General Equipment Layout Considerations

Process flow sequence and operating procedures should be thoroughly understood so that equipment arrangement in the plot plan is functional. Equipment should be arranged in logistic process sequence for optimum piping runs and operational and maintenance ease. Spacing between equipment shall be adequate for undertaking maintenance jobs.

The unit pipe rack should be kept in the centre, thereby splitting the unit into two or more areas of equipment. Pumps may be arranged in two rows close to and on either side of the pipe rack. Heat Exchangers and vessels should be grouped together forming outer rows on both sides of the rack.

Horizontal Clearances in a Process Plant                                                

Sr.

Description

Distance (mm)

1

From centerline railroad track to any obstruction

3000

2

Width of primary and secondary road excluding 1500 mm shoulders

6000

3

Clearance from edge of road shoulder to nearest structure, equipment or piping

1500

4

Horizontal clearance for equipment maintenance by manual equipment, passage way at grade or access isle

1200

5

Minimum clear platform width in front of equipment manways

900

6

 Minimum clearance around any obstruction on a platform

 600

7

 At driver end of pumps, where truck access is required

 3000

8

At driver end of pumps, where truck access is not required

1500

9

For compressors: removal length of piston and end assembly plus this much mm from inside of building wall or adjacent equipment

1500

10

At shell cover end of exchangers at grade, for accessway

1200

11

Maintenance platforms at ends of elevated exchangers

900

12

Between extremities, including piping of adjacent pumps

900

Access Requirement Criteria                                              

Sr.

Component

Min Access Required

1

Small Thermal Relief Valves in Piperack

Portable Ladder

2

Orifice Run in Pipe Rack

Portable Ladder

3

Relief Valves above 5 Meters from Grade

Permanent Platform

4

Frequent Operation Components

Permanent Platform

5

Equipment Manways and Nozzle upto 4500 mm from Grade

Portable Platform

6

Equipment Upto 3000 mm above Grade

Portable Platform

Headrooms in Process Unit

Sr.

Description

Distance (mm)

1

Over Primary Plant Roads

 5500

2

Over Accessways in Process Unit

 4600

3

Over railroads, Top of rail to bottom of overhead obstruction

7000

4

Over Primary Access Roads

 6500

5

Under Pipe Racks for Equipment Access

3000

6

Over Pumps and Turbines from Grade

 2400

7

Over walkways, passageways and platforms to nearest obstruction

2150

Platform, Ladders and Stairways

Platforms, ladders and stairways shall be in the minimum consistent with access and safety requirements. Access to platforms shall be by permanent side step ladder.

The need for stairways shall be determined based on platform elevation, number of points requiring attention, observation and adjustments and the frequency of same. When there is more than 23000 mm of travel from the primary access on a platform, a secondary means of escape shall be provided. Safety cages not required for ladders serving platform 2500 mm or less above the high point of finished surface.

Safety cage not required for ladders serving platforms 2500 mm or less above originating platform provided the space between the ladder and the edge of the platform is a minimum of 1200 mm. Safety cages are not required for short ladders.

Maximum uninterrupted ladder length distance between vertical platforms shall not exceed 9000 mm. Maximum rise on a staircase shall not exceed 20 steps. The preferred distance of a platform below the centerline of a manway shall be 750 mm, max 1000mm and min 600 mm.

Spacing Between Equipments

Equipment should be spaced to permit use of mobile equipment and power tools or servicing and maintaining equipment during turn around periods.