There are several different types of pipe supports. Each is to constrain the movement of a pipe in one, two, or three space coordinates. Manufacturers usually offer a catalog showing all the support types available. Learn more about these different types of pipe supports and which one best suits your needs.
Adjustable pipe supports
Adjustable pipe supports are a great way to secure pipes of any length. They can support pipes of up to four inches in diameter. Clamps or rollers can secure these pipe supports. Using the correct support can save you time and headaches. These pipe supports can be used in various applications, including HVAC and electrical system maintenance.
Adjustable supports come in a wide variety of styles. Most of these are composed of a support section and an adjustable stand. The support section harnesses the pipe and secures it with a pipe restraint. These restraints are adjustable U-bolt or lock nuts that raise or lower the pipe. Adjustable pipe supports allow you to adjust the height of the pipe and provide a safe and easy way to access the pipes and work on them.
Rigid pipe supports
Rigid pipe supports are used to limit the movement of a pipe and are installed into the pipe’s foundation. They are non-adjustable and come in three main varieties: pipe shoes, dummy legs, and struts. Other types include slide plates, t-slides, and pipe hangers.
Rigid pipe supports have several characteristics, but they all have one thing in common: they must support the weight of the pipe itself and any fittings and flange assemblies attached to it. Additionally, they must support the additional load of any internal or external coating on the pipe. Rigid pipe supports are also required where pipes are directionally changed.
The primary advantage of adjustable pipe supports over rigid pipe supports is that they do not require welding. It makes them the perfect choice for installations in which the pipe is in a tight space. They can also be adjusted manually, which means that they require less maintenance. Maintenance of adjustable pipe supports is also easy because they do not need skilled welders, and no welding inspection is required.
Shoe support
Shoe supports are used to support pipes over a structural member. They generally comprise an integral base and saddle that provide a larger contact area with the pipe and adjacent structural member.
Shoe supports are not permanently connected to the pipe and are placed outside the pipe insulation cladding. It ensures that outside air cannot penetrate the pipe surface, which can cause condensation and corrosion issues. The shoe must be compatible with the pipe material. There are two types of shoe supports; hot shoe and cold shoe. Hot shoe supports are used in high-temperature systems, and cold shoe supports are used for low-temperature piping systems.
Shoe supports are essential to pipe support systems because they help elevate heavy-weight piping. They also insulate pipes from beams and other structures, preventing electrochemical transfer, galvanic corrosion, and insulation grinding against each other. They also help reduce heat transfer. The best pipe shoes are shaped to prevent thermal expansion, leading to high friction points.
Variable spring hanger pipe support
Variable spring hanger pipe supports are designed to resist thermal expansion. Their stiffness is based on the hot load that is placed on them. A spring’s rate measures force per unit length in N/mm. Other characteristics of the spring include travel, which is the vertical movement the spring can make under piping loads. In addition, the spring’s pre-compression length represents the initial compression of the spring for a sustained load. These factors will determine the maximum vertical travel of the spring hanger.
When determining the maximum load for a variable spring hanger pipe support, the stress engineer should consider the temperature and the operating conditions. The temperature can significantly affect the load distribution in a piping system. During cold conditions, the force applied by the spring hanger will be smaller than the load applied by the piping system.
However, in hot conditions, the weight of the pipe may cause the hanger to become unbalanced. Therefore, the spring hanger must be calibrated for the temperature and pressure of the piping system before being shipped to the site. To avoid this issue, the spring hanger should be positively locked against any UP or DOWN movement until the piping system is ready to operate. Before putting the piping system into operation, the travel stops must be removed. You may check the manufacturer’s website to learn more about this!
Engineered pipe supports
A Piping Stress Engineer designs engineered pipe supports to meet the demands of specific piping systems. This pipe supports often have moving parts and come in different materials and configurations. Other supports are available, including pipe clamps, shock absorbers, and variable spring hangers.
Another type of pipe support is anchor support. This support is welded or bolted to the concrete or steel structure. They are used to restrain piping from moving freely in all directions. However, these supports are rarely used in piping systems.