PIPE

CONNECTIONS AND JOINTS

ON A VESSEL

Short Course on Plan Approval Ships

July 2007
SCM - ITS

GENERAL PRINCIPLES
• Piping system are to be constructed and
manufactured on the basis of standard generally
used in shipbuilding
• Welded connection as far as possible to be used
rather than detachable coupling. This particularly
apply on pipelines carrying liquefied gases and
superheated steam > 400 C
• Expansions in piping due to heating and
deformation of the ship are to be compensated
by means of bends, compensators and flexible
pipe connections. The arrangement of suitable
fixed points is to be taken into consideration

1
 PIPE CONNECTIONS
The following pipe connection may be used;

Fully penetrating Butt-weld with or without provision.

Socket-weld with suitable fillet-weld thickness and possibly in
accordance with recognized standards.
• Used on no excessive stress, corrosion and erosion.
• Thickness of socket acc to standard, at least equal to that of pipe
• Clearance between socket and pipe as small as possible, < 1 mm
• Thickness of weld at least as same as the thickness of pipe

Screw-connection with approved type
• Only for sub-ordinate system with low pressure
• Only allowed for diameter < 50 mm

Table 11.11. PIPE CONNECTIONS

2
PIPE CONNECTION USING FLANGES

TYPES OF APPROVED FLANGES

3
 Flange-joint

Butt-weld joint

Socket-weld joint

4
The use of couplings (flanges) are NOT
permitted on:
• Bilge line inside ballast and fuel tanks
• Seawater and ballast lines inside cargo
holds and fuel tanks
• Fuel and oil lines inside machinery
spaces, cargo holds, and ballast tanks
• Not water filled pressure water spraying
systems

LAY OUT, MARKING, and INSTALLATION

1. Piping systems must be adequately identified. Valves
must be permanently and clearly marked.
2. Pipes leading through bulkhead and tank-wall must be
water and oil tight. Bolts through bulkheads and tank
wall are not permitted.
3. Pipe penetration through watertight b’hd and fire
division that are not welded shall be approved by the
Society.
4. Piping close to electrical panel shall be protected from
possible leakage which can damage electrical
installation
5. Piping system shall be able to completely emptied,
drained, and vented
6. Pipe lines through ballast tank shall have compatible
coating protection type with that of on the tank wall.