It is sometimes referred to as an isometric drawing or a spool drawing. Pipe Spool Shop Drawing Services give shop personnel a 3D view of the piping run so they can fit and weld it. Each pipe run's responsibility is to receive its own drawing of the pipe spool. However, an overview of how to generate and read pipe spool drawings and their use in fabrication environments is provided in this article.

How to generate a pipe spool drawing

Concept

A mechanical drafting team is typically responsible for providing pipe spool drawings as part of their services. So, they are the ones who are responsible for creating the drawings in a variety of standard formats that site managers and construction companies require. However, it is common for a Pipe Spool Shop Drawing Services to combine a graphical representation, a bill of materials, and a description. There is no scale on their drawings. So, the drawings for pipe spools contain material descriptions, pipe pieces, item numbers, and data regarding the bending of the pipe.

Model Takeoffs

To draft pipe spool drawings, a team of mechanical engineers uses 3D models for drafting architectural designs. However, the Steel Shop Drawing Services are typically generated from CAD programs (AutoCAD, SOLIDWORKS) and must identify specific project requirements (pressure safety valves, vents/drains). So, a 60% model review would be ideal before any drawings are issued. Moreover, there are, however, many projects that issue drawings to the client earlier rather than later. Facing revisions to piping isometrics that need further evaluation can delay the fabrication schedule. Moreover, components must match the pipe spool drawings, so attention to detail is of utmost importance.

Following the construction of the isometric drawings, the fabrication process typically commences. So, symbols for fittings, valves, and flanges will appear in the final drawing along with an isometric grid illustrating pipe placement.

There are three sections in a pipe spool drawing: the primary graphic, the bill of materials, and the title bar.

The main graphic section

A 3D isometric representation of the pipeline route appears in the main graphic section, along with the following information:

• Direction of the flow.
• Number of the line.
• The location of the weld.
• Location of the piping components.
• Provide support for tags and locations.

Section B of the bill of materials

Isometric drawings show the left or right sections of the bill of materials. Several details are built-in for all components of this document:

• The nominal size.
• The quantity.
• Description of the element.
• Code for the material of the component.
• The total number of spools.
• Field materials or shop materials.

Section of the title bar

Isometric drawings have a title bar containing details about the project at the bottom. Examples include the client name, engineering office name, project name, project number, and process licensor. However, pipelines provide additional information, including line size, line number, tracing, insulation, fluid code, operating and design pressures/temperatures, test pressure, and material class.

Fabulation drawing issued

Equipment providers and integrators are the only recipients of pipe spool drawings. Neither the client nor the subcontractor (if applicable) receives them for approval; they are sent directly to the fabrication floor and the subcontractor. So, a fabricator, designer, or engineer redlines an isometric drawing after receiving it from the shop floor.

Checking Procedures and Prerequisites

It is necessary to complete certain engineering documents before starting the process of piping arrangement and isometric checking. However, it is the checker's responsibility to make sure that he has a copy of the most recent versions of the following documents:

• List of instruments and datasheets.
• Courses in piping.
• Standardization of piping.

• P&ID files in IFC.

• Comments on the model (if applicable).
• Isometric analysis of the final stress.
• Files for equipment checks.

Pipe Spool Drawings: How to Read Them

Drawing plans of pipe spools follow the north arrow on the grid. Consider several factors when drawing a pipeline number (ex. 2"-WPR-8547-01), including the fluid service, the piping class, insulation details, and the isometric right drawing. A welding machine attaches pipeline components (e.g., elbow, tee, and reducer) via curved lines to fitting components (e.g., elbow, tee, and reducer). P&IDs already include a symbol depicting a valve connected to another valve already defined. 

In addition, it is necessary to know how many joints there are in total. Joints 1 to 13 use 2-inch pipes, while joints 14 to 16 use 1-inch pipes. When it comes to joining the joints together, use a welding process to do so. In the drawing, there is a reference to the spool's number 'SPL-02' as the second spool's number that appears on the drawing. To identify them, we can use the following numbers: SPL-01, SPL-02, SPL-03, and SPL-04. As part of the piping isometric drawing, each pipe fitting will be shown using symbols and shown in an appropriate location on the pipe.

As the Bill of Materials section depicts all pipeline numbers, total fitting types, and component descriptions, the Bill of Materials section also uses a deeper understanding of the affiliated drawing. However, when a complex piping system originates or ends at a pipeline header, an isometric diagram depicts each pipe run separately.

Drawing a pipe spool

The pipe spool drawings that pipe fitters and welders utilize to guide them in the pipe fitting and welding. Additionally, plumbers may use this tool to learn how to assemble pipe spools and their associated components as part of their MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) training. So, the pipe spool drawing is useful when incorporating a ship's loose pipe spool into an installation. Additionally, there are several common applications of piping isometrics, such as:

• Fittings for pipes.
• Welding of pipes.
• Checks for quality.
• Component maintenance.

• Analyzing stress.

• Median take-off for bulk material (MTO).

Fittings for pipes

To locate and install fittings into appropriate spaces, pipe fitters utilize pipe spool drawings that show the location of the fittings on the pipe spools. As well as identifying and repairing broken pipe fittings, they are also used to detect and fix piping problems. Connecting the pipe fittings to the pipelines is done by welding the fittings together.

Welding of pipes

Fusing two pipes, also known as pipe fabrication, is highly durable and capable of joining two pipes together. Companies achieve this goal using different welding techniques, like:

• Metal Injection Gas (MIG) Welding
• TIG (Tungsten Injection Gas)
• Stick Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)

Most pipelines and fabrication facilities use stick metal arc welding as part of their daily operations. Preparing pipes for welding requires ensuring their edges are smooth, uniform, and aligned correctly before welding. The welding machine that the welder uses must be of high quality, and the welder must be certified by passing the required welding tests.

Checks for quality

Every quality check ensures that the end product reflects all specifications, drawings, and other deliverables. In addition to these, it is important to note that:

• Function
• Security
• Operability
• Structural integrity
• Integrity of mechanical systems
• Accuracy in mathematics

Conclusion:

It's important to check piping runs or QA/QC (quality assurance and quality control) to prevent failures. Fabrications that fail to meet QA/QC standards result in expensive rework due to incorrect fabrication. A low-quality control percentage may be caused by late changes to the P&ID, vendor drawings, or data derived from a different discipline resulting in poor QA/QC. Obtaining approval of a "Bill of Materials" requires validation of all materials and equipment involved.  The weld verification, along with the non-destructive testing, is both done using non-destructive methods. Pipe Spool Shop Drawing Services contain all information needed to purchase the correct material, the fabrication of the pipe configurations, and the installation of the line or system, including testing and checking.