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P&ID Symbol Diagram

Basics - Part 1
Purpose, Owner & Contents

Version Date Description

A 2018/03/01 First Release
B 2020/11/03 New format
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Index

P&ID Diagrams Series 3

1.P&ID 3

1.1. What is “P&ID”? 6

2.What is P&ID used for? 7

2.1. At design stage: 8

2.2. During operation: 8

3.Owner 9

4.Contents and Conventions 10

4.1. What is included in a P and ID? 10

The process / piping part includes: 11

The Electrical & Instrumentation part includes: 12

4.2. Conventions in Constructing Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams 13

5. References 14

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P&ID Diagrams Series

This is the first part of a series of articles related to P&ID diagrams. I have
created these articles with young engineers in mind who want to learn more
about this representation system. I hope you like it and want to read more!
Thank you.

1.P&ID
If you are interested to know more about subjects like Standards and
Guidelines read our free introduction to these concepts in our article P&ID
Diagram Basics – Part 2 – International Standards.

If you are interested to know more about subjects like Functional Identification
and Instrument Numbering read our free introduction to these concepts in our
article P&ID Diagram Basics – Part 3 – Functional Identification and Naming
Conventions.

PART1 P&ID Diagram

Piping and instrumentation diagram (P&ID) has a fundamental importance in

process automation and process industry. It gives an overall view of the entire
process loop of the facility. The Automation, Systems and Instrumentation
Dictionary in its 4th edition defines what Piping and Instrumentation Drawing

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do: P&IDs “show the interconnection of process equipment and the

instrumentation used to control the process”.

They are used as an element of communication between engineering, plant

operation, maintenance and construction, since they show detail information
about the plant relating to equipment, pipeline, instrumentation and common
services. P&ID must be maintained accurately and updated.

The creation of the instrumentation diagram or p&id constitutes an important

phase in the design of a process plant.

It is a diagram of the systems / equipment present in a section of the plant.

It shows the necessary graphical elements to execute, monitor and control

specific processes.

The P&ID diagram does not describe the chemical reactions involved in the
process nor does it describe procedures of the same.

It is an essential document in the process industry.

Any change made in the process must be reflected in the diagram, for
example if an additional pump is installed, it is important because your safety
and that of your collaborators could depend on this action.

From the point of view of the control, they show information related to the
control loops, although it is not always possible to represent the entire control
structure. To maintain clarity and save space in these diagrams, the complex
logic is not shown, it is shown in the logic diagrams ISA-5.2-1976 (R1992).

From engineering point of view, Piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs)

are the foundation of the E/I&C (electrical/instrumentation and control)
engineering package of deliverables.

A P&ID is a diagram that shows condensed information from multiple

specialties.

This type of documents (the P&ID diagrams) show, from the point of view of
the process, different measures such as pressure, flow, level, etc. and their
respective control schemes in relation to the elements of the plant and its

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interconnection pipes. These elements (mechanical equipment,

piping, piping components, valves, equipment drivers and instrumentation
and controls) are represented by symbols and labels. A standard set of
symbols is used to prepare drawings of control systems and processes.
Symbols have been developed to represent all of the components used in
industrial processing, and have been standardized by ANSI and ISA.

The process equipment is shown using basically symbols such as bubbles

(circles or balloons) and others to indicate valves, actuators, flow meters, etc
These symbols are assembled on the drawing in a manner that clearly
defines the process.

The symbols used in these diagrams are based on the following standards :

• Standard ANSI / ISA-5.1-1984 (R1992) Symbols and identification of

instrumentation, this standard was developed by ISA-The
Instrumentation, Systems and Automation Society (ISA) and the
American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

• Standard ISA–5.3–1983, Graphic Symbols for Distributed Control/

Shared Display Instrumentation Logic, and Computer Systems.
ISA vs SAMA symbology

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In some cases, the control schemes are too complex to be shown in a

P&ID diagram, in this case, independent functional control diagrams are
created.

For the design of specific diagrams it is possible to use the ISA symbology or
SAMA symbology (The Association of Scientific Apparatus Manufacturers
withdrew and no longer supports its standards, they are available only for
historical purposes and general information).

Although the P&ID is the overall document used to define the process, the
first document developed in the evolution of a process design is often the
PFD (Process Flow Diagrams), the Process Flow Diagram. Once a PFD is
released for detail design, the project scope has been established and P&ID
development may commence.

1.1. What is “P&ID”?

Pronounced as P.N.I.D

There is no universal standard that specifies the meaning of the letters P&ID.
Usually, for example, the “P” in P&ID can mean Pipe, Plant or Process. The
“I” refers to Instrument or Instrumentation. The “D” is for Drawing or Diagram.

P&ID Diagram Basics

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Although the final format is the same for all cases, the different names given
to this type of diagram are shown below:

• Pipe Diagrams and Instrumentation Diagram

• Process and Instrumentation Diagram
• Piping and Instrumentation Diagram

In this post, for simplicity, we will refer to the document by the acronym, P&ID.

2.What is P&ID used for?

The objective of the P&ID diagram is to show the necessary information in
order to understand the relationship between the conceptual design of the
process, developed through the PFD and HMB diagrams, with reality.

PFD and HMB have only a minimum of information related to the physical
aspects of the pipeline or the instrumentation of a system. The P&ID provides
the link between the conceptual and the actual.

Chemical Plant

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2.1. At design stage:

• Defines the design basis for Piping and Instrumentation disciplines. It is
used as a document that defines the base process, from which all the
engineering, manufacturing, construction and operation will be
developed.

• Serves to show and agree the operating and maintenance features

between Engineer and Owner or between Engineer and Vendor.

• Serves to show the interface with equipment/package vendors.

• Perform HAZOP design/review. It is used as a reference document for

the management of process safety information (PSI) in Process Safety
Management (PSM).It allows obtaining the necessary information to be
able to analyze the hazards of the process, the potential failures and
the existing safeguards in order to minimize the greatest number of
errors in operation, design or humans.

2.2. During operation:

• Reference diagram for operator, work permit, plant modifications etc.

• Process technicians use P&IDs to identify all of the equipment,

instruments, and piping found in their units.

• New operators or technicians use these drawings during their initial

training period. Knowing and recognizing these symbols is important for
a new operator/technician.

• Train Process Operators. Part of the training would pose situations and
require the operators to be able to describe what specific valve should
be changed, how it should be changed, and what to observe in order to
monitor the effects of the change.

• Support document in the development of operation and maintenance

procedures.

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• Development of start-up/stop procedures where the plant is not under

the influence of the installed process control systems.

• During SAT, as a checklist against which each item in the plant is

checked.

• Instrumentation and Control Systems Maintenance. The process and

instrumentation or piping and Instrumentation diagram (P&ID) is
probably the document most used by instrumentation and control
system maintenance personnel.

• Instrumentation engineering. The P&ID diagram is the main and almost

ideal document to synthesize all required measurement and control
functions.

The P&ID is the last stage of the design of the plant, and therefore serves as
a guide for those who will be responsible for the final design and
construction. Based on this diagram:

• Mechanical engineers and civil engineers will design and install pieces
of equipment.

• Instrument engineers will specify, install, and check control systems.

• Piping engineers will develop plant layout and elevation drawings.

• Project engineers will develop plant and construction schedules.

3.Owner
The P&ID is the daughter of the Process Flow Diagram (PFD), a mechanical
discipline product, and the heat and material balance (HMB) sheet, a process
engineering product.

They are usually constituted by process engineers and control engineers

during the design and construction of the plant, with the process engineers
being the persons authorized to validate the changes.

The “owner” of the P&ID is usually the Process Engineer or Operation

Responsible.
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This individual or group coordinates the information that is placed in

the diagram to ensure that it is consistent with the purpose of the document.

This coordination is required to regulate the information provided by the

different departments towards this document.

Below is a list of some of the different specialties within the engineering that
provide information for it to be reflected in this diagram:

• Process Engineering: diagram content, process data, vendor equipment

depiction.

• Mechanical Engineering: pipe ID (identification, not inside diameter)

numbers, equipment numbers and labels, graphical depiction of
equipment and piping.

• Instrumentation Engineering: instrument numbers; graphical

presentation of instruments and instrument wiring/tubing, Type of
Instruments.

• Controls/Systems Engineering: control logic depictions,

Communications among Control Systems.

• Electrical Engineering: motor ratings, motor wiring depictions.

Usually the creation and maintenance of this type of diagram is the

responsibility of the mechanical department.

4.Contents and Conventions

4.1. What is included in a P and ID?
A P&ID diagram a complex representation of the various production units
found in a plant.

It is used by people from different disciplines.

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The main users of the document after the start-up of the plant are the process
technicians and instrument and electrical, mechanical, safety, and
engineering personnel.

This section will aid in solving the long existing and continuing problem of
confusing information on P&IDs. The fact that there is confusion can be
understood because there really is no universal, national or international,
multidiscipline standard that covers the development and content of P&ID and
specifies what information should be included on a P&ID or even, for that
matter, the meaning of the letters P&ID.

All control function directly connected to the process shall be shown on P&ID.
The P&ID diagram a graphic index of all the main process equipment, and all
the main sections of pipe instruments, and shows their functional
relationships.

P&ID typically show the following types of information:

The process / piping part includes:

• Major and minor equipment present in process/plant such as vessels,

drums, pumps, reactors … showing
◦ Name and Number
◦ Location
◦ Capacity
◦ Pressure
◦ Liquid Level
◦ Usage
◦ Spare units
◦ Parallel units
◦ Summary details of each unit

• All piping and transport equipments for process and utility fluids.
Including
◦ Specification of Materials of construction
◦ Identification of the pipe
◦ Flow directions
◦ Size of the pipe, Schedule (thickness)

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◦ Insulation (thickness and type). Information relative to insulation

(hot or cold) and tracing of pipes or equipments.
◦ Safety devices.
◦ Include Drains, Sample Connections

The Electrical & Instrumentation part includes:

• All motors, giving voltage, power, and other relevant information like
buttons used to control them.

• All required function to control the process like Indicators, Recorders,

Controllers , including:
◦ Measurement technology (graphical symbols of instruments)
◦ Location of instrument
◦ Major function
◦ Process control loop number
◦ Range
◦ System used to perform automation task (local instrument, DCS,
PLC…)

• All control valves, giving

◦ Type of control
◦ Type of valve
◦ Type of valve action
◦ Fail-save features
◦ Actuator technology (graphical symbols of valves)
◦ Communication link between instruments systems and actuators
(electric, digital pneumatic/hydraulic).
◦ Flow and pressure information

• Self controlled valves

• Main instruments required to perform these functions (Essential items to

understand the functionalities required).

• All safety valves and pressure regulators, giving temperature and

operating ranges

• Interlocks and safety related functions

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According to plant size, it will be represented on one to many P&I diagrams.

Generally, plants are divided in several areas, each area corresponding to
one or more P&IDs diagrams. It is recommended to extend the P&ID
approach for other parts or system than Process.

• Fire and Gas detection systems: P&I based on Layout drawings

showing gas, fire or smoke detectors, emergency button …
• Fire protection systems
• Package equipments
• Analyzers

4.2. Conventions in Constructing Piping and

Instrumentation Diagrams
There are no universal standards that address the format to be used in
developing P&IDs. The format used by most design groups has been
developed over many years. However, here are a few guidelines that serve
as a simplistic de facto standard:

• The devices are represented as icons. An item is shown only in one

P&ID.

• Normally the plant layout of the equipment as well as the PFD is shown
from left to right.

• The process flows from the left of the P&ID to the right.

• P&IDs are developed as “D” size sheets (22″ x 34″) or larger, but
should be legible when reduced to “B” size (11″ x 17″) for ease of use
in the office and in the field.

• P&IDs should show sufficient information to define the process without

crowding. One to three pieces of equipment with auxiliaries is normally
sufficient for one P&ID.

• P&ID diagrams do not usually use colors to indicate or convey their

meaning. Colors are used at the design level in a monitor but are
usually printed in black and white.

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• To reduce clutter, a typical detail can be used for repeated components

(see the “typical drain” on Figure 2-21).

• When piping gets complex, auxiliary P&IDs are used.

• Add notes for understanding and clarity.

• Show relative sizes of equipment, but do not include specific elevations

or dimensions. They do not show the scale of the elements or their
geometry. They also do not show information regarding the orientation
of the team or its actual location.

• Every set of P&IDs should include a legend sheet, or sheets, to define

the symbols and abbreviations used.

• The free space on a P&ID should facilitate addition of future process

changes; it is best not to start with congested P&IDs.

• The pneumatic piping is shown where the information is important to

communicate the functionality of the controls, and the information of the
electrical wiring is presented (in the form of dotted lines) to
communicate the functional intention to the electrical and
instrumentation disciplines.

5. References
• MEIER,F.A.
(2004) Instrumentation and Control Systems Documentation

• ISA-5.1-1984
(R1992), Instrument Symbols and Identification

• ISA-5.4-1991
Instrument Loop Diagrams

• ISA-S5.5-1985
Graphic Symbols for Process Displays

• SAMSON
(2013) Terminology and Symbols in Control Engineering

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• ANDREW,W.G.
(1974) Applied Instrumentation in the Process Indust Resource Material
– William G. Andrew & H. B. Williams

• BATTIKHA,N. E.
(2006) Condensed Handbook of Measurement and Control

• DOUGLAS,O.J.
(2005) Applied Technology and Instrumentation for Process Control

• DUNN,W.C.
(2006) Introduction to Instrumentation Sensors And Process Control

• GOETTSCHE,L.D.
(2005) Maintenance of Instruments and Systems

• ANSI/ISA-5.1-1984
Instrument Symbols and Identification, ISA, Research Triangle Park,
NC, 1984.

• HUGHES,T.
(2002) Measurement and Control Basics

• ISA
(2012) Successful Instrumentation and Control Systems Design

• LOVE,J.
(2007) Process Automation Handbook – A Guide to Theory and Practice

• SIEMENS
(2012) Procidia Control Solutions SAMA Diagrams for Boiler Controls

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