Steel pipes are essential in ships because of their applications, including transporting fuel, air, water and lubricants. Over time, the pipes can suffer damage such as corrosion due to the nature of ocean water. As such, the pipes pose a danger to the crew because of fire risks. Also, leaks and pipe bursts can lead to massive pollution, which endangers marine life and the ocean environment. This article offers valuable information to beginners regarding steel pipe usage in the fabrication of ships. A good rule of thumb is to take a proactive move to steel pipe inspection, maintenance, and repair. 

Schedule of Pipe

In ships, the schedule of a pipe denotes the pressure rating that is assigned to the pipe. A pipe with a higher schedule of, say, 160 has a higher pressure rating compared to a lower schedule of 20. The wall thickness of a pipe increases as the schedule increases to meet pressure demands in a ship. Therefore, during steel processing, new fabricators must bear in mind the schedule of pipe, which is determined by the pipe application. 

Bend and Elbow 

During fabrication, first-timers are likely to encounter bends and elbows in steel pipes. The terms are sometimes used interchangeably, but the former refers to a change of direction in pipes. An elbow refers to different pipe angles, bend radius and size. An elbow is classified as 45 degrees, 90 degrees, long radius or short radius. Besides, bends are fabricated or designed according to the requirement of the piping while elbows are pre-fabricated and standardized. During fabrication, elbows aid in flexibility by saving material and space. Note that you are likely to use different types of steel pipe elbows depending on the design and space availability. 

Double-Skinned Pipes for Fuel 

In ships, pipes from fuel tanks to the engine combustion chambers must be treated with special care during repair because of the risk of fire hazards and pollution. The pipes are made of low-carbon steel alloys that can withstand high pressure. Also, the pipes are double-skinned so that, in the event of a fracture, the skin can protect against direct spraying. If the pipe bursts, then the fuel is trapped in the space between the main pipe and the outer skin for subsequent draining into a collecting tank. 

Steam Piping 

In ships, steam is used to heat air, water and oil indirectly. The steel pipes used to transport steam should be constructed seamlessly and linked by flanges with appropriate steam-resistant gasket materials. Only certified welders should be allowed to conduct welding on steam pipes.

Contact a steel fabrication service for more information.