Pump installation 1

[Merc-]

Hi All!

What is the minimum clearance required between the foundation anchor bolts and foundation edge of a pump?

Des: The foundation Anchoring is by Anchor Pockets and these are formed during the initial foundation casting. Installation of pumps were as per the co-ordinates to align the piping connections. After placing the pumps the pocket grouting is carried out. As a result pump is not exactly centered in the foundation. The clearance is not compiled with design drawings.

Is this condition is safe/acceptable?

 

[Artisi]

What is your concern?
I don't see any reason to be concerned, provided the bolts / pockets have been correctly grouted,the baseplate is securely attached to the plinth after levelling, checking it's not twisted, bowed or hogged.

Interesting that the plinth / retaining bolt pockets are so far displaced sideways from the design - or was it installed by a mob of amateur's - near enough is good enough?

It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. (Sherlock Holmes - A Scandal in Bohemia.)

 

[LittleInch]

Looks fine to me.

The drawing gives quite a large hole for the bolt size to allow for misalignment.

It won't look good but is safe as far as we can see. IMHO.

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.

 

[Merc-]

@Artisi @LittleInch
Thank you for the responses.

It was an observation from client QC personnel during inspection. This pump was installed a long time ago. We had only civil clearance documents such as casting, grouting...etc. Client wants to ensure that pump installed in this condition is safe.

We don't have clear information why it was displaced in that way. I am assuming it was done in order properly align the pump suction-discharge nozzle with interconnecting pipelines.

 

[Artisi]

That would be a fair assumption, the plinth was more than likely inplace prior to the pipework - not smart.

It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. (Sherlock Holmes - A Scandal in Bohemia.)

 

[LittleInch]

It looks to me like the pump is on the right hand side of the pockets.

Therefore it doesn't look good, but is within the tolerance allowed for in the original drawing. Just.

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.

 

[JJPellin]

Our specification for pump foundations requires all of the following:

The distance from the edge of the baseplate to the edge of the foundation block must be less than 8 inches or require engineering review and approval.
The distance from the outside diameter of the bolt sleeve to the outside edge of the foundation must be 6 inches or four bolt diameters, minimum.

Refer to API 686, Chapter 4, Figure B-4.

Johnny Pellin

 

[1503-44]

Just checked for that same 6" and that's there, so there was enough room for anchor bolts and the vertical and tie bars and required clear distances. The grout is squared off, but that shouldn't be a big problem. It's been running for awhile. Don't fix it if it's not broke.

 

[Nutzman]

Looks to me as if the holding down bolts could be chemical anchors. Meaning the plinth was cast with the pockets in the correct place. The piping was "brought" to the plinth and found not to align with the pump nozzles. Solution: remove pump and baseplate, fill in pockets. Place pump and base on plinth, align to piping. Drill and insert chemical anchors. Job done!!