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Piping abbreviations

BE
BOM AFC is an abbreviation of Approved For Construction.
BW
Approved For Construction means, that eg a piping isometric meets all requirements, and
CMTR
that AFTER release the prefab can begin. (see also RFC - Released For Construction)
ELL
ERW
BB is an abbreviation of Bolted Bonnet.
ESV
A bolted bonnet, or cover of a valve, is fastened (by bolts) to the valve body to complete
FF
GMAW the pressure-retaining shell.
GTAW
BBE BBE is an abbreviation of Beveled Both Ends.
Beveled Both Ends means that both ends of e.g. a pipe nipple are beveled.

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TOE / POE = Treaded One End / Plain One End

TOE / BOE = Treaded One End / Beveled One End
POE / BOE = Plain One End / Beveled One End
TBE = Treaded Both Ends
PBE = Plain Both Ends

BE BE is an abbreviation of Beveled Ends.

Beveled Ends are applied to all diameters of buttweld pipes, flanges, fittings, valves etc.
and will be directly welded (with a small gap 3-4 mm) to each other. Ends are mostly be
beveled to angle 30° (+ 5° / -0°) with a root face of 1.6 mm (± 0.8 mm).
(for more information see main Menu "Pipes"...Fabrication, Lengths and Ends)

BOM BOM is an abbreviation of Bill Of Materials.

A Bill Of Materials is a detailed item by item tabulated list of the project requirements for
piping. It specifies the required item by the reference grade and standard to which it must
be made, by the size and its rating. The information on this table is entirely extracted from
the material take-off documents. (see also MTO - Material Take-Off)

BW BW is an abbreviation of Butt Weld(ing).

A Butt Weld is a circumferential butt welded joint, and the most common type of joint
employed in the fabrication of welded pipe systems. A butt joint is the most universally
AFC
BB used method of joining pipe to itself, fittings, flanges, valves, and other equipment. This
BBE welding technique is widely applied in situations where a quality weld desired, and the
BE weld by X-ray technically should be investigated.
BOM for more information see main Menu "Others"...Basic Welding Joints)
BW
CMTR CMTR is an abbreviation of Certified Material Test Report.
ELL A Certified Material Test Report attesting that the material is in accordance with specified
ERW
requirements, including the actual results of all required chemical analyses, tests, and
ESV
examinations.
FF
GMAW
ELL ELL is an abbreviation of ELbow.
GTAW
(for more information see main Menu "Fittings"...Elbows 45° - 180°)

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ERW ERW is an abbreviation of Electric Resistance Welded.

Originally Electric Resistance Welded which contains a solid phase butt weld, was
produced using resistance heating to make the longitudinal weld (ERW). Most pipe mills
now use high frequency induction heating (HFI) for better control and consistency.
However, the product is still often referred to as ERW pipe, even though the weld may
have been produced by the HFI process.

ESV ESV is an abbreviation of Emergency Shutdown Valve.

A Emergency Shutdown Valve is an actuated valve designed to stop the flow of a
hazarous fluid or external hydrocarbons (gases) upon the detection of a dangerous event.
These valves are the final defence against process misreactions and have a function
which requires much more reliable performance than standard remotely operated on-off
valves.

FF FF is an abbreviation of Flat Face flange.

The Flat Face flange has a gasket surface in the same plane as the bolting circle face. Flat
Face does not feature the raised face of heavy duty flanges such as ANSI B 16.5 for
example. Applications using flat face flanges are frequently those in which the mating
flange or flanged fitting is made from a casting.

AFC GMAW is an abbreviation of Gas Metal Arc Welding.

BB
see MIG)
BBE
BE
GTAW is an abbreviation of Gas Tungsten Arc Welding.
BOM
see TIG)
BW
CMTR
The finished product from a manufacturer (the pipe or fitting mill), is typically traceable to a
ELL
eat Number (steel mill identification). A heat typically identifies material produced in the
ERW
ESV steel mill from one single melt, and the number will be assigned in the steel mill. Chemical
FF analysis is usually reported on a heat basis. Parts of a same heat have the same
GMAW chemistry.
GTAW

HAZ HAZ is an abbreviation of Heat-Affected Zone.

Cutting processes that use intense heat, like oxyfuel cutting and plasma arc cutting,

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produce thermal effects near the edge of the cut that lead to microstructural and
metallurgical changes in the metal. The portion of a metal work-piece that has been so
altered by heat is termed the heat-affected zone or HAZ. All thermal cutting processes
create an HAZ in the cut metal.

LR LR is an abbreviation of Long Radius Elbow.

Elbows are split into two groups which define the distance over which they change
direction; the center line of one end to the opposite face.
This is known as the "center to face" distance and is equivalent to the radius through
which the elbow is bent.
The center to face distance for a Long Radius elbow, abbreviated LR always is 1½ x
Nominal Pipe Size (1.1/2D), while the center to face distance for a Short Radius elbow,
abbreviated SR even is to nominal pipe size.

MAWP MAWP is an abbreviation of Maximum Allowable Working Pressure.

The Maximum Allowable Working Pressure of a boiler carrying the ASME Code symbol or
of a pressure vessel carrying the ASME or API-ASME symbol shall be determined by the
applicable sections of the code under which it was constructed and stamped. Subject to
the concurrence of the enforcement authority at the point of installation, such a boiler or
pressure vessel may be rerated in accordance with the rules of a later edition of the ASME
AFC
Code and in accordance with the rules of the National Board Inspection Code or API 510,
BB
BBE as applicable.
BE For example; the maximum allowable working pressure of a steam boiler is an absolute
BOM restriction of pressure within psig unit for a steam boiler is allowed to run. The ASME BPV
BW Code (American Society of Mechanical Engineers Boiler and Pressure Vessel) says that
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absolutely no steam boiler should be run at a pressure above the MAWP with the
ELL
exception of the safety valve is operated to discharge excessive pressure. Steam boiler
ERW
has some technical terms that be generally used. One of them is MAWP (Maximum
ESV
FF Allowable Working Pressure) which means that all of working pressure at the pressure part
GMAW shall not exceed MAWP.
GTAW
MIG MIG is an abbreviation of Metal Inert Gas.
Metal Inert Gas or Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) is frequently referred to as MIG

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welding. MIG welding is a commonly used high deposition rate welding process. Wire is
continuously fed from a spool. MIG welding is therefore referred to as a semiautomatic
welding process.

MPI MPI is an abbreviation of Magnetic Particle Inspection.

It is a nondestructive examination method to locate surface and subsurface discontinuities
in ferromagnetic materials. The presence of discontinuities is detected by the use of finely
divided ferromagnetic particles applied over the surface. Some of these magnetic particles
are gathered and held by the magnetic leakage field created by the discontinuity. The
particles gathered at the surface form an outline of the discontinuity and generally indicate
its location, size, shape, and extent.

MTO MTO is an abbreviation of Material Take-Off.

A final material take-off is a accurate list of ALL the required piping items of a project in
tabulated form. (see also BOM - Bill Of Materials)

NDE NDE is an abbreviation of Non Destructive Examination, also called Non Destructive
Testing (NDT).
Non Destructive Examination survey techniques by which we can get an impression of the
quality of an item to consider this item without damaging them.
AFC To detect different defects such as cracking and corrosion, there are different methods of
BB
testing available like, X-ray, Ultrasonic testing (UT), Magnetic-particle inspection (MT or
BBE
MPI), Liquid penetrant testing (PT or LPI) etc..
BE
BOM
NPS is an abbreviation of Nominal Pipe Size.
BW
Nominal Pipe Size is a North American set of standard sizes for pipes used for high or low
CMTR
ELL pressures and temperatures. The name NPS is based on the earlier "Iron Pipe Size" (IPS)
ERW system.
ESV for more information see main Menu "Pipes"...NPS and Schedule)
FF
GMAW NPT is an abbreviation National Pipe Thread Tapered.
GTAW The American National Pipe Thread Tapered, is the best known and most widely used

connection where the pipe thread provides both the mechanical joint and the hydraulic
seal. NPT has a tapered male and female thread which seals with Teflon® tape or jointing

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compound.
ASME B1.20.1 covers dimensions and gaging of NPT pipe threads for general purpose
applications.

OS&Y OS&Y is an abbreviation of Outside Screw &Yoke.

A valve design in which the threaded portion of the stem is outside the pressure boundary
of the valve. The valve bonnet has a Yoke, which holds a nut through which the rotating
stem rises as the valve is opened. The stem part inside the valve is smooth and is sealed
so that stem threads are isolated from the flow medium.

PBE PBE is an abbreviation of Plain Both Ends.

Plain Both Ends means that both ends of e.g. a pipe nipple are plain.

TOE / POE = Treaded One End / Plain One End

TOE / BOE = Treaded One End / Beveled One End
POE / BOE = Plain One End / Beveled One End
TBE = Treaded Both Ends
BBE = Beveled Both Ends

PED PED is an abbreviation of Pressure Equipment Directive arises from the European
Community's Programme for the elimination of technical barriers to trade and is formulated

AFC under the "New Approach to Technical Harmonisation and Standards".

BB Its purpose is to harmonise national laws of Member States regarding the design,
BBE manufacture, testing and conformity assessment of pressure equipment and assemblies of
BE pressure equipment.
BOM
It therefore aims to ensure the free placing on the market and putting into service of the
BW
equipment within the
CMTR
ELL "European Union and the European Economic Area".

ERW Formulated under the New Approach the directive provides for a flexible regulatory
ESV environment that does not impose any detailed technical solution. This approach allows
FF European industry to develop new techniques thereby increasing international
GMAW competitiveness. The pressure equipment directive is one of a series of technical
GTAW
harmonisation directives for machinery, electrical equipment, medical devices, simple
pressure vessels, gas appliances etc...More

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PFD PFD is an abbreviation of Process Flow Diagram.

A Process Flow Diagram is a schematic representation of the flow of fluids within the
process as they travel between processing units. This diagram shows flow direction, but
has no indication of the instruments and devices needed to control the process or to
ensure safe operation.

PI
PI is a mathematical constant that is the ratio of any Euclidean circle's circumference
to its diameter. PI is approximately equal to 3.14. Many formulae in mathematics,
science, and engineering involve PI, which makes it one of the most important
mathematical constants. For instance, the area of a circle is equal to PI times the
square of the radius of the circle.

PMI PMI is an abbreviation of Positive Material Identification.

Positive Material Identification provides alloy chemistry and grade ID information instantly
using a handheld tube-based analyzer without having to transport, alter, or damage the
material. PMI is also used to ensure that the parent material in vessels and pipe spools is
composed of the correct composition and once the component is welded that the correct
filler material was used.
AFC
BB PWHT is an abbreviation of Post Weld Heat Treatment.
BBE Post Weld Heat Treatment is defined as one of heat treatments done after
BE welding/machining to improve the chemical and mechanical properties of weldment or
BOM
machined surfaces. In concept, PWHT covers many different potential treatments.
BW
CMTR RF is an abbreviation of Raised Face, and designed for flanges.
ELL
The Raised Face type are the most applied flange type, and is easily to identify. It is
ERW
referred to as a raised face because the gasket surfaces are raised above the bolting
ESV
FF circle face. The height in Pressure Class up to 300 Lbs is approximately 1.6 mm, and in
GMAW Pressure Class 400 up to 2500 Lbs the height is approximately 6.4 mm. Pressure rating of
GTAW the flange determines the height of the raised face. The purpose of a RF flange is to
concentrate more pressure on a smaller gasket area and thereby increase the pressure
containment capability of the joint.

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RFC RFC is an abbreviation of Released For Construction.

RFC means that the release for construction (after Approved For Construction) is
given...start the project.
(see also AFC - Approved For Construction)

RTJ RTJ is an abbreviation Ring Type Joint flanges.

Ring Type Joint flanges have grooves cut into their faces which steel ring gaskets. The
flanges seal when tightened bolts compress the gasket between the flanges into the
grooves, deforming (or coining) the gasket to make intimate contact inside the grooves,
creating a metal to metal seal.

SAW SAW is an abbreviation of Sub-merged Arc Welding.

Submerged Arc Welding is a high quality, very high deposition rate welding process.
SAW uses heat generated by an arc formed when an electric current passes between a
welding wire and the workpiece. The tip of the welding wire, the arc, and the weld joint are
covered by a layer of granular flux. The heat generated by the arc melts the wire, the base
metal and the flux. The flux shields the molten pool from atmospheric contamination,
cleans impurities from the weld metal, and shapes the weld bead. Depending on the
design of the flux, it can also add alloying elements to the weld metal to alter the chemical
and mechanical properties of the weld,
AFC
BB
SCH is an abbreviation of SCHedule.
BBE
for more information see main Menu "Pipes"...NPS and Schedule)
BE
BOM
SMAW is an abbreviation of Shielded Metal Arc Welding.
BW
Shielded Metal Arc Welding is frequently referred to as stick or covered electrode welding.
CMTR
ELL Stick welding is among the most widely used welding processes.
ERW
ESV SMLS is an abbreviation of Seamless pipe or fitting.
FF for more information see main Menu "Pipes"...Fabrication, Lengths and Ends)
GMAW
SR
GTAW SR is an abbreviation of Short Radius Elbow.
Elbows are split into two groups which define the distance over which they change
direction; the center line of one end to the opposite face. This is known as the

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"center to face" distance and is equivalent to the radius through which the elbow is bent.
The center to face distance for a Short Radius elbow is even to nominal pipe size, while
the center to face distance for a Long Radius elbow abbreviated LR always is 1½ x
Nominal Pipe Size (1.1/2D).

SST SST is an abbreviation of Stainless STeel.

Stainless is a term coined early in the development of these steels for cutlery applications.
It was adopted as a generic name for these steels and now covers a wide range of steel
types and grades for corrosion or oxidation resistant applications.
Stainless steel contains a maximum of 1.2% carbon, a minimum of 10.5% chromium and
other alloying elements. The presence of chromium confers on stainless steel its principal
quality: its corrosion resistance.
The alloying elements, depending on their percentages, give stainless steels their
physical, chemical and mechanical properties. The presence of alloying elements is the
starting point for obtaining the desired properties, various production processes facilitating
this. The carbon and iron steel base, together with the addition of various alloying
elements, provide the balance of each grade and dertermine which stainless "family" it
belongs.
The most frequently used alloying elements are: nickel, molybdenum, titanium, niobium,

AFC manganese, nitrogen, copper, silicon, aluminium and vanadium.

BB
BBE SW is an abbreviation of Socket Weld(ing).
BE A Socket Weld is a pipe attachment detail in which a pipe is inserted into a recessed area
BOM of a valve, fitting or flange. Socket Weld fittings are mainly used for small pipe diameters
BW (Small Bore Piping); generally for piping whose nominal diameter is NPS 2 or smaller. To
CMTR
join pipe to valves and fittings or to other sections of pipe, fillet-type seal welds be used.
ELL
ERW TBE is an abbreviation of Threaded Both Ends.
ESV
Treaded Both Ends means that both ends of e.g. a pipe nipple are threaded.
FF
GMAW TOE / POE = Treaded One End / Plain One End

GTAW TOE / BOE = Treaded One End / Beveled One End

POE / BOE = Plain One End / Beveled One End
BBE = Beveled Both Ends

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PBE = Plain Both Ends

TIG TIG is an abbreviation of Tungsten Inert Gas.

Tungsten Inert Gas welding also known as GTAW is a process that produces an electric
arc maintained between a nonconsumable tungsten electrode and the part to be welded.
The heat-affected zone, the molten metal and the tungsten electrode are all shielded from
atmospheric contamination by a blanket of inert gas fed through the GTAW torch. Inert gas
(usually Argon) is inactive or deficient in active chemical properties. The shielding gas
serves to blanket the weld and exclude the active properties in the surrounding air. Inert
gases such as Argon and Helium do not chemically react or combine with other gases.
They pose no odor and are transparent, permitting the the welder maximum visibility of the
arc.

Source: www.millerwelds.com

TOS TOS is an abbreviation of Top Of Steel.

WPQ WPQ is an abbreviation of Welder Performance Qualification.

The Welder Performance Qualification document is required by all codes for all welders. It
details and summarizes the following information:
AFC
BB Indicates the WPS referenced during the qualification test
BBE Identifies the welder by name and/or clock number
BE Lists what the essential parameters were during this test
BOM Reports the results of the required qualification tests
BW Specifies qualified limits for welder
CMTR
For most codes there is a time limit associated with the welder qualification test. However,
ELL
ERW the American Welding Society provides an unlimited qualification period if certain
ESV conditions are met. As with the WPS and WPQR, each code has a recommended format.
FF
GMAW WPS is an abbreviation of Welding Procedure Specification.
GTAW The Welding Procedure Specification is a required document for all code welding. Your
customer either directly or indirectly specifies to what code your company must qualify.
The WPS outlines all of the parameters required to perform your welding operation.

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In short the WPS is the recipe for your welding operation. It describes the welding process
or processes used, the base materials used, the joint design and geometry, gases and
flow rates, welding position and includes all of the process conditions and variables. Each
code has a recommended format.

WT WT is an abbreviation of Wall Thickness.

The Wall Thickness in piping terms is defined as schedule (SCH or S).
As an example: a pipe NPS 2 - S40 has a wall thickness of 3.91 mm, the same pipe S80
has a wall thickness of 5.54 mm etc..
(for more information see main Menu "Pipes"...NPS and Schedule)

XXS XXS is an abbreviation of EXtra EXtra Strong.

(for more information see main Menu "Pipes"...NPS and Schedule)

AFC
BB
BBE
BE
© Werner Sölken 2008 - 2016. All rights reserved.
BOM
Do not worry about your difficulties in Mathematics. I can assure you mine are still greater. Albert Einstein
BW
CMTR
ELL
ERW
ESV
FF
GMAW
GTAW

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