PFI Standard ES-40

(Reaffirmed – September 2010)

METHOD OF DIMENSIONING
GROOVED PIPING ASSEMBLIES

Prepared by
Pipe Fabrication Institute Engineering Committee

All PFI Standards are advisory only. There is no

agreement to adhere to any PFI Standard and their
use by anyone is entirely voluntary.

Copyright by

PIPE FABRICATION INSTITUTE

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the Pipe Fabrication Industry
Since 1913
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 PFI Standard ES-40
(Reaffirmed – September 2010)

METHOD OF DIMENSIONING
GROOVED PIPING ASSEMBLIES
PFI neither endorses, approves, or recommends any specific product by issuance of this standard.

METRIC CONVERSIONS
The conversion of quantities between systems of units involves a determination of the number of significant digits to be
retained. All conversions depend upon the intended precision of the original quantity and are rounded to the appropriate
accuracy.

Pipe sizes together with applicable wall thicknesses are not shown with metric equivalents.

The SI (metric) values where included with the customary US values in this Standard are the rounded equivalents of the
US values and are for reference only.

Metric units were derived utilizing the following conversion factor:

Conversion Factor
Inches to millimeter 25.4

1. Scope 2.4 While not necessary for the determination of

the pipeline geometry, it is essential that the
1.1 This standard covers the recommended practices engineer provide the fabricator with additional
for dimensioning grooved piping assemblies in a information such as:
manner that would enable the fabricator to furnish
a product meeting the geometry intended by the a. pipe size and wall thickness
design engineer. This standard may be used in
b. material specification
conjunction with additional fabrication processes
(i.e., bending, welding, etc.) in accordance with c. type of pipe fittings to be used
PFI standards. d. bend radius for bends
e. type of branch connections to be used
2. Dimensioning f. type of grooves to be used (rolled or cut)
2.1 Piping is normally of a circular cross section. g. type of couplings to be used and location of
Thus the geometry of a piping system can be fully all rigid joints
defined by the location of the centerline axis of h. locations of all attachments
the pipe. Terminal points and points of change in i. permissible tolerances (see PFI Standard
direction of the pipe axis are known as working ES-39)
points. Since two points determine a straight line, j. system operating conditions
it is recommended that the pipe axes be located
by means of working points. Two alternate 3. Fabrication Variables
methods of locating working points are suggested 3.1 This section intended to acquaint the engineer
in 2.2 and 2.3. with the variables encountered by the
fabricator.
2.2 Fig. 1A illustrates location of the working points
along the axis of the pipe by providing 3.2 In joining the components of a fabricated
information on the length and direction of each assembly, the fabricator must consider three
consecutive segment of the axis. factors; joint type and spacing; maximum and
minimum pipe end separation and pipe fitting
2.3 Fig. 1B illustrates dimensioning by means of tolerances.
location of the work points from fixed reference
planes, such as from ground elevation, column
lines, etc.

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 PFI Standard ES-40
(Reaffirmed – September 2010)

3.3 In order to assure proper system alignment and 3.6 In fabricating the assembly, the fabricator
function, pipe ends to be joined with must take the foregoing factors into
mechanical pipe couplings are set up with a account. To achieve dimension “L” in
small gap between them called end separation. Fig. 1A, it may be necessary to adjust pipe
This separation may vary from 0 to 1/4" end separation or change joint type. As an
(6mm) depending on the type of groove, type alternate approach, appropriate adjustments
of coupling used, and the diameter of pipe. could be made to other relevant dimensions
in the piping layout to achieve the desired
3.4 Pipe end separation will vary as the piping end result.
system is assembled and put into service. With
3.7 All of the above mentioned variables are
guidance from the engineer as to the type of
beyond the control of the fabricator. The
groove, location of required rigid mechanical
Pipe Fabrication Institute recommends that
joints, system operating conditions and fitting
allowances for pipe separation be
tolerances, the fabricator can calculate the cut-
incorporated in the Engineer’s design
length of all pipe segments required to
drawings, and overall dimensions of close
complete the system.
assemblies of fittings or fittings and flanges
be determined on the basis of the net sum of
3.5 All grooved fittings and flanges are subject to
the nominal dimensions of the component
manufacturing tolerances on terminal
parts.
dimensions (end to end, face to face, center to
end, etc.). The fitting manufacturer must be
consulted for the specific tolerance to be
utilized.

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