Piping Material
Specification
(PMS)
FEED Sessions by
Pavan Sharma
Design & Engineering Sessions
Classification: Internal
What's a Piping Specification?
• The Piping Material Specification (abbreviated: PMS) is a document
prepared during the design phase of any project.
• It provides the appropriate selection, specification and material grade of
pipe and piping components for a given service. For all subsequent
maintenance and repair on a section of pipe, the piping specification
remains as the key to correct material selection.
• Before commencing any job, reference to the piping specification is
essential to specify and use the correct materials.
• For the job check that you are using the latest revision of the
specification.
• Note that a piping specification only applies to the defined plant, site or
installation. Other sites or plants for example can have their own piping
specifications and they are NOT interchangeable.
Design & Engineering Sessions by Pavan Sharma 2
Classification: Internal
Lesson 1: Contents of PMS
• Piping Layout and Design specification
• Pipe Supports & types (Resting, Anchored, Guided)
• Piping Fabrication and Installation process
• Pressure testing (Hydrotesting and Pneumatic Testing)
• Shop Fabrication
• Fabric Specification (Insulation, Painting, Fireproofing)
• Pipe/Line Class Material
• Valve Material Specification (VMS) – We are not covering VMS in this session
• Expansion joints Specification
• Gaskets Specification
• Fittings, Bolting specifications
Design & Engineering Sessions by Pavan Sharma 3
Classification: Internal
Lesson 2 : Data for PMS
• Service fluid related details:
➢ Process fluid chemistry of each fluid
➢ Composition of Service fluid
• Design Details : Pressure, Temperature etc. Also, Any short-term or upset
condition that may cause an increase or decrease in pressure or temperature.
• Corrosion rate for different pipe materials based on service fluids
• Expected maximum and minimum pipe size (Nominal Bore) for the project.
• External environmental factors – Snow, Rain, Coastal etc.
• Reference design standards selected by Client
• Special design conditions by Client’s Engineering/Asset Integrity Team
Design & Engineering Sessions by Pavan Sharma 4
Classification: Internal
Lesson 3 : Benefits for PMS
• Standardization of piping system engineering across the organization
• Ease of procurement effort due to internal design standardization.
• Reference for IDMS (Inspection Data Base)
• Reduction in inventory and spare parts
• Integrity and Quality control
• Selection of replacement and repair methodology
• Ensuring uniformity among the plant team communications
• Controlling changes required in piping in future
• Repeatability of design for plant expansions, new projects
Design & Engineering Sessions by Pavan Sharma 5
Classification: Internal
Lesson 4 : PMS preparation
Team
• Piping Engineers
• Process Engineers
• Project Engineers
• Corrosion Engineers
• PMC (Project Management Consultant)
• Inspection Engineers
• Asset Integrity Engineers
Design & Engineering Sessions by Pavan Sharma 6
Classification: Internal
Lesson 5 : PMS Contents (1)
Material Selection Criteria:
Guidelines for selecting materials based on factors such as
temperature, pressure, corrosiveness of the fluid, and environmental
conditions.
Material Standards and Codes:
References to applicable industry standards and codes that govern the
manufacturing and testing of piping materials. Examples include ASTM
(American Society for Testing and Materials), ASME (American Society
of Mechanical Engineers), API (American Petroleum Institute), and
others.
Design & Engineering Sessions by Pavan Sharma 7
Classification: Internal
Lesson 5 : PMS Contents (2)
Material Grades:
Specification of specific material grades for pipes, fittings, flanges, and
other components. This includes details about the chemical
composition, mechanical properties, and other relevant characteristics.
Dimensions and Sizes:
Details about the dimensions, sizes, and tolerances of the piping
components. This ensures that the components fit together properly
during construction.
Design & Engineering Sessions by Pavan Sharma 8
Classification: Internal
Lesson 5 : PMS Contents (3)
Heat Treatment Requirements:
Information on any heat treatment processes that may be required for
certain materials to achieve the desired mechanical properties.
Corrosion Protection:
Guidelines for corrosion protection measures, such as coatings,
linings, or cathodic protection, depending on the service conditions.
Design & Engineering Sessions by Pavan Sharma 9
Classification: Internal
Lesson 5 : PMS Contents (4)
Testing and Inspection Requirements:
Procedures for testing and inspecting the materials to ensure they
meet the specified requirements. This may include non-destructive
testing (NDT), hydrostatic testing, and other inspections.
Marking and Identification:
Requirements for marking and identifying each piping component to
trace its origin, material specification, and other essential information.
Design & Engineering Sessions by Pavan Sharma 10
Classification: Internal
Lesson 5 : PMS Contents (5)
Documentation and Certification:
Documentation requirements for material certificates, test reports, and
other relevant certifications to verify compliance with specifications.
Special Requirements:
Any special requirements or considerations specific to the project, such
as compliance with environmental regulations or client-specific
standards.
Design & Engineering Sessions by Pavan Sharma 11
Classification: Internal
Lesson 6 : PMS References (1)
Manufacturer's Website:
Many pipe manufacturers provide detailed specifications for their
products on their official websites. Check the website of the
manufacturer of the specific piping material you are interested in.
Industry Standards Organizations:
Look for specifications from recognized standards organizations such
as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), American
Petroleum Institute (API), International Organization for
Standardization (ISO), or others depending on your region or industry.
Design & Engineering Sessions by Pavan Sharma 12
Classification: Internal
Lesson 6 : PMS References (2)
Engineering and Construction Standards:
Some engineering and construction firms or organizations create and publish their own piping
specifications based on industry standards. These documents are often available through their
websites.
Online Databases:
Some online databases and repositories may have piping material specifications. This could
include academic databases, government databases, or industry-specific repositories.
Libraries and Technical Bookstores:
Check with technical libraries or bookstores that specialize in engineering and construction
literature. There may be books or reference materials that include piping material
specifications.
Design & Engineering Sessions by Pavan Sharma 13
Classification: Internal
Lesson 7 : Conclusion
PMS is an extremely essential document to be generated during design stage. It will be
required during entire lifecycle of the plant for Operation, Repair, Replacement and
Modification jobs.
PMS should be preserved by Engineering Department and its latest revision should be shared
with entire team.
PMS shall be used for all piping related jobs in the plant.
PMS shall be updated if any MOC is raised and should be kept always updated.
Reference codes and standards in PMS shall also be kept updated.
Design & Engineering Sessions by Pavan Sharma 14
Classification: Internal
Thank you
Pavan Kumar Sharma
FEED Sessions
For more such sessions, please
get connected at
[Link]
Classification: Internal