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This article provides you with example piping hanging and support engineering specification that is used in construction of industrial plants.
1. GENERAL
1.1. SCOPE
This engineering specification covers requirements for design, selection, fabrication spacing and installation / erecting of supports and supporting elements used for the above ground piping, for use in industrial plant construction. (Exception: vendor package unit) Both insulated and un-insulated piping are covered by this specification and all pipe supports shall be designed based on the requirements of this Engineering Specification.
1.2. REFERENCES
Throughout this specification the following Codes, Standards and Engineering Specifications are referred to.
1.2.1. CODES & STANDARDS
Pipe supports should be designed in accordance with the requirement of ASME B31.3.
Related Codes and Standards are as follows:
ASME B31.3 Process Piping
ASME sec. IX Rules for construction of pressure vessels
ASTM American Society for Testing and Materials
AWS American Welding Society
1.2.2. RELATED SPECIFICATIONS AND STANDARD DRAWINGS
Related engineering specifications and standard drawings are as follows:
a) Engineering Specification for Piping Stress Analysis
b) Engineering Specification for Painting
c) Engineering Specification for Piping Design
d) Engineering Specification for Thermal Insulation (Hot)
e) Engineering Specification for Thermal Insulation (Cold)
f) Standard Pipe Support Drawings
1.2. 3. UNITS
Metric units (Kg, mm, Kg.m, Kg/cm2) shall be used as a unit of control for supporting.
2. DESIGN AND SELECTION – PIPING HANGING AND SUPPORT
2.1. GENERAL
2.1.1. Piping shall be supported, anchored, or guided to prevent undue line deflection, excessive vibration and to protect piping and connected equipment from excessive loading and expansion stress.
2.1.2. Pipe support location and identification numbers shall be marked on the piping drawings as follows:
1) Carbon steel lines, 2” NPS and larger, marked on Isometric Drawings.
2) Stainless steel and alloy steel lines, 1.1/2” NPS and larger, marked on Isometric Drawings.
3) Carbon steel lines, 1.1/2” NPS and smaller, marked on Iso-sketch Drawings.
4) Stainless steel and alloy steel lines, 1” NPS and smaller, marked on Iso-sketch Drawings.
2.1.3. All lines 1-1/2” and smaller shall be supported by field adjustment.
2.1.4. All guides, anchors and springs shown on the piping stress analysis report shall be considered, and shall not be added or eliminated without permission of the stress analysis engineer.
2.1.5. Individual lines may be suspended on hanger rods with adjustable clevises or pipe clamps only when no other support is practical. But if either line is in vibrating service, do not support one line from another.
2.1.6. Support shall be located as near as practicable to changes in direction (Lateral and vertical).
2.1.7. For Alloy / Stainless Steel piping, If a welded attachment is necessary, an alloy / stainless plate shall be welded to pipe before adding any carbon steel attachment. The plate may be cut form the same supported pipe material.
2.1.8. Clamped type attachment or pipe shoe may be used for the following lines:
1) Piping lined with glass, rubber, plastic, etc.
2) Piping required post weld heat treatment.
3) Expensive materials such as Titanium, hastalloy, monel, etc..
4) Piping with corrosion resistance coating (e.g. galvanized piping).
5) For all insulated piping.
2.1.9. Clamp type attachment must be used wherever field welding is not permitted to stress relieved piping.
2.1.10. If any special welded attachment is required on either alloy or stress relieved piping, it must be installed in the fabricator’s shop.
2.1.11. When the atmospheric discharge lines for a relief valve exceeds a height of 1800 mm, nearest point of the valve body shall be reinforced by support. This discharge line shall be guided as near to the top as possible.
2.1.12. For the fabrication of shoe, Structural steel (H-beam, T-bar etc.) may be used instead of plate under approval of piping engineer.
2.1.13. Spring support shall only be marked on the Isometric drawing and detailed information of spring support such as size, attachment, etc. indicated on data sheet of spring support.
2.1.14. For vibrated piping, vibration analysis shall be considered for pipe support design in accordance to ASME B31.3.
2.1.15. Insulated lines running in trenches shall be supported high enough to assure the insulation will remain above the highest expected storm water level.
2.1.16. Pre-heating and post weld heat treatment requirements for welding of supports shall be as outline in ASME B31.3.
2.2. LOADS – PIPING HANGING AND SUPPORT
The following items shall be considered as a design basis for pipe supports.
2.2.1. Expansion Forces
The thrust due to temperature changes in lines when hot operation.
2.2.2. Dead Loads
a) Pipes up to 8” NPS, use the weight, which is filled with water, or service fluid, which is larger weight. For 10” NPS and larger pipes, use the weight, which is filled with service fluid.
b) Weight of insulation where provided shall be included in dead loads.
2.2.3. Wind and earthquake loads shall be considered as a local condition. Maximum wind or maximum earthquake load shall govern the design, whichever is greater.
2.3. MATERIALS – PIPING HANGING AND SUPPORT
2.3.1. ASTM A283, A53, A36 or equivalent shall be used for plate, pipe and structural steel support material.
2.3.2. Support material, which is welded directly to piping, shall be chosen with the following table.
Material Selection Table
2.4. CONNECTIONS – PIPING HANGING AND SUPPORT
The connections of steel supports members can be bolted or welded.
2.4.1. Welds shall conform to the American Welding Society “Standard Code for Welding in Building Construction”.
2.4.2. Boltholes shall be punched or drilled. Flame cut holes is not acceptable.
2.5. SUPPORT SPAN – PIPING HANGING AND SUPPORT
The following formula indicates maximum spans between supports.
a) Spans are based on a formula that gives a compromise between a beam with fixed ends, and a freely supported beam.
b) For lines operating above 200°C, support span should be checked with regard to allowable stress limitations at the specific temperature involved.
c) Spans shall generally be determined so that the deflection of piping by the weight of piping component, fluid and of insulation will not exceed 12 mm.
2.6. SUPPORT TYPE
Support types are defined as follows:
Anchor – A support fixing the pipe completely.
Guide – A support restricting the movement perpendicular to pipe axis, but the axial movement is allowed.
Hanger – A support hanging the piping.
Spring – A resilient support, which allows vertical movement.
Resting support – A simple support bearing the pipe weight only.
Directional stop – A support restricting the movement of a certain direction.
2.7. SUPPORT MARKING – PIPING HANGING AND SUPPORT
Support marking shall consist of an identification number, dimension, material and location etc.
2.8. FOUNDATION AND INSERT PLATE FOR PIPE SUPPORTS
2.8.1. Pipe support foundation elevation shall be minimum 150mm height from H.P.P (EL.= 0 for each terrace).
2.8.2. Pipe support foundations may be constructed at field in consideration of field condition unless which are shown on foundation drawing.
2.8.3. Insert plate must be considered when the support is to be installed on concreted and location with other requirements shall be informed to civil structural engineer.
2.9. DRAWING SYMBOL
Support symbols is shown on Standard Pipe Support Drawing.
3. EXECUTION AND ERECTION OF SUPPORTS – PIPING HANGING AND SUPPORT
3.1. GENERAL
3.1.1. Support design shall be executed for the 2” & larger lines include following 1-1/2” & smaller lines.
- Row of parallel pipes.
- Need of spring hanger, stops, etc.
3.1.2. Lines 2” and smaller insulated for heat conservation and personal protection shall rest on supports with the insulation cut back at the supports with no shoe required. Insulation shall be cut-back a sufficient amount to allow for line movement due to thermal expansion.
3.1.3. Pipe support field weld points shall be adjusted carefully at field in accordance with field condition.
3.1.4. Field welded pipe supports shall be set correctly in place and adjusted to the final position before welding to the piping or structures.
3.1.5. Pipe support shall be fabricated and installed in accordance with Pipe Support Drawings.
3.1.6. A shoe support shall be attached to the pipe in accordance with the drawings. It is not permitted to tack-weld a shoe to pipe rack, where the shoe support is not to permanently fix to the pipe rack.
3.1.7. Thermally expanding piping shall be fastened at the plant battery limits.
3.1.8. Horizontal piping expansion loops in pipe tracks or on pipe bridges shall have vertical offset to stay clear of adjacent piping.
3.1.9. Welding of support elements to galvanized piping or steel structure is not permitted.
3.1.10. All support assemblies which include plates, pipes, shape steels, bolts, nuts, springs and etc. shall be made by construction contractor according to standard drawings, except spring supports, clamps, cradles, lugs and blocks for cold insulation.
3.2. SPRING HANGERS
3.2.1. Spring hanger pin shall be removed only when the supported lines are ready for start-up condition.
3.2.2. The Pre-set pieces of the pipe hanger shall be removed after completion of leak test of the piping. However, pipelines, which will be insulated, it shall be removed after completion of the insulation work.
3.2.3. After plant has started operation, check the spring hanger position whether it is at hot load position and confirm any excess variation from design load.
3.3. PREFABRICATED PIPE SUPPORT
Pipe supports, which are located at high elevation, may be prefabricated at shop under supervision of piping field engineer. Piping field engineer will designate exact dimension of above mentioned pipe supports for its prefabrication.
4. PAINTING – PIPING HANGING AND SUPPORT
Pipe support painting shall be in accordance with requirements of “Engineering Specification for Painting”.
Executive Summary & Industrial Inspection Scope
In demanding industrial environments across Oil, Gas, Petrochemical, Offshore, and Heavy Process Infrastructure, rigorous compliance with ISO 9001 / ASME / API is essential to ensure operational integrity, personnel safety, and compliance with statutory regulatory frameworks. This technical specification provides QA/QC managers, procurement engineers, welding inspectors, and third-party inspection (TPI) agencies with an authoritative, field-tested guideline for “Piping Hanging And Support Engineering Specification”.
Ensuring compliance regarding piping hanging and support engineering specification minimizes the risk of catastrophic asset failures, costly unscheduled shutdowns, and supplier non-conformances. The following technical sections delineate the scope of inspection, mandatory verification protocols, acceptance criteria, documentation deliverables, and root cause mitigation strategies.
Governing International Engineering Codes & Specifications
Verification and validation of Piping Hanging And Support Engineering Specification must strictly conform to the latest editions of the following international engineering codes and project specifications:
• **Primary Standard Reference:** ISO 9001 / ASME / API
• **Quality Management & Inspection Systems:** ISO 9001:2015 & ISO/IEC 17020 (Requirements for the operation of various types of bodies performing inspection)
• **Material Compliance & Traceability:** EN 10204 Type 3.1 / 3.2 Inspection Certificates for metallic and non-metallic pressure-retaining components
• **Personnel Qualification:** ASNT SNT-TC-1A / ISO 9712 for NDT personnel, CSWIP 3.1 / AWS CWI for welding inspection, and NACE / AMPP Level 2/3 for coating and corrosion personnel
• **Statutory & Health Safety Directives:** ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC), API Standards, OSHA, and regional local authority regulations.
Step-by-Step Quality Control & Inspection Procedure
The execution of quality surveillance for Piping Hanging And Support Engineering Specification is structured across four progressive QA/QC intervention phases:
Stage 1: Pre-Inspection & Engineering Document Review (Review Point – R)
Prior to commencement of any physical activities or manufacturing operations related to Piping Hanging And Support Engineering Specification, the contractor or vendor must submit all technical submittals to the Owner or TPI agency for formal review and approval.
- Verification of approved Inspection and Test Plan (ITP) identifying all Hold (H), Witness (W), Review (R), and Surveillance (S) intervention points.
- Cross-examination of Material Test Reports (MTR / Mill Certificates) against standard design specifications (ISO 9001 / ASME / API).
- Review and approval of specific Procedure Qualification Records (PQR), Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS), or calibration certificates.
- Verification that all measurement instruments, gauges, and NDT equipment hold valid calibration certificates from ISO/IEC 17025 accredited calibration laboratories (within 6 to 12 months validity).
Stage 2: In-Process Witnessing & Fabrication Control (Witness / Hold Point – W/H)
During the active execution phase, the certified inspector performs physical surveillance to ensure strict adherence to certified drawings, manufacturing procedures, and code tolerances.
- Verification of material traceability (heat number, heat treatment lot, plate number) transferred accurately onto fabricated components.
- Dimensional verification and visual inspection using calibrated gauges, micrometer depth dials, or laser alignment systems.
- Monitoring ambient environmental parameters (relative humidity, dew point, substrate temperature) when applying surface treatments, welding preheat, or pressure testing.
- Witnessing non-destructive examination (RT, UT, MT, PT, PMI) at specified percentages according to project critical rating and code requirements.
Stage 3: Final Acceptance, Pressure/Performance Testing & Marking (Hold Point – H)
The culminating milestone where the fully assembled or completed item is subjected to definitive acceptance tests in the presence of the Owner’s Third-Party Inspector (TPI).
- Execution of pressure proof tests (Hydrostatic at 1.3x to 1.5x MAWP or Pneumatic test) with dual calibrated pressure gauges and temperature recorders.
- Full visual inspection of completed surfaces, welds, protective coatings, and flange contact faces for absence of mechanical damage or code defects.
- Validation of permanent stamping, low-stress die markings, nameplate data verification, and barcoding in strict conformity with project specs.
- Clearing all open punch-list items, non-conformance reports (NCRs), and concession requests prior to issuance of the release note.
Stage 4: Packing, Preservation & Inspection Release (Inspection Release Certificate – IRC)
Ensuring the inspected equipment is adequately protected against atmospheric corrosion, mechanical shock, and marine transit degradation.
- Inspection of rust preventative coatings, desiccant bags, flange face blind protectors, and vapor corrosion inhibitor (VCI) packaging.
- Verification of heavy-lift sea fastening lugs, center-of-gravity markings, and export crating compliance (ISPM 15 wooden crating).
- Compilation and signing of the final Inspection Release Certificate (IRC / Shipping Release) and manufacturer data dossier (MDR).
Technical Acceptance Criteria & Tolerances Matrix
All measurements and physical characteristics must comply with the engineering tolerances and acceptance thresholds tabulated below:
| Inspection Parameter / Test Item | Applicable Standard & Clause | Permissible Tolerance / Acceptance Limit | Verification Method | Intervention Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Material Chemical & Mechanical Verification | ISO 9001 / ASME / API / EN 10204 3.1 | 100% compliance with minimum tensile, yield, elongation, and impact values (Charpy V-Notch at design temp) | Optical Emission Spectrometry (OES) / MTR Verification | Review (R) |
| Visual & Dimensional Tolerances | ISO 9001 / ASME / API / Project Specs | Zero cracks, lack of fusion, severe pitting; dimensional tolerances within ±1.0mm to ±3.0mm per code drawings | Calibrated Vernier, Bridge Cam, Depth Micrometer | Witness (W) |
| Non-Destructive Examination (NDT) | ASME Sec V / ASNT SNT-TC-1A | 100% compliant with code acceptance criteria; zero planar defects or unpermitted volumetric indications | Radiographic (RT) / Ultrasonic (UT) / Magnetic Particle (MT) | Hold (H) |
| Pressure / Proof Testing (Hydrostatic) | ISO 9001 / ASME / API / ASME Sec VIII | Test pressure maintained for minimum 30 to 60 mins; zero pressure drop, zero leakage or visible sweating | Dual calibrated Bourdon pressure gauges + Chart Recorder | Hold (H) |
| Surface Prep & Protective Coating Quality | SSPC-SP / NACE / ISO 8501 | Surface profile 50 – 75 µm; Dry Film Thickness (DFT) within 80/20 rule of specified nominal thickness | Replica Tape (ASTM D4417) & Magnetic Gauge (SSPC-PA 2) | Witness (W) |
| Nameplate & Final Preservation Verification | API / ASME / Client Specs | 316L SS nameplate securely affixed with correct design code, MAWP, design temp, and national board stamping | Physical visual check & VCI preservation verification | Hold (H) |
Mandatory QA/QC Dossier & Inspection Deliverables
Prior to the final issuance of the Inspection Release Certificate (IRC), the contractor and vendor must compile and submit the verified manufacturer data record containing:
- Approved Inspection & Test Plan (ITP) with sign-off stamps by Contractor, Client, and TPI.
- Material Test Reports (MTR / Mill Test Certificates EN 10204 Type 3.1 or 3.2).
- Certified Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS), Procedure Qualification Records (PQR), and Welder Performance Qualifications (WPQ).
- Calibration Certificates for all test instruments and measuring equipment (NABL / ISO 17025 accredited).
- Non-Destructive Examination Reports (RT, UT, MT, PT, PMI, Ferrite Content) evaluated by Level II/III inspectors.
- Heat Treatment & PWHT Time-Temperature Recorder Charts with thermocouple layout drawings.
- Hydrostatic / Pneumatic Pressure Proof Test Certificate with calibrated chart recorder logs.
- Surface Preparation and Protective Coating Inspection Reports (Daily environmental log, blast profile, DFT summary).
- Non-Conformance Report (NCR) and Concession Disposition Closeout Log.
- Official Inspection Release Certificate (IRC / Shipping Release Note) permitting packing and dispatch.
Common Non-Conformances & Field Mitigation Strategies
Based on extensive third-party inspection field records in oil & gas projects, the following deviations require heightened surveillance:
Defect / Hazard: Material Grade Substitution & Lack of Heat Traceability
Root Cause: Uncontrolled workshop storage, missing color coding, or unverified supplier sub-tier procurement without EN 10204 3.1 documentation.
Preventative Action: Enforce strict 100% Positive Material Identification (PMI) prior to cutting, and mandatory material receiving inspection with physical stamping cross-referenced to original mill test certificates.
Defect / Hazard: Out-of-Tolerance Fit-Up & Alignment Mismatch
Root Cause: Poor thermal cutting, thermal distortion from excessive preheat, or inadequate jigging and tacking arrangements.
Preventative Action: Establish a mandatory Witness/Hold point at joint fit-up before root pass deposition. Use calibrated Hi-Lo gauges to verify bevel angle, root face, and root gap according to the qualified WPS.
Defect / Hazard: Premature Coating Delamination & Blistering Under Film
Root Cause: Excessive soluble salt contamination (>20 mg/m²) left on the substrate, blast cleaning below dew point (<3°C above dew point), or oil/moisture in the blasting compressor air line.
Preventative Action: Perform Blotter Test (ASTM D4285) daily on compressed air, enforce Bresle patch chloride testing, and apply primer within 4 hours of abrasive blasting before rust blooming initiates.
Defect / Hazard: Pressure Drop During Final Hydrostatic Proof Testing
Root Cause: Micro-leakage through temporary test flange gaskets, entrapped air pockets inside vessel high points, or inadequate temperature stabilization.
Preventative Action: Ensure thorough venting at all high-point vents until bubble-free fluid emerges, allow minimum 15-minute temperature stabilization between filling medium and ambient metal, and torque all blind flanges with calibrated torque wrenches.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What are the mandatory qualifications for inspectors verifying Piping Hanging And Support Engineering Specification?
A: Inspectors must hold recognized international certifications applicable to the discipline. For welding and fabrication: CSWIP 3.1/3.2, AWS CWI, or API 510/570 Source Inspector. For NDT: ISO 9712 or ASNT SNT-TC-1A Level II minimum. For coatings: NACE / AMPP Level 2 or FROSIO Level III. Additionally, the inspection agency must operate under an ISO/IEC 17020 accredited quality management system.
Q: How does PtroTek resolve non-conformances (NCRs) encountered during vendor surveillance?
A: When a deviation from certified drawings or ISO 9001 / ASME / API is detected, the inspector issues a formal Non-Conformance Report (NCR) within 24 hours. The vendor must submit a Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and proposed disposition (Rework, Repair, or Concession). Work on the affected component is halted (Hold Point) until the Owner’s engineering authority approves the disposition and a re-inspection confirms full compliance.
Q: What is the difference between Witness (W) and Hold (H) points in an Inspection & Test Plan (ITP)?
A: A Hold Point (H) is a mandatory milestone where fabrication or testing CANNOT proceed without the physical presence of the designated client or third-party inspector. Written clearance or stamping is strictly required. A Witness Point (W) requires prior notification (typically 24 to 48 hours) to the inspector; however, if the inspector fails to attend at the scheduled time, fabrication or testing may proceed with subsequent review of the test records.
Q: Can international clients review inspection reports and photos in real time?
A: Yes. PtroTek provides comprehensive Flash Reports issued within 24 hours of inspection completion, followed by detailed formal inspection reports accompanied by high-resolution calibrated photographic evidence, dimension logs, and signed vendor test records for complete global transparency.
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