Deciding Width of a Pipe Rack

With the routing diagram, a dimensioned cross section is developed at the

bent that will carry the most piping, which is bent No 12 in the example shown
in following drawing.

When all the distances have been established between all lines on each
level, including allowances for future growth and conduit, the only
remaining dimension to be set is the distance from the first line in the rack to
the vertical column centerline.

Column sizes are furnished by the civil/structural engineers.

The last step is to add up all the dimensions and round off to the next
whole number—for example, 20 ft (6,100 mm) rather than 19 ft 3 in (5,850
mm).

To illustrate, if the pipe requires a much greater area in the rack, the
designer would work with the structural engineers to determine whether the
pipe rack should be two 30-ft (9,150-mm) wide levels or three 20-ft (6,100-
mm) wide levels.

This decision affects the cost of the structure and pipe and must be made
carefully. The width of the rack shall be 6M, 8M or 10M for single bay and
12M, 16M or 20M for double bay having 4 tiers maximum.

Another Method : First estimate number of lines as described. Add up

the number of lines up to 18” diameter in the most dense section of the
piperack. The total width in meters (W) will be : W = ( f x N x S ) + A meters
Where f, safety factor = 1.5, if the lines have been laid out as described in
initial evaluation.

Where f, safety factor = 1.2, if the lines have been laid out as described
under development. N = number of lines below 18” diameter S = average
estimated spacing between lines in millimeters. Usually – S = 300 mm (230
mm if lines in piperack are smaller than 10” ) A = additional width required
meters for [Lines
larger than 18” + Future lines + Instrument and electrical cable trays + Any
slot for pump discharge lines 500 mm – 1 meter] . The total width is thus
obtained. If W is bigger than 9M usually two piperack levels will be required.
Note : At the beginning of a job, `W` should usually include 30 – 40% of clear
space for future lines. The width of the piperack may be increased or
determined by the space requirement, and/or access to equipment arranged
under the pipe rack.