Pipe line designations 1

[almacphe]

Hello,

I am wondering if anyone can point me towards a common pipe line numbering system. I work for a consulting company and all of our clients basically have different line numbering systems. I have seen reference on a client's line numbering legend to ASME B31.3 or CSA (Canadian stds), but cannot find a similar legend in B31.3 or the CSA piping code.

I can't find a document like this anywhere. Any ideas??? Please help. It would be nice to know if there is some common code/standard that each company uses to name its process pipes.

 

[RossABQ]

There is an ANSI color-coding/labeling standard, but not sure what you mean by "numbering"?

 

[BigInch]

Line numbering system.

There is no standard that I know of.

A lot seem to incorporate something like,

Plant Location,
Area Designation,
Sub Area or System Designator,
Product,
ANSI class or maximum pressure or some Company P&T code,
Sequence number.

BigInch-born in the trenches.

http://virtualpipeline.spaces.msn.com

 

[dtn6770]

Any place I've ever had dealings with had their own, uniquely developed line numbering system. At most, one facility adopted something out of API 570 when it can to soil to air interfaces (section 5.3.4 maybe).

It should be a matter of coming up with a scheme that all parties agree to. It can be super simple to elaborate enough to identify pipe specification type information.

 

[pennpiper]

almacphe,
I could be wrong but I think it is safe to say there is no “common pipe line numbering system” in use in the process plant engineering and design world. There are just too many companies and people and clients and project types to be able to achieve such commonality. I don’t remember seeing anything in ASME B31.3 (or any other Code), but then again it is not the purpose of the B31 Code to dictate a line numbering system.

To properly discuss this subject we need to understand the purpose of the “Line Number.” We also need to acknowledge that some companies use the term “Line Designation.” Whether your company uses the term “Line number” or the term “Line designation” the purpose is the same. It is for line identification. This identification is necessary through out the project and is used for many purposes by different people or groups. The line numbering should be controlled by the piping group for the project and done by the piping material engineer for that project.

As with any of the other “gray hair” pipers, I too have seen many different line numbering systems in my working past. Of all of them I have determined that there are some similarities but no totally common system.

Here are some details that I have been able to determine for myself. There are two basic areas that tend to govern line numbering. These are the line number method and the line number elements.
• Methods - There are two basic line numbering “methods.” The first method is based on the Purpose or Function of the line. The second method is based on the line “Size.”
• Elements - There are many potential line identification elements that may be included in a line numbering system. The elements that are most commonly included in a line numbering scheme are: Plant Location, Line Identity, Line Class (or Line Specification), Size, Insulation Type (when required) and Heat Tracing Type (when required).


The “purpose or functional” method of line numbering is where the line is best defined as a single line having an origin and a terminus consistent with a purpose or function. An example of this might be a pump suction line. It might come from a Storage Tank, a Tower Bottom or an Accumulator. It travels some distance and then splits and connects to the two pumps designated for that one service or function. This is one line, it serves one purpose or function therefore it has only one line number. Another example would be the pump discharge that leaves both of these pumps and join to form the single pipe line that runs to the next piece of equipment. This line also has one purpose or function therefore it has only one number.
The “line size” method is where the line number changes whenever and wherever the line size changes. When compared to the first (purpose or function) method, the pump suction line might have five line numbers instead of one. The pump discharge might also have five or more depending on what happens at the destination end of the line.

One or the other of these two methods becomes the “Rule” for a company, client or project. As we all know, for every rule you will always be able to find an exception. One exception that is common to both of these “Rules” is the rule of the change of line class (or line specification). The change in line class is most often caused by a change in pressure or material. A line might be the same size from one point to another but includes a pressure control valve that lets the pressure down to a level that allows a lower flange rating and or another material therefore a different line class. There are other line class change initiators but I think you get the idea. Any change in a lines conditions or material causes a mandatory change in the line number no mater which line numbering method is being used.

The elements of a line number might be arranged and look something like this:

10-1021-CA1A-12”- IH -ST
Where:
10 = the plant Unit or Area (mandatory)
1021 = the numeric line number (mandatory)
CA1A = the line class (mandatory)
12” = the line size (mandatory)
IH = Hot Insulation (only when required) (1)
ST = Steam Tracing (only when required) (2)

(1) Other types of insulation include IC = Cold Insulation, IS = Safety Insulation, IA = Acoustic (or Sound) Insulation, etc.
(2) Other types of tracing include: ET = Electric Tracing, CWT = Chill Water Tracing, TT = Thermon (Hot Oil) Tracing, etc.

I have no doubt that there are other items of information that could be or are added in some form or another based on the preference of a specific company of client. My credo is “Keep It Simple.” The manner of arranging the Elements to form a line number is something that is also dictated by the Company and or in some cases the Client. The sequence that is shown above is in the order of information priority that I am used to.

The line numbering activity should only be done when the P&ID’s are well along in the development process. The more complete the P&ID’s are the less hours will be wasted and the better the results of the line numbering effort. The degree of P&ID completeness prevents recycle when new equipment or systems are added or when equipment or systems are deleted.

As the Piping Material Engineer (or designate) performs the line numbering of the P&ID he or she also initiates the first draft of the Line List (or Line Designation Table) data base. The resultant document from this data base will be extensive for a whole project but will be broken down by plant area.

In addition to the line identification elements (indicated above), the Line List (data base and document) will or should also include important information for the design process and construction process such as the following:
• The line commodity
• The phase (liquid or gas)
• The origin of the line
• The destination of the line
• The line pressure, both the normal operating pressure and the maximum operation (or Design) pressure
• The line temperature, both the normal operating temperature and the maximum operation (or Design) temperature
• An indicator code for Stress Analysis requirements
• PWHT requirements
• The insulation thickness (optional)
• The line schedule (optional)

The line list once initiated will have many additions, deletions and be used by lots of people throughout the project both in the design office and in the field.

One of the first and most important activities where the line list is used is when the definitive labor hour estimate in generated. The number of lines on a project has a direct bearing on the labor hours required. This is true for the piping design activities in the home office, the pipe fabrication shop and for the installation contractor in the field. So it is very important to get it right.

I don’t know if I have answered your question or given you more questions. However I do hope this will help.

Regards,

 

[pipehead]

I've always used one very very simlar to Pennpiper, we had the material inside identified with a two letter designation, HL = hydrocarbon liquid, FG = fuel gas, ect. One company I worked at started to get rid of this "smart system" and only kept the unique line number. The Data Base Managager (DBM) system would have all the data I needed. I told him, field people don't have a DBM and he said they could get some intrinsically safe PC with radio links for a $100,000 and.......

Keep it simple and smart is my advice.

 

[legs]

I think that line numbering systems are usually described as 'conventions' as in line numbering conventions, color conventions or layering conventions. This only means that the company or client sets the conventioning (or system) of line numbering, layering & colors (on CAD dwg's). Each client will have different requirements for controlling their numbering systems. What Pennpiper has stated is the basics of setting up line number conventioning and it is excellent to follow to set up your particular conventions.

 

[JLSeagull]

Look for documents known as the "Process Industry Practices". These include many standard practices and appear to drive the direction of pipe specifications and line numbering within the hydrocarbon processing industry. PIP PNCM0002 (May 2006) is the Piping Material Specifications Line Class Index.

Process Industry Practices (PIP), Construction Industry Institute, The University of Texas at Austin, 3925 West Braker Lane (R4500), Austin, Texas 78759. PIP member companies and subscribers may copy this Practice for their internal use. Changes, overlays, addenda, or modifications of any kind are not permitted within any PIP Practice without the express written authorization of PIP.

 

[jte]

I wouldn't say the PIP's "drive the direction" of any line numbering. Line numbering conventions were set decades before anyone started talking about creating PIP's. I'd wager that whichever major company was in the driver's seat on that particular committee used their company standard to "drive the direction" of the PIP. Most folks I've spoken with agree that the PIP's are generally a good starting point if you were to start from scratch, but that most of the PIP's require significant additions to be really good company standards.

jt

 

[JLSeagull]

See the PIP reference in the cross-thread.