offs to be produced. The piping engineer can now complete the
second part of the piping specifications dealing with pipework practice while other
engineers are working on the layout and P&ID activities. The practices specified
can be divided logically into:
The piping groups already analysed for preparation of piping specifications are used
as basic design data. Each group is broken down into the sub-groups having
common fluids in addition to other common conditions. So far, the
pressure/temperature rating and general valve materials can be defined, but each
individual pipe must be examined to decide on the valve function – whether this is
simple shut-off, controlled flow, throttle, non-return etc. A duty specification is now
available for every valve and the piping designer can decide from personal of plant
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experience, consultation with valve manufacturers, and price lists as to which valves
are to be used. The design element in valve selection is now complete and it
remains only to identify each type of valve and present relevant data to other
members of the project team.
The data so far assembled, enable the piping designer to specify accurately and
simply that valves required for any project duty and to call up valves from past
projects. For details design and purchasing, however, some final details are needed
which must be collected and shown on the valve specification e.g.
All the notes on standardization format and responsibility for issue, amendment,
control, and indexing made against piping specifications apply to valve specifications
also. The piping designer must evolve a style of specification suitable for the needs
of his own organization.
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• The layout is the plan view, which shows the location of all the equipment
coming in that area
• All the equipment plan view will be drawn to the scale
• Layout must show clearly the support details of the equipments like
number of supports, type of support & support locations
• Also this drawing shows the large diameter pipelines connecting from
equipment to equipment, large diameter nozzles, ducts etc. whose routing
is frozen
• This drawing will never show the nozzle orientation of the equipments
• Layouts are designed to meet the process requirements
• While designing the layout, some Standard rules & regulations are
considered according e.g. the design basis, relevant codes & standards,
local authorities, statutory rules, other relevant rules like IBR, CCE and
SMPV
• Battery limits must be properly defined and provision for further expansion
shall be provided
• Layout includes structural & civil layouts, road layout, pipe rack layout,
equipment maintenance space, equipment platforms, ladders, staircases
etc.
• Equipment Layout is the drawing, which is prepared after preparation of
plot plan, in which the locations of all the equipments are fixed
• Final piping layout can only be possible after completion of this drawing
• These drawings give the directional guidance for the proper and correct
piping routing
• This drawing shows the location of all the equipments with the tag
numbers, the pipe rack, package units, road locations, battery limits, North
direction (True North & Plant North)
• It gives all the required dimensions, angles etc.
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FIG.4
9 NOZZLE ORIENTATION
Nozzle Orientation Drawing is the plan view of the equipment, shows the following
information:
10 PIPING LAYOUT
When the plant layout, Equipment Layouts, pipe specifications, PFDs, P&IDs are
completed, piping layout work can commence. The pipe specifications and process
and utility P&IDs provide the designer with information on:
The site and plant layout give a picture of the area in which the pipes may run and
general good practice imposes further limits on the location and routing of piping.
The piping designer must work within these constraints and fulfil the specified
conditions for each pipe by applying experience, judgment, and engineering science
to produce an effective, economic pipe layout. In laying out any pipe installation the
first considerations are the general aspects applying to all piping, followed by
consideration of the particular qualities of the given piping systems contained in the
layout. The final pipe layout is the last stage of true design in the piping activity; all
further work consists only of interpreting the designer’s intention and adding detailed
information for the use of craftsmen.
• Main service piping carrying utilities and process materials to various plants
on a large works
• In plant piping which interconnects plant items within buildings structures or
individual process areas
Pipes carrying HP and LP steam, condensate, fuel oil, towns water, cooling
water, towns gas, compressed air, and effluent, are typical main service pipes,
and on some works central distribution of inert gases or some process materials
is accomplished by running special service pipes with main service. Such pipes
run from central distribution points to all areas of the site, serving existing plant
and providing facilities from which new plants can be fed by tapping off or small
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extensions. Main electrical cables are frequently run with the service pipes to
take advantage of pipe support structures or pipe trenches and provision should
be made for these cables at design and construction stages. Since the pipes
form part of the site materials distribution system, it is logical and usual for them
to follow the road network and bring to installed or planned plants, all site
services. The piping layout is thus largely settled by general site considerations
and considerations of piping practice. Main services may be run on elevated
steel pipe bridges or at ground level and it is usual to run the pipes in groups to
save space. Individual pipes may be buried for protection against frost or for
safety.
In designing main service pipe racks, some general principles must be followed
whether the pipes run at ground or elevated level:
• Pipe sizes should allow for increased flow rates required as plans are added
to enlarged and space left for the addition of extra pipes. If forward plans for
the site are not available, about 30 per cent extra flow should be allowed for,
and about 25 per cent extra width left in the pipe rack
• Standard pipe spacing is maintained to avoid fouling of pipes. Pipes should
run with flanges staggered to minimize centre distance spacing. Care is
needed in positioning valves to ensure that they and flanged joints, do not
foul. This is the type of matter, which if standardized and tabulated, will save
considerable time at the layout stage
• Space should be allocated for electrical cables. This will probably mean
adding steel work to carry the cable, which required continuous or frequent
support
• If two tiers of pipes are used to reduce width, always run utilities above
process lines so that any spillage from the higher pipes to the lower pipes is
harmless
• As far as practical, pipes with the most frequent off takes to one side of the
rack should run at that side of the rack
• Steam and other hot pipes should be kept to one side of the rack to allow
maximum room for expansion bends over the other pipes. Pipes should never
run above cables in case of spillage and cables should not be near hot pipes
• Branch off takes are usually normal to the flow but may be rolled in the
vertical plane
• Where the track changes direction, the pipes should change elevation. This
gives an opportunity to change the arrangement of pipes if required
• Flanged or screwed joints should never be located over roads or walkways or
buried under roads. Welded joints are free from this restriction
• Pipes are normally laid without fall. If a particular pipes requires a fall, it
should be run at one side of the track on separate brackets to give the
required slope
• Provision must be made for anchor points to take up expansion forces from
hot pipes or reactions at bends in large water pipes
• Pipe gantries or sleepers should be designed to carry the weight of the
insulated pipes full of water, even though some of the large pipes may be
carrying gases; at some time hydraulic testing in situ will be carried out and
the pipe supports and steelwork must take the weight at test conditions
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• Clearance should be left around pipes for painting. About 2 in should be left
between pipes and support members on pipe bridges. If pipes are laid in a
shallow trench about 4 in each side will be needed. Ground level pipes should
be about 12” above ground
• Pipes should not be buried unless a clear-cut advantage can be gained. The
main advantages of buried pipes are protection from freezing, fire, or
accidental damage and these are valid reasons for burying fire mains or in
exceptional cases, cooling water supplies if guaranteed flow under
emergency conditions is essential. When pipes are buried, some general
precautions should be taken
• General
Whilst there are, in theory, an infinite number of routes in space between the
pipe terminals, the general design philosophy, the need to leave room for
other pipes and the space occupied by the components limits the designer’s
choice to a few alternatives. Which alternative the designer selects depends
on the relative importance of the six constraints identified above and whether
the particular pipe being examined can follow the general design philosophy.
As each pipe on the P&ID added to the layout, it is ticked off on the line
schedule so that a check can be made of any pipes not shown on the piping
layout.
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Usually, the largest, most expensive, or most important pipes, e.g. distillation
column vapour line, furnace piping, or main service headers are drawn first so
that they can follow the most direct routes and have prior claim on the space
available. At later stages, the smaller, less expensive, and less important
pipes are drawn around the main pipes until all pipes have been laid out. The
operation as described, is simple for one pipe only, but a skilled layout
designer is needed on complex plants with many pipes to ensure that a
satisfactory, economic pipe arrangement is produced.
During the development of the piping layout, the designer must keep in mind
many points arising from the various constraints and it is useful to establish a
checklist of such points as an aide-memoire for guidance of all design staff.
A suitable checklist is given below for guidance and will be useful in most
circumstances even though every designer could probably add extra points
from his own experience or to cover his own company’s requirements.
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FIG.5
• Checklist
• General
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o Route pipe groups-particularly containing large pipes-along lines of
main steel work so that supports can be taken from main members.
Do not forget to advise the structural designer of this before imposing
large pipe loads back on main members
o Spacing of pipes within groups should be practical minima as noted for
main service piping unless certain lines need frequent access
o On multi-floor plants, pipe wells should be established so that main
service headers and inter-floor piping can pass through floors simply
without the need for many small pipe holes. Wells should be near
main column and beams to avoid weakening flooring
o Pipes in plant should be dimensioned to centrelines to make detail
checking easier
o If horizontal and vertical pipes run alongside a building wall, run each
system at a different distance from the wall so that crossovers can be
made without insertion of extra fittings
o Collaborate with electrical and instrument engineers to ensure that
main cables and trunking are shown and cleared by pipes at earliest
stages of pipe layout. Cables, etc. cannot be easily cut and joined if
they foul pipes on site-this means pipes would have to be modified,
entailing unnecessary extra construction cost
o Make provision for flexibility in hot or cold piping by use of loops,
bellows, or expansion joints. Flexibility is needed, not only for high
temperature or cryogenic systems –short, stiff jacketed line or steam
header can be just as much of a problem as a high temperature alloy
pipe if flexibility is neglected
o Allow extra space for larger size and more complex construction work
needed on anchors or variable supports for hot pipes
o Allow for thickness of insulation (especially on high temperature pipes)
in spacing pipes in relation to plant features
o Run and support pipes which are subject to plant-induced vibration
separately-piping from compressors, fans, centrifuges, ball mills, and
similar equipment comes into this category. Special damping supports
or mass added to pipes may be needed and space must be allowed for
remedial action on site since it is difficult to forecast extent of
vibration and remedial work at he design stage
o The possibility of plant expansion must be borne in mind-leave valved-
off connections on main service headers to allow for future needs
o Allow for runs of straight pipe needed for some flow measuring
devices. Also ensure rotameters are drawn with vertically upward flow.
Make provision for supports spaced on centres
• Cost
Page 27 of 48
o Use pulled bends where possible rather than weld elbows bends are
cheaper to fabricate in many cases and have lower pressure drop
• Operation
Page 28 of 48
o Plants in the open need careful examination of the possibility and
consequences of pipes freezing up in winter. Fluids in slow or
intermittent flow may freeze or become viscous under low temperature
conditions where heat losses through the pipe cannot be made up by
the flow of warm fluid. Where freezing or operational difficulties are
likely, steam or electric heating should be used to ensure proper
operation in all foreseeable winter conditions. It is poor economy to
risk a winter shutdown for the sake of saving some small bore steam
and condensate pipe and fittings
o Steam feeds to plant heating systems should be grouped in operating
sets at convenient locations so that the system can be controlled from
central points and the operators are not expected to find and operate
many small valves in, perhaps, difficult-to-reach placed. These
systems usually entail many small bore pipes and valves and it is
essential to have clear identification at the operation point of which
parts of the system are controlled by each valve so that logical
operation and fault finding procedures can be established.
Condensate returns grouped and identified so that reliable routine
checking of steam trap operation can be assured. Remember that the
operator is human too-he will carry out his duties best when they are
made easy for him by the designer
o All steam trap sets feeding into condensate headers must have a
bypass and test point fitted, so that operational checks and
maintenance can be carried out safely and the plant can run whilst a
defective trap is being repaired
o Instruments in piping to be read by operators should be about 5 ft.
(1.5m.) above floor level
o Where plant conditions are displayed on a local instrument and
controlled from a manually operated station, the instrument must be
clearly and easily visible from the operating station
o Provision should be made for the insertion and removal of temporary
strainers during start up, particularly upstream of pumps, compressors,
control valves, meters etc.
o If flexible hoses are used to wash down or temporary steam, air, or
other supplies to the plant, the layout should be based on maximum
hose lengths of 50 ft 0 in (15m) and sufficient hose points and hose
reels provided to maintain this maximum length
o Pump suction pipe work should be laid out for minimum pressure drop,
particularly if the pump suction has to lift fluid from below the pump or
if volatile fluids are being handled Excessive pressure loss in these
cases can cause pumping failure through loss of prime or vapour
locking
o If reducers are needed in pump suction lines, they should be fitted
directly to the pump inlet. The temptation to fit reducers before the
pump isolating valve, or strainer to make use of reduced size fittings,
should be resisted suction pressure losses increase rapidly as suction
line size is reduced
o On critical or large volume pumps, a straight length of about three
diameter should run from the last valve or fitting to the pump suction to
Page 29 of 48
smooth the flow into the impeller and allow the pump to operate
smoothly and efficiently
o All centrifugal pump should be fitted with a pressure gauge on the
outlet. Since the volume versus pressure relationship for a pump is
easily obtained, the pressure reading give a clear picture of pump
performance and during operation
o Piping around reciprocating compressors should allow for pulsation
dampers at inlet and outlet sides. Dampers are almost always fitted at
the outlet side and may be found necessary on the suction side and
the layout must be capable of easy modification if necessary
o Compressor inlet piping should not contain pockets where condensate
can collect and be entrained into the inlet pipes-slugs of liquid entering
the compressor can cause severe damage
• Safety
o All pipes above floors, platforms, gangways, and stairways must leave
at least 7ft. (2.1m.) headroom blow the lowest part of the pipe or any
pipefitting
o Pipes running across areas not normally designated as access areas
should be a minimum centre height of 2 ft 0 in (0.6m) above the floor,
so that they do not present a trip hazard
o Pipes must not protrude into gangway widths or into working platform
areas
o Small bore pipes, glass or plastics pipes, and pipes carrying
hazardous fluids must be protected if installed alongside a gangway
used by vehicles. Barriers or steel shield must be provided
o The possibility of hazardous reaction between the contents of pipes
and the contents of other nearby pipes or vessels in the even of
leakage must be considered. Typical examples are acid and cyanide,
water and sodium, volatile flammables and hot surfaces, or water and
strong acids. If such combinations exist and lethal conditions can arise
from accidental mixtures, one of the systems must be rerouted away
from the other
o Flanged or screwed joints should not be located over walkways or
stairs. This does not apply for welded joints
o Pipes carrying non-conducting flammable volatiles must be bonded for
electrical continuity and earthed to prevent the accumulation of static
electricity charges which can, if arcing o earth near the pipe discharge,
cause fie or explosion. Screwed piping using PTFE thread seal tape at
the screwed joints must also be bonded-the PTFE tape can effectively
insulate line sections from each other
o Do not run hot pipes near power cables-any local heating of the cable
will reduce its allowable power capacity rating and may damage the
cable. Do not run solvent or acid lines over plastic cables
o Pipes carrying main services, e.g. cooling water steam, or air through
areas of fire hazard, should be fireproofed so that services can be
maintained for emergency shutdown and cooling if a fire breaks out
Page 30 of 48
o Process lines carrying lethal, flammable, or valuable fluids should
avoid fire hazard areas if possible. If they must run through such
areas, consider fireproofing
o Consider effect of fire on non-ferrous, plastics, glass, or lined pipes
o Emergency shutdown valves should be placed in a sheltered but
visible area from which the operator can escape easily during
emergencies
o If possible, pipe water-cooled heat exchanges so that the inlet is at the
bottom and the outlet at the top. If the cooling water supply fails, then
the exchangers will be left full of water to provide a limited reserve of
cooling capacity
o Make sure safety drench showers and eyewash points are installed on
caustic, acid, or solvent plants
o If positive isolation of hazardous fluids is required, fit `double block and
bleed’ valve arrangements, or line blind valves. Do not rely on this
spade plates in the line for such duties, they can corrode away without
any external evidence and fail when most needed
o Avoid the possibility of trapping liquefied gases between two valves in
a line. If both valves are essential, fit a relief valve connected to the
plant vent system so that high pressures from liquid expansion or
vaporization can be relieved
o A relieve valve should always be fitted across the outlet and inlet of a
positive displacement pump of compressor so that overpressure
caused by downstream blockages does not damage the machine
o Relief valves should be installed with inlet axis vertical and discharge
axis horizontal
o Inlet piping to relief vales should be short, straight and at least the
same line size as the inlet flange of the valve. Discharge piping should
be larger bore and could require special supports to cope with sudden
heating of pipe or sudden fluid reaction forces when the relief valve lifts
o Disposal of vented fluids should ensure the following:
o Harmless gases (e.g. many aqueous solutions, high b.p. oils) pipe
to appropriate plant effluent drain and disposal system. The pipe
end must be visible so that discharge can be seen
o Harmless liquids (e.g. many aqueous solutions, high b.p. oils) pipe
to appropriate plant effluent drain and disposal system. The pipe
end must be visible so that discharge can be seen
o Hazardous of flammable liquids or gases (e.g. solvents, methane,
phosgene) must be piped into a closed vent system equipped with
collecting vessels, scrubbing plant, or flare stack to collect or
dispose of the fluid
o Vents and drains on hazardous or flammable pipe lines should run to a
plant disposal system
o All closed vent systems must be designed so that the system pressure
during operation is not so high as to prevent the opening of limit the
flow through any relief valve
o Vent lines should be self-draining away from the relief valve to pockets
or vent system knockout drum to prevent condensate logging of lines
with consequent high back pressure when the relief valve operates
Page 31 of 48
o Access to emergency exists; fire escapes or access for firefighting
must not be obstructed by pipes.
• Maintenance
o Pipes should never run below lifting beam installed for plant
maintenance
o Pipes should not run directly over equipment requiring process
cleaning or mechanical attention. Typical items which need such work
are:
o Heat exchangers, Vessels with full diameter lids – Require
cleaning out
o Pumps and compressors, Agitates vessels, Centrifuges,
Process machinery, evaporators, Small mills – Require
mechanical work, possibly require overhead clearance for lifting
o Pipes should run above lighting fittings so that obstruction or shadows
are prevented and so that routine lamp maintenance is not hindered by
the presence of pipes
o Do not support pipes off other pipes, particularly in vertical banks on
horizontal pipes
o Always leave short spool pieces connected to the flanges of any item
likely to need removal from the plant (e.g. pumps, vessel lids, etc.).
When removal is required, the spool pieces are removed and the item
can be moved without major disturbance of pipe work
o Control valves, safety valves, and large valves generally should,
because of their weight, be supported separately from the pipe in
which they are installed
o Supports for piping should allow for the removal of valves and fittings
without requiring use of temporary supports whilst the fitting is out of
the pipe
o Supports for piping should allow for the removal of valves and fittings
without requiring use of temporary supports whilst the fitting is out of
the pipe
o Large valves, fittings or control valves should be mounted under or
near steelwork from which the item can be lifted for maintenance. If
this cannot be done, then consider fixing special hitching points for
maintenance use
o Control valves should be mounted at least 15 in. (0-38m.) above floor
level and with a clear distance below obstructions at least equal to the
valve height, to allow for removal of bottom cover and top control gear
o Access should be provided to control valves and `inline’ instruments
depending on the frequency of maintenance. Suggested means are:
o Control valves, motorized valves, and normal instrumentation for
level, temperature, pressure, or low-these need fairly limited in situ
attention and a fixed ladder is acceptable
o Special instruments for infra red, pH, gas chromatography,
refractive index, etc. may need frequent careful attention and
calibration, and a permanent platform should be provided
o Pipes to be cleaned frequently (about once per week) should be
provided with flanged rodding out points at changes of direction.
Page 32 of 48
About 30 ft. (9 m.) is the maximum that can be rodded effectively from
one end; 60 ft (18m) if rodding from both ends
o Fine filters should always be provided on compressor suction piping to
prevent entry of grit and scale
o Piping around reciprocating compressors should be arranged to leave
room for maintenance of cylinder heads, valves, etc. Also ensure that
withdrawal of pistons, crankshaft or camshaft is not prevented by pipes
o Heat exchanger piping running alongside the exchanger shell should
clear the edge of the tube sheet flange by about 2ft. 6 in. (0.76m.) to
leave access to the bolts and joints
• Construction
• Aesthetics
Page 33 of 48
prepared, much of the detailed information is easily understandable and the piping
designer can, at the layout stage, concentrate on the best means of specifying his
pipe routing and arrangement requirements to the detailers.
11.1 Insulation
There are four main reasons for maintaining the temperature of a product in
pipeline transit:
Typical products, which require heat application in pipe transit, are, resins,
polymers, waxes, tar, pitch, asphalt, sulphur, and many foodstuffs
• Resistance to attack by chemicals with which they may come into contact
• If this is not possible, then the insulation should be provided with a
resistant coating or jacket
• Resistance to moisture sufficient that they do not deteriorate under wet
conditions. This is important when operating in the open area.
• Cover to resist from vibration, mechanical shock, and abrasion, as most
insulants Insulations are mechanically weak, at least protection them
against damage
• Characteristics which allow them to be formed, as required, to effectively
insulate awkward pipe and fitting shapes
Page 34 of 48
11.1.1 Preparing an Insulation Specification
There are several ways of Heat Tracing to carry out pipe line heating, the
more common being as follows:
Page 35 of 48
12 ISOMETRIC DRAWINGS
The most effective and almost universal manner of producing all this information is
the pictorial dimensioned drawings, commonly termed `The Isometric Drawing’. This
type of drawing conveys a two-dimensional picture of a three-dimensional shape by
using the isometric draughting conventions of representing vertical directions by
vertical line on the drawing and representing horizontals to left and right of the
aspect point by lines included at 30° to the drawing sheet horizontal.
FIG.6
Ideally an isometric should show only one pipeline from start to finish and this should
be the aim in detail draughting. In practice, a minority of exceptional cases will be
found when a pipe is too complex to be clearly represented and must be broken
down into two or more simpler drawings; alternatively, some simple lines connected
together can best be shown on one combined drawing. In the latter case, however,
all the pipes must be to the same specification and, at a specification change point,
a new isometric should be started. The need to start and finish isometrics at
sensible points in the piping systems highlights the need, already noted, to locate
break points between separately numbered pipes in positions where new pipes
might be expected to start naturally.
Pipes and piping components are represented on the isometric by simple stylised
symbols, which are almost self explanatory and are commonly accepted. Some of
the commonly used symbols in Isometric Drawings are shown in FIG.6.
Page 36 of 48
Piping is a single bold line drawn along the pipe axis and typical symbols for other
items are shown. The shape of the pipe is shown correctly and all components are
correctly located relative to each other in the pipe, but no attempt is made to draw to
scale. Indeed, the reverse is true in that scale is completely sacrificed to clarity and
any complex portions (e.g., a control valve set) are drawn large enough to be easily
read and dimensioned, but long straight runs of pipe are foreshortened. Fittings are
drawn without regard to scale-for example, large and small valves may be drawn the
same size. A typical Isometric Drawing is shown in FIG.7.
FIG.7
• General
o Study the layout checklist given in the previous section 8, for guidance
when the layout leaves some freedom in detailing
o Show all details with project north in the same direction
o Check certified equipment drawings for flange ratings
o Decide whether or not to include gasket thickness in dimensioning and
stick to the decision throughout the project. Usually gaskets less than
1/16 in. can be neglected; gaskets over 1/16 in. should be included
o Ensure pipe terminal co-ordinates and connecting nozzle identities are
shown
Page 37 of 48
o Show P&ID and Piping Layout drawing numbers for reference on every
detail drawing
o Ensure all continuation points are highlighted and continuation drawing
numbers shown
o Try to show a reference dimension to a stanchion or floor beam to give
the erector a locating point, but do not show excessive pictorial detail
of adjacent plant or structures
o Indicate flow direction when pipes slope and when non-return valves
are fitted
o Show special fabrication requirements, e.g. x-ray or heat treatment if
required
o Draw boldly and simply. If using preprinted isometric grid paper, make
sure all drawn lines (including witness lines) are heavier and print
clearer than the grid lines
o Keep lettering and figures to about 3/16 in (5mm) minimum size and
easily readable
• Operation
Page 38 of 48
o Fit priming connections to centrifugal pumps which draw liquid from
tanks blow pump levels-the pump cannot generate suction until the
impeller is running in liquid
o Consult instrument engineers for details of instrument mounting
generally, but some simple rules are:
o Put tapping for pressure point at side of pipe rather than top (this
forms an air pocket) or bottom (which allows solids to deposit on
gauge)
o Thermometer pockets (usually ½ in. or ¾ in. nominal bore) should
be installed at a change in direction in the pipe either by fitting a tee
connection or a socket fitted into an elbow. Obstruction of flow is
minimized by this method of installation-for example a ½ inch
nominal bore pocket occupies only 29 per cent of the flow area of a
1 1/2inch pipe
o Thermometer pockets can cause serious obstruction to flow in lines
2 in nominal bore and below when installed across the pipe, e.g.
the ½ in. nominal bore pocket occupies 65 per cent of the flow area
of the 1 ½ in. nominal bore pipe. In these cases an enlarged
section should be provided
o Steam trap piping is important and maker literature should be
consulted for detailed guidance – valuable data are provided by
reputable manufacturers. In particular, observe the following:
o Always provide a strainer before a trap-no trap will work with dirt
under its seating
o Fit an isolating valve before the trap-otherwise, the plant has to be
shut down to maintain it
o On duties where good condensate removal is vital, fit a valved
bypass around the trap-the plant can then discharge condensate
while the trap is being maintained
o The discharge from every trap should either be visible (at a tundish
or sight glass) or capable of being tested by discharge to
atmosphere, otherwise it is impossible to check trap operation
o If traps discharge to a pressurized condensate main, an isolating
valve should be installed to protect maintenance workers and a
non-return valve fitted to prevent condensate blowing back from the
pressurized main when the trap is not discharging
o Trapping points in pipes should be taken off bottom of the pipes, to
prevent condensate being carried over the trapping point
• Safety
o Make sure pipes are at least 7 ft. (2.1m.) above platforms or working
areas. Do not run pipes at very low levels (say less than 2ft. (0.6m.)
above floors or platforms) even although these areas are not
designated for operation or access-pipes below this level are a serious
trip hazard during maintenance or emergency operations
o Position valves to leave at least 6 in. (0-15 m) clear space round hand
wheels
o On hot or corrosive liquids, avoid joints at eye level or over platforms
Page 39 of 48
o Check relief valve or bursting disc discharge piping carefully with the
designer. General points to note are:
o Fit light weatherproof cover over exit to atmosphere to prevent
rainwater entering and settling in pockets or on relief devices. This
cover must be of light construction to reduce its inertia-it must open
quickly and with minimum pressure rise when a relieving device
operates
o Provide small drain holes at lowest point of atmospheric discharge
pipes. Note-Do not do this on flare systems or on sealed vent
systems
o Discharge pipes entering a common main should make a 45°
lateral connection with the main as shown in Fig.14.34, to minimize
back pressure from main and to assist flow into the main
o Check supports of discharge lines on relief valves from point of
view of weight of valve and reactions from sudden flow when
device operates suddenly
o If screwed lines are used for flammable non-conductive fluids (e.g.
hydrocarbon solvents), ensure that PTFE thread seal tape is not called
for at screwed joints unless earthing connections are also made
• Maintenance
• Construction
Page 40 of 48
flat faced; if raised face flanges are called for by the specification, the
valve mating flange must have the raised face machined off to match
the valve
o When pipes are carried over from one isometric to another, check that
the break point is at an accessible location. Also ensure continuation
notes are shown on drawings
o When starting new points at a tee from a main pipe, leave a stub about
12 in. (300mm) long projecting from the main or use a welded tee so
that the pipes can be joined on site by a butt weld. Do not leave
erectors with the job of making difficult stub tee connections on site
o When small branches are needed on large pipes, provide gusset
plates to reinforce the branch against damage during transport and
construction
o Provide temporary strainers in lines to remove construction debris
o Check hot lines with designer to see if cold pull is called for-if so,
specify location and amount on drawing
o If expansion bellows are fitted in pipes, add note to remind erector to
leave the protecting bracer rods in during construction and remove at
start-up
13 PIPE SUPPORTS
During the pipe layout stage, supports should be defined for use on the project.
These may be company standard or maker’s standard types as found most
economic; the important point is that standards be selected. Standard assembly
and detail drawings with parts lists for each type should be available in a format
which leaves the pipe size to be supported and possible other features (e.g. length
of hanger type support) to be specified separately. By this means, a relatively small
number of drawings can serve for a large number of supports. Each type of support
should be given a short identifier, which may be based on manufacturer’s or
company’s standards or perhaps identified specially for the project.
Support positions and types should be selected, as the piping layouts are being
finalized and completed. To avoid complication, it is not usual to indicate the
supports on the pipe layout drawings, but a progressive recording of positions
should be done on separate transparencies or on the piping isometrics.
A plan of supports need only be a simple type of drawing provided that location
dimensions are incorporated. There is no need to indicate supports in detail a small
circle plus the support schedule number is all that is required.
Page 41 of 48
Supporting of pipes should follow the general sequence of layout of piping. This will
ensure that important and large pipes are attended to first. A support schedule
should be drawn up as the job proceeds to identify types and sizes record and
provide a progressive checklist of detailing, fabrication, and erection work. Various
types of pipe supports are shown in FIG.8.
• To carry the weight of the piping filled with water (or other liquid involved) and
insulation if used, with an ample safety margin –use a factor of three (= ratio
of the load just causing failure of support or hanger to actual load) or the
safety factor specified for the project. External loading factors to be
considered are the wind loads, the probable weight of ice buildup in cold
climates, and seismic shocks in some areas
• To ensure that the material from which the pipe is made is not stressed
beyond a safe limit. In continuous run of the pipe, maximum tensile stress
occurs in the pipe cross section at the support. The system of supports
should minimize the introduction of twisting forces in the piping due to offset
loads on the supports; the method of the cantilevered sections to substantially
eliminate torsional forces
• To allow for draining, holdup of liquid can occur due to pipes sagging
between supports. Complete draining is ensured by making adjacent support
adequately tilt the pipe
• To permit thermal expansion and contraction of the piping
• To withstand and dampen vibrational forces applied to the piping by
compressor, pump, etc.
Page 42 of 48
• Sloped lines on pipe racks:
Sloped lines can be carried on bracket attached to the pipe rack stanchions.
To obtain the required change in elevation at each bend, the bracket may be
attached at the required elevation and the slope obtained by using shoes of
different sizes-this method leads to fewer construction problems. Shoes of
graded sizes are also the best method for sloping smaller lines on the pipe
rack. It is not usual or desirable to hang lines from the pipe rack unless
necessary vertical clearances can be maintained.
• Sloped lines in buildings:
Inside a building, both large and small sloped lines can rest on steel brackets,
or to be held with hangers. Rods with turnbuckles are used for hangers on
lines required to be sloped. Otherwise, drilled flats bar can be used.
• Supporting pipe made from plastics or glass:
Pipes made either from flexible or rigid plastics cannot sustain the same span
loads as metal pipe, and requires a greater number of support points. One
way to provide support is to lay the pipe upon length of steel channel section
or half section of pipe, or suspending it from other steel pipes. The choice of
steel section would depend on the span load size and type of plastic pipe.
• Design Points:
• General
• Support
The weight of piping is usually carried on supports made from structural
steel, concrete or wood.
• Hanger
Device, which suspends piping (usually a single line) from structural steel,
concrete or wood. Hangers are usually adjustable for height.
• Anchor
A rigid support, which prevents transmission of movement (thermal,
vibratory, etc.) along piping. Construction may be from steel plate,
brackets, flanges, rods, etc. Attachment of an anchor to pipe should
preferably encircle the pipe and be welded all around as this gives a better
distribution of stress in the pipe wall.
• Tie
Page 43 of 48
An arrangement of one or more rods, bars, etc. to restrain movement of
piping.
• Dummy Leg
An extension piece (of pipe or rolled steel section) welded to an elbow in
order to support the pipeline.
• Guide
A means of allowing a pipe to move along its length, but not sideways.
• Shoe
A metal piece attached to the underside of a pipe, which rests on
supporting steel. Primarily used to reduce wear from sliding for lines
subject to movement. Permit insulation to be applied to the pipe.
• Saddle
A welded attachment for pipe requiring insulation, and subject to
longitudinal or rolling movement (resulting from temperature changes
other than climatic). Saddle may be used with guides.
• Slide Plate
The two plates used in a support are made from or faced with a material
of low frictional coefficient to reduce frictional resistance during movement
of pipeline to with stand mechanical stress and temperature changes.
Plates are often made from graphite blocks, steel plates with a Teflon
facing are available and may be welded to steel.
• Spring hangers or supports
Allow variations in the length of the pipe due to change in temperature,
and often used for vertical lines.
Page 44 of 48
• Sway brace, or sway arrestor
It is essentially a helical spring in a housing, which is fitted, between
piping and a rigid structure. Its function is to buffer vibration and sway.
• Welding to pipe
If the applicable code permits, lugs may be welded to pipe for
1. Fixing hangers to structural steel, etc.
2. Attaching to pipe
3. Supporting pipe
Welding supports to prelined pipe will usually spoil the lining, and
therefore lugs etc. must be welded to the pipe and fittings before the
lining/cladded insulation is applied. Welding of supports and lugs to the
pipes and vessels to be stress relieved should be done before heat
treatment.
Rod Eyerod Clevis with rod Clevis with rod Spring hanger
with rod
Rod Turn buckle Spring hanger Clevis with rod Hanger with lug
with rod with eye rod
FIG.8
Page 45 of 48
FIG.8 (CONT.)
Clevis with pipe Clevis with pipe Channel with weld Welded brackets
and clamp
T section Saddle with roller U bolt With Slide plates Steel rod
FIG.8
Page 46 of 48
FIG.8 (CONT.)
FIG.8
The two cardinal principles in routing lines for economic support, restraints, and
bracing are:
Page 47 of 48
6. Piping from upper connections on vertical vessels is advantageously
supported from the vessel to minimize relative movement between supports
and piping; hence such piping should be routed and supported close to the
connection.
7. Piping in structures should be routed beneath platforms, near major structural
members at points at points favourable for added loading, avoid the necessity
of making these members heavier.
8. Sufficient space should be allotted so that the proper support assembly
details may be accommodated.
9. Access clearance must be provided in order that support fixture parts
requiring maintenance can be serviced.
Allowable spans for horizontal lines are principally influenced by the need to:
1. Keep stresses within suitable limits. (Instability may be a factor in the case of
large thin-walled pipe)
2. Limit deflections (sagging), if necessary for:
• Appearance
• Avoid pockets
• Avoiding interferences
S = 1.2(wl2 / Z)
Page 48 of 48