Well guys spring is here and good times for pipers are back again. Activity in both the process and power industries have spawned a shortage in Piping Designers and Engineers. As we all know this business is very cyclic and when things get moving after a slump, like we’ve had in the last few years, there is always a shortage of experienced people.
The trouble is that a lack of worthwhile practical training is and always has been difficult to find. Colleges and Universities may offer some pseudo piping courses but they are usually so far removed from the real world that they are largely ineffective in the short span. Learning institutes are profit centres and wish to fill every class with paying students and most young people from North America are not interested in pursuing careers in Engineering.

I teach several ASME short courses, however, these are between 3 and 5 days long whereas in the 1970’s we taught the same courses and they lasted for 260 hours. What is missing from today’s courses? The practical portion of the program where the students had to complete a ‘real live’ project using information they had covered in the course.

This months’ tips
CHECK LIST FOR PUMP PIPING

1. Check maintenance clearances, (Removal of Motor, etc.)
             a.  Valve heights - for operation and pump maintenance,
             b.  Piping adjacent to pumps
             c.   Adjacent equipment locations for clearances,
2. Vertical pumps - assure clearance above pump for removal.
3. Valve handwheels generally to extend over pumps (not motors) and not into walkways, etc.
4. Provide spool pieces above vertical nozzles for removal of pump casing, etc. (Check valve can sometimes be used for this purpose),
5. Check pump nozzles - special thicknesses, integral studs, etc.
6. Avoid pockets in suction lines
7. Reducers in suction lines
   Eccentric reducers to be flat side up at suction nozzle.
8. ‘T’ and ‘Y’ type strainers - check clearance for removal of basket.
9. Steam lines to drivers:
       a. Check drainage of steam lines, valves etc.
       b. Check turbine casing drains, whether they have to be piped up or plugged off.
       c. Trap before control valve.
10. Desurgers - locate as close as possible to pump discharge nozzle.
11. Flexibility:
        a. Suction lines generally to be short and rigid.
        b. Check lines which are manifolded for flexibility and tolerance stack up.
12. Pump starters - check size and location, show on key plan.
13. Check that pump drains do not foul electrical gear, etc.
14. Check position of cable trenches relative to drains, etc.