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INTRODUCTION
Unless the plant engineer knows what he has, how can
he be assured that his critical piping systems arent
imposing potentially damaging loads and stresses on
his equipment if not on the piping itself? Piping Codes
provide guidance for the operation and maintenance of
piping systems and pipe hangers and supports. But is
it enough? This article introduces portions of a BestIn-Class Fitness-for-Service (FFS) program that includes the performance of regular visual inspections
of pipe supports and hangers, coupled with in-situ load
testing of suspect supports. Such a program will help
give the plant engineer the knowledge he needs to
make sound operational and maintenance decisions.
A best in class FFS program for piping systems has 5
major steps. They include:
The first two steps described above involve performing regular pipe support surveys aimed at documenting the visual condition of the pipe and supports. If
pipe supports are in distress, it generally means that
the associated piping is in distress. However, not all
pipe supports that appear to be operating normally
are. Spring hangers may be aged or internally fouled
and rigid rod hangers located in critical locations may
not be carrying the design loads. Without this actual
Constant Load Spring Hangers come in a variety of configurations, but essentially do the same thing, uplift the
pipe with a constant force.Shock absorbers and snubbers are designed to allow the pipe to move normally
(such as by thermal expansion), but lock up when the
pipe accelerates suddenly (such as by a dynamic event).
WHICH PIPING SYSTEMS ARE COVERED
For Power Plants, the B31.1 Code, Chapter VII, requires a maintenance program for piping systems that
are designated as covered piping systems (CPS). The
covered means that these are the systems covered
under the requirement, not that the piping is insulated. These are defined in B31.1 as 4 and larger main
steam, hot reheat, cold reheat, and boiler feed piping. It also includes piping systems that operate above
750F or above 1,025 psi. The operating company may
add other piping systems. Additionally, a pipe support
maintenance program is required for piping systems
that operate in the creep regime. This would include the
Main Steam and Hot Reheat piping (critical lines supplying steam to the turbine-generator from the boiler).
The B31.3 Process Piping Code does not specifically require a pipe support program.
PIPE HANGER INSPECTION PROGRAM
Setting up a pipe hanger inspection program should
include:
Documenting photographs.