FLUID

MACHINERY

GENERAL PIPING
REQUIREMENTS (from the PME
CODE):

_______________________________________________________________

1. ALL PIPING SHOULD RUN PARALLEL TO THE BUILDING

WALLS.
Piping that is assembled unparallel to the building walls would be
an eyesore and at the same time could be a potential tripping
hazard. That it would necessitate a different size of mounting
support instead of the standard size of mounting support.

If
such
piping
consideration is not considered,
the lay-out of pipes would be
like a MAZE which would
complicate line tracing (more so
if no color coding exists) as well
as repairs and alterations.
Piping installation made
in this manner would also
maximize available space in
cases that there are space
constraints/
limitations
that
should be observed.

With space limitations (as

in the case of ship vessels0) such

MEFM 413/ ENGR. GS

type of pipe laying could no longer

be prevented.

2. GROUPED PIPING SHALL BE SUPPORTED ON RACKS EITHER

MEFM 413/ ENGR. GS ROBLES,
ON HORIZONTAL OR VERTICAL PLANES.
RME
Grouped piping translates into massive weight(all the more if there
is fluid inside) which if left unsupported would cause the entire
grouping of pipes to misalign (sag) or worst, the possible collapse
of the grouped piping itself.
This so called racks are either an angle bar (in the case of smaller
pipes) or I-beams (as in the case of larger pipe sizes) that are
rigidly mounted on a sturdy foundation of either concrete or steel.

I-BEAM

ANGLE
BARS

3. ALL PIPING TO HEADERS SHALL COME FROM BELOW RACK.

Liquid substances being diverted into certain mechanical
equipments (pumps)/ processes sometimes have foreign solid
substances/ impurities, if the source to come from below to be
diverted upwards, there is somewhat less probability that such
foreign solid substances would be diverted upwards due to the
force of gravity.
As in the case of gases such as steam, it diverts certain moisture
from the steam in the form of condensate (due to liquefaction)
from going into a particular system. Note that steam is a gas and
would move naturally in all directions/ opening while moisture
would naturally settle beneath due to the force of gravitation.
Add to the fact that most prime movers (say pumps; fans/ blowers)
are located either in the ground or basement of a particular
structure. As such the piping line source would be located from the
source (below ground/ above ground) to be diverted into the
header which is usually located above the prime mover.

MEFM 413/ ENGR. GS

4. ALL PIPING FROM HEADERS SHALL GO UP ABOVE RACK.

MEFM 413/
ENGR.into
GS ROBLES,
Piping from the headers are diverted
upwards
their
RME
corresponding processes/ equipments
and this (pipe laying) are
done in a way where the distribution pipes (above the header) are
initially diverted upwards/ vertical then eventually diverted
horizontal (parallel with the ceiling) so as not to lower the vertical
clearance of pipes which would otherwise make it difficult for
technicians/ operators to roam or work freely (there are standard
vertical clearances as well as spacing in the premises of machines/
equipment).

5. ALL PIPING ABOVE OR BELOW RACKS SHALL BE SUPPORTED

ON SEPARATE RACKS.
For piping above rack, these should be supported on racks as to
prevent SAGGING which could cause undue stress to the fittings
(flanges/ union). Too much SAGGING also translates into great fluid
friction which could cause unnecessary PRESSURE DROPS and
decreases the efficiency of the PRIME MOVER (FANS/ BLOWERS).
Pipes should be mounted on separate racks if they are not
mounted on the same plane so that the rack support be not easily
stressed-out.

Separate racks for pipes/ pipe

bundles

6. ALL PIPING SHOULD RUN WITH SLIGHT INCLINATION FOR

MEFM 413/ ENGR. GS ROBLES,
DRAINAGE OF MAIN HEADERS.
The inclination although NOT TOO RME
STEEP, would improve the
draining of headers from any accumulated impurities(or unwanted
substances) even without the aid of any mechanical device.
DISCHARGE VALVES or even just a PLUG at the lowest end of the
header serve as the discharge point of the accumulated
impurities(or unwanted substances).

DISCHARGE
VALVE
PLUG TYPES

7. ALL PIPING ON RACKS SHALL HAVE A SUFFICIENT SPACING.

Proper spacing is a MUST in any piping mounted on racks so that
hand tools such pipe wrenches can easily be used to alter any
single piping line without disturbing the rest of the piping on that
rack.
Insufficient spacing, would make life difficult for possible repairs or
alterations. A particular system (like piping) is designed so as not
to complicate things, but make things much easier.

With improper working spaces, assembly and

disassembly would be complicated due to the lack
of working space for both worker and tool/
equipment

Pipes with proper working

spaces
8. ALL PIPING 63.5MM (6.35CM) AND ABOVE SHALL BE FLANGED
WHILE SMALLER ONES CAN BE SCREWED.
MEFM 413/ ENGR. GS ROBLES,
It would be illogical to use UNIONS/RME
COUPLINGS/ NIPPLES on
large pipe sizes as it would be totally be impossible to facilitate
such task (you are to use a very large wrench as well as

imparting a very large force to just move/ screw the

union).

Flanges for larger pipes

COUPLING

Unions for smaller pipes

NIPPLE
UNION

9. ON LONG HEADERS, A PAIR OF FLANGES SHALL BE PROVIDED

FOR EVERY THREE-LENGTHS OF 6000MM OF PIPES 63.5MM
AND ABOVE.
If there is a damage on the header itself, it would be a much bigger
task to extricate/ replace the header itself. If such provision is
used, you would only disassemble the faulty part translating into
additional costs. This would also minimize the system from being
completely isolated. As portions which are still serviceable could be
isolated from the malfunctioning disassembled part by using a
blind flange onto an open flange.

MEFM
413/ ENGR.
GS ROBLES,
10. ON LONG HEADERS, A PAIR OF
UNIONS
SHALL
BE
RME
PROVIDED FOR EVERY THREE-LENGTHS OF 6000MM OF PIPES
SMALLER THAN 63.5MM.
This would be the same as in the previous statement, to save on
costs and to prevent the header system from being completely
paralyzed by using a plug onto the union for isolation.

11. ALL PIPING SUBJECTED TO VARYING TEMPERATURES

SHALL BE PROVIDED WITH EXPANSION JOINTS OR
EXPANSION LOOPS TO TAKE CARE OF EXPANSION.
If such expansion/ contraction of the piping system is not properly
taken care of, the pipe would eventually fail due to THERMAL
STRESS. Piping carrying steams or other hot liquids/ substances
should employ such joints/ loops.

Expansion joints at pipe ends/

connections made up of flexible materials
to take care of movement

12. NO GALVANIZED PIPING SHALL BE USED FOR STEAM

MEFM 413/ ENGR. GS ROBLES,
APPLICATIONS.
Galvanized materials protect itself from
rust or corrosion due to its
RME
ZINC COATING. Such coating would ultimately be degraded/
dissipated if subjected to high temperatures flowing substances.
Steam eats-up the zinc coating thus making galvanized piping very
much prone to corrosion or rusting.

Rust formation after the zinc coating had

diminished

13. NO PIPING MATERIAL SHALL BE USED THAT IS EASILY

CORRODED BY MATERIAL PASSING THRU.
Designing a system is a matter of selecting the best/ suitable
material that would adapt to a given condition. Selecting a given
material for piping that would be easily affected by the substance
that it would convey is just a waste of time and money.
Logically you would select a material that could withstand a harsh
condition. For corrosive substances, the use of THERMOPLASTIC
MATERIAL is considered for it could withstand not only corrosive
but as well as high temperatures and pressures.

Pipes and pipe components could be made up of THERMOPLASTICS which resists

corrosion when conveying highly acidic substances.

14. ALL PIPING SHALL BE CLAMPED BY

U-BOLTS
OR GS
CLAMPS
MEFM
413/ ENGR.
ROBLES,
TO SUPPORTING RACKS EXCEPT STEAM
PIPING.
ALL
STEAM
RME
PIPING SHALL BE SUPPORTED ON ROLLERS OR SLIDING
SUPPORT FOR EXPANSION
Piping system should be properly be supported using certain types
of rigid supports (such as U-bolts and clamps) in cases only that
the piping system is not subjected to varying temperatures.
However the use of rigid supports would not be possible if the
material conveyed (steam or other hot liquids/ substances) causes
the expansion or contraction of the said piping system.

u-bolt as rigid supports

Rollers as guides to take care of any pipe

movements

15. IPING SUPPORTS SHOULD BE PLACED ON A 3000MM

INTERVAL OR LESS.
To ensure the stability of a particular piping system, piping
supports should be used at the specified intervals. Too much piping
supports which automatically ensures the stability of the piping
system are deemed to be unnecessary as it only translates into
additional costs whereas using a lesser number of pipe supports
which can still ensure the stability of the piping system comes at a
lesser cost.

16. ALL PIPING CARRYING PRESSURE SHALL BE OF

SUFFICIENT BURSTING STRENGTH FOR
PRESSURE
MEFMTHE
413/
ENGR. GS ROBLES,
APPLIED. A MINIMUM FACTOR OF SAFETY
OF
4 FOR
RME
WORKING PRESSURE APPLIED SHALL BE USED. A MINIMUM
FACTOR OF SAFETY OF 4 FOR WORKING PRESSURE APPLIED
SHALL BE USED.
A factor of safety less than 4 would not be sufficient enough in the
long run.
It would be illogical to use pipes that would not be able to withstand
the pressure given-off by the substance conveyed from within.
However, considering a certain pipe whose bursting strength
capacity is well beyond the substance pressure emitted is not
totally a good buy, as it translates into additional costs than a pipe
with a sufficient bursting pressure which is much cheaper.

A pipe bursting unable to withstand the internal pressure of the

substance from within

17. FOR CONVEYING LIQUIDS SUBJECT TO WATER HAMMER,

ADDITIONAL FACTOR OF SAFETY OF 100% OF THE WORKING
PRESSURE SHALL BE APPLIED.
WATER HAMMERING is a phenomenon where a sudden large flow
of liquid takes place inside a pipe/ pump. This sudden increase in
load (water volume) has this tendency is to bring-in MORE THAN
THE AVERAGE FLUID PRESSURE thus causing excessive vibration
(hammering) that is characterized by rumbling sound which if not
taken care of properly would be a possible cause for the pipe/
piping line to crumble thus causing a greater degree of damage.
Water hammer arrester/
attenuator
Such device
dissipates shock loads/
sudden surges in pressure
from doing any harm onto
the whole piping system

18. ALL PIPING CARRYING STEAM, HOT WATER, OR HOT

LIQUIDS SHALL BE PROPERLY INSULATED
TO PREVENT
MEFM 413/ ENGR.
GS ROBLES,
ACCIDENTAL CONTACT AND LOSS OFRME
HEAT.
Use of insulation is a must to prevent either loss or gain of heat
within a piping system. Such insulation is also a protective means
for process operators or technicians from any burns/ scalds if they
have accidentally made contact with a piping carrying steam, hot
water, or hot liquids.
Losses within a system is only natural and could not be stopped
but could only be minimized. Such losses in the form of heat (heat
transfer) are caused by uneven temperatures from the inside and
out of the pipe involving the said liquids.

19. DRAINS FROM STEAM PIPING SHALL BE PROVIDED WITH

STEAM TRAPS.
Steam when used becomes liquid vapor (steam with a greater
moisture content). Using a steam trap separates the steam/ vapor
part from the condensatepart (moisture) part thus enabling the
TRAPPED STEAM to be used once again (this by preheating)
instead of being wasted.

STEAM TRAPS

Y-STRAINER

20. ON ALL SCREWED JOINTS, THE THREADED PORTION SHALL

MEFM 413/ ENGR. GS ROBLES,
ENTER FITTINGS WITH THREE THREADS
RME BY HAND BEFORE A
PIPE WRENCH IS TO BE USED.
Such requirement MINIMIZES THE POSSIBLE DAMAGE OF THREAD,
which if it happens would render the remaining length of the pipe
to be useless (as piping necessitates exact pipe lengths during the
assembly process) or the remaining pipe length portion could still
be useable provided that FITTINGS are to be used. This however
would translate into additional costs.

21. PIPE THREADS SHOULD BE LUBRICATED BY WHITE LEAD,

RED LEAD, GRAPHITE, AND OIL OR OTHER APPROVED
THREAD LUBRICANTS BEFORE TIGHTENING.
Pipe threads if left untreated with lubrication could
OXIDIZE(deteriorate) and as such during the disassembly process
could damage the threads rendering them useless.

22. NO RUBBER OR RUBBERIZED GASKETS SHALL BE USED

FOR STEAM OR OTHER HOT

MEFM 413/ ENGR. GS ROBLES,

RME

 Flange couplings require the use of gaskets to provide a SEALING

ACTION. However, the usage of rubber material is a big NO-NO as
this would not be able to withstand the hot temperature that could
be given-off by the steam.

23. A SHUT-OFF VALVE SHALL BE INSTALLED ON EVERY

BRANCH FROM HEADERS.
If in cases that a particular section within the piping system is to
be isolated, the use of a shut-off valve is necessary at such
location so as not to affect other non-defective sections.

24. ALL PIPING SHALL BE REASONABLY BE CLEANED BEFORE

INSTALLATION.
MEFM 413/ ENGR. GS ROBLES,
Piping components not cleaned or inspected
could contain solid
RME
substances which if conveyed to a pump or blower could cause
damage.

25. ALL PIPING SHALL BE FREE FROM BURRS OR PROTRUDING

METALS INSIDE.
Irregularities or imperfections particularly on the threads which if
left, could lead to a possible damage of the threaded members
during assembly connections.

A worker grinding-off unnecessary

rough surfaces which could prove to
be detrimental to the piping system
when
fluid flow takes
26. NO PIPING SHALL BE IMBEDDED MEFM
IN CONCRETE
WALLS
OR
place.
413/
ENGR.
GS ROBLES,
FLOORS.
RME
One of the main causes of concrete deterioration is the seeping of
moisture/ water from within. Piping systems if imbedded on
concrete walls or floors could leak from the inside thus could cause
damage on the concrete wall or floor.
Also, it would be impossible to detect defects from the piping
system as well as having an additional burden of extricating such
piping if possible disassembly warrants/ is necessitated.

27. WHERE PIPING HAS TO BE LOCATED IN TRENCHES, THE

PIPES SHALL BE SUPPORTED ON STEEL BRANCHES ON FLOOR
OF TRENCH.
Trenches could be a possible location where liquid could
accumulated, if piping is not elevated, the piping system could be
submerged in such accumulated liquid thereby complicating
disassembly/ repair procedures as you need to drain the trench
first.
These so called steel branches also ensures a proper working
space when repairs/ alterations are needed on the pipe. Imagine
such scenario where the pipes surface is directly placed along the
trenchs base, making repairs/ alterations using pipe wrenches
impossible.

28. WHERE PIPING HAS TO BE LOCATED

IN413/
TRENCHES,
MEFM
ENGR. GSAROBLES,
SUITABLE DRAINAGE OR SUMP FORRME
REMOVAL OF LIQUID
ACCUMULATIONS SHALL BE PROVIDED FOR TRENCH.
A drainage system is a must for every piping system located in
trenches. Liquids could easily accumulate in trenches and would
need a longer period of time if you want the accumulated liquid to
dissipate/ recede through evaporation. As such, a drainage is
necessitated for removal of accumulated liquid.
In areas where large volumes of accumulated liquid is expected,
the use of a natural draining system is no longer viable resulting
into the usage of sump pumps to handle large volumes of liquid
accumulations

29. WHERE PIPING CARRYING STEAM OR HOT LIQUIDS HAVE

TO PASS WALLS OF CONCRETE SUITABLE SLEEVES MADE OF
PIPES ONE SIZE BIGGER SHALL BE IMBEDDED IN CONCRETE
BEFORE THE PIPE IS LAID.
Such would offset possible expansion of the pipes which not taken
care of would provide undue stress on the concrete wall itself.

30. PIPING TO ALL EQUIPMENT SHALL NOT BE SUBJECTED TO

ANY STRESS ON EQUIPMENT BEING CONNECTED.
Unacceptable levels of vibrations are
the leading causes of
MEFM 413/ ENGR. GS ROBLES,
mechanical failure as these could cause
RME misalignment, if any
undue stress should be imparted it should be on the piping itself as
they are much cheaper than mechanical equipments such pumps.

With the rotating equipment (usually pumps/ air compressors) being

connected to the pipelines, it is also subjected to the same harsh
conditions as the pipe like vibrations. If not properly taken care of it
will lead to equipment failure which shouldnt be at the very first .

31. PIPES CARRYING LIQUIDS WITH SOLIDS SHALL USE LONG

RADIUS ELBOWS OR TEES WITH PLUGS IN THE DIRECTION OF
FLOW.
Such substance are viscous liquids, as such they have more
resistance to flow and would eventually find difficulty accessing
piping systems with short radius elbows as fluid friction are much
greater in this instance. Providing plugs would provide relief on the
piping if clogging happens. Plugs are used to drain clogged
particles.

LONG RADIUS
ELBOWS:
1.5 x pipe diameter

SHORT RADIUS
ELBOWS:
1.0 x pipe diameter
MEFM 413/ ENGR. GS ROBLES,
RME