This post was republished to Mentor & Author at 4:03:13 PM 9/20/2015

The extraordinary piping isometric.

First the basics of an isometric.

The plot plan shows the locations of major equipment. A piping engineer adds more detail to the plot
plan and makes an equipment layout. He runs pipes between the equipment in a piping general
arrangement drawing. Each individual pipeline will have its own isometric. Isometric helps you make
sense of the hundreds of pipelines crossing an area.

The structure of a piping isometric.

Sketch Bill of material

Heat treatment,
hydrotest data Notes Name plate
etc.

How piping isometrics influence others

I am mentioning some points for clarity.

For piping • aid stress analysis

department • spool drawings etc.

• nozzle load check

For other • civil support design
departments • upstream and downstream length for instruments
• mating flange connections

• When the material from all the isometrics is added, it becomes

For procurement
input for the procurement department.

• Issuing material from stores

For construction crew
• Construction, hydrotest etc.

For the client • Verification, maintenance. modification etc

Why we need the piping isometrics?

Isometrics transfer the two-dimensional piping drawing into three dimensions. That is, you can make
out the length, width and height. The isometrics are most beneficial to the construction crew. In one
project, there were few pipelines. Hence, the contractor decided to do away with isometrics. The
construction crew were not able to read the piping arrangement drawing. This project suffered delays
on account of this.

How can isometrics validate claims?

Once the construction is completed, the crew marks actual dimensions on the piping isometric drawings
and makes red line markups. This shows deviations from the design drawing. These are an asset if
properly done. You can immediately come to know about the extra or deleted material. An engineer can
cross-check with the stores and conclude the facts.

If you face any of the situations above, do not forget the isometric. The extraordinary piping isometric.