API Recommended Practice 686 - Machinery Installation and Installation Design

Last update: August 24, 2006

Standard Edition Section Inquiry # Question Reply

686 First Chapt. 5 686-I-01/01 We would like to have a confirmation on the material that should be The jackscrew leveling pads should be constructed of stainless
Edition, 4.1 used for the leveling pads to be utilized under the pump baseplate steel as indicated in Chapter 5, Paragraph 3.8.8 and as indicated
February leveling jackscrews. In fact in the grouting checklist, Chapter 5, in Section 4, Grouting Checklists, Paragraph 3.8.8, under
1996 Section 4.1 - Mounting Plate Design Verification, stainless steel is Mounting Plate Design Verification. The material designation
indicated as material for the leveling pads. However in Figure G-1 of shown in Figure G-1 is incorrectly shown as carbon steel and will
Chapter 5, carbon steel is indicated the material. We consider that be corrected in the next edition of the Standard.
either SS or CS materials could be used. Please confirm.
Stainless steel is selected due to the potential for corrosion of
carbon steel. After the mounting plate jackscrews are removed
when the grout has cured, the jackscrew holes are to be sealed to
exclude contamination. Should this barrier seal fail or not be
installed water might enter the jackscrew hole and corrosion of
carbon steel leveling pads would occur. As the corrosion
advances, the carbon steel leveling pad will swell and could result
in cracking of the grout and/or delamination of the grout-to-
concrete bond.

686 First Chapt. 6 686-I-01/07 Referring to Chapter 6, Section 3.1.2.7, is it allowable to use T-type No.
Edition, 3.1.2.7 strainer for changing the direction at pump suction piping, instead of
February a long radius elbow?
1996
686 First Chapt. 6 686-I-02/05 We have a 12 in. 1500# RTJ flange (with OD of 24 in. and a raised face If the outside diameter of the raised face is 15 in., then the
Edition, 4.6.3 OD of 15 in.). Chapter 6, Section 4.6.3 states that the maximum maximum allowable misalignment is 0.015 in. at the raised face
February allowable misalignment is to calculated by the outside diameter of the mating surfaces and 0.024 in. at the outside diameter of the
1996 flange, (i.e. raised face flanges are to be measured at the raised face) flange.
up to a maximum of 0.030 in. What is the maximum allowable
measurement at the raised face? Is it 0.024 in. or 0.015 in., bearing in
mind that the pipe contains 1100 psi water at 280°C?

686 First Chapt. 6 686-I-01/02 Where is ring heating meant to be applied circumferentially? Is it at a Ring” heating refers to a circumferential band of heat applied to
Edition, 4.7.6 lower, localized heat, "around" the mating piping "flange" to the the piping, not the mating flange, connected to a machine. Typical
February pump connecting "flange" or to the mating piping or both? industry practice is to apply this heating to the pipe at a sufficient
1996 distance from the flanges that heat conduction to the machinery is
negligible. The direct application of heat to the machinery flange
or the mating piping flange is discouraged due to the risk of
damage to the internal components of the machine.

686 First Chapt. 6 686-I-01/02 If piping that is attached during ring heating, will there be a No, there is not a piping flange size restriction. The magnitude of
Edition, 4.7.6 piping/flange size restriction? the piping misalignment to be corrected, the piping metallurgy, the
February pipe wall thickness, the location of pipe supports as well as piping
1996 flexibility should be considered when making the decision to apply
ring heat or alternative methods to correct pipe strain.

686 First Chapt. 6 686-I-01/02 Does API 686 1st edition specify the type of gasket that can be used to No, RP 686 does not address application of a dual-purpose
Edition, 4.7.6 isolate heat from the pump and piping during ring heating process gasket. The intention of the gasket described in RP 686
February that will also isolate the pump from stray electric currents from nearby paragraph 4.4.3 is to help provide electrical isolation of the
1996 welding? machinery from the piping. The intention of the note in Chapter 6,
Section 4.7.6, of RP 686 is to provide thermal insulation of the
machine from the piping.

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Standard Edition Section Inquiry # Question Reply

686 First Chapt. 4 686-I-01/03 Chapter 4, Section 2.4.3, talks about the vertical distance from the The vertical distance in the note following paragraph 2.4.3 refers
Edition, 2.4.3 machine centerline to the" base". Is the base the base of the machine( to the distance from the centerline of the machine to the bottom of
February bottom of bedplate etc) or the bottom base of the foundation mass in the foundation mass in the ground.
1996 the ground?
686 First Chapt. 4 686-I-01/02 In reference to Chapter 4, Section 2.10.7, "adhesive stud bolt with nut Yes.
Edition, 2.10.7 and washer", is it true that the nut and washer go on top of the anchor
February to hold down the baseplate?
1996 0.1745  10 3
wL / GH

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