Objective of the Report

This report aims to introduce to the students the safety requirements and general provisions regarding to

piping construction and installations.

Introduction

In regards to piping installations, Pipeline separation is a necessity for protection of public health and

safety, property and the quality of the pipeline contents. Pipeline failure or leaks can result in pipeline

contamination that increases risks public health and safety. Pipelines do not have to rupture completely or

collapse to cause concern. Even the process of excavating one pipeline to repair a leak creates the risk of

complete failure of adjacent pipelines.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

1. Power Piping Line-include all steam, water, air, gas, hazardous substances, oil piping and the

component parts such as the pipe, flanges, bolting, gaskets, valves, fittings and other

components related to steam generating plants, central heating plants and industrial plants.

2. Installation - shall mean assemblance or connection of power piping in a given location,

designed for safety operation in accordance with the prescribed standards.

3. Cleared –shall mean acceptance by the Regional Labor Office concerned after verification and

checking of the applications, plans and other pertinent documents showing compliance with

prescribed installation requirements.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

1. Application for installation of power pipeline shall be filed with the Regional Labor Office

concerned for processing and evaluation.

2. No power piping line shall be connected/installed without the plans cleared by the Regional Labor

Office concerned.

3. No power piping line shall be operated until the necessary documents are submitted and final

inspection conducted, the safety permit is issued upon payment of the corresponding inspection

fee.

4. Documentation during conduction of periodic inspections.

STANDARD REQUIREMENTS ( AS OF PSME CODE 2011)

-Piping should be run parallel to building walls

- Grouped piping should be supported on racks

-All piping to headers shall come from below rack

- All piping from headers shall go up above rack

- All piping above or below racks shall be supported on separate racks

- All piping on rack should have a have a sufficient spacing for pipe

- Piping shall be routed to allow access for maintenance and operational reason

- All piping 63.5mm and above shall be flanged while smaller can be screwed
-On long headers a pair of flanges shall be provided for every three lengths of 6000m of

pipes 63.5mm and above

- All piping subjected to varying temperature shall be provided with expansion joints.

-No galvanized iron piping used for steam.

- No piping material should be used that is easily corroded by material passing thru.

- All piping should be clamped by “U” bolts or clamped bolts.

- All piping should be supported on rollers for expansion.

-All pressure pipes should be of sufficient bursting strength for the pressure applied.

- All piping carrying hot substances shall be properly insulated.

-Drains from steam from steam piping shall be provided with steam traps.

-Pipe threads should be lubricated by approved thread lubricant before tightening.

-No rubber material should used for steam or hot liquids.

-Shut off valve must be installed to every branch from headers.

- All piping shall be free from burrs

- Where piping should be located in trenches shall be supported on steel branches on the

floor trench and a suitable drainage or sump for removal of liquid accumulations shall be

provided for trench.

- Piping to all equipments shall not impose any stress on equipment being connected.

-Pipe carrying liquids with solids shall use long radius elbows

-Piping, strainers and filters should be installed on elevated platform.

-Piping containing slurries shall have minimum size DN 25 drain connections.

- Piping should be adequately flexible to supported to avoid stresses and nozzles.

-An isolation valve shall be installed upstream of the strainer in the suction pipe of each

pump.

-Vibrations and pressure surge on piping shall be considered.

-Heat exchanger piping shall be designed such that removal of the tube bundle and shell

covers is not hampered with “take tube burst” design.

-Pressure vessels shall have a drain.

-Cooling tower pipes should have an isolation valves.

-Vent pipes of sufficient capacity should be installed.

-Steam traps shall be installed at low points or at natural drainage points.

- In saturated steam service, steam traps should be fitted to drain pockets.

-Minimum distance between pipes or the insulation of the pipe tracks and trenches and on

pipe racks shall be 75mm.

-Minimum distance between a flange and a pipe or the insulation of a pipe tracks and

trenches and on pipe racks shall be 30mm.

-An automatic, combined minimum flow by pass/check valve shall be provided for each

boiler feed pump.

-The seams in Electric resistance welded piped shall be 100 percent examined by either

ultrasonic or electromagnetic means by manufacturer.

-Cast Iron and ductile iron pipe should not be used in boiler feedwater service

- Cast Iron and ductile iron shall be centrifugally cast and suitable for a minimum working

pressure of 1724 KPA.

-Carbon steel pipe should not be used above 420 C.

-Valve hand wheels shall be within normal reach of personnel

CONSTRUCTION

1. Power piping shall be designed to be of sufficient strength suitable for their intended use.

2. Power pipeline shall be provided with safety and or relief valves, indicating and controlling

devices to ensure their safe operation. The safety devices shall be accessible, installed and

maintained in good operating condition.

3. The discharge capacity of safety valves provided on power pipelines shall be sufficient for the size

and pressure at which the power pipeline is operated.

4. Outlets of safety valves on power pipeline shall be installed on location so that hazards to

personnel shall be avoided.

5. In the absence of appropriate provisions in the PSME Code, the manner of installation of

approved pressure relief devices such as rupture discs shall be in accordance with the code of

practice for mechanical engineering under the supervision of a professional mechanical engineer

6. Indicating and recording devices on power pipeline shall be protected against breakage or

clogging and shall be clearly visible.

7. Where pressure reducing valves shall be provided on the low pressure side of the reducing valve,

in case the piping or equipment on the low pressure side does not meet the requirements for the

full initial pressure-The relief of safety valve shall be located adjoining or as close as possible to the

reducing valve. The vents shall be of ample size and as shot and direct as possible.

8. Pressure gauge in power pipeline shall be installed on the low pressure side of a reducing valve.

9. Flange connections for their respective pressures and temperatures shall conform to the

specifications set forth by the PSME Code.

10. Piping lines must be provided with loops and bends and expansion joints

11. Welding in power piping lines whether in the shop or at the job site must be done by qualified

welders.

12. All power pipelines shall follow the standard color code as required in Rule 1230 of the

Occupational Safety and Health Standards.

13. All power pipelines shall have appropriate supports or hangers and guard provision against

bumps.
14. All other provisions on bolting, flanges, fittings, gaskets, hangers, supports, anchors, pipe

sleeves, drains, drips and steam traps requirement in the power pipeline shall be in

accordance/conformity with the provisions in Chapter 11 (Power Piping System) of the PSME Code

as a minimum requirement

NON DESTRUCTIVE TEST

All newly installed and repaired pipelines are required to be subjected to a random Non-Destructive

Testing prior to its operation, by either Radiographic Examination (RT) or Ultrasonic Test (UT).

HYDROSTATIC TEST

After installation, all piping line connection shall be hydrostatically tested and shall observe the

following: a. The ends of the pipelines and any equipment are blanked off, such as, pressure

reducing valve diaphragms is removed or protected to avoid over pressure. b. Applied hydrostatic

test is equal to 1.5 times the service operating pressure for a minimum of 24 hours for new

installation and 4 hours for existing repaired/installation.

CONCLUSION

This Report provides general and specific requirements for general piping installations,

Power piping system design, Fabrication, Assembly, Erection and pipe color coding for

safety and proper fluid identification in the system.

SOURCES

OSH STANDARD 2017

PHILIPPINE MECHANICAL CODE (2011 EDITION)

GENERAL PROVISIONS AND STANDARD REQUIREMENTS IN POWER PIPING LINES

Submitted to:
Engr. Manuel Europeo

Submitted by:
Litigar, Kenneth Ivan T.
ME502/ME5FA1