5 MAIN RULES OF PUMP PIPING

Many pumps are installed with inappropriate piping arrangements,

resulting in premature pump failures, so many ways to Kill Your Pump.
If you were installing a pump in a new system, where would you turn
for guidelines on proper pump piping arrangements?

By following 5 simple rules, you can avoid premature pump failure

and related pump piping pitfalls :

1. Keep suction pipe as short as possible.

Include a straight run pipe length equal to 5 to 10 times the pipe
diameter between the pump inlet and any obstruction in the
suction line.
Note: Obstructions include valves, elbows, "tees", and etc.
Keeping the suction piping short ensures that inlet pressure drop
is as low as possible. The straight run pipe gives you a uniform
velocity across the pipe diameter at pump inlet.
Both are important to achieving optimal suction.

2. Pipe Diameter on suction side should be equal or one size larger

than pump inlet.
Suction piping velocities should be limited to 7 to 8 feet per
second or less.
3. Eliminate Elbows Mounted on OR Close to the inlet nozzle of the
pump
Include 5 to 10 pipe diameters of straight run pipe between the
pump inlet and elbow. This helps to eliminate "side loading" of

the pump impeller and creates uniform pump axial bearing

loading.
4. Eliminate potential for air entertainment in the suction piping.
Maintain adequate levels in supply tanks to eliminate vortices
from forming and air entrapment.
Avoid high pockets in suction piping, which can trap air
Keep all pipe and fitting connections tight in suction vacuum
conditions to prevent air from getting into the pump.
5. Ensure the piping arrangement does not cause strain on the
pump casing
Pumps should never support the suction or discharge piping. Any
stress on the pump casing by the piping system greatly reduces
pump life and performance.