APPENDIX I: DETAILED MAPS AND DESCRIPTION OF

ACTIVITIES AND DECISION NODES IN SUPPLYCHAIN CONFIGURATIONS FOR PIPE SUPPORTS

The study on the CPs SC for pipe supports as described in Chapter 9 of this Research Report has
identified five different supply-chain configurations:
Configuration 1: Engineering firm designs the pipe supports, which includes routing the pipe,
performing pipe stress analysis, checking loads and interferences with other systems, then
selecting a pipe-support supplier. Supplier details, fabricates, and supplies the supports.
Engineering firm approves the support-detail drawings and coordinates deliveries with the pipe
supplier or with the contractor on site. This configuration describes by far the most common
practice.
Configuration 2: Engineering firm routes pipe and performs pipe stress analysis, then selects a
pipe-support supplier early on, and provides supplier with technical information. Supplier
designs supports, obtains approval from engineering firm, then details, fabricates, and supplies
the supports. Engineering firm coordinates deliveries with the pipe supplier or with the
contractor on site.
Configuration 3: Engineering firm routes pipe, then selects pipe-support supplier. Supplier
locates supports, performs pipe stress analysis, and designs supports; then fabricates and supplies
the supports. Engineering firm provides technical information, approves all design drawings, and
coordinates deliveries with the pipe supplier or with the contractor on site.
Configuration 4: Contractor handles pipe-support design and fabrication. Engineering firm
routes pipe, locates supports, performs pipe stress analysis, and then provides contractor with
technical information. Contractor coordinates fabrication with on-site labor or with supplier.
Configuration 5: Pipe Fabricator handles pipe-support design and fabrication. Engineering firm
routes pipe, locates supports, performs pipe stress analysis, and then provides contractor with
technical information. This way, the pipe and the pipe hanger supply chain can be more tightly
synchronized, especially in conditions when pipe deliveries are subject to numerous changes.

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These configurations are based on a serie of activities that are listed below. The engineering firm,
the pipe support supplier, the contractor or pipe fabricator performs each activity according to the
configuration that is being studied.
Activities
1. Route Pipe
2. Locate Pipe Supports
3. Identify Preliminary Pipe Support Loads
4. Get Preliminary Pipe Support Loads
5. Perform Pipe Flexibility Analysis
6. Define Pipe Diameters and Schedules, Valve Weights and Lengths, etc.
7. Refine Pipe Support Loads
8. Get Final Pipe Support Loads
9. Perform Pipe Stress Analysis
10. Select Supplier in Advance
11. Select from Catalog
12. Special Pipe Support Design
13. Check Interference
14. Check Loads Structural Steel
15. Coordinate Reinforcement
16. Reinforce Structure
17. Issue New Detail Drawings for Structural Steel
18. Prepare Pipe Support Detail Drawings
19. Investigate Potential Suppliers
20. Prepare Information for Pipe Support Supplier
21. Issue Request for Quotation
22. Analyze Information from Engineering Firm
23. Advise Suppliers
24. Convert Specifications to Supplier Standards
25. Prepare Budget for Approval
26. Approve Budget & Conversions
27. Check Schedule Priority
28. Issue Pipe Support Detail Drawings for Fabrication
29. Approve Drawings
30. Fabricate Pipe Supports
31. Ship to Shop Fabricator
32. Ship to Site
33. Advise Contractor/Pipe Fabricator
34. Release price
35. Ok Price
36. Analyze Information from Contractor

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Decision Nodes
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
k.
l.

First Analysis?
Stress Analysis OK?
Can Supports be Relocated?
Special Design or Catalog?
Design Support Feasible?
Support Available in Catalog?
Interference Check OK?
Are Loads OK?
Is Structural Reinforcement Possible?
Is Engineering Firm Information OK?
Are Conversions Needed?
Is Contractor Information Ok?

Basically, the configurations require the same activities involved in the design, procurement and
fabrication processes but different parties perform them (supplier, engineering firm, contractor or
pipe fabricator). As a convention, each activity box in the maps has been numbered in order to
identify who has to perform that activity and what activity it is. Engineering-firm activities start
with the code 1, pipe support supplier activities with code 2, contractor activities with code
3 and fabricator activities with code 4. For example, if an activity has code 1-5, it means
that it is performed by the engineering firm and it is the fifth activity on the overall list. The
activity description is as follows:
1. Route Pipe (1-1)
The configurations assume that the Piping Engineer (in other words, the engineering firm)
always performs the task of routing pipes.
2. Locate Pipe Supports (1-2, 2-2)
The engineering firm (or the supplier) has to decide on locations of pipe supports throughout
the pipeline. Those locations have to be shown in a working isometric or piping drawing.
3. Identify Preliminary Pipe Support Loads (1-3, 2-3)
The engineering firm (or the supplier) has to decide on preliminary pipe support loads that
will be imposed on the structure in order to perform the flexibility analysis.
4. Get Preliminary Pipe Support Loads (1-4)
The structural engineer requests the preliminary pipe support loads that will be used in the
flexibility analysis. The structural engineer gets an order of magnitude of these loads.

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5. Perform Pipe Flexibility Analysis (1-5, 2-5)

The engineering firm (or the supplier) performs the pipe flexibility analysis just to verify that
the piping routing is acceptable, also that the equipment loads can be managed and to define
the possible area on which there are not enough expansion loops to absorb the expansion for
the high-energy piping system.
6. Define Pipe Diameters and Schedules, Valve Weights and lengths (1-6)
The mechanical engineer sizes the pipe diameter, performs the pipe weld thickness
calculation, defines the valves weights and lengths that are needed by the piping engineer in
order to perform the stress analysis.
7. Refine Pipe Support Loads (1-7, 2-7)
The engineering firm (or the supplier) has to decide on final pipe support loads that will be
imposed on the structure in order to perform the stress analysis. The piping engineer from the
engineering firm analyzes new data provided by the mechanical engineer (pipe sizes, valves,
fittings, etc).
8. Get Final Pipe Support Loads (1-8)
The structural engineer requests the final pipe support loads that will be used in the stress
analysis. The structural engineer will use these loads for future analysis in the structure.
9. Perform Pipe Stress Analysis (1-9, 2-9)
Not all engineering firms perform pipe stress analyses and not all suppliers provide this
service. The configurations assume that the pipe stress analysis will be performed either by
the engineering firm or supplier depending on who handles the design. Mark Joyce,
Supervisor Engineering, Lisega Inc., provided the following documentation on "Information
Necessary for Pipe Stress Analysis (received January 2001). Items 1 and 2 have been added
as additional input information. Items 3 through 15 represent the information provided by
Lisega. The researchers have added the text between brackets.
1. Preliminary pipe loads
2. Preliminary locations for pipe supports on pipe drawings.
and also
3. Code of Records (B31.1, B31.3, etc). [ASME Code for Pressure Piping]
4. Piping materials, diameters, schedules, temperatures, pressures and fittings class.
5. Valve weights and lengths.
6. Weight and length or other in-line equipment (such as strainers and desuperheaters).
7. Equipment thermal movements. Indicate movements even if they are zero.
8. Safety valve pop forces.
9. Contents of piping systems. Is a hydrotest analysis required?
10. Is a seismic analysis required? If so, static or dynamic analysis? All pertinent
information should be supplied by Project Engineer. Usually job specifications state
design conditions for such events. Seismic anchor movements may be necessary.
11. Additional static loads such as wind and snow. Piping segment subject to such loads
shall be clearly marked on the submitted piping drawings or isometric.
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12. Any applicable nozzle allowable loading criteria.

13. Process & Instrumentation Diagrams (P&ID) and /or Flow Diagrams.
14. Turbine Trip loads if applicable.
15. Special pipe support requirements such as stiffness and frequency, if applicable.
This step may require iteration in the calculation process in order to obtain the right location
of pipe supports without overloading the pipeline.
10. Select Supplier in Advance (1-10)
The engineering firm selects the pipe support supplier in order to work with its catalog
during the design phase of pipe supports. Sometimes the supplier is selected at the beginning
of the project. It depends on the engineering firm.
11. Select from Catalog (1-11, 2-11, 3-11, 4-11)
The engineering firm, the supplier, the contractor or the pipe fabricator chooses a standard
support from catalog. Mark Joyce, Supervisor Engineering, Lisega Inc., provided the
following documentation on "Information Necessary for the Scheduling and Submittal of
Pipe Supports (received January 2001). Items 1, 2, and 7 through 13 are technical
information, needed to start the pipe support design process. Items 3 through 6 are nontechnical information, reflecting to whom design output needs to be sent. The researchers
have added the text between brackets.
1. Job Specifications.
2. Erection Schedule. We should have a priority list showing the order in which piping
systems should be engineered and shipped. [Using this information, design and
fabrication can overlap in order to accelerate the construction process.]
3. Person to whom prints should be sent for approval. Number of prints required.
4. Number of prints required for distribution (i.e., after approval has been granted).
5. Person(s) to whom technical correspondence should be sent.
6. Person(s) to whom commercial correspondence should be sent.
7. All available stress and flexibility analysis sheets. If not available, what are the
movements of superheater outlet, reheat inlet and outlet, economizer inlet, steam drum,
extraction and feedwater connections, etc.? All applicable equipment allowable load
criteria.
8. An erection isometric or system piping drawing of all cut short piping systems showing
the location of the pipe at all changes of direction in the installed position prior to cold
pull and closure of the final gap, and the location of the pipe either in the hot operating
position or the cold position just prior to the unit going into operation.
9. One complete set of sepias of the following drawings or:
a. Two complete sets of piping drawings (isometric, composite, and individual
systems, if any, and all that are available).
b. Steel drawings (complete folder).
c. One set of boiler outline drawings and drawings showing external steel of boiler.
d. One complete folder of turbine foundation prints.
e. One print of drawings showing location of ventilating ducts, electrical conduits,
conveyor belts, pumps, HVAC, tanks, etc.
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f. Process & Instrumentation diagrams.

10. Actual Weights of non-standard pipe.
11. Pipe materials, pipe schedules, diameters, temperatures and pressures, and fittings class.
12. Insulation specifications.
13. Valve and specialty list and weights. Or get customer approval to use standard valve
weights (for non-critical lines).
12. Special Pipe Support Design (1-12, 2-12, 3-12, 4-12)
The engineering firm, the supplier, the contractor or the pipe fabricator does special pipe
support design to suit the project requirements.
13. Check interference (1-13)
Once pipe supports have been selected or designed, the engineering firm must check
interferences of these supports with structural steel, vessels, and other plant components.
14. Check Loads in the Structural Steel (1-14)
Once the interference check has been performed, the engineering firm must verify that the
support locations and loads can be carried by structure as designed. If not, the structural
engineer has to modify the structure (e.g., add steel) to carry the final loads. Alternatively,
other locations may be identified for possibly different supports (e.g., two supports, spread
evenly, may carry the load of a single, larger one).
Note:
Steps 13 and 14 may be performed concurrently. If either the loads fall outside of the
admissible range for the structural steel, or there are interferences in the system, supports will
have to be relocated and the stress analysis has to be performed again. The iterative process
repeats until both, loads and interferences, are resolved.
Steps 13 and 14 may not be performed concurrently. The interference check is performed
first. Then, if the interference check has inadmissible results (at least one pipe support has to
be relocated), a new pipe stress analysis is needed for new conditions (new support locations
and new loads). Once the interference problem has been resolved and the pipe stress analysis
has admissible results, the next step is to verify if the pipe support loads are admissible on the
structure as designed. If not, there are two possible options: reinforce the structure avoiding
new interferences or perform a new iteration process that will start with relocation of pipe
support throughout the pipeline, and continue until the support loads satisfy structural
requirements.
15. Coordinate Reinforcement (1-15)
The structural engineer of the engineering firm must perform some structural calculations,
and do so in coordination with the mechanical engineer and piping engineer for future
structural reinforcements.
16. Reinforce Structure (1-16)
The structural engineer of the engineering firm must perform this activity according with the
information provided on activity 9.

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17. Issue New Detail Drawings for Structural Steel (1-17)

Once structural modifications have been completed, the structural engineer of the
engineering firm must prepared and issue a new set of structural detail drawings for pipe
supports fabrication.
18. Prepare Pipe Support Detail Drawings (1-18)
The engineering firm performs this activity in order to send support-detail drawings to pipe
support supplier to start fabrication.
19. Investigate Potential Suppliers (1-19, 3-19, 4-19)
The engineering firm, the contractor or pipe fabricator selects pipe support supplier based on
possible alliances, previous experiences or current supplier availability depending on market
demand. Sometimes the supplier is full capacity, and the engineering firm, contractor or pipe
fabricator, despite of alliances, has to select a different supplier to the one they are
accustomed to work with. For that reason, engineering firms, contractor or pipe fabricator
usually works with more than one supplier.
20. Prepare Information to Pipe Support Supplier (1-20)
The engineering firm prepares documentation needed for quotation.
21. Issue Request for Quotation (1-21,3-21,4-21)
The engineering firm, contractor or pipe fabricator sends documentation to supplier needed
for quotation.
22. Analyze Information from Engineering Firm (2-22, 3-22, 4-22)
Supplier, contractor or pipe fabricator analyzes documentation in order to evaluate price, lead
times and possible conversions.
23. Advise Suppliers (1-23, 3-23, 4-22)
The engineering firm, contractor or pipe fabricator advises suppliers during the interpretation
of the information provided to start the pipe support fabrication.
24. Convert Specifications to Supplier Standards (2-24)
Sometimes the supplier has to perform conversions in order to start fabrication. Supplier and
engineering firm standards differ, and then the supplier has to modify the current design
(done by the engineering firm).
25. Prepare Budget for Approval (2-25)
Supplier analyzes fabrication and delivery costs.
26. Approve Budget & Conversions (1-26)
The engineering firm negotiates price, lead times and approves conversions.
27. Check Schedule Priority (2-27, 3-27, 4-27)
The engineering firm determines the priority of each pipe supports according with project
schedule and in coordination with the pipe fabricator and contractor. Supplier will
manufacture critical pipe supports first.
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28. Issue New Pipe Support Detail Drawings for Fabrication (2-28, 3-28, 4-28)
Supplier, contractor or pipe fabricator prepares a new set of drawings that include
conversions in order to start fabrication.
29. Approve Pipe Support Drawings (1-29)
The engineering firm approves support-detail drawings before fabrication starts.
30. Fabricate Pipe Supports (2-30)
Supplier starts fabrication according with schedule priority.
31. Ship to Shop Fabricator (2-31)
Supplier delivers supports to the pipe fabricators shop according with schedule. Some pipe
supports or some attachments need to be welded to the pipeline before to be sent to site.
32. Ship to Site (2-32)
Supplier delivers pipe supports to the site according with schedule priority.
33. Advise Contractor/Pipe Fabricator (1-33)
The engineering firm advises contractor or pipe fabricator during the interpretation of the
information provided to start the design and fabrication of pipe supports.
34. Release Price (2-34)
Supplier releases the final price of pipe supports to the engineering firm, contactor or pipe
fabricator for approval.
35. Ok Price (1-35, 3-35)
The procurement department of the engineering firm, contractor or pipe fabricator verifies
the final price.
36. Analyze Information from Contractor (3-36)
Supplier analyzes documentation in order to evaluate price, lead times and possible
conversions.
The decision nodes as well as probabilistic forks for both configurations are described as
follows:
a. First Analysis OK?
Used only in configuration 3. The engineering firm performs the activity Route Pipe many
times until admissible results will be obtained in the pipe stress analysis. If this is the first
analysis, the engineering firm starts investigating potential suppliers.
b. Stress Analysis OK?
The engineering firm (or the supplier) evaluates pipe stress analysis results. The process
continues with relocation of pipe supports, if possible, or design of pipe support.

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c. Can Supports be Relocated?

After the evaluation of pipe stress analysis results, the engineering firm (or the supplier)
studies the possibility to relocate pipe supports along the pipeline in order to dismiss stresses
carried by the pipeline.
d. Special Design or Catalog?
The engineering firm (or the supplier) evaluates each pipe support in order to determine if it
can be selected from catalog or has to be specially designed.
e. Support Available in Catalog?
The engineering firm (or the supplier) identifies supports from catalog. If supports are not in
catalog, a special design process starts.
f. Design Support Feasible?
The engineering firm (or the supplier) evaluates if supports can be designed according with
the specifications.
g. Interference Check OK?
After the interference check, the engineering firm approves or disapproves the interference
check results.
h. Are Loads OK?
The structural engineer of the engineering firm decides if pipe support loads are admissible
by the structure.
i. Is Structural Reinforcement Possible?
The structural engineer of the engineering firm decides if a structural reinforcement is
possible. Overstresses cause this structure reinforcement.
j. Is Engineering Firm Information OK?
The supplier decides if the information they have from the engineering firm is enough to start
the fabrication of pipe supports. If the supplier needs advise, the engineering firm will work
with the supplier to clarify this information.
k. Are Conversions Needed?
The supplier decides if conversions are needed due to the difference between the engineering
firm and supplier standards.
l. Is Contractor/Pipe Fabricator Information OK?
The supplier decides if the information they have from the contractor or pipe fabricator is
enough to start the fabrication of pipe supports. If the supplier needs advise, the contractor or
pipe fabricator will work with the supplier to clarify this information.

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The following table shows the different symbols used to map the different supply chain
configurations.
Table I.1: Symbols used in Detailed Supply Chain Configuration Maps
SYMBOL

NAME AND MEANING

Connector [Universal connector, Line connector, or Line-curve
connector]: thin arrow represents a precedence relationship
Transportation [Transportation]: thick arrow represents flow of
materials

Truck to Site

Communication [Issue]: represents flow of information

Design
Criteria

Procedure [Procedure]: represents a relatively high-level activity or

work to be done.
Depending on the level of detail at which the supply chain map is
being developed, one may distinguish a procedure from an operation.
Operations are detailed steps or tasks in a procedure. An operation
requires a specific type of resources throughout its execution, whereas
a procedure is more aggregated and may require different resources
at different times in the course of its execution. If no such distinction is
made in the map, we recommend that only the procedure symbol be
used.

Procedure
te

Relationship with other specialties (shown as small, red circles on

the map): related to the participation of specialists to perform activities.

Proceed
with
Project?

No

Decision node: represents a decision-making event, that can result in

one out of two (yes arrow [Result] or no arrow [No result]) alternative
paths being followed.

Yes

Repair
Needed?

Probabilistic fork [no VISIO equivalent]: represents a random event

(according to some probabilistic distribution),that can result in one out
of several alternative paths being followed.

OTHER SYMBOLS
2

Map connector [Off-page connector]: this symbol is not part of the

supply chain map per se but can be used to relate a part of the map to
one another when the map does not fit on a single page, and also to
avoid crossing arrows on a single page in a complex map.
Note that symbol may be turned 90 or 180 degrees.

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Detailed Functional Maps for Pipe Support Case Study (following pages)
Configuration 1: Engineering firm designs pipe supports
Configuration 2: Supplier designs pipe supports, engineering firm does pipe stress analysis
Configuration 3: Supplier fully designs pipe supports
Configuration 4: Contractor takes responsibility for pipe support design and fabrication
Configuration 5: Pipe Fabricator takes responsibility for pipe support design and fabrication

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