In all field of engineering, especially the petrochemical industry, there are a wide range of design and regulatory standards that should be adhered to when designing a pipeline and its component parts.

However there is a significant difference between what it is legally required to carry out and what is advisory and it is important for the pipeline designer to know the difference between the two.

The Pipeline Safety Regulations are mandatory and legally must be adhered to. However apart from setting general standards they do not stipulate how they are to be complied with. That is the responsibility of the designer and the pipeline operating company.

Design standards on the other hand such as British Standards are advisory documents. They stipulate what is good practice and what the common standards should be to ensure compatibility of components between manufactures such that pipe fittings from one manufacturer will fit with pipe flanges from another manufacturer. They also set the standards for materials such as duplex and super duplex stainless steels so that the purchaser can be assured of the quality of the material being purchased.

At Chemipetro we manufacture a wide range of pipe fittings and component parts to internationally recognised standards.

However they are not meant to deter design innovation and development. So a new component can be used even if it does not specifically meet the standards as set down in a related British Standard provided it can be provided that it does not reduce recognised safety standards in operation.

So although the designer must adhere to regulations, they can develop new ideas without unnecessary constraints.