Piping Checking Review

Given that the piping design world has changed dramatically in the way that deliverables are produced, there needs to be some re-evaluation as to what the concept of "checking" involves.

This is what I propose for checking levels, feel free to add/expound:

1 P&ID check
2 Equipment model check
3 Piping configuration check
4 Conformity check

Based on my experience (and I obviously can not speak for every company involved with piping design), what often happens is that relatively inexperienced but talented people do the 3D modelling while the more experienced people occupy a management-type/hands-off position.

Having done a fair bit of 3D modeling myself, I understand how creative-limiting this process can be. In order to be truly creative it's not really a good situation to be limited to what the software can do or have to use what CAD support has already developed.

Because of software/hardware limitations, designers/draftsmen are now forced to have tunnel vision imposed by practical model sizes and often cannot see the forest for the trees. Or vice-versa.

1, 2 and 4 are relatively simple checking jobs. 3 is where experience, extended knowledge and inter-discipline skills are needed.

I'm just rambling on off the top of my head, sorry.

Have you guessed already that I'm doing checking now?

Paul Received on Sat Dec 16 03:45:00 2006