Practical issues that newcomers to process and piping design should understand when arriving at the construction site
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New professionals in process and piping design go to the construction site to learn*. What professional preparations are needed before going there, and what learning materials should be prepared? What should one learn and understand upon arriving at the construction site? I would appreciate it if some seniors or fellow practitioners could offer guidance. I hope they can provide some helpful references, as well as their personal insights, experiences, summaries, and suggestions... I think that once I understand the content and key points of learning this, it will be easier for me to determine the appropriate treatment. Thank you in advance
It’s hard to say. If you have no prior experience, you can only gain a basic understanding of various pipes, valves, and fittings, as well as some fundamental knowledge about piping systems. If you already have a certain foundation in design, then it depends on how deep that foundation is
The water depth isn’t great; it’s probably more at a beginner level. I have learned some professional theoretical knowledge and worked on design for a while, so I wonder if that counts as some basic design skills. I was once inside the factory; at that time, no design work had been done yet, and I didn’t know what to pay attention to, so I just took a brief look around the site. I gained little from it, and it wasn’t very useful... If I get another chance to visit the construction site, I won’t waste time by just going through the motions again
Ask more and observe more. Hehehe; don’t limit yourself to just the three ‘more’s. There should be a Xu Sanduo as well
Ask more, learn more, communicate more – that’s the right approach
Designers are different from field operators; when going to the site, designers should prepare themselves with relevant knowledge: design standards； Construction standards. When conducting on-site inspections, it’s necessary to think carefully, focusing mainly on operational and construction-related issues, as what is designed in accordance with design specifications can be difficult or even impossible to implement during construction ； When considering operations, attention should be paid to ease of use, such as the placement of pipeline valves, the installation of on-site instruments, and the provision of safety passages. These are issues that are easy to address in the design phase; however, an improper design can cause significant problems.
Hehe, I haven’t had the chance to learn on-site yet; it’s great to have such an opportunity. Pay close attention – usually newcomers can’t spot any problems; they just need to learn.
Reply to 1# No Trace: Combine theory with practice. Have you been involved in the design of the pipeline layout for this project? Key points to observe: principles for the spatial layout of pipes at construction sites (cold pipes, hot pipes, large-diameter pipes, small-diameter pipes, insulated pipes, uninsulated pipes, pipes carrying corrosive media, pipes carrying non-corrosive media); pipe spacing; span between support points; methods for compensating for thermal expansion and contraction; methods of installing compensators; methods for using sliding and fixed supports for hot pipes; slope direction of pipes; drainage and condensate removal; design and installation of pipe racks; pipe racks spanning roads; construction of pipe trenches; pipe materials; nominal diameter of pipes; standard wall thicknesses; various types of steel sections and sheets; various types of pipe fittings (valves, flanges, clamps, elbows, bolts, tees, reducers); methods for protecting pipes from corrosion; methods for insulating pipes; on-site installation of fluid transfer machinery; plans for lifting equipment on site; handling of abnormal situations on site; solutions for process changes on site... In short, it’s necessary to learn as much as possible, summarize frequently, and accumulate knowledge. Working in design is tough! But it’s also full of fun! The revolution is not yet complete; comrades must keep striving!
It’s hard to say in general terms; it depends on each person’s level of expertise (such as knowledge in pipeline calculation, etc.). But there are a few things that can be observed on site, which might be useful to you: 1. The lengths and dimensions of various equipment and pipeline accessories. 2. The necessary operating space for different types of control accessories. 3. Various types of supports and hangers. If you can keep these details in mind, it will be very helpful when designing pipelines