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Blog 1R: What does a Piping Engineering Lead nee
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The term Piping Engineering Lead (PEL) as used in this document refers to the
Engineering and Design activities on a process plant project. The actual PEL resp
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on the engineering company, the client, the type of project, and the project exec
construction philosophy. There may be some companies (US or world wide) wh
integrated with some other engineering group or function. There may also be co
structured in some other fashion. The specific structure is not as important as th
Tips, Tools & Training
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1 - Glossary,
Terms & Definitions What does a Piping Engineering Lead need to know?
2 - Management To fulfill all the aspects of this functional definition and depending on the Co
& Supervision PEL will be functionally responsible and will be involved in all of the following
Participate as a part of the proposal team in pre-bid meetings with the Client
3 - Quality
Defining the physical scope of the Piping effort for the project
Control
Defining the Piping execution method and the required Piping deliverables
4 - Auxiliary Preparing a labor hour estimate for the Piping effort

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Activities Preparing a material cost estimate for all Piping items

Preparing a detailed Piping discipline work execution schedule that is coordin
5 - Valves
other engineering disciplines
6 - Pipe &
Proper planning of all aspects of Piping activities
Fittings
Proper organization of (electronic and hard copy) data files or data needs
7 - Plant Layout Proper resource (people) requisitioning and utilization
Prompt recognition and notification of all scope changes or trends that may c
8 - Equipment
project
Piping
Proper awareness of labor budget expenditure, production, and productivity
9 - Pipe
Prompt and accurate status reporting
Supports
Timely and proper project completion and close-out
10 - Pipe Stress

11 - Piping
Layout What does the PEL need to know and do? Here is a more definitive description
a good PEL should know. Thinking about and doing every one of these items sho
12 - Field Issues
breathing for a good Piping Lead.
13 - Pipe Fab
Role and Responsibilities First of all the PEL needs to know, understand an
Shop Issues
responsibilities of the position. The position is the top position in the Piping
14 - 3D Models
project). There are normally seven other disciplines on a major process plan
15 - Drawings senior person functioning as the Discipline Lead. These eight Discipline Lea
Manager on the Project and their Department Manager for their specific dis
Codes /
expert/resource supervisor/production manager. He or she is responsible f
Standards
equipment arrangement; Responsible for the technical definition of all the p
Links on the project; Responsible for the supervision of a large group of people; R
Piping Books from their effort; Responsible for the quality of that effort and will manage

Videos aspects of the assigned segment of the project.

Tag List Search Diplomacy The position of PEL will have direct contact with all the Engine
Company non-engineering departments, the Client, Vendors, Contractors,
Promotions
and others who have an interest in or contribution to the project. The PEL n
roles of each of these groups and be able to discuss mutual needs and cont
especially important in dealings with the Client. Some Clients dont know w
try to push you to do something you know is wrong. You have to stand you
you.

Coordination All Discipline Leads including the PEL need to know and und
activities and contribution of all the other engineering and design groups on
Process, Civil, Structural, Mechanical Equipment, Vessels & Tanks, Electrical
Systems. These groups have a responsibility for contributing to Pipings suc
responsibility for contributing to their success. All of you are there for one r

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responsible for producing a successful project.

Coaching During the course of any project (large or small) there are times
arise. At times like this the PEL needs to be able to get the people assigned
objective and find solutions to problems.

Organization Regardless of the size or complexity of the project the PEL n

every aspect of the Piping part of the project. This includes Communication
Files (for drawings and data), Space (for all the piping sub-groups), Compute
Staff (piping groups, numbers, when needed and duration).

Cheerleader Motivate all members of the piping groups from the first day
do the very best they can on the project, because it is the most important p

General This means to take charge. Get out front of the project and be a L
dont give Orders, provide direction. Make sure your sub-group leads (Pipin
Engineering, Pipe Stress, Piping Material Control and others as may apply); h
timely manner; know and understand their objective; know the Scope; the L
Schedule and other applicable issues. Most of all make sure they know the
have your full support and trust.

Planner/ Visionary Knowing how to develop a project Scope of Work (SO

important responsibilities of the PEL. The SOW is a carefully defined Targe
you will never tell if you make a bulls-eye or you missed completely. Devel
to see what the project looks like from start to finish and that requires the ab
SOW requires the review, acceptance and Approval of (a) the Piping Depart
Manager and (c) the Client Project Manager. Without a signed approval from
cannot proceed.

Estimator The PEL in conjunction with the Supervisors of the four piping s
develop a definitive labor hour Estimate for all the activities, deliverables an
Project as defined in the SOW. The prerequisite for developing a Labor Hou
SOW approved by the Project and Client.

Scheduler The PEL in conjunction with the Supervisors of the four piping s
to develop a definitive Control Level Schedule for all the activities, deliverab
Project as defined in the SOW.

Teacher/Trainer Every PEL needs to understand the realities of life. In ord

need a replacement. You could also be to subject to sickness or accident. T
on and cannot suffer because you are no longer available. So from day one
what is going on and preparing for the possibility of his/her absence. This is
prepare some deserving individual for promotion to the position of PEL on

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Reporting (Progress, Productivity, Performance) Along with the technical a

the Administrative duties. This includes preparing and making reports. Re
of the Piping Department and by the Engineering Manager of the Project.
Productivity reports are normally required weekly (minimal detail), monthly
comprehensive report at job end. Performance reports on all personnel ass
when they are released from the project.

Change Control With the signed approval of the SOW, the Labor Estimate
Piping work (and AFC of the P&IDs) the PEL has a bench mark for controllin
The PEL needs to be on the look-out for Change Orders (normally by the Cl
the SOW) that cause a change, up or down, in the number of hours, change
commitments or costs to the project in the form of labor, materials or servic
imagined) needs to be documented in a formal detailed manner and submi
of command for processing and approval.

Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) - Quality Assurance is process

prevention. QA includes the methods, procedures and practices that are est
preventing errors. Quality control is product oriented and focuses on defec
Checking and correcting all errors found. QC sometimes includes a second
the product or deliverable is in fact correct. In the Engineering and Design e
check what version (or Revision) of a source document was applicable when
isometric was created versus what version of the source document is applic
important to look for; trends in the type of error, determine the cause and t
the process to prevent the same mistakes in the future.

Key success indicators

The following points are important issues marking the potential for success or fa

Training - supervision skills

Experience on projects of all types and size
Knowledge of all the piping sub-groups work, what they do and why they d
Intelligence to listen, adsorb what you see and hear
Wisdom to understand what you saw and heard and know what to do in th
Patience with people and situations that are not going exactly the way you
Empathy the understanding of and care for all the people assigned to the p
Interpersonal Relations successful association between two or more people
interactions
Management Skills the ability to Plan, Organize, Staff, Direct and Control (P
EEOC (US) awareness of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which proh
race, color, gender, national origin and religion.
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Safety oriented - lead the safety effort in a sustained and consistent way, est
demanding accountability for safety performance, and providing the resource
workplace.

Any person that has this type of training, this type of knowledge, this type of exp
applies it is indeed a Piping Engineering Lead. He or she will also be a more valua
to themselves in the market place. On the other hand anyone who does not kno
knowledge about these issues will not be or should not be assigned as a Piping E

Because of long standing industry tradition, and the nature of the overall proces
a prime interface point for all other task force groups on the project. Piping is als
timely execution of many other task force work activities. The PEL needs to fully
overall production line of the project. Piping is not now and never will be the on
the first group involved. Piping is not the last group involved. Piping is surely no
involved in the project.

Reference:

Blog 1C: Thoughts on Job Descriptions

About the Author

James O. Pennock has more than forty-five years
profession. He has been involved in both home o
(/profile/my on refinery, chemical, petrochemical, power and o
ranges from entry level designer to engineering m

profile/userprofile/jop)
Fluor. He is also the author of the book "Piping En
Process Plant Projects." He is now retired, living in
occasional consulting work.

Mr. Pennock can be contacted via E-Mail at jopen

Standards

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Equipment

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Flange

Supports

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COM_KUNENA_TOPIC Blog 1R: What does a Piping Enginee

know?
Posted:6months3daysagoby MikeK

Good write up, most have no insight of a PELs responsibilities. I hear many young designers wanting to

a PEL position too quickly. There are some major points that are very important to a PEL and his team.

important project related items I believe Patience, Empathy, Wisdom and IR are so important. Lots of g

that get lost in roles and responsibilities of a PEL.

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