C H A P T E R

13
Pipi I etric

WHAT IS AN ISOMETRIC? like ttings, fanges, or valves are incorporated. However,

by combining the height, width, and depth dimensions
An isometric is a type o three-dimensional draw- ound on Plan, Section, or Elevation views, a single pic-
ing known as a pictorial. Isometrics, or isos as they are torial view can result in a drawing that provides greater
commonly called, are developed using the three pri- clarity o the piping con guration. A comparison between
mary dimensions o an object: height, width, and depth. the orthographic views shown in Figure 13.3 and the iso-
Unlike orthographic drawings that represent the height, metric in Figure 13.4 demonstrates that an isometric with
width, and depth dimensions in separate views (see piping symbols is obviously clearer and easier to under-
Figure 13.1), the isometric combines the three dimensions stand than standard orthographic views.
o the object into a single view to provide a pictorial rep- The piping isometric is an important drawing that
resentation o the object (see Figure 13.2). To include the serves several purposes. It is the primary source or
height, width, and depth dimensions in a single view, an material take-off o each pipe con guration in the acility.
isometric must be drawn on axes that measure 30° rom Material Take-o is the process by which each individual
the horizontal plane, as shown in Figure 13.2. component that makes up a pipe con guration is tabu-
Like the ront, Top, and Right Side views in Figure 13.1, lated or purchase or procurement. This means all pip-
Piping Plans, Sections, and Elevations o er limited visu- ing components (elbows, fanges, nuts, bolts, washers,
alization o an object, especially when piping components gaskets, etc.) must be counted so that purchases o those

FIGURE 13.1 Orthographic views. FIGURE 13.2 Isometric view.

Pipe Drafting and Design. 269 © 2012

2011 El evier I c. All ri ht re erved.
270 13. PIPIng IsomETRICs

completed isometrics to build shop spools. Shop spools are

detailed speci cally or pipe welders and tters with pre-
cise cut-lengths and weld symbols, which are not typi-
cally shown on isos. A ter con gurations are abricated,
X-rayed, painted, and shipped to the construction site,
isometric drawings serve as an aid to the construction
and erection o the acility by providing workers with the
locations o tie-ins, connections, and routings.
Most engineering and construction companies develop
a piping isometric o every piping con guration to be
installed in the acility. Piping isometrics are typically cre-
ated single-line regardless o the pipe’s nominal size. Each
pipe line is drawn or plotted individually on a sheet o
paper with its tabulated BOM. Pipe isometrics are also
drawn as a schematic, which means they are not drawn to
scale. One common isometric symbol or ttings, fanges,
and valves will represent all sizes o pipe. No attempt is
made to represent a pipe’s actual size or pound rating
graphically. This in ormation is conveyed through the
use o callouts and notes, particularly the line number,
FIGURE 13.3 Piping orthographic views. placed on the drawing. Although piping isometrics are
not drawn to scale, dra ters should make every e ort to
draw them proportionally. Drawing an iso proportionally
simply means one should draw a 10-0 run o pipe twice
as long as a 5-0 length o pipe, when possible.
To be success ul in drawing isometrics, the pipe
dra ter must be able to interpret the in ormation con-
veyed by the drawing symbols o ttings, fanges, or
valves represented on piping arrangement, section, and
elevation drawings and trans er that in ormation to the
isometric. Note in Figures 13.3 and 13.4 that the elbow
symbols di er in the orthographic and isometric views.
Piping symbols used on plan, section, or elevation draw-
ings dictate whether a pipe turns le t, right, up, or down.
When the pipe represented on an orthographic drawing
makes a change in direction, that change must also be
refected on the isometric drawing. The point at which
the pipe changes direction can be re erred to as the turn-
ing point (TP). To correctly draw the isometric represen-
tation o a pipe shown on a plan, section, or elevation
view, the pipe dra ter must be knowledgeable in the use
o piping symbols used in orthographic views and the
corresponding symbols used on isometric views.
To make piping isometrics look standardized, com-
panies that hand-draw isometrics use drawing paper
that has preprinted isometric grid lines that are used
as a drawing aid to establish uni orm sizes or tting,
FIGURE 13.4 Piping isometric view. fange, and valve symbols. Remember piping isometrics
are not drawn to any particular scale. No matter what
size or pound rating the ttings are, they are all drawn
items can be made. The tabulated results are re erred to the same size. Figure 13.5 shows the size and shape o
as the Bill o Materials, or BOM. Isometrics also serve as manually drawn isometric symbols or ttings, fanges,
abrication drawings. Once drawn and properly dimen- and valves relative to the isometric grid. These symbols
sioned, isometrics are provided to abricators who build are typical o industry applications and should be used
each piping con guration. Fabricators will use the as a guide when drawing piping isometrics.

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 WHAT Is An IsomETRIC? 271

FIGURE 13.5 Isometric piping symbols.

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FIGURE 13.6 Creating isometric piping symbols using AutoCAD.

l Step 1. Drawing setup. Set the SNAP Style to Isometric. Set the vertical spacing to 0.125. Set SNAP to 0.0625.
l Step 2. Using the isometric grid as a guide draw the desired symbols.
l Step 3. ROTATE each symbol –30° about a centralized point (Base Point in Step 3 illustration).
l Step 4. Create a BLOCK o each symbol. Use a name that accurately describes the component. Select a Base Point that will permit convenient
attachment to other components in an isometric.

Isometric symbols drawn with AutoCAD can be by trans erring distance and direction rom the ortho-
developed so that a single orientation o the symbol can graphic view. Similarly, on piping isometrics, estab-
be used in any o the isometric axes. Isometric symbols lishing a point o re erence is imperative. Although
can be drawn, rotated, and BLOCKed or repeated use the A can be seen in Figures 13.3 and 13.4, it is not an
in any drawing at any isometric angle. Initially symbols adequate point o re erence. The complexity o piping
or ttings, fanges, or valves are drawn on the north/ con gurations requires a more descriptive “point o
south isometric axis, but be ore they can be used in the re erence” be used to establish orientation between the
other isometric axes, they must be rotated 30° about orthographic and isometric views. In the piping dis-
a Base Point placed on the center o the symbol. Use the cipline a north arrow is used as a “point o re erence.”
step-by-step procedures provided below and illustrated Accurate isometric layout is based on the correlation
in Figure 13.6 to create isometric piping symbols using o the orientation o the north arrow on the Piping
AutoCAD commands. Arrangement drawing and the north arrow on the pip-
Figure 13.7a,b show the size o the symbols relative ing isometric. Figure 13.8 illustrates the representation
to the isometric grid in AutoCAD. Companies that use o the north arrow on the arrangement drawing and the
3D plant modeling so tware use the so tware’s eature north arrow on the isometric.
that automatically generates isometrics o the modeled Knowing that the Piping Arrangement drawing is a
pipes. Isos generated by modeling programs are ully plan, or top, view drawing, a pipe can be determined
dimensioned, including notes and callouts, and have a to be turning north, south, east, or west when oriented
completed BOM. It is common however that revisions relative to the drawing’s North Arrow. So, i a pipe that
be made to those isos to refect client design require- has been traveling north turns down and then east on
ments and drawing enhancements. the arrangement drawing, it should also be shown to
travel north, turn down, and then east on the isometric
drawing. Figure 13.9 illustrates the correlation between
ISOMETRIC ORIENTATION pipe components shown in a Plan View and those same
items in an isometric view. As you may notice, items
Note in Figures 13.1 and 13.2 how the height, width, that can be di cult to visualize on the Plan View draw-
and depth dimensions o the L-shaped object in the ing become much more evident on the isometric.
orthographic views are oriented on the isometric view Most companies pre er to draw piping isometrics
with A as a point o re erence. By using a point o re - with the north arrow pointing up and to the right. An
erence, proper orientation o the isometric can occur alternate position is to draw the North Arrow pointing

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 IsomETRIC oRIEnTATIon 273

FIGURE 13.7 (a,b) AutoCAD isometric piping symbols.

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274 13. PIPIng IsomETRICs

FIGURE 13.7 (Continued)

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 DRAWIng PIPIng IsomETRICs 275

FIGURE 13.8 Orthographic and isometric north arrows.

FIGURE 13.10 Alternate isometric orientation.

can develop an isometric describing the pipe’s rout-

ing. Remember, the isometric must provide a detailed
description o the pipe’s routing rom beginning to end.
However, this does not apply to a pipe in a pipe rack.
Piping isometrics are generally drawn to represent the
con guration up to and including the rst tting in the
pipe rack. Use the procedures that ollow to develop a
piping isometric o line 01-2-C30-10-IH.
As shown in Figure 13.11, line 01-2-C30-10-IH is
FIGURE 13.9 Isometric orientation. attached to vessel V-101, at nozzle N1, and reboiler
E-101 at nozzle C. The line begins, relative to the fow
direction, at nozzle N1 with a fange and elbow welded
up and to the le t. This is done, however, only in excep- together, tting makeup. The elbow is oriented toward
tional cases to improve drawing clarity. Figure 13.10 the north, according to the North Arrow. There ore,
uses the con guration rom Figure 13.9 to demonstrate as seen in the isometric view in the upper right, i line
how drawing an isometric with the North Arrow point- 01-2-C30-10-IH turns north on the arrangement draw-
ing up and to the le t will a ect the isometric represen- ing, it must also turn north on the iso. To determine the
tation. The North Arrow rarely, i ever, points down. distance a pipe travels in the north direction, or any
other horizontal plane, one must use two coordinates.
Remember, horizontal dimensions are calculated using
DRAWING PIPING ISOMETRICS coordinates and vertical dimensions are calculated using
elevations. So, i there were a need to determine the dis-
As an isometric or a particular line is developed, tance a pipe travels in a vertical plane, a dra ter would
constant re erence to the Piping Arrangement, Section, need one o the ollowing: elevation callouts ( ound on
or Elevation drawings is essential. Drawing symbols, the plan view drawing) or an elevation drawing that
callouts, coordinates, and elevations provide detailed graphically depicts the amount o vertical change. Also,
in ormation o the pipe’s con guration and routing as recall elevation changes can be shown on the Piping
it travels through the acility. By using this in ormation Arrangement drawing in the orm o callouts, but the
and the isometric symbols that correspond to the vari- elevation callouts must be adequate enough to determine
ous orthographic drawing symbols, the pipe dra ter the length o the pipe traveling in the vertical plane.

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276 13. PIPIng IsomETRICs

FIGURE 13.11 Line 01-2-C30-10-IH.

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 DRAWIng PIPIng IsomETRICs 277
A ter the north run, an elbow turns west and line ound on arrangement drawings. However, it is not
01-2-C30-10-IH travels below reboiler E-101. Note the unusual or some companies and CAD so tware and
elbow is also shown turning west on the iso. When the 3D modeling packages to draw elbow symbols with
pipe aligns with the centerline o E-101, another elbow round corners. Note also the equipment nozzles are
turns the line up and into nozzle C. Isometric drawing drawn double-line on isos, to distinguish them rom
symbols or 90° and 45° elbows are typically shown fanges and valves. Other important details about line
with square corners, as opposed to the round corners 01-2-C30-10-IH that must be represented on the iso are
shown in Figure 13.12. They include intersecting coor-
dinates or the center o the equipment, nozzle eleva-
tion, nozzle number, nozzle projection, and the name/
number o the piece o mechanical equipment. In addi-
tion to all the in ormation shown, i a nozzle on one end
o the con guration happens to be o a di erent size
and pound rating than the rest o the pipe its mating
fange is considered to be out-of-spec, and that in orma-
tion must also be shown on the isometric, near that par-
ticular nozzle.
The alignment and orientation o written in orma-
tion (name, coordinates, elevation) about a vessel and/
or nozzle on an isometric are sometimes con using. The
our labeling examples in Figure 13.13 indicate that
callouts or North and South centerline coordinates are
actually written on centerlines running in the east/west
direction, while East and West centerline coordinates
are labeled on centerlines that run in the north/south
direction. To better understand this concept, remem-
ber that coordinates measure the distance an object is
rom the 0-0, 0-0 origin. So, i a vessel is 30-0 east
o the 0,0 origin it must have a centerline coordinate
indicating its geographic direction and lineal distance.
However, proper piping isometric labeling techniques
require that it be written along the north/south axis
so that it can be read properly. The E. 30-0 coordinate
FIGURE 13.12 Line 01-2-C30-10-IH with dimensions and indicates a 30-0 distance in the east direction, although
callouts.

FIGURE 13.13 Isometric orientation and labeling o vessel centerlines.

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278 13. PIPIng IsomETRICs

it’s written along the north/south axis. As a reminder, drawing with AutoCAD. To achieve the proper obliqu-
all mechanical equipment, structural columns, ounda- ing and rotation angles required on CAD generated iso-
tions, etc. require two intersecting centerline coordi- metrics, create the text styles outlined in the ollowing
nates to locate their exact position. procedures and demonstrated in Figure 13.16.

ISOMETRIC DIMENSIONS, NOTES, AND ISOMETRIC OFFSETS

CALLOUTS
Isometric o sets are ormed when a pipe turns at any
Isometric Dimensions angle other than 90°. Angular o sets can be created by
rolling a 90° elbow at any angle or replacing 90° elbows
Length dimensions, in addition to in ormational with 45° elbows. The result would be pipes that no lon-
notes and callouts, are used on isometrics to de ne the ger travel north, south, east, west, up, or down. Instead
pipe’s exact routing through the acility. Placement o lines would run northwest, northeast, southeast, or
dimensions on the drawing establishes precise lengths southwest. They could also slant upward or down-
between ttings, valves, equipment connections, etc. ward. Three examples o isometric o sets are shown in
Numerous pieces o important in ormation rom Piping Figure 13.17. Dimension lines and callouts are included
Arrangement drawings, Sections, Elevations and ven- as a re erence. To establish proper visual orientation,
dor drawings are used to calculate dimensions on a the indication o horizontal (H) or vertical (V) angles
pipe isometric. These include such items as center- are included on all isometric o sets. Forty- ve degree
line coordinates, nozzle elevation and projection, and
pipe size and pound rating. Three types o dimensions
exist on an isometric, they are center-to-center, center-
to- ace, and ace-to- ace. Figure 13.12 provides dimen-
sions or line 01-2-C30-10-IH using in ormation ound
on the Plan and Elevation views shown in Figure 13.11
and the equipment vendor drawings ound in Chapter
10, “Piping Arrangement Drawings, Sections, and
Elevations.”
Placing dimensions on a piping isometric with
AutoCAD requires the use o the Aligned and Oblique
options within the DIMENSION command. Figure
13.14 provides two options or placing dimensions on
piping isometrics. Dimensions should be aligned with
the routed pipe and “obliqued” as shown in Figure 13.15.

Isometric Notes and Callouts FIGURE 13.14 Dimensioning placement options.

Dimensions alone cannot provide all the in ormation
required to properly describe a piping isometric. Notes
and callouts placed on the drawing provide signi cant
in ormation that may impact the purchase, abrication,
and erection o the con guration. Appropriately placed
notes are used to denote the size and pound rating o
ttings, fanges, and valves, as well as insulation type
and thickness, locations or pipe guides, anchors, or
supports, and o set angles o pipe. Callouts stipulate
instrumentation locations and size, speci cation breaks,
piece marks, and other abrication details. Any in orma-
tion that is pertinent to a particular pipe must be con-
veyed on the isometric.
Whether writing dimensions, notes, or any other
in ormation on an iso, all written in ormation should
remain on one o the isometric axes and be inclined to
the right. This task becomes a little more di cult when FIGURE 13.15 Aligned and Oblique dimensions.

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 IsomETRIC oFFsETs 279

FIGURE 13.16 Creating isometric dimensions and text.

l Step 1. Use the STYLE command to create two di erent text styles. Use the style names ISOTEXT-1 and ISOTEXT-2 or easy re erence.
l Step 2. When creating ISOTEXT-1, set the obliquing angle to 30°. For ISOTEXT-2 set the obliquing angle to –30°.
l Step 3. Depending on the ISOPLANE being used, set the rotation angle in the TEXT command to the appropriate setting as represented in
Figure 13.16.

elbows must always be labeled on an iso or material horizontal o sets are created. As with example C, two
takeo purposes. 45° elbows are used, but rather than turning the elbows
Figure 13.17 represents only three o the many o sets upward, they are laid on their side, thus remaining in a
that can be created using 90° and 45° elbows. Example horizontal plane. There is no change in elevation.
A o Figure 13.17 begins with a line traveling north. A
90° elbow is rolled downward and toward the east at a
Dimensioning Offsets
45° angle, then another 45° elbow is required to return
the angular o set back into a due easterly direction. With isometric o sets changing a pipe’s routing
This example is labeled as a vertical o set because rom one plane to another or rom one geographic
a change in elevation occurs when the 90° elbow is direction to another, coordinates and elevations no lon-
turned downward. Example C is also a vertical o set, ger provide all the dimensions necessary to describe
but note there is no change in the geographic direc- a pipe’s total length. However, the use o 90° and
tion the pipe travels. Here, two 45° elbows are used to 45° elbows to orm the o sets results in a problem that
angle the pipe upward while continuing in a northerly can be easily solved with simple mathematical or-
direction. Both elbows are 45°, thus the inclusion o mulas. The 90° and 45° elbows orm right triangles.
the abbreviation TYP, meaning “typical” is added to By using the Pythagorean theorem which states that
the “45° ELL” callout. Example B demonstrates how the sum o the squares o the two sides is equal to the

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280 13. PIPIng IsomETRICs

FIGURE 13.17 Isometric o sets.

Multi-angle Offsets
Elbows are not the only piping components installed
in angular positions. Because o the arangement and ori-
entation o trays inside a vessel, and obstructions such as
ladders, plat orms, and cages outside the vessel, nozzles
are placed in locations where they can add or extract
commodity rom the vessel and not hit an obstruction
with painstaking accuracy. As a result, nozzles oriented
at angles o 10°, 20°, 35°, etc., are not uncommon. When
o set or rolled elbows are added, complex math prob-
FIGURE 13.18 Pythagorean theorem ormulas.
lems o ten result. Multi-angle con gurations, such as
the one in Figure 13.21, require additional calculations to
determine dimensions or each o its lengths.
square o the triangle’s hypotenuse, this problem can be We have already seen how unknown lengths can be
solved. Simply stated, A2  B2  C2. Figure 13.18 iden- solved using right-triangle ormulas. The key to solv-
ti es the sides and angles o a right triangle and their ing the unknown length dimension in Figure 13.21 is
resulting solution ormulas. the incorporation o right triangles. Remember, draw-
These ormulas can be used to solve the length o ing space is limited. Excessive notes, callouts, and
an unknown side when the other two sides are known. dimensions are not practical on Piping Arrangement
They work no matter the degree value o angle X. drawings. As with traditional isometric dimensions,
Some angles seem to be used repeatedly in pipe dra t- right-triangle dimensions are aligned so their lengths
ing. The chart in Figure 13.19 can signi cantly reduce establish center-to-center measurements, that is, center-
the amount o time spent calculating unknown sides o o -vessel, to center-o -elbow, to center-o -vessel. So, the
right triangles. Use the appropriate decimal value when length o the unknown dimension can only be solved
X is one o the provided angles. by using the limited in ormation available in Figure
As mentioned previously, 90° elbows can be rolled 13.21. Figure 13.22 demonstrates the way to position
to orm any degree o angular o set. To abricate three right triangles to solve or the “unknown” dimen-
such a roll, a pipe tter should be provided with the sion, marked as “?” in Figure 13.21.
lengths o the three sides o the triangle and the degree Numbering the triangles will aid in the discussion
value o angle X. Solving or an unknown value o X that ollows concerning the solution to the lengths o
requires some additional trigonometric ormulas. Use the sides o each triangle. The “unknown” dimension,
the ormulas provided in Figure 13.20 to solve or the “?,” is equivalent to the hypotenuse o triangle 3. Begin
unknown value o angle X. Notice that, relative to X, by determining the known values or each o the tri-
side A is identi ed as the Side Adjacent (SA), side B is angles rom the in ormation provided in Figure 13.21.
identi ed as the Side Opposite (SO), and side C is iden- Figure 13.23 shows the known values o triangles 1, 2,
ti ed as the Hypotenuse (HYP). and 3 placed in their appropriate locations.

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FIGURE 13.19 Decimal equivalents o common angles.

FIGURE 13.20 Right-triangle ormulas.

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282 13. PIPIng IsomETRICs

FIGURE 13.22 Locating right triangles.

FIGURE 13.21 Multi-angle o sets.

The X angle or triangle 1 is shown to be 20° in

Figure 13.21. The 6-11 1/8 dimension is the measured
length rom the center o the vessel to the center o the
elbow at Nozzle N1. This is determined by adding the
nozzle projection or nozzle N1, a gasket, one 14-150#
fange, and a 14 elbow. On triangle 2, the 2-6 mea-
surement is determined by subtracting the West coordi-
nate o W. 122-6 rom W.1250. The 5-7 dimension is
established by adding ½ o the OD o the 14 pipe to the
5-0 dimension.
Note there are no known dimensions or triangle 3.
However, we must determine the hypotenuse i we are
to know the “unknown” dimension. Remember, a mini-
mum o two values must be known in order to solve the
three lengths and the angle o a right triangle. By deter-
mining the Side Adjacent (SA) and Side Opposite (SO)
o triangle 3, the Pythagorean theorem can be applied to
FIGURE 13.23 Known values or triangles 1, 2, and 3.
nd the Hypotenuse (HYP), the unknown dimension.
Using the available ormulas, the missing lengths o
triangles 1 and 2 must be solved be ore the sides o tri- triangle 3. The results o these calculations are shown in
angle 3 can be determined. Notice that by subtracting Figure 13.24. The length o the unknown, “?,” dimension
the SA o triangle 2 rom the SA o triangle 1, the SO o is 5 ′ -1 3 16′′ . Angle X o triangle 3 is also an important
triangle 3 can be determined. Also, adding the SO o tri- value to be determined. This angle establishes the rota-
angle 1 to the SO o triangle 2 (2-6) will yield the SA o tion angle or the 90° elbows. In the abrication shop,

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 IsomETRIC oFFsETs 283

FIGURE 13.24 Solutions or triangles 1, 2, and 3.

the vessel is not available to measure the 5-0 dimen-

sion. Knowing this horizontal angle is the only way the
elbows can be accurately welded during the abrication
process in the shop and later installed precisely in the
eld.

Rolling Offsets
The culmination o multiple isometric o sets is the roll-
ing o set. The rolling offset is a compound o set ormed
by replacing the two 90° elbows, as shown in Figure 13.21,
with two 45° elbows. The result is an o set that changes
elevation and direction simultaneously. Figure 13.25
shows the plan and elevation views o a rolling o set.
Because o its complexity, adequate dimensions
cannot be placed on the orthographic views that ully
describe the rolling o set. An isometric is the best place
or representing and dimensioning the rolling o set, FIGURE 13.25 Plan and Elevation views o a rolling o set.
because a simple horizontal or vertical triangle with
three dimensions is not adequate enough to abricate a
rolling o set. Incorporating the horizontal and vertical plan and elevation views o the rolling o set shown in
triangles into an isometric box is the only way to pro- Figure 13.27. In the plan View, a box has been drawn
vide all the necessary dimensions and angles needed by through the centers o the two 45° elbows that orm the
welders to abricate a rolling o set. Figure 13.26 shows rolling o set. Its corners have been labeled northeast
construction o the rolling o set box and its accompa- (NE), southeast (SE), southwest (SW), and northwest
nying dimensions and angles. (NW). The notes in the elevation view identi y upper
Combining elevational and directional changes com- and lower planes which represent the change in eleva-
pounds the di culty in representing the rolling o - tion. Remember the Plan view shows north, south, east,
set on an isometric drawing. Visualizing directional west orientations, and the Elevation view depicts verti-
changes in the plan and elevation views simultaneously cal changes in elevation.
requires practice and patience. To aid in this visualiza- The Plan view in Figure 13.27 shows that the pipe
tion process, some help ul notes have been added to the enters the box rom the southwest corner and travels

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284 13. PIPIng IsomETRICs

FIGURE 13.26 Rolling o set box.

FIGURE 13.27 Visualization aids or rolling o sets.

across to the northeast corner where it ends with a
fange. Looking at the South Elevation, we can see the
pipe beginning on the upper plane and dropping down
to the lower plane. By combining the in ormation rom
these two views, we know that the pipe begins in the
upper southwest corner and travels down to the lower
northeast corner. The resulting isometric representation
is shown in Figure 13.28.

Dimensioning Rolling Offsets

Figure 13.26 identi es the six measurements required
to dimension a rolling o set. There are our length
dimensions and two angular dimensions. When a roll-
ing o set is incorporated into a con guration similar to
that shown in Figure 13.29, the lengths o the three sides
o triangle 3 are applied to the dimensions o the rolling
o set box (see Figure 13.26). Note the SA o triangle 3
in Figure 13.29 is equal to the RUN o the rolling o set
box, the ROLL o the rolling o set box is equal to the
SO o triangle 3, and angle X o triangle 3 is the same as
the horizontal angle (HOR°) o the rolling o set box.
The RISE is determined by subtracting the lower FIGURE 13.28 Isometric o a rolling o set.
plane elevation rom the upper plane elevation. These
two elevations can be ound on a section or elevation
drawing o the con guration or depicted in the orm establishes the true length o the pipe rom the upper
o notes on the Piping Arrangement drawing. Rolling southwest corner to lower northeast corner o the roll-
o sets are typically abricated using 45° elbows; there- ing o set box. Naturally, this length is the most di cult
ore, the vertical angle will be 45°. But, 45° to what? to calculate. The values used to determine its length
Note the dimension labeled TRAVEL in Figure 13.26. It depend on how the pipe enters and exits the rolling

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 IsomETRIC oFFsETs 285
o set box. Figure 13.30 shows the two examples o how the vertical direction, Example A, a 45° angle is ormed
a pipe may enter and exit the rolling o set box. These between the TRAVEL and a dashed line drawn diago-
two examples will help us determine what the pipe is nally across the lower plane o the box (hypotenuse o
45° to. triangle 3). However, when a pipe enters and exits the
Note in example A, the pipe enters and exits the roll- rolling o set box in the horizontal direction, Example
ing o set box in the vertical plane. Example B shows B, a 45° angle is ormed between the TRAVEL and the
the pipe entering and exiting the box in the horizontal RUN o the box. Depending on the type, vertical or hor-
plane. These two methods o entering and exiting the izontal, two di erent 45° right triangles will be ormed.
rolling o set box will be used to determine what the The TRAVEL o the pipe becomes the hypotenuse or
TRAVEL is 45° to. When a pipe enters and exits in either triangle. Recall that when solving a right triangle
whose angle is 45°, the SA and SO will always be equal.
There ore, in Example A, the length o the dashed line
is equal to the RISE o the box, and in Example B, the
dashed line drawn diagonally across the west end o
the rolling o set box is equal to the RUN o the box.
See Figure 13.31 or a shaded representation o the
right triangles ormed in Examples A and B. Once the
SA and SO lengths o the 45° right triangle are known,
the Pythagorean theorem can be used to easily solve
the TRAVEL dimension o the pipe. Since 45° is a com-
monly used angle, Figure 13.19 can be used to make the
solution even simpler.
The chart in Figure 13.32 converts inches and ractions
o an inch into decimals. Multiplication and division o
ractions are simpli ed using decimal equivalents. This
chart is extremely help ul when per orming mathemati-
cal calculations on a calculator that is limited to decimal
input only. To use the chart in Figure 13.32, ollow the
column below the “inch” value down until it is adjacent
to the “ raction” value row. The number at this intersec-
tion is the decimal equivalent o the mixed inch and rac-
tion value. For example, to determine the decimal value
o 8 5/8, ollow the column below 8 down until it is
adjacent to 5/8 (displayed in the “Fraction” column).
FIGURE 13.29 Rolling o set with right triangle.

FIGURE 13.30 Vertical and horizontal pipe entering and exiting the rolling o set box.

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286 13. PIPIng IsomETRICs

FIGURE 13.31 Right triangles created with TRAVEL length as hypotenuse.

FIGURE 13.32 Inch to decimal conversion chart.

The number at this intersection is 0.7187. There ore, how to convert inches to decimals and vice-versa when
0.7187 is the decimal equivalent o 8 5/8. Figure 13.32 is not available.
Two appendices at the end o the book provide solu- I a decimal number needs to be converted into
tion examples o the mathematical calculations Figure inches, use the chart in Figure 13.32 in reverse. Simply
13.32 employs. Use these to have an understanding o locate the decimal number and then ollow the

PIPE DRAFTING AND DESIGN

 IsomETRIC oFFsETs 287
column up to locate the whole inch value. Then ollow the value nearest to your number and proceed. The chart pro-
row to the le t or right to determine the raction value. vides numbers in 1/16 increments, which complies with
I the decimal value you are trying to convert does not speci cations o most o the projects that require dimen-
match a number in the chart precisely, nd the decimal sions to be given to the nearest 1/16 o an inch.

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288 13. PIPIng IsomETRICs

CHAPTER 13 REVIEW QUIZ 10. What are placed on isometrics to de ne the pipe’s
exact routing through a acility?
______________________________________________
1. What is an isometric?
_______________________________________________ 11. How are isometric o sets ormed?
_______________________________________________ ______________________________________________
______________________________________________
2. Which three dimensions ound in orthographic
views are required when drawing an isometric? 12. To establish proper visual orientation, the
_______________________________________________ indication o _______________________________
_______________________________________________ or ___________________ angles are included on all
_______________________________________________ isometric o sets.
3. What is material take-o ? 13. State the Pythagorean theorem. _________________
_______________________________________________ ______________________________________________
_______________________________________________ 14. What are the names o the three sides o a right
4. T F Pipe 14 and above is drawn double-line on an triangle?
isometric. ______________________________________________
______________________________________________
5. T F Multiple pipes are drawn on a single sheet o ______________________________________________
isometric grid vellum.
15. Name the six dimensions required on a rolling o -
6. T F All isometrics are drawn to scale to show exact set box.
size and pound rating. ______________________________________________
7. T F Lengths o pipe should be drawn proportionally ______________________________________________
on an isometric. ______________________________________________
______________________________________________
8. T F Symbols should be drawn di erent sizes to ______________________________________________
refect a change in pipe size. ______________________________________________
9. What is the pre erred direction to draw the North
Arrow on an isometric?
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

PIPE DRAFTING AND DESIGN

 CHAPTER 13 DRAWIng EXERCIsEs 289

CHAPTER 13 DRAWING EXERCISES

Use the Plan and Elevation views provided to sketch an isometric o the ollowing exercises.

PIPE DRAFTING AND DESIGN

290 13. PIPIng IsomETRICs

PIPE DRAFTING AND DESIGN

CHAPTER 13 DRAWIng EXERCIsEs 291

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292 13. PIPIng IsomETRICs

PIPE DRAFTING AND DESIGN

CHAPTER 13 DRAWIng EXERCIsEs 293

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294 13. PIPIng IsomETRICs

Draw an isometric or the ollowing exercise. Show all necessary dimensions, coordinates, equipment callouts,
line numbers, and related in ormation. North Arrow direction on the isometric will be up and to the right.

PIPE DRAFTING AND DESIGN

 CHAPTER 13 DRAWIng EXERCIsEs 295
Solve or the missing dimensions on the isometric in the ollowing exercise. Show all necessary dimensions,
coordinates, equipment callouts, line numbers, and related in ormation.

PIPE DRAFTING AND DESIGN

296 13. PIPIng IsomETRICs

Draw an isometric or the ollowing exercise. Show all necessary dimensions, coordinates, equipment callouts,
line numbers, and related in ormation. North Arrow direction on the isometric will be up and to the right.

PIPE DRAFTING AND DESIGN

 CHAPTER 13 DRAWIng EXERCIsEs 297
Solve the conversion problems shown. All eet and inches answers are to be rounded to the nearest 1⁄16 value.
Decimal answers are to be written to the ourth decimal place.

PIPE DRAFTING AND DESIGN

298 13. PIPIng IsomETRICs

Solve the conversion problems shown. Answers are to be written in degree, minute, and second values. Decimal
answers are to be written to the ourth decimal place.

PIPE DRAFTING AND DESIGN

 CHAPTER 13 DRAWIng EXERCIsEs 299
Solve or the missing dimensions o the right triangles shown. All dimensions are to be written in Feet and
Inches, rounded to the nearest 1⁄16. Write the angular answers in degree, minute, and second values.

PIPE DRAFTING AND DESIGN

300 13. PIPIng IsomETRICs

Draw an isometric or the ollowing exercise. Show all necessary dimensions, coordinates, equipment callouts,
line numbers, and related in ormation. North Arrow direction on the isometric will be up and to the right.

PIPE DRAFTING AND DESIGN

 CHAPTER 13 DRAWIng EXERCIsEs 301
Draw an isometric or the ollowing exercise. Calculate the unknown dimensions and angle or right triangle o
the multi-angle o set. North Arrow direction on the isometric will be up and to the right.

PIPE DRAFTING AND DESIGN

302 13. PIPIng IsomETRICs

Draw an isometric or the ollowing exercises. Show all necessary dimensions, coordinates, equipment callouts,
line numbers, and related in ormation. North Arrow direction on each isometric will be up and to the right.

PIPE DRAFTING AND DESIGN

CHAPTER 13 DRAWIng EXERCIsEs 303

PIPE DRAFTING AND DESIGN

304 13. PIPIng IsomETRICs

PIPE DRAFTING AND DESIGN

CHAPTER 13 DRAWIng EXERCIsEs 305

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306 13. PIPIng IsomETRICs

Solve or the missing dimensions on each o the rolling o set boxes shown. All dimensions are to be written in
eet and inches, rounded to the nearest 1/16.

PIPE DRAFTING AND DESIGN