Many terms in the pipe support industry tend to get used interchangeably, so we're here to set the record straight!
A Glossary of Pipe Support Manufacturing Terms
Adjustable:
Having adjustment capability (usually with threads).
Anchor:
A pipe support used to restrict the pipe movement at a particular location.
Beam Clamp:
A type of forged or fabricated clamp that is used to attach rod hangers to beams by clamping onto the load flange.
Base:
The bottom component of a pipe support to uphold the piping system.
Base Supports:
The supports are used on sections of pipe as a support stand. They can be Trunnions, Stanchions, or a pipe branch that is added to a straight pipe, elbow or transition. They are best used when little to no movement is foreseen.
Bracket:
Cantilevered member, with or without a knee brace, designed to withstand a gravity load as well as horizontal forces.
Bolted:
The piping support assembly clamped together using bolts
Clevis Hanger:
A Pipe Attachment providing vertical adjustment, consisting of a clevis type top bolted to a formed steel bottom strap.
Composite:
Typically a compound plastic/polymer material (see FRP), composites are a cost-effective way to protect uninsulated piping systems from many of the common issues piping systems face like metal to metal contact, friction damage, and galvanic corrosion.
Cope:
A relief cut to a component so that it can fit snug against another component or existing structure/pipe.
Cryogenic:
A state of materials at very low temperatures (below -150ºC)
Cryogenic Pipe Support:
(Also known as cold shoe) A type of assembly used to give necessary support to a piping system while not dissipating cryogenic temperatures of the piping system at a certain point.
Component:
Any of a range of devices which are used to make up a Pipe Support Assembly.
Constant Support Hanger:
A mechanical and spring coil device which produces a relatively constant supporting effect, while permitting vertical pipe movement.
Dummy Leg:
A dummy leg is a piece of pipe that acts as a support branch between your pipe and a nearby support point.
Epoxy:
A two-part chemical compound that when applied, bonds most substrates and is in most cases resistant to chemicals, shocks and extreme temperatures.
Eye Rod:
A Hanger Rod having an end formed in a circular or pear shape, permitting attachment to other components by means of a bolt or pin. The eye may be forged, welded or non-welded.
Eye Socket:
A device which provides for the attachment of a threaded Hanger Rod to the bolt of another component.
Fabrication:
A process in which material is cut to certain size and molded into different required shapes.
Flat Bar:
A flat, rectangular section of metal with square edges that comes in a range of sizes.
Flat Plate:
Composite plates used to protect flat surfaces from friction, corrosion, and wear. (Not to be confused with Flat Bar)
Forged Clevis:
A device which provides for the attachment of a threaded Hanger rod to a bolted or pinned connection.
FRP:
Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (also, Fiber-Reinforced Plastic), is a composite material made of a plastic resin or polymer matrix reinforced with fibers. The fibers are usually glass, carbon, or aramid, although other fibers such as paper or wood or asbestos have been sometimes used.
Guide:
A device used to permit pipe movement in a predetermined direction while restraining movement in other directions.
Hanger:
A type of pipe support consisting of a clamp in which the piping system is upheld from an upper portion rather than from the base. This type of pipe support is available with or without insulation.
Hanger Rod:
Round steel bar normally threaded used to connect other components, to make up a Pipe Hanger Assembly.
Heavy Bracket:
A Bracket used for the support of heavy loads.
Hold Down Straps:
Somewhat of a Clamp/U-Bolt hybrid, these restraints are the perfect medium restraint solution. They are designed to protect the coating of uninsulated carbon steel pipes (when lined) while keeping the pipe securely in place.
Hot Dip Galvanizing:
A process of protecting metallic surfaces from corrosion or rust by dipping the materials for a certain period in boiling chemicals.
Hot Shoe:
A type of assembly used to give necessary support to a piping system while not dissipating elevated temperatures of the piping system at a certain point.
Line Stop:
Pipe Guides that restrict movement in two directions, protecting pipes from bending and buckling.
Load Scale:
A scale attached to a Variable Spring Hanger to provide a means of indicating the supported load.
Load Variation:
A term associated with Variable Spring Hangers used to describe the difference in supporting effect between the hot and cold elevations of the support point.
Mark Number:
A unique number used to identify pipe hangers.
Offset:
A relative displacement between the Structural Attachment and Pipe Attachment, which may be incorporated into the design of the Pipe Hanger Assembly to accommodate the piping movement.
Pipe Attachment:
Any device used to connect the pipe to the remainder of the Pipe Hanger Assembly.
Pipe Clamp:
A bolted Pipe Attachment which clamps around the pipe to connect the pipe to the remainder of a Pipe Hanger Assembly.
Pipe Clip:
A Pipe Attachment used to hold the pipe directly to a structure, also referred to as a strap or pipe strap.
Pipe Hanger:
A device which is suspended from a structure and is used to carry the piping load in tension.
Pipe Hanger Assembly:
A general term used to describe a series of assembled components which make up a Pipe Hanger, Pipe Support, Restraint, Anchor, Guide, etc.
Pipe Support:
An assembly used to uphold a piping system at desired location.
Pipe Roller:
A roller device used to support horizontal piping and provide for axial movement.
Pipe Saddle Supports:
A Stanchion utilizing a curved section for cradling the pipe.
Pipe Shield:
Pipe shields are most often used for protection of foam, fiberglass or high density insulation when used with pipe hangers and minimize the threat of jacket penetration at clevis hanger spots on insulated pipe.
Pipe Shoe:
A device by which piping is carried from beneath and is used to carry the piping weight in compression; these can be fabricated from metal, and composites.
Repad:
A Repad (Reinforcing Pad) is used to reinforce or strengthen a high-stress point on your pipe. The product itself looks like a doughnut or a big washer. (not to be confused with a "saddle", "pipe shield" or metallic wear pad)
Restraint:
A device that restricts movement, typically that of a pipe.
Rigid Hanger:
A Pipe Hanger which does not permit vertical movement.
Rigid Support:
A Pipe Support which does not permit vertical movement.
Riser:
Any vertical portion of a piping system.
Riser Clamp:
A Pipe Clamp for the support of vertical piping having separate Load Bolts, to transfer the piping load to the remainder of the Pipe Hanger Assembly.
Saddle:
A pipe saddle is any pipe support that cradles a pipe and transfers the pipe's load weight onto a supporting base. Much like a saddle on a horse supports a rider and keeps them from bouncing on the animal, pipe saddles support a pipe's weight.
Slide Plates:
Bearing surfaces engineered to reduce the friction and wear of various structural components at expansion and contraction joints. They can be used in multiple applications such as in the support of heavy piping, equipment, bridges, and other structural members.
Stanchion:
A pipe support that is designed to stop movement in any direction and eliminate rotation in the system.
Thermoplastic Rods: (typically referred to by a particular brand name, or as "half rounds")
These Acetal rods effectively prevent pipe corrosion by inhibiting a corrosion cell from forming, thus prolonging the life of your piping system.
Threaded Rod:
A rod threaded its full length.
Three Bolt Pipe Clamp:
A Pipe Clamp normally used for horizontal insulated piping, which utilizes clamping bolts to attach the clamp to the pipe and a separate Load Bolt to transfer the piping weight to the remainder of the Pipe Hanger Assembly from a point outside the insulation.
Trunnion:
A pipe support that reinforces vertical pipe sections and stabilizes piping systems by providing support from two opposing sides.
Turnbuckle:
A device with one left-hand female threaded end and one right-hand female threaded end, used to join two threaded rods and provide linear adjustment.
U-Bolt:
A U-shaped rod with threaded ends, that fits around a pipe as well as being attached to a supporting member.
Variability:
The Load Variation of a Variable Spring Hanger divided by the Hot Load expressed as a percentage.
Variable Spring Hanger:
A spring coil device which produces a varying supporting effect while permitting vertical pipe movement.
Wear Pad (composite):
Composite Wear Pads are designed to stop metal-to-metal piping damage by isolating pipes. APP's proprietary ProTek Wear Pads are industry-leading FRP composite wear pads and are easy to install, can withstand temperatures from -320°F to +400°F, and are used in a wide variety of industries to keep pipes from scraping against I-beams or concrete supports.
Welded Beam Attachment:
A u-shaped flat bar device, normally welded to a steel beam used to connect the remainder of a Pipe Hanger Assembly.
Welded Pipe Attachment:
A Pipe Attachment which requires welding to the pipe in order to connect the pipe to the remainder of the Pipe Hanger Assembly.
Weldless Eye Nut:
A forged steel device which provides for the attachment of a threaded Hanger Rod to a bolt or pin connection.
