The industrial landscape of Saudi Arabia is going through a revolution. As the country is bracing for major development projects, there is a huge demand for industrial products. One such product is pipe supports. They are a very versatile product and are used by multiple industries. This blog talks in detail about these supports and why you should incorporate them with your business today.
What is Pipe Support?
Industrial steel supports are used to anchor and support piping systems. They help absorb vibrations, which can be detrimental to pipe safety over time. Additionally, they also help guide the pipes along their required path. The supports anchor them to the ground, ensuring a safe and effective way to secure the pipes. Many industrial pipes go through a lot of stress, which can be caused due to a variety of reasons. In such cases, loosely secured pipes can break or cause damage to their surroundings. Al Safrik Steel’s supports are made from high-quality steel, which helps absorb vibrations as well as secure them properly.
What are the general classifications of piping supports?
When it comes to these supports, there are two main general categories. Although they are similar in function, their main purpose remains the same. The two general classifications of the supports are as follows:
Primary supports:
Primary supports attach directly to the pipes. By creating direct contact, they improve the overall integrity of the pipes and help reduce vibrations significantly. This helps in making the pipes significantly safer, which is crucial for industries such as oil etc. Some of the prominent types of primary supports are: shoe support, clamp support, to name a few.
Secondary supports:
Contrary to primary supports, secondary piping supports attach to the foundation. These supports are known for their ability to reduce movements in the pipes caused by various factors such as winds, etc. Support brackets are one of the commonly known examples of secondary pipe supports.
What are the structural classifications of piping supports?
Similar to general classification, steel supports can also be classified structurally. They are classified into the following types:
Rigid supports:
Rigid supports work by restricting the movement in one direction. This is achieved by mounting them on the foundation. These supports do not provide much flexibility. They are great for instances where you want to keep the pipe in a fixed position.
Adjustable supports:
Adjustable supports provide flexibility in terms of load-bearing capacity, height, and alignment. However, they are still somewhat rigid. These supports allow precise adjustment of the support during the installation, which helps improve precision. Due to their flexible nature, they are much more suitable for pipes that may require adjustment over time.
Elastic supports:
Unlike rigid supports, elastic supports are used where controlled movement is required. This is achieved by using a compression spring, which allows limited movement. These supports are used in piping systems that undergo thermal expansion, vibration, or dynamic loads.
What are the functional classifications of piping supports?
Finally, piping supports can also be classified based on functionality. The different types and classifications of the supports make them a highly versatile tool, suitable for each application. The functional classification of piping supports is as follows:
Loose Support:
Loose pipe supports only restrict downward vertical movement, allowing flexibility in all other directions. Ideal for thermal expansion, they keep the pipe secure while permitting it to shift naturally. They are great when paired with guides to control direction without over-restricting movement.
Longitudinal Guides:
These supports allow movement along the pipe’s length but prevent side-to-side shifts. Perfect for thermal expansion in straight runs, they help maintain alignment while reducing stress. They are commonly used with loose supports to guide pipe movement and prevent misalignment due to heat or pressure changes.
Transverse Guides:
Transverse guides restrict longitudinal movement but allow side-to-side flexibility. They’re useful in curved or dynamic systems where lateral movement is needed. By locking linear displacement, they prevent expansion-related issues while giving the pipe room to adjust in other directions. This helps ensure structural integrity without locking everything in place.
Fixed-Point Supports:
These supports restrict all movement except rotation. They act as a stable reference point for distributing forces caused by pressure or temperature. Often placed strategically in pipelines to anchor stress, fixed-point supports provide controlled rigidity while allowing slight rotational freedom to reduce system strain.
Anchor Supports:
Anchor supports fully restrict all forms of movement, both linear and rotational. Used to completely immobilize a pipe, they serve as structural anchors in high-pressure or fixed systems. They are ideal for pipelines needing absolute stability at starting or terminal points to prevent expansion, stress, or displacement.
Limit Stop Supports:
Limit stops allow pipe movement in all directions—but only up to a safe, predefined range. Once that limit is reached, further movement is restricted. This design prevents excessive shifts due to expansion or vibration, offering the flexibility of motion without compromising structural safety.
How many types of pipe supports are there?
There are multiple types of piping supports based on their classifications. Some of the commonly known types are as follows:
Clevis hangers:
These U-shaped supports attach to beams or structural elements. Their shape only allows for limited movement, which is crucial for pipes that move over time. They are highly useful for horizontal pipes as they provide balance and support.
Pipe clamps:
Also known as cushioned clamps, they come with rubber cushions that help in reducing vibrations and noise. They come in handy where minimal movement is required. One great example of their usage is residential buildings.
Pipe hangers:
Pipe hangers also come in U-shaped designs, allowing them to effectively hold pipes. They come in various sizes, which makes them a highly effective and versatile tool. Additionally, they are also adjustable, which helps provide a perfect fit on the pipes, allowing for adjustment as pipes move over time.
Shoe supports:
Certain piping systems consist of bends to make the pipes change direction. Shoe supports are specialized pipe supports that accommodate these bends. They come with base plates that provide enhanced stability.
Spring hangers:
Industries that transport sensitive materials, such as fuel, etc. require pipes that have minimal to no vibrations. Achieving this with a traditional piping support gets challenging. However, spring hangers get the job done easily. Equipped with springs, the supports minimize vibrations, whereas guides and anchors help reduce movements.
Pipe saddles:
Pipes that run for longer horizontal distances require under-support to ensure structural safety. Pipe saddles are ideal for this application. Place them under the pipes and forget about pipe safety.
Trunion supports:
Trunnion supports are short, dummy pipes that are directly welded to the main pipe. This causes them to become a rigid part of the main pipe, allowing them to support pipes both vertically and horizontally.
Which industries can benefit from pipe supports?
Pipe supports are a highly versatile tool and can be used across multiple industries. Some of the main industries that can benefit from these supports are as follows:
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Oil and gas
The oil and gas industry relies heavily on carrying crude oil and refined products. Supports like trunnions, spring hangers, etc., are crucial for the safe transportation of oil products.
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Power
Power plants make use of several pipes to handle steam, etc. These supports help reduce thermal expansion and ensure system stability.
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Water treatment
Water treatment plants and residential areas make extensive use of pipes. Managing these piping systems without any support can become difficult, which is why piping supports are crucial. Steel supports help prevent leakages, reduce noise and vibrations, and ensure smooth water flow.
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HVAC
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems extensively use pipes. Using piping supports is necessary to stabilize pipes and ensure minimum noise pollution from pipes. Additionally, they are also crucial to reducing pipe sag in the ducts.
Why should you choose Al Safrik Steel’s pipe supports?
Al Safrik Steel has a huge legacy of manufacturing high-quality steel products. All our products are engineered with the finest quality of steel paired with international standards and precise machinery. This ensures pinpoint accuracy across all products. Al Safrik Steel has a wide range of products to choose from. Our huge variety of pipe supports covers all the possible requirements, ensuring all your needs are met. Visit our website today and get your required steel supports from Al Safrik Steel.
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