What is piping?

The piping  system is the inter-connected piping subject  to  the  same  set  of  design  conditions.  The piping system involves not only pipes but also the fittings, valves and other specialities.  These items are known as piping components. Code specifies the piping components as mechanical elements suitable for joining or assembly into pressure-tight fluid-containing  piping systems.

Components include …

1. Pipes

2. Fittings

3. Flanges

4. Gaskets

5. Bolting

6. Valves

7. Specialities

          Piping element is defined as any material or work required to plan and install the piping system. Elements of piping include design specifications, materials, components, supports, fabrication, inspection and testing.

              Piping specification is a document specifying each of the components. Different material specifications are segregated in different “Piping Class”.  Identification of the “Piping Classes” depends on each Designer.

             The selection of piping material   requires   knowledge of corrosion properties, strength and engineering characteristics, relative cost and availability.

The Piping Designer selects/designs the piping components based on the mechanical properties such as the following.

a.   Yield strength

b.   Ultimate strength

c.   Percentage elongation

d.   Impact strength

e.   Creep-rupture strength

f.  Fatigue endurance strength