Utility Piping System, Connections to Process Equipment, Safety Shower and Eyewash

1. SCOPE ……………………………………………………2. REFERENCES
3. DEFINITIONS
4. GENERAL ……………………………………………….5. UTILITY PIPING SYSTEMS
5.1 Instrument Air
5.2 Plant
Air
………………………………………………
5.3 Cooling Water
5.4 Fire Water
5.5 Utility Water
…………………………………………
5.6 Potable Water
5.7 Steam and Steam Condensate Removal
5.8
Nitrogen and Other Inert Gases ……………..
5.9 Utility Station
5.10 Burner Fuel Piping
5.11 Safety Shower and Eyewash …………………6. LIMITATIONS
7. DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
8. INSTALLATION PROCEDURE …………………..9. HYDROTESTING

1. Scope
This standard establishes the minimum requirements for the design of utility piping systems, connection to
process equipment, utility stations, safety showers and eyewash.
2. References
Reference is made in this standard to the following documents. The latest issues, amendments, and
supplements to these documents shall apply unless otherwise indicated.
SABIC Engineering Standard (SES)
P01-E15 Pressure Testing of Piping System and Lay-up Procedures
P01-E21 Fire Protection Water System
P13-C02 Field Fabrication and Erection
PIP Engineering Standard
PCSIP001 Instrument Piping and Tubing Systems Specification
PNSC0035 Steam Tracing
PNSM0125 Steam Traps and Associated Piping
American National Standard Institute (ANSI)
Z358.1 Emergency Eyewash and Shower Equipment
3. Definitions
For the purpose of understanding this standard, the following definitions apply.
Break Tank. A vented water reservoir controlled by the water level in the tank, from which the water can
be pumped through a permanent connection with check valve and block valve into a single unit of process
equipment. (See Figure 3.1)
Connection. The piping which joins the utility header root valve to the block (root) valve of the process
pipe or equipment.
Location Standard. The standard used at a specific site or location. This is used here to provide
consistency for operation and safety.
Process Equipment. Piping, vessels, tanks and other plant equipment that contain hydrocarbon liquid or
gas, toxic chemicals, including acids or caustics.
Temporary Connection. A connection made by means of metallic or non-metallic hose, or flanged
break-away spool. The temporary connection is marked in a conspicuous manner and governed by plant
operating instructions for use only under constant monitoring. (See Figure 3.2)
Water Supply System. The entire network of piping between a source of water (well or tank) and all
delivery points.
4. General
Utility piping systems shall be installed and maintained in a manner to prevent the possibility of
contamination.
5. Utility Piping Systems
5.1 Instrument Air
5.1.1 Instrument Air Systems shall be in accordance with PIP PCSIP001.
5.1.2 Instrument air branch lines shall be taken from the top of the header. Block valves are required for
branch connections and shall be located at the header.
5.1.3 The main instrument air header size should be NPS 1-1/2, minimum.
5.1.4 The instrument air supply to an individual user should be NPS 3/4, minimum.

5.2 Plant Air
5.2.1 Plant air branch lines shall be taken from the top of the header. Block valves are required for branch
connections and shall be located at both the header and at the equipment.
5.3 Cooling Water
5.3.1 Block valves for every branch from cooling water supply and return headers shall be located at the
header or at the equipment being served. Block valves are not required on return lines operating at or
below atmospheric pressure unless needed for equipment or system isolation.
5.3.2 When exchangers are provided with process isolation valves for inspection and cleaning during plant
operation, block valves in the cooling water inlet and outlet piping shall be provided.
5.3.3 All above ground cooling water supply and return branch lines shall be connected to the top of the
headers.
5.4 Fire Water
Fire water system shall be in accordance with P01-E21
5.5 Utility Water
5.5.1 Utility water branch lines shall be taken from the top of the header. Block valves are required for
branch connections and shall be located both at the header and at the equipment.
5.6 Potable Water
5.6.1 Potable water shall not be connected to any other system.
5.7 Steam and Steam Condensate Removal
5.7.1 Steam headers shall run level or shall pitch downward in the direction of steam flow. Vertical rise
required in the direction of steam flow shall be via a vertical leg equipped with a drip leg at the low point.
5.7.2 Steam branch lines shall be connected to the top of the headers. Branch lines shall run level or pitch
downward in the direction of the steam flow. Vertical rise required in the direction of steam flow,
downstream of the connection to the steam header shall be via a vertical leg equipped with a drip leg at the
low point.
5.7.3 Block valves shall be provided in the branch lines from the steam headers, located at and above the
elevation of the steam header and installed in such a manner that no pocket is formed where condensate
may collect.
5.7.4 Steam tracing shall be in accordance with PIP PNSC0035.
5.7.5 Steam traps discharging into the atmosphere will be provided with upstream block valves. Steam
traps discharging to a condensate collection system shall be provided with both upstream and downstream
block valves.
5.7.6 Condensate from vacuum steam systems shall be re-evaporated into the system by means of a
condensate flash pot or removed by eductors or pumping traps or other suitable means.
5.7.7 All steam traps shall be provided with an internal strainer or a strainer located upstream of the trap.
The strainer shall be equipped with a blowdown valve piped to a safe location.
5.7.8 A steam separator or other means of condensate removal (e.g. pumping trap) shall be provided in the
steam piping to each group of steam turbines operating on saturated steam and also to each group of
steam driven reciprocating compressors and other water sensitive equipment.
5.7.9 A minimum of one steam trap shall be provided for each steam separator, header drip leg, branch
drip leg, and low point where condensate may collect. Each steam trap shall be sized and specified to
operate at all anticipated pressures and condensate loads for the installed location. Steam traps shall be
sized and specified to discharge non- condensable gases at the maximum rates required to purge the
steam system of these gases. Staged large and small steam traps may be required to handle large flows of
condensate from start-up and small flows of condensate from normal operations.

5 7.10 Steam trap discharge and other condensate lines shall be consolidated into headers and returned
to the condensate collection system. Discharge to the waste system may be made only if a collection
system is not economically feasible or if condensate is contaminated.
5.7.11 Drip legs equipped with steam traps shall be installed at the bottom of steam headers as follows:
a. At dead ends of steam headers and branch lines
b. At low points
c. Upstream of risers and vertical legs
d. Upstream of expansion joints and raised expansion loops
e. Upstream of block, reducing, and control valves
f. At intervals of approximately 45.0 m in straight, horizontal steam lines (i.e. without natural
drainage points), but not greater than 90.0 m.
5.8 Nitrogen and Other Inert Gases
5.8.1 Block and check valves are required for branch connections and shall be located at both the header
and at the equipment.
5.8.2 A temporary connection shall be provided in between sets of a check and a block valves. A blind
shall be used on each open line when not in use.
5.9 Utility Station
5.9.1 Utility stations with steam, water, air, and nitrogen shall be designed in accordance with the location
standard. A single
15.0 m length of hose for each commodity shall reach the entire working area from the station. For typical
detail, see Figure 1.1 through 1.5.
5.9.2 Utility systems shall be provided with valves at utility stations. Ball valves shall be used for air, water,
and nitrogen services; globe valve shall be used for steam service. Each line shall have a service name
plate in Arabic and English indicating the service.
5.9.3 Nitrogen outlets shall be provided when indicated on the flow diagram.
5.9.4 Nitrogen system shall have a check valve at each connection and at each utility station to prevent
introduction of air or hydrocarbons into the nitrogen system.
5.9.5 All utility hoses shall have special fittings to provide positive segregation from all other utilities.
5.9.6 Color of hoses for specific services shall conform to the location standard.
5.9.7 The following equipment shall have utility stations:
a. Pump and compressor areas shall have permanent utility stations with steam, water, air, and
nitrogen outlets as required for anticipated needs.
b. Columns and vessels shall have steam, water, air, and nitrogen, as required for anticipated
needs.
c. Exchangers and furnaces shall be provided with steam, water, air, and nitrogen connections as
required for anticipated needs. The locations of the connections shall be as specified by SABIC.
d. Other requirements shall be specified by SABIC.
5.9.8 Air outlets shall be provided in all areas requiring air for air driven tools.
5.10 Burner Fuel Piping
5.10.1 Burner fuel piping shall conform to the following requirements:
a. Piping for fuel oil with viscosity exceeding 20 square millimeter per second shall be arranged for
continuous circulation of the oil through the headers.

b. Fuel gas supply piping shall be arranged to produce equal distribution of flow and to allow
condensate drainage, unless dry gas is assured.
5.10.2 Where a safety shutdown valve is required in fuel piping at furnaces or fired heaters, the valve shall
have remote and local shutoff capability and shall be located in close proximity (within15.0 m) to the
equipment. An emergency shutoff valve shall always be provided at a safe distance (minimum of 15.0 m)
from the equipment.
5.11 Safety Shower and Eyewash
5.11.1 The water temperature at safety showers and eyewash facilities should not exceed 35°C nor be
lower than 15°C. Tempered water systems may be required to meet the 15°C minimum temperature. Sites
should provide controls, such as temperature monitoring, insulation, and/or automatic bleed devices (scald
protection) to maintain the desired temperature range in areas where water supply temperature may be
affected by sun exposure, adjacent hot piping or reactors, extreme cold, etc.
5.11.2 Water temperature need not be constant during shower or use. The water system should supply at
least a 10-15 minute supply in the 15°C – 35°C temperature range for the number of shower/eyewash units
which may be simultaneously in use (see 5.11.8.6).
5.11.3 Eyewash facilities shall be provided with new safety shower installations. The eyewash unit at these
installations shall be capable of flushing both eyes. A single water outlet providing this capability is
permissible.
5.11.4 Standardization of shower arrangements is desirable, preferably on a plant-wide, or at least on an
area-wide basis. Items which should be standardized include:
a. Color (The safety shower and support or the area behind the shower should be marked a high
visibility yellow or other distinctive color.)
b. Valve operating height.
c. Valve handle location (right-hand location).
d. Valve operation (pull to open).
e. Shower head height (2.0 to 2.5 m) from walking surface.
5.11.5 A flow alarm signaling that the shower or eyewash is in use should be provided, since a person
using either will need additional assistance. This is particularly important in remote, high hazard areas
where occupancy is low.
5.11.6 Location
5.11.6.1 General chemical operation
5.11.6.1.1 In areas where toxic, corrosive, or flammable materials are processed, safety showers and
eyewash facilities should be accessible within 15.0 m travel distance from any point and require no more
than 10 seconds to reach them.
5.11.6.1.2 Tank car; tank truck loading and unloading; sampling stations, etc.
5.11.6.1.3 At such locations where personnel could be exposed to toxic, corrosive, or flammable materials,
safety showers and eyewash facilities should be located within 7.5 m, but not less than 3.0 m, of the point
of potential exposure. Consideration should be given to locating a shower on loading or unloading
platforms to meet these distance requirements.
5.11.7. Testing and inspection
5.11.7.1 Each site shall establish a schedule for testing safety showers and eyewash facilities. A readily
accessible means of test verification shall be provided.
5.11.8. Design considerations
5.11.8.1 Figures 2.1 through 2.2 show safety shower and eyewash configurations. Individual components
and complete prefabricated assemblies are available from the safety shower and eyewash vendors.
Prefabricated units must meet the requirements of ANSI Z358.1.

5.11.8.2 Water supplies shall be potable.
5.11.8.3 Piping design shall permit a minimum flow through the safety shower of 6800 L/h.
5.11.8.3.1 Shower piping should be NPS 11/2 minimum to provide support rigidity.
5.11.8.3.2 Piping to shower and eyewash units shall be in accordance with site pipe specifications.
5.11.8.4 A device to control the proper flow to a shower head is recommended where possible
simultaneous safety shower use would cause water flow differences at one or more of the shower head
inlets.
5.11.8.4.1 An orifice may be needed ahead of the shower head to balance the flow when used in
conjunction with the eyewash.
5.11.8.5 Eyewash units shall provide a minimum flow of 90 L/h for 15 minutes. A pressure/flow regulator
(available from vendors) is required in the eyewash piping to regulate the flow for high pressures.
5.11.8.6 Combination eye/face wash units shall provide a minimum flow of 680 L/h for 15 minutes.
5.11.8.7 The water system (e.g., in a building) shall be capable of supplying all safety shower/eyewash
facilities which may be required to operate simultaneously as a result of anticipated building incidents. This
number will vary depending upon building population, processes, chemicals present, and other factors.
Combinations of the anticipated number of showers that might be flowing simultaneously and other water
demands on the common supply should be tested to assure adequate flow to the showers. (See 5.11.8.3).
6. Limitations
6.1 Water supply systems which deliver drinking water shall not be connected to process equipment as a
utility water source, except via a break tank designed to prevent backflow as per Uniform Plumbing Code.
6.2 Firewater Systems shall not be connected to process equipment except via a temporary connection
when the equipment is not in operation and not under pressure. Otherwise, each connection and its
specific application shall be reviewed and approved by SABIC.
6.3 Temporary connections with components listed in the direction of the utility flow shall be as follows:
The utility side shall have a block (root) valve, pressure gauge, check valve and a drain valve to
depressurize the hose or the break-away spool. The process side shall also have a check valve, block
valve and pressure gauge near the hose connection. When disconnected, both open piping ends shall be
capped, or plugged, or fitted with blind flanges. The break-away spool shall be designed such that when
not in use, it can be easily disconnected and kept at a dedicated, fixed location
6.4 No permanent connections other than air or steam shall be made to process equipment operating
above 100°C nor shall water or steam be permanently connected to equipment that operate below 0°C.
6.5 Permanent connections without a break tank shall not be made except when the required service is
continuous or frequent (at least twice per week) or needed for emergencies. Permanent connections
without a break tank shall consist of the following (in the direction of the utility flow):
6.5.1 The utility flow shall have instrumentation for automatic shut-off on low flow or low pressure (in
addition to a check valve) in all cases where redundant protection against back flow is required by the
Operating Department.
6.5.2 The utility side shall have a pressure gauge, block valve, bleed valve and spectacle blind or quick
change blind (normally open).
6.5.3 The process side shall have a check valve, bleed valve or drain, block valve and pressure gauge.
6.5.4 The block valves of the connection shall be within sight of each other and shall be as close as
practical to the process equipment. The pressure gauges and the position of the blind shall be clearly
visible from a single point.
6.6 Air connections to asphalt or hot oil piping through which air is supplied to blow the product to tankage,
shall be provided with a water knock-out (KO) drum with drainage facilities. The line downstream of the KO

drum shall not contain low points and shall have an additional drain valve immediately upstream of the
process connection.
6.7 When air is injected as a reaction agent, such as in Merox and air sweetening units, the control shall be
such that the hydrocarbon/air mixtures will not enter the flammable range unless required by the process.
Instrumentation shall be provided to shut off the air flow if the process flow fails. In addition, a restriction
orifice shall be provided.
7. Design Requirements
7. 1 The rating of all Components of a permanent connection shall be suitable for the more severe of
pressure/temperature of the process or the utility service.
7.2 For temporary connections the pressure/temperature rating of the process side shall extend to the hose
or break-away spool.
7.3 If the process fluid requires internal lining or material other than used in the utility system, the lining or
the material shall extend from and include the check valve on the process side. Valves with bodies of gray
cast iron, ductile iron, or low melting point alloys (such as brass or bronze) shall not be used in a
permanent connection including the utility side. Valve bodies and trim in a permanent connection shall be
suitable for both the process and the utility fluid with regard to corrosion and pressure rating.
7.4 Operator access shall be provided to the block valves on either side and to the blind or break-away
spool of the connection. Chain operated valves shall not be used.
8. Installation Procedure
For installation procedure, see P13-C02.
9. Hydrotesting
For hydrotesting procedure, see P01-E15.