Understanding the terminology used in the Pipe Support industry is essential. Many terms are often used interchangeably, so it is important to use them coherently and consistently.
Pipe Support Manufacturing Terms
Adjustable: Capable of being adjusted, typically using threads.
Anchor: A pipe support intended to restrict pipe movement at a designated location.
Beam Clamp: A forged or fabricated clamp used to attach rod hangers to beams by securing onto the load flange.
Base: The bottom component of a pipe support that upholds the piping system.
Base Supports: These supports, such as trunnions, stanchions, or pipe branches added to straight pipes, elbows, or transitions, serve as a support stand for sections of pipe. They are ideal for use in situations where little to no movement is expected.
Bracket: A cantilevered member, optionally equipped with a knee brace, designed to support gravity loads and resist horizontal forces.
Clevis Hanger: A pipe attachment that provides vertical adjustment, consisting of a clevis-style top bolted to a formed steel bottom strap.
Composite: Typically a compound plastic or polymer material, composites offer a cost-effective solution for protecting uninsulated piping systems from common issues such as metal-to-metal contact, friction damage, and galvanic corrosion.
Cope: A precision cut made to a component, allowing it to fit seamlessly against another component or existing structure/pipe.
Cryogenic: Refers to materials at extremely low temperatures (below -150ºC).
Cryogenic Pipe Support: Also known as a “cold shoe,” this assembly provides support to a piping system without dissipating the cryogenic temperatures at specific points.
Component: Any device used in the assembly of a Pipe Support.
Constant Support Hanger: A device incorporating mechanical and spring elements to provide a consistent support effect.
Dummy Leg: A pipe section acting as a support between a pipe and a nearby support point.
Epoxy: A two-part chemical compound that bonds most substrates and is typically resistant to chemicals, shocks, and extreme temperatures.
Eye Rod: A Hanger Rod with an end formed into a circular or pear shape, allowing attachment via a bolt or pin. The eye can be forged, welded, or non-welded.
Eye Socket: A device for attaching a threaded Hanger Rod to another component via a bolt.
Fabrication: The process of cutting and shaping materials into required forms.
Flat Bar: A flat, rectangular metal section with square edges, available in various sizes.
Flat Plate: Composite plates that protect flat surfaces from friction, corrosion, and wear. (Not to be confused with Flat Bar.)
Forged Clevis: A device for connecting a threaded Hanger Rod to a bolted or pinned connection.
FRP: Fiber-Reinforced Polymer, a composite material made of a plastic resin matrix reinforced with fibers like glass, carbon, or aramid.
Guide: A device allowing pipe movement in a predetermined direction while restricting movement in others.
Hanger: A type of pipe support that suspends the piping system from above rather than supporting it from below. Available with or without insulation.
Hanger Rod: A round, threaded steel bar used to connect components in a Pipe Hanger Assembly.
Heavy Bracket: A bracket designed to support heavy loads.
Hold Down Straps: Restraints resembling a combination of a Clamp and U-Bolt, designed to protect uninsulated carbon steel pipes while keeping them securely in place.
Hot Dip Galvanizing: A corrosion protection process involving the immersion of materials in molten zinc.
Hot Shoe: An assembly that provides necessary support to a piping system without dissipating elevated temperatures at specific points.
Line Stop: Pipe guides that restrict movement in two directions, protecting pipes from bending and buckling.
Load Scale: A scale on a Variable Spring Hanger that indicates the supported load.
Load Variation: The difference in support provided by a Variable Spring Hanger between hot and cold positions.
Mark Number: A unique identifier for pipe hangers.
Offset: The relative displacement between the Structural Attachment and Pipe Attachment, incorporated into the design of a Pipe Hanger Assembly to accommodate pipe movement.
Pipe Attachment: Any device used to connect a pipe to the remainder of a Pipe Hanger Assembly.
Pipe Clamp: A bolted Pipe Attachment that clamps around a pipe to connect it to a Pipe Hanger Assembly.
Pipe Clip: A Pipe Attachment used to secure a pipe to a structure, also known as a strap or pipe strap.
Pipe Hanger: A device that suspends a piping system from a structure, carrying the load in tension.
Pipe Hanger Assembly: A collection of assembled components that form a Pipe Hanger, Pipe Support, Restraint, Anchor, Guide, etc.
Pipe Support: An assembly that supports a piping system at a designated location.
Pipe Roller: A roller device supporting horizontal pipes, allowing for axial movement.
Pipe Saddle Supports: A stanchion with a curved section cradling the pipe.
Pipe Shield: Protective components used to safeguard insulation and minimize jacket penetration at hanger spots on insulated pipes.
Pipe Shoe: A device supporting a pipe from below, carrying the weight in compression. Can be made from metal or composites.
Repad: A reinforcing pad used to strengthen high-stress points on a pipe.
Restraint: A device that restricts movement, typically of a pipe.
Rigid Hanger: A Pipe Hanger that does not allow vertical movement.
Rigid Support: A Pipe Support that does not permit vertical movement.
Riser: A vertical portion of a piping system.
Riser Clamp: A Pipe Clamp for supporting vertical piping, featuring separate Load Bolts to transfer the load to the remainder of the Pipe Hanger Assembly.
Saddle: A support that cradles a pipe and transfers its load to a supporting base.
Slide Plates: Bearing surfaces designed to reduce friction and wear in structural components at expansion and contraction joints.
Stanchion: A pipe support designed to prevent movement in any direction and eliminate system rotation.
Thermoplastic Rods: Acetal rods that prevent pipe corrosion by inhibiting the formation of corrosion cells, thereby extending the life of the piping system.
Threaded Rod: A rod that is threaded along its entire length.
Three Bolt Pipe Clamp: A Pipe Clamp typically used for horizontal insulated piping, featuring clamping bolts and a separate Load Bolt for weight transfer.
Trunnion: A support that reinforces vertical pipe sections and stabilizes piping systems.
Turnbuckle: A device with left-hand and right-hand female threaded ends, used to connect two threaded rods and provide linear adjustment.
U-Bolt: A U-shaped rod with threaded ends, used to secure a pipe to a supporting member.
Variability: The Load Variation of a Variable Spring Hanger divided by the Hot Load, expressed as a percentage.
Variable Spring Hanger: A spring device that provides varying support while allowing vertical pipe movement.
Wear Pad (composite): Composite pads designed to prevent metal-to-metal damage and extend the life of piping systems by isolating pipes from supports.
Welded Beam Attachment: A U-shaped flat bar device welded to a steel beam, connecting the Pipe Hanger Assembly.
Welded Pipe Attachment: A Pipe Attachment welded to a pipe, connecting it to the Pipe Hanger Assembly.
Weldless Eye Nut: A forged steel device for attaching a threaded Hanger Rod to a bolt or pin connection.
In conclusion, understanding the terminology is crucial when managing any project. Distinguishing between a support and a hanger is essential for preventing structural issues.
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