PIP PN03NU0S01

This Practice provides guidance for the design and layout of process units and offsites. This guide should be used as a starting point for the development of plans, electronic models, and working drawings for process units and offsites. This Practice should be coordinated with the overall site and offsites layout for geotechnical, grading, zoning, building codes, life safety code, fire codes, other regulatory requirements, and owner’s and insurer’s risk assessment requirements.

This Practice describes the guidelines for the layout of plot areas, equipment, pipe racks, piping, platforms, roadways, and other miscellaneous items. Layout includes equipment location, access and egress for personnel safety, access for operations and maintenance, and provisions for operational housekeeping and constructability.

This Practice does not cover requirements for owner safety and property protection needs (e.g., loss prevention, vapor cloud explosions, or environmental or flare/vent stack requirements). Spacings shown in the “Recommended Equipment Spacing Charts” in this Practice are based on industry experience predominantly from a fire exposure/asset loss stand point and are generally applicable for facilities processing flammable and combustible gases and liquids.

This Practice should be used by persons knowledgeable in the governing laws, codes and regulations applicable to the specific facility to ensure that minimum access/egress and equipment spacing is provided to permit compliance with safety regulations. This Practice does not cover the requirements of laws, codes, and regulations in detail, it only provides general guidance or as a pointer for more information.