PIPING SUPPORTS

Pipe Support

Pipe Support :
A structural system that transmits supporting loads on
piping systems safely to the supporting building.

Purpose:
 Carry the loads during operating, sustained and
design conditions.
 Take ‘Hydraulic thrust’ in piping.
 To absorb vibration of the system.
Codes/Standards Used

CODES/STANDARDS FOR PIPE SUPPORT DESIGN

 ASME Section III Division 1 Subsection NF “Support” (Nuclear PP)

 BS-3974
 MSS-SP-58 (Pipe Hanger and Supports:-Materials, Design,
Manufacturer)
 MSS-SP-69 (Pipe Hanger and Supports:-Selection, Application)
 MSS-SP-77 (Guide line for pipe Supports contractual relationships)
 MSS-SP-89 (Pipe Hanger and Supports- Fabrication, Installation
practice)
 MSS-SP-90 (Guide line in Terminology of pipe flanges and supports)
 Pipe Support Spacing
Commonly used technique - The permissible mid-span deflection concept

L = (YEI / (17.1 * W))1/4

L = Pipe Support.
Y = Permissible mid-span deflection.
E = Modulus of Elasticity at Design Temperature.
I = Moment of Inertia of Pipe
W = Weight of Supported pipe, including pipe contents,
insulation, (ib/ft)
Support Applications
Classification

 Based on Construction

 Based on Function

 Based on as per General Details

Classification

 Based on Construction

 Rigid Supports

 Elastic Supports

 Adjustable Supports
Classification

 Based on Functions
Loose Support
Longitudinal guide
Transverse guide
Fixed Point (Non welded type)
Fixed Point (Anchor) (Welded Type)
Limit Stop
Special Support
Classification
 Based on as per General Details

 Primary Supports

 Secondary Supports

 Special Supports
Support Symbols and Function Definition
 Rest only
Support Symbols and Function Definition Contd.

 Rest + Hold Down

Support Symbols and Function Definition Contd.

 Guide Only With Zero Gap

 Support Symbols and Function Definition Contd.

 Rest + Guide
Support Symbols and Function Definition Contd.

 Rest + Hold Down + Guide

 Support Symbols and Function Definition Contd.

 Hold Down + Guide + Line Stop with Zero Gap

Support Symbols and Function Definition Contd.

 Line Stop Only

Support Symbols and Function Definition Contd.

 Rest + Line Stop

Support Symbols and Function Definition Contd.

 Rest + Hold Down + Line

Stop with 5 mm Gap
Support Symbols and Function Definition Contd.

 Rest + Hold Down + Guide + Stop

(Tri-axial restraint)
Restrains axial movements but
allows rotations
Support Symbols and Function Definition Contd.

 Spring Support / Hanger

Support Symbols and Function Definition Contd.

 Fixed Point or Anchor Restrains all degrees

of freedom
Secondary Support Symbols
Special Supports
 These supports do not fit in the above two categories.
 Valve Holders are used where it is intended to directly support
the value body (used mainly in Plastic Piping)
 Supports on or off Vessels
 Minimize use of secondary and special supports as far as
possible.
Parameters required for Selection of pipe support

 Pipe Materials.
 Pipe Thickness.
 Pipe Temperature.
 Pressure and Type of Flow.
General Consideration for Piping Systems

 Non-insulated Piping (C.S)

 Non-insulated Piping (S.S)
 Hot-insulated Piping (C.S)
 Hot-insulated Piping (S.S)
 Cold-insulated Piping (C.S)/ (S.S)
 Non-insulated Piping (A.S) / Cast Iron Piping same as (C.S) Non-
Insulated Piping
 Lined Piping (Non Insulated)
 Hot-insulated Piping (Alloy Steel)
General Consideration for Different Piping Systems

 Plastic Piping (PP,HDPE,PVC)

 Continuous support for horizontal run.
 FRP (GRP),PVC,FRP Piping
 Clamps on shoes (Rest, Guides, Anchors)
 Glass Piping (PP,HDPE,PVC)
 Supports as per manufacturer’s Stds.
 Exotic Piping (Non-Insulated)
 Same as for S.S Piping (Non insulated)
 Exotic Piping (Hot-Insulated)
 Same as for S.S Piping (Hot insulated)
 Exotic Piping (Cold-Insulated)
 Same as for S.S Piping (Cold insulated)
Support Selection and Application Contd.

 Do not use U-bolts on insulated piping

 Do not use welded supports on cold insulated lines,
galvanized lines, lined piping, non-metallic piping, alloy piping,
exotic piping, cryogenic lines.
 Dummy’s and trunnions provided on cold insulated lines or anti
sweat lines shall also be insulated
 Modified Secondary supports can be considered with prior
approval from Piping Engineer/Support Specialist so as to
reduce secondary supports
 Non-standard and supports with heavy loads will be treated as
Special (MPS) Supports with tags
 Vessel clip/cleat schedule for pipes supported off vessel shell
is a must and shall be approved by piping design, support
specialist and FEG
Support Selection and Application Contd.

 Use U-bolts or Clamp type supports for galvanized, cast iron,

alloy steel, non-metallic, lined and exotic piping materials
 Check requirement of wear pad for supporting of non-insulated
lines
 Same size of trunnions as line size shall be avoided. Always
use one size lower.
 Do not support pipes off thin walled equipments
 The first support from a tall column shall be a rest support.
 The first support nearest to pump suction shall be an
adjustable base or base line for alignment.
 Guide locations on adjacent lines on rack shall be staggered
for effective supporting or if not possible, guides shall be offset
from center line.
Support Selection and Application Contd.

 Welded supports shall not overlap pipe/fitting welds. Use

truncated shoes where possible.
 Sloped lines shall be supported using standard shoes with
trimmed/adjustable height shoes.
 For rack piping, Anchor on adjacent lines shall be staggered so
as to distribute loads.
 Branch line connected to main header with movement shall be
provided adequate flexibility.
 Loop length required for absorbing expansion shall be
calculated based on branch line size.
 Where stops are used below shoes and loads are high,
stiffening of shoe shall be considered
 Control station loops will normally have a rest + guide + stop at
its upstream end and rest + guide support at the other end
Support Selection and Application Contd.
Support Selection and Application Contd.

 Line coming off bottom outlet nozzles shall not be provided

with rest support at first elbow
 First support off sliding end nozzle shall either be rest or
guided but never with stops
 Length of shoes shall be sufficient to account for pipe
movement. Movement ≤ 2”, use 12” long shoe, ≤ 5”, use 18”
long shoe and > 5”, use 24” long shoe.
 Load on the nozzle of equipment and first support is to be
considered in pipe routing and equipment spacing
 Ensure length of shoes, trunnions is sufficient to accommodate
welding of stops if required
 Ensure orientation of supports is provided on the isometric.
 Final support location will be driven by piping design