ADNOC Classification: Public

11.4 Pipe Rack Dimensions & Piping

Dimensions of Racks
a) Generally, most inline plant arrangements are furnished with a central pipe rack system that
acts as the main artery of the unit supporting process interconnection, feeds, product and
utility piping, instrument and electrical cables, and, sometimes, air coolers and drums.
b) Usually, the pipe rack is made of structural steel, either single level or multi-level, to suit the
width and capacity for the units it is serving. Typically pipe racks are upto 4 tier and widths
of 6m, 8m or 10m for single bays and 12m, 16m or 20m for double bays having 4 tiers
maximum
c) The width is determined by factors such as the quantity of piping and cabling to be carried
on the main run of the pipe rack (with an allowance for future expansion), access way
located beneath the pipe rack, or the equipment (if any) supported above the pipe rack. The
layout that results in the most economical design should be chosen.
d) The requirements of expansion bays, anchor bays, bracing pattern, etc., shall be arrived
upon consultation with piping stress engineer and structural engineer at the beginning of
the pipe rack layout.
e) All piping on pipe racks shall be routed to avoid blocking access for further additions,
modifications or repair. Piping on pipe racks shall change elevation at each change in
direction, using a 90° elbow in each vertical plane concurrent with each pipe direction except
for no pocket lines and flare headers. Individual piping coming into (or out of) a main pipe
rack shall enter (or leave) perpendicular to the pipe rack direction using typically two 90°
elbows to place the line at an elevation above or below the main pipe rack elevation.
f) Piping shall be laid out parallel or perpendicular to plant North to maximum extent feasible.
All uninsulated lines shall be arranged such that the bottoms of pipe (B.O.P.) are at the
same elevation. All principal lines running from north to south shall have a minimum
difference in elevation from lines running east to west of at least 3 times the largest nominal
pipe size, and in no case less than 600 mm difference in elevation.
Capacity for Future Expansion
a) Minimum spare space provision on major/main piperack shall be 25% and shall be
maintained during end of FEED Engineering and 20% spare space shall be maintained
during end of EPC on each tier of piperack. However for sub/unit pipe racks this shall be
20% in FEED and 15% in EPC respectively on each tier of piperack This does not include
known future pipes indicated in P&ID/project documentation. No cantilevers extenstions
allowed on new piperacks.
b) The load critera for this future space shall be as described in Structural design basis AGES-
SP-01-003
c) To optimise the pipe support span, minimum line size on piperack shall be maintained as
NPS 2. Intermediate beams of pipe racks shall be sized for supporting lines NPS 3 & below
or non metallic pipe as applicable
d) In a pipe rack the heaviest and / or the hottest pipes should be located at the outer edges
of the pipe rack to provide space for expansion loops and to reduce the moments in the
beams caused by the weight and thermal expansion of the pipes.

AGES-SP-09-001 Rev. No: 1

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