(pp)I had this same question a few months ago. Here is the discussion on that occasion.
(Q)I am trying to establish the piping database per your guideline, but right now I have some questions as follows:
1. As far as I know, this code must be unique for each type of piping item. But if we do not include the size as your point 11 above, then the code will not be unique anymore.
For example: if I have 10" x S80 Weld neck flange A182 RF and 8" x S80 Weld neck flange A182 RF, the code will be the same as PA10S80 (P: piping, A: alloy, 10: weld neck flange numbering in my database(ex: 11: slip-on flange, 15: equal tee, 16: reducing tee.. and so forth), S80: schedule 80). How can I distinguish between these two without the size?
2. If I try to include the size, what is your advice with regard to some items with different sizes at both ends such as: eccentric reducer or reducing tee or reducing cross. Right now I don't know how to code this without further complicate the database
I find that the pipe with the same size, same material and same schedule but with different end finish like: bevel end or plain end will complicate things even more.
The more I get into creating this database the more I get disorientated trying to incorporate all piping info into just a few digits of code. Maybe I should use 10 digits.
(pp)I think that you need to start over again. You have forgotten a few basic issues that are important to this effort.
(pp)Consider the following:
1. You say that you are “trying to establish the piping database”. No. you are trying to establish a material item code structure that will fit piping materials (and others) and will not be complicated.
2. You need to define ALL the places where an item code number will be used and how it will be used. To do this you need to collect samples of all the documents where the Item Code Number (ICN) will be used. These documents include the Piping Material Line Class Specifications, The Bill of Material for each Isometric, The Purchase Order for piping materials, etc. Also if you are going to require a pipe Shop Fabricator to use your ICN then you need to consider the shop documents and systems. For each document type is there already a “Field” or column for an ICN and for other things such as Size.
3. Go talk to the people in the IT (Information Technology) department about the added cost of each additional digit to a field.
4. Your Piping Material Line Class Specification now probably has two metric letter size sheets for all the material for a single line class. Here you find that it takes a single line entry for Carbon Steel, Seamless Schedule 40 pipe , API 5L GR B, for sizes 3” (80mm) to 10” (250mm). Under your premise of a separate code number for each size this would become 5 different lines with 5 different code numbers. Consider what it will be if every item in the Line class Specifications had a different item code number for each different item for each different size and each different end connection.
5. Item code numbers should be designed to get you to the primary item. In the piping industry for the last 100 years or so there have been items that almost always have the same description for multiple sizes. This should bring you to the understanding that you can group multiple sizes under one ICN and then use a “Qualifier” (size) to define the differences.
6. Another qualifier is the “End Prep” (Bevel End, Plain End and Thread End) which can be added to the BOM and Purchase order. If you take all the possible size combinations for the Concentric and Eccentric Swedges times all the possible end preps you will have a very long list and it is just not cost effective.
7. Valves are another thing that can be a simple one item code with a size qualifier or a nightmare of added cost. Example: Class 150 Carbon Steel Gate Valve with F6 Trim can be one item code with the size (3” to 24”) added in the size column of the BOM or PO or you can have 12 different item code numbers and 12 different line items on your Piping Material Line Class Specifications for this one valve.
(pp) The following is a list of recommendations for the development of a Piping Material Commodity Code.
The “Item Code”
1. Keep the length of the piping material Item Code Number as short as possible. Keep it simple. In the past (30, 40 years ago) one of the major clients at the time had piping item code numbers 27 digits long. They claimed that they wanted the item code number to be a “Smart” number. By that they meant that each position had a specific meaning. It was a real mess.
2. The Item Code Numbers should allow for and fit all the other “Bulk Material Disciplines” (i.e.: Structural, Civil, Electrical, Instruments, etc.)
3. The Item Code number should not be more than 7 digits long. Example: PC12345
4. The first position is the discipline P=Piping, S=Structural, E=Electrical
5. The first and second position are “Alpha” only
6. The second position is “Alpha” only and for Piping might be “C” for Carbon Steel
7. All other positions would be “Alpha-Numeric” and different for each discipline depending on needs.
8. The third and forth position might be a two place designation for object type (Pipe, fitting, flange, valve, gasket, bolts, etc.) With two places you have 00 to 99 plus AA to ZZ plus 1A to 9Z and that is a lot of different items (1036).
9. Position 5 and 6 could be the rating designator. With two places you have 00 to 99 plus AA to ZZ plus 1A to 9Z and that is a lot of different ratings (1036).
10. Position seven could be reserved for a special qualifier.
11. Do not make the mistake of trying to include the size in the Item Code Number. That just complicates things too much.
12. Start out by analyzing all the material you purchased on the last four or five projects. Select the mainstream items and then leave gaps in the Code number structure. Using the guidelines above apply the preliminary Code Number to the full purchase description for the Items that you repeat purchase. Then run a test on the “Catalog”.
(pp) If seven positions do not give the flexibility needed for your company then the position 8 &/or 9 can be added. Just remember for each digit you add you must check for all the places it will be used on printed documents. This includes the Bill of Material (BOM) on the Isometric, Purchase Orders, etc. Is there space available for a larger number? A word of advice here, don’t try to make the Item Code number too “smart.”
(pp) The “Item Description”
For a "Smart" Item Description you would need to provide the following (Example Gate Valve):
• Company material item code number for primary identification ( example: 5051771)
• Name (example: Gate Valve)
• Rating and Facing (example: 300# RF)
• Reference Manufacturer: Voit (Model Number) or Equal
• Operator- Handwheel (could be gear operator or Motor operator)
• Body Material (example: Carbon Steel)
• Disk Material (example: Disk – Carbon Steel)
• Seat Material (example: Seat – F6)
• Stem Material (example: Stem – Carbon Steel)
• Stem Packing Material (example: Teflon)
• Body Taps – None (or define which Body tap you want drilled and threaded)
• Testing - (define Manufacturer standard or other)
• Painting- (None, Manufacturer Standard, Prime only, special as you define)
• Shipping Preparation- Rust preventative on Flange faces, Stem and all other unpainted surfaces.
• Packaging – Standard (non-Ocean going shipping), Special (for Ocean or export shipping)
(pp) This is trying to be way too smart!
Some of this can be included in the special notes section of the P.O.
prognosis: Lead or Lag
