It is important to make sure that all pipes are properly installed and functioning as per design. Improper installation or malfunctioning of even a single support may upset the whole piping system and create unbalanced forces throughout. Therefore, it is critical to do a line walk of the whole piping system and inspect each and every pipe support on the line, even though the overall design may incorporate several different types of pipe supports.
Piping systems consist of several components to keep the piping properly suspended and installed. The defl ection and movement during installation is compensated by different types of pipe supports, which keep the piping system balanced. In the majority of cases, the pipeline runs between two pieces of fi xed equipment. The fi xed equipment components act as the anchor points of the pipeline. Pipe supports are located between these anchor points and provide mobility throughout the piping system.
To understand the critical nature of properly functioning pipe supports and how they contribute to the overall system, one should thoroughly inspect each component for proper operations during different phases of the life of the unit. This inspection survey could be done in the following phases:
Line walk performed as part of pre-commissioning criteria should focus on the following:
- The actual operating conditions do not exceed anticipated operating conditions, including loading and/or movement of the pipe supports.
- Pipe supports, or any components thereof, have not been damaged during fabrication.
- Check for any discrepancies from actual installation and drawing.
- Perform redline markup as required.
- Capture all fi ndings into fi nal documentation.
- Record punch list.
Documents required:
- Piping isometric drawings
- Facility general arrangement drawings