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Pipe Support Criteria For ASME B31 3 Metallic Piping PDF
Pipe Support Criteria For ASME B31 3 Metallic Piping PDF
PIP PNC00001
Pipe Support Criteria for ASME B31.3
Metallic Piping
PURPOSE AND USE OF PROCESS INDUSTRY PRACTICES
In an effort to minimize the cost of process industry facilities, this Practice has
been prepared from the technical requirements in the existing standards of major
industrial users, contractors, or standards organizations. By harmonizing these technical
requirements into a single set of Practices, administrative, application, and engineering
costs to both the purchaser and the manufacturer should be reduced. While this Practice
is expected to incorporate the majority of requirements of most users, individual
applications may involve requirements that will be appended to and take precedence
over this Practice. Determinations concerning fitness for purpose and particular matters
or application of the Practice to particular project or engineering situations should not
be made solely on information contained in these materials. The use of trade names
from time to time should not be viewed as an expression of preference but rather
recognized as normal usage in the trade. Other brands having the same specifications
are equally correct and may be substituted for those named. All Practices or guidelines
are intended to be consistent with applicable laws and regulations including OSHA
requirements. To the extent these Practices or guidelines should conflict with OSHA or
other applicable laws or regulations, such laws or regulations must be followed.
Consult an appropriate professional before applying or acting on any material
contained in or suggested by the Practice.
This Practice is subject to revision at any time by the responsible Function Team and will
be reviewed every 5 years. This Practice will be revised, reaffirmed, or withdrawn.
Information on whether this Practice has been revised may be found at www.pip.org.
PIP will not consider requests for interpretations (inquiries) for this Practice.
PIP PNC00001
Pipe Support Criteria for ASME B31.3
Metallic Piping
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
1.1 Purpose
This Practice outlines the minimum basic criteria for supporting aboveground
metallic piping systems in accordance with ASME B31.3 (henceforth referred to as
the Code).
1.2 Scope
This Practice provides the governing criteria of the design and selection of pipe
supports for aboveground piping systems. Project requirements shall identify the
extent of design, selections, and shop and field fabrication of pipe supports by the
contractor.
2. References
Applicable requirements in the following Practices and industry codes and standards shall be
considered an integral part of this Practice. The latest edition and addenda of the following
references in effect on the date of contract award shall be the governing document, unless
otherwise noted. Short titles will be used herein when appropriate.
3. Definitions
Code: As defined in Subsection 1.1 of this Practice
contractor: The responsible party for performing engineering and detail design of the piping
systems
designer: The responsible professional in charge of the engineering and detail design of the
piping support systems
owner: The party that awards the contract. The owner may be the owner or owner’s
authorized agent.
4. General
4.1 Supports for piping systems shall conform to the requirements of the Code and
PIP PNC00004.
4.2 Unless otherwise specified by the owner, pipe supports, guides, anchors, and
attachments details shall be provided by the contractor and submitted to the owner for
approval. These details shall be per PIP PNSF0001.
4.3 The design of miscellaneous pipe supports shall address expansion and contraction
forces and movements in piping.
4.4 The effect of frictional resistance to thermal movement of the pipe shall be
considered in the design of piping systems and in the design of supports.
4.5 Pipe support design shall conform to the requirements of MSS SP-58.
4.6 Structural steel for support design shall conform to the requirements of
PIP STS05120.
4.7 Welded joints for pipe supports shall conform to the requirements of AWS D1.1.
5. Design Requirements
5.2.2 Galvanized clamps may be used with stainless steel piping between 501ºF
(260ºC) and 750°F (399ºC) provided a thin-gauge (28-gauge minimum)
stainless steel isolation shield is inserted between the clamp and the pipe.
5.10.5 Adjustable wedge-type supports for volume bottles located directly under the
compressor cylinders shall be used. These supports shall be designed to
allow final support adjustment when a full operating temperature has been
reached.
5.10.6 Cinch anchors shall not be used for supports that are anchoring or restraining
vibrating lines.
5.10.7 Vibrating lines should have independent support structures if it is feasible.
5.12 Pipe Supports for Large OD Pipe (Greater than NPS 24)
5.12.1 Saddle reinforcement or wear pads shall be used at the point of support
bearing to handle the weight load and to protect abrasion.
5.12.2 The maximum allowable span for various pipe diameters and wall
thicknesses shall be developed by the designer.
5.12.3 Wear pads shall be constructed of equal or higher grade material than the
supported pipe.
5.12.4 When possible, pipe shoes may be used in place of wear pads.
5.12.5 The pad bearing surface shall be a minimum of 4 inches (100 mm) in length.
• load flanges
• threaded rods
• bolts and nuts
5.13.6 Galvanized coating shall conform to the requirements of ASTM A123 with
the following exceptions:
a. The weight of zinc coating shall not average less than 2.25 oz/ft2
(0.7 kg/m2).
b. No individual specimen shall show less than 2.0 oz/ft2 (0.6 kg/m2) of
zinc coating.
6.1 Shoes
6.1.1 Shoes are required on insulated piping to prevent damage to the pipe
insulation and to provide a sliding surface for pipe movement.
6.1.2 Clamp-on-type shoes shall be used where welding to the pipe is not allowed
or is impractical (e.g., in piping with internal lining, galvanized piping,
piping requiring post-weld heat treatment, etc).