An Introduction to Piping Fabrication
Pipe fabrication is the process of cutting, beveling, and welding piping components such as pipes, tees, elbows, flanges, reducers, and so on, following the design specifications. Piping fabrication is an important activity in the power piping industry since it contains hundreds of components and thousands of processes and requires a high degree of precision. Piping fabrication must be correctly planned, scheduled, and completed as per design specifications in any construction project that involves piping networks. It is necessary to achieve the maximum quality of work during pipe fabrication to maintain system integrity, proper functioning of each component, and prevent accidents. In this article, we’ll go through more information about piping fabrication.
Cleaning, cutting, bevelling, welding, inspection and testing, painting, insulation installation, and other operations are all part of the piping fabrication process.
Pipe fabrication different types
It is divided into two categories based on the location of the pipe fabrication work.
- Shop Pipe Fabrication
- Field Pipe Fabrication
Several elements influence whether pipes are shop fabricated, field fabricated, or both. In many cases, both shop and field pipe fabrication is employed. Profitability, project type, and size, piping material and size, post-fabrication surface treatment, environmental condition, accessibility of equipment, experienced and qualified workers’ availability, time requirement, etc. are the primary decision criteria.
Small-bore pipes, threaded and socket welded pipes are typically field fabricated, whereas butt welded pipes, pipe bending, modular components, and so on are usually shop fabricated.
During the shop pipe fabrication process, pipe, fittings, and components are combined into spool assemblies at the fabricator’s location or a workshop known as a pipe fabrication shop. The spools are then identified and labeled before being brought to the building site for installation. In the field of pipe fabrication, all of these assemblies are fabricated on-site.
Pipe Fabrication Tools and Equipment
Various equipment and tools are utilized during pipe fabrication to assist in the fabrication process. The following are examples of commonly used equipment:
- Center Punch
- Compass/Contour Marker
- Pipe Threader
- Fork Lift
- Pipe Purging Equipment
- Pipe Cutting and Bevelling Equipment
- Torque Wrench/Adjustable Wrench/Combination Wrench/Hammer Wrench
- Flange Alignment Tools and Pins
- Grinder
- Wraparound Tapes
- Hydraulic Crane/Tower Crane
- Pipe Bending Machine, etc
- Pipe Jacks
- Adjustable Pipe Rollers
- Welding Machine
- Pipe Rigging and transport equipment
- Chain Clamps/ C Clamps
- Pipe Fit up Tools
Pipe Fabrication Process Preparation
Pipe fabricators are required to calculate numerous parameters from the drawing specifications at this point. They must evaluate the welding and tack welding processes as well as any distortion that may result from welding. Pipe supports and clamps, as well as other instruments required for pipe and flange fitting, will require some thought. Then, using the drawings, they must create a basic wire model of the pipe spool. Pipe fabricators are also given material take-off and fabrication specifications from the client.
What exactly is a “Pipe Fabrication Shop”?
A pipe fabrication shop is simply a workshop where all prefabricated pipe spools are fabricated. All pipework for spool preparation is typically done inside this shop by highly qualified pipe fabricators. Pipe spool production at pipe fabrication facilities is the most cost-effective solution to reduce site installation expenses for large projects. The pipe fabrication shop has all of the necessary equipment, tools, and personnel, and the pipe spools are of high quality.
Specifications for Pipe Fabrication
Pipe fabrication specifications are engineering documents that contain all the guidelines for pipe fabricators to follow when fabricating spool pipes. The piping fabrication specification specifies the minimum criteria for detailed shop drawings and fabrication, as well as inspection and testing. It contains a list of all applicable codes and standards.
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