4 Advice to Choose a pipe solutions

Pipe supports. They are a cornerstone of many industrial plant engineering projects, supporting piping and preventing movement. When you select piping supports, you’ve got to know its primary functions. You’ve also got to know the best installation methods and the piping factors to incorporate into your installation planning. If you need extra information about acknowledging pipe properties for pipe support installation, such as temperature and size, we’ve covered this in our article. Check this article for the top pipe support functions you should know.

Pipe supports: A definition 

If you need to shift a load of a pipe onto a surrounding or nearby structure, you will need pipe support. You can attach pipe support components to piping and the nearby structures to ensure the pipe doesn’t move. 

Pipe supports have several other functions. Continue reading to learn why else you may need pipe supports.

What are examples of pipe support types?

Some examples of pipe support types are primary and secondary types. If you choose primary supports, you may select from several guide supports. If you require secondary supports, you may choose a pipe rack.

6 crucial pipe support functions to know

Let’s now think about the six crucial pipe support functions you should consider before you select your components.

1. Pipe supports help engineers handle thermal expansion

When you select the correct pipe support, you can effortlessly handle the thermal expansion of your pipe. Thermal expansion is not ideal if you want to avoid additional loads on your pipe, so consider expansion joints or loops to handle thermal expansion.

2. Pipes support components mitigate lateral movement that the wind can cause

If you want to mitigate lateral movement, your best option is to choose a pipe support that best suits your requirements. For example, large-diameter pipes can succumb to significant lateral movement, so you must select pipe supports best matched to this pipe size.

3. Pipe supports effortlessly guide pipes toward the ideal direction

When you integrate pipe supports into your piping system, you can effortlessly guide the pipes in the ideal direction. You can also mitigate pipe movement, preventing the pipes from shifting in any other direction.

4. Pipe support components mitigate pipe shock

If you’ve noticed that closing a valve leads to pipe shockwaves through your pipe, the best option is to consider support components for piping. Support components for piping anchor the pipe and absorb the shock. You may also consider a shock absorber to solve piping shockwaves.

5. Pipe supports anchor piping efficiently

Need to anchor your piping? Your best option is pipe supports. Pipe supports or stanchions stop your piping from moving to each side, upwards, or downwards. They secure and anchor your pipe to one spot. 

6. Pipes support components support the line and load’s weight

It’s not only essential to support the piping’s weight. It’s also important to support the pipe’s load. When each of these weights is combined, the overall weight is heavier. However, no matter the size of your piping, you can find suitable piping supports to support the pipe and load weight. 

How to properly install your piping supports: 3 steps

With the six pipe support functions established, consider these three steps to guarantee a smooth installation process.

1. Think about the load, pipe, and pipe temperature

As mentioned, the load and the pipe combined will have a different weight to the pipe on its own, so considering these factors is essential before selecting a pipe support. It’s also important to remember that the liquid in the pipe will have a specific temperature: Some will be below freezing, which can call for insulated pipe supports. 

2. Choose a vendor that offers the correct type of pipe support for your location

If you notice your piping may corrode due to being in a corrosive location (like offshore), choosing a vendor that offers pipe supports capable of withstanding corrosion is essential. The best corrosion-resistant pipe supports have hot-dip galvanization and surface protection, which we offer at Pro Support Solutions. Choose a reliable vendor like us to get the right pipe support for your location.

3. Prevent pipe sagging and flexing with the correct pipe support spacing

Place pipe supports accurately and mitigates sagging. Incorrectly spaced pipe supports can lead to pipe sagging and flexing. These effects are detrimental to your piping system as they lead to higher energy demands for the flow of liquid to make it through the pipes. With this in mind, enhancing the continuous flow of the liquid with the right, even spacing between pipe supports is critical.

Selecting pipe supports: Don’t forget their critical functions

It’s your turn to choose the ideal pipe supports for your project. Remember the critical functions of pipe supports when selecting them, and don’t forget that the size, weight, temperature, and direction of your piping should influence the choice of pipe support when purchasing them. 

Always select a reputable vendor of pipeline products, such as Pro Support Solutions, and install your support components correctly with the advice in this article.