After establishing a 3-D model in PDMS, SP3D, or any other software, Piping designers have to communicate the same information to the person who is executing that piping job either in the yard for fabrication or in the field for Erection/Construction. The conveyed information must be enough for the execution person. So that, they can understand well and get a vision of the fabrication of Spools and how the piping is connected with other equipment or special items.

Here comes the role of Piping Isometric drawing. This kind of drawing helps a designer to transfer his vision of piping connections to the team executing construction projects. Piping isometric is a representation of a  single pipe line in a process plant with exact dimensions and Bill of Material (BOM). It is the most important deliverable of any project where piping plays a vital role.

By Definition, Isometrics drawings are a graphic representation of a 3D routed line in a 2D plane that combines height, length of pipe in a single drawing with a 30º angle on both sides from horizontal.

piping isometric drawing

The main body of a piping Isometric drawing is consist of:

  1. Line Number
  2. Flow direction
  3. Piping components
  4. Weld joint type and its location
  5. Continuation isometric number
  6. Co-ordinates and Elevation of Pipe
  7. Connection details with equipment

Section of Left or right of Piping Isometric drawing includes:

  1. Piping component description
  2. Material code
  3. Nominal size of components
  4. Quantity of components
  5. Whether a field or shop item

Bottom Section of Isometric Drawing contains:

  1. Project name, Client, PMC ( Project management consultancy), and Contractor details
  2. Pipe line details i.e. Line number, Line size, fluid code, Design, and operating temperature, and Pressure
  3. Piping class, Inch-Meter, Inch-Dia
  4. Special notes created for any drawing. i.e. Stress criticality, Heat expansion, etc

Calculations for Piping data from Isometric drawing

  1. Inch Meter: Length of pipe (in meter) x Size of pipe ( in inch )
  2. Inch Dia: Size of Pipe joint ( in inch) x No, of Joints
  3. Insulation Area (in m²): [π(Pipe OD+ insulation thickness)] (all in meter) x Length of Pipe ( in meter )
  4. Weight of Pipe: π x diameter of the pipe (in m) x length (in m) x thickness (in mm) x density of pipe material.
    Density of CS = 7.85 g/cm3
  5. The volume of Water required for hydro testing: π x {Pipe ID (in meter)}² x Length of Pipe