Minimum Pipe Spacing in Pipe Rack

BY THEPROCESSPIPING · PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 22, 2017 · UPDATED OCTOBER 29, 2017

Piping in a chemical plant (refineries, petrochemical plant, fertilizer plant, gas plant etc.)
are comparable to the arteries and vanes through which fluid, vapors, slurries, solids etc.
flow under various conditions as imposed by the process design of the plant. Pipes serves
as a mean of connecting all the columns, vessels , pumps, tanks, reactors etc in the
chemical plant.

Usually there is a pipe rack running in the center of the plant which carries all the pipes
from various sources to destinations alongwith cable trays, instrumentation ducts etc.
Whenever two pipes are running parallel to each other, piping engineer has to maintain a
minimum gap between the two pipes. There can be many reasons for this;

 To prevent clash between pipes during construction and erection.

 Sufficient gap to accommodate sideways thermal movement of pipes (For example,
thermal expansion of Leg AB in below Figure).
 Sufficient gap to accommodate pipe supports with guide plates.
The basic principle for deciding the spacing the pipes
running parallel to each other is:
Center to Center Spacing = 1/2 O.D of the bigger size pipe flange + Insulation thickness
of bigger size pipe (if applicable) + 25 mm + 1/2 O.D of the smaller size pipe +
Insulation thickness of smaller size pipe(if applicable).

where O.D = Outside diameter of pipe.

Most of the companies consider minimum 300# for calculation of O.D of bigger size pipe
flange.

For simplification, most of the companies have prepared standard charts or tables which
shows center to center spacing between different size and ratings of pipe without
insulation. while 3D modelling, modeler add insulation thickness to spacing’s specified in
these standard tables to get the exact center to center spacing.
Few points to remember:

1. Spacing based on min. clearance of 25 mm between flange of one pipe and outside
diameter of adjacent pipe.
2. All dimensions shown in millimeters.
3. If pipes are insulated, insulation thickness has also to be added.
4. To arrive at spacing between two pipes of different ratings, refer to calculations for
both pipes and use the larger of the two distances. For example: To Determine
spacing between 150 NB Pipe of 150# rating and a 100 NB pipe of 600# rating.
 For 150 NB pipe and 100 NB 600# flange Rating spacing = 255 mm.
 For 100 NB pipe and 150 NB 150# flange Rating spacing =230 mm.
 Consider the maximum distances from 2 cases. The spacing between the 2 lines
= 255 mm
5. Flanges and or valves in adjacent lines must be staggered.
6. Lines with tapped orifice flanges shall be given special consideration.
7. Where sideways thermal movement occurs must be so spaced that in either the
expanded or contracted position adjacent pipes maintain minimum clearance
specified.