A pipe rack is a construction planned and introduced explicitly to help various pipes where a suitable building or structure is not available (mostly outside the building). Pipe racks are essential for organizing the interaction and utility pipelines throughout the plant. It connects all equipment (installed in a different location) to lines that cannot cross adjacent areas.
Pipe racks are additionally utilized in auxiliary ways, conveying electrical wire, instrument wire, fire frameworks, lights, and so forth. Air-cooled or balanced fan-type heat exchangers are often upheld above pipe racks to decrease the plant space requirements.
There are primarily three kinds of pipe racks: –
- Steel Structure Type: – A steel structure type pipe rack is used for lines up to 12″ or 300 MB.
- RCC Structure Type: – RRC structured type pipe racks are used for lines larger than 12″ or 300MB and up to 30″ or 750MB. It is also used if the height of the pipe rack is more than 10m.
- Sleeper Type (Also known as Pipe Track): – Sleeper-type pipe racks are mostly utilized for pipelines above 30″ or 750 MB.
Some specifications for Pipe Rack designing
- Safety: – IN all situations, the assessment path must be present
- Minimum head height: -There should always be free space between the aisle and the pipe rack to allow natural passage. An option should allow cranes and heavy vehicles to access the equipment. Give people access to firefighting equipment, tools, materials, etc. provide access for plant operators and maintenance personnel.
- Ladders and platforms: – Standardized ladders and platforms for a project. Each step or step should have the same distance. The platform should always have a minimum width.
The most common shapes used for racks are L/T/U/H/Z. The shape is mainly decided based on space availability and the optimal use of space and materials. Rack width should be 6m, 8m, or 10m for single compartments and 12m, 16m, or 20m for double span with up to 4 levels. The distance between pipe rack doors is generally 6m. Anyway, it tends to be expanded to 8m depending upon the size of the pumps to be housed underneath the pipe rack.
Piperack designing includes significant preparation and coordination with other designing gatherings to convey mistake-free work. Designing pipe racks is not the job of one person in the military. It involves a lot of engineering calculations and therefore requires input from different engineering disciplines.
Key data required for detailed development of pipe racks:-
- Plot Plan
- P&ID’s
- Client Specification
- Construction Materials
- Fireproofing requirements
- Statutory requirements
Importance of piperack design
The pipe rack is the main artery of a processing unit. It connects all devices to the line that cannot cross adjacent areas. Because it is located in the middle of most plants, the pipe rack should be erected first before rows of equipment obstruct it. Pipe racks carry out process and service piping and include instrumentation, electrical and instrumentation raceways, and equipment mounted on them.
Conclusion
Pipe racks are open-outline structures with supports that are embraced for the particular development. The proper design of these pipe racks is very important. Serious problems can also arise from improper design aspects and load combinations. It is up to the designer to evaluate the support design and the structures’ overall stability. While designing pipe racks in any building or structure, substantial planning and coordination are required with all sectors to facilitate the good design and reduce construction costs.
