Abbreviations for Piping Drawings

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Piping drawings contain numerous abbreviations, which are useful to mention the essentials about the elements and materials of the pipes’ system. These abbreviations are quite helpful to the engineers and the designers especially when they are working on a project. In this article, get to know the abbreviations in piping isometric drawings from O.D (Outside Diameter) to T.P (Temperature and Pressure) to make the right design and avoid confusion.

Abbreviations of drawing

S.NoAbbreviationDescription
1BOPBottom of Pipe
2CLCenter Line
3ELElevation
4GRGrade
5HCHose Connection
6IDInside Diameter
7MAT'LMaterials
8MTOMaterials Take Off
9REVRevision
10ODOutside Diameter
11SPECSpecification
12STDStandard
13BWButt Weld
14CONCConcentric
15ECCEccentric
16ELLElbow
17FLGFlange
18LRLong Radius
19NPSNominate Pipe Size
20MFDMechanical Flow Diagram
21P&IDPiping and Instrumentation Diagram
22PFDProcess Flow Diagram
23PSIGPounds per Square Inch Gage
24NPTNational Pipe Threads Tapered
25PVCPoly Vinyl Chloride
26SMLSSeamless Pipe
27SOSlip On
28SWSocket Weld
29WNWelding Neck (kind of flange)
30XSExtra Strong (wall thickness of pipe)
31XXSDouble Extra Strong (wall thickness of pipe)

Types of piping drawings

Observing the present practice, piping drawings can be distinguished into numerous kinds depending upon the purpose for which it is being prepared. Here are some of the most common types:

  • Piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs): P&IDs are diagrams that indicate the piping system in terms of the major equipment of a piping system which include pipes, valves and instruments. They are employed to set the characteristics of the fluid movement in the system with an aim of evaluating the general status of the system.


 

Piping and instrumentation diagram (P&ID)

  • Isometric drawings: Isometric view shows the piping system in almost like looking at it from a sideway. They are used for the depiction of the system’s characteristics; for instance, the association between pipes and valves.

Isometric drawings

  • Single-line drawings: These are the drawings that show the piping system in one direction, usually from the source to the point of use only. These are used to portray the system in a basic form hence ensuring that the understanding of the system is enhanced.

Single-line drawings

  • Elevation drawings: Elevation drawings are drawings which show the piping system rather in the up and down direction. They are employed to indicate the level of the system as well as the positions of the different components of a system.

Elevation drawings

  • Detail drawings: Detail drawings show the details of specific parts of the piping system, such as valves and fittings. They are used to provide information for fabrication and installation of the system.

Detail drawings

  • Support drawings: Supporting drawings refer to the supports which are used to offer support to the piping system needed for instance in maintaining the stand. They are utilized to check for the adequate support and to make sure that the structure will not droop or fall down.

Support drawings

Piping drawings are great tools when it comes to design and installation of piping systems as well as issues concerning the systems. They are utilized to explain the details of the system to other engineers, contractors and operators.

The detail type of piping drawing that is to be employed is going to vary with the kind of drawing and the intricate features of the system. For instance, one may use a P&ID to present a generalized representation of a big system and on the contrary, an isometric drawing for a representation of a small system.

As mentioned earlier, piping drawings are usually done through electronic tools by the engineers, and most technicians who usually work with the computer aided drafting often abbreviated as CAD. CAD is more favorable to the engineers in coming up with perfect and complicated drawings that can be easily revised.

The piping drawings that are prepared are the layouts of the actual piping system that are used to fabricate and erect the piping system. The drawings are also employed in diagnosing matters to do with system issues and altering the system in as much as it is possible.


 

Piping isometric drawing abbreviations

Piping isometric drawings have lots of abbreviations and symbols for the component, materials and other related information. This way, these abbreviations are important to shorten message content and maintain standard forms for conveying important information. Here are some common piping isometric drawing abbreviations:OD: Outside Diameter

  1. ID: Inside Diameter
  2. NPS: Nominal Pipe Size
  3. NB: Nominal Bore
  4. BW: Butt Weld
  5. SW: Socket Weld
  6. THD: Threaded
  7. SCH: Schedule (e.g., SCH 40)
  8. XXS: Extra Extra Strong
  9. LR: Long Radius (for elbows)
  10. SR: Short Radius (for elbows)
  11. STD: Standard (for pipes)
  12. WP: Welding Point (for weld neck flanges)
  13. RF: Raised Face (for flanges)
  14. RTJ: Ring Type Joint (for flanges)
  15. BWG: Birmingham Wire Gauge (for specifying wall thickness)
  16. TBE: Threaded Both Ends (for pipes)
  17. TOE: Threaded One End (for pipes)
  18. BOE: Beveled One End (for pipes)
  19. BOF: Beveled One Face (for pipes)
  20. MPT: Male Pipe Thread
  21. FPT: Female Pipe Thread
  22. SWT: Socket Weld Thread
  23. BWG: Butt Weld Groove
  24. BWG: Butt Weld Gap
  25. CS: Carbon Steel
  26. SS: Stainless Steel
  27. CI: Cast Iron
  28. BRZ: Bronze
  29. AL: Aluminum
  30. PVDF: Polyvinylidene Fluoride
  31. PVC: Polyvinyl Chloride
  32. HDPE: High-Density Polyethylene
  33. PE: Polyethylene
  34. PP: Polypropylene
  35. CPVC: Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride
  36. ABS: Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene
  37. FRP: Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic
  38. PFA: Perfluoroalkoxy
  39. PTFE: Polytetrafluoroethylene
  40. GPM: Gallons Per Minute (flow rate)
  41. PSI: Pounds per Square Inch (pressure)
  42. °F: Degrees Fahrenheit (temperature)
  43. °C: Degrees Celsius (temperature)
  44. HWT: Hot Water Temperature
  45. CWT: Cold Water Temperature
  46. HVAC: Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
  47. IG: Insulated Glass
  48. IC: Insulated Copper
  49. CI: Cast Iron
  50. EXP: Expansion Joint
  51. FCV: Flow Control Valve
  52. PRV: Pressure Relief Valve
  53. SV: Safety Valve
  54. HV: Hand Valve
  55. BV: Ball Valve
  56. GV: Gate Valve
  57. CV: Check Valve
  58. RV: Globe Valve
  59. DSV: Diaphragm Valve
  60. HP: High-Pressure
  61. LP: Low-Pressure
  62. TP: Temperature and Pressure
  63. EOP: End of Pipe

The above are some of the abbreviations that may be used on piping isometric drawings among many others. Its applications may be somewhat conditional to the field, the particular task within the field, and the adopted standards concerning drawings. It helps in the interpretation as well as in the preparation of correct piping isometric drawings concerning these abbreviations.

piping abbreviations and symbols

There are however some very important piping abbreviations and symbols which are used for relaying information on the piping systems that are contained in the engineering drawings and documents.Some common piping abbreviations and symbols are mentioned below:

Piping Abbreviations:

  1. NPS: Nominal Pipe Size
  2. NB: Nominal Bore
  3. OD: Outside Diameter
  4. ID: Inside Diameter
  5. SCH: Schedule (e.g., SCH 40)
  6. LR: Long Radius (for elbows)
  7. SR: Short Radius (for elbows)
  8. BW: Butt Weld
  9. SW: Socket Weld
  10. THD: Threaded
  11. XXS: Extra Extra Strong
  12. STD: Standard (for pipes)
  13. WP: Welding Point (for weld neck flanges)
  14. RF: Raised Face (for flanges)
  15. RTJ: Ring Type Joint (for flanges)
  16. TBE: Threaded Both Ends (for pipes)
  17. TOE: Threaded One End (for pipes)
  18. BOE: Beveled One End (for pipes)
  19. BOF: Beveled One Face (for pipes)
  20. MPT: Male Pipe Thread
  21. FPT: Female Pipe Thread
  22. SWT: Socket Weld Thread
  23. BWG: Butt Weld Groove
  24. BWG: Butt Weld Gap
  25. CS: Carbon Steel
  26. SS: Stainless Steel
  27. CI: Cast Iron
  28. BRZ: Bronze
  29. AL: Aluminum
  30. PVDF: Polyvinylidene Fluoride
  31. PVC: Polyvinyl Chloride
  32. HDPE: High-Density Polyethylene
  33. PE: Polyethylene
  34. PP: Polypropylene
  35. CPVC: Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride
  36. ABS: Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene
  37. FRP: Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic
  38. PFA: Perfluoroalkoxy
  39. PTFE: Polytetrafluoroethylene
  40. GPM: Gallons Per Minute (flow rate)
  41. PSI: Pounds per Square Inch (pressure)
  42. °F: Degrees Fahrenheit (temperature)
  43. °C: Degrees Celsius (temperature)
  44. HWT: Hot Water Temperature
  45. CWT: Cold Water Temperature
  46. HVAC: Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
  47. IG: Insulated Glass
  48. IC: Insulated Copper
  49. CI: Cast Iron
  50. EXP: Expansion Joint
  51. FCV: Flow Control Valve
  52. PRV: Pressure Relief Valve
  53. SV: Safety Valve
  54. HV: Hand Valve
  55. BV: Ball Valve
  56. GV: Gate Valve
  57. CV: Check Valve
  58. RV: Globe Valve
  59. DSV: Diaphragm Valve
  60. HP: High-Pressure
  61. LP: Low-Pressure
  62. TP: Temperature and Pressure
  63. EOP: End of Pipe

Piping Symbols:

  1. Pipe: Showed in the form of a line with a diameter label.
  2. Elbow: Depicted as a curved line with the angle and the radius as stated.
  3. Tee: Illustrated by a T shaped logo.
  4. Reducer: It is represented by a line that joins two pipes of different sizes, one pipe is narrower than the other.
  5. Valve:Different valve types are depicted by certain symbols that visually depict the kind of valve being referred to.
  6. Flange: Described in the form of a circle with bolt holes around it.
  7. Pump: Expressed by a particular sign which shows the direction of flow and the position of the impeller.
  8. Heat Exchanger: Represented by a box with two tubes coming out from it as if it is the source of the light.
  9. Compressor: Illustrated by a sign that shows the direction of the movement.
  10. Instrumentation: That is why certain symbols used for several instruments are pressure indications symbols, flow indications symbols and so on.
  11. Insulation: In order to clad, that the pipe is insulated then a dashed line should be drawn round the pipe.
  12. Expansion Joint: Expressed in words on the piping in a line drawn in the manner of a zigzag or a wave.

The above abbreviations and symbols are frequently used in P&IDs and isometrics to describe piping systems and materials and components used in the systems in order to assist the engineers, designers and other technical personnel working on the systems.


 

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