Materials System Specification

01-SAMSS-049 21 February 2012

Reinforced Thermoset Resin (RTR) Pipe, Fittings
and Adhesive Packing, Handling, Transportation and Storage
Document Responsibility: Piping Standards Committee

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards

Table of Contents

1 Scope............................................................ 2
2 Conflicts and Deviations................................ 2
3 References.................................................... 2
4 General.......................................................... 3
5 Packing.......................................................... 3
6 Handling and Transportation......................... 5
7 Storage.......................................................... 6
8 Storage Space............................................... 8
9 Records......................................................... 8

Previous Issue: New Next Planned Update: 21 February 2017

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Primary contact: Nasri, Nadhir Ibrahim on 966-3-8809603

CopyrightSaudi Aramco 2012. All rights reserved.

Document Responsibility: Piping Standards Committee 01-SAMSS-049
Issue Date: 21 February 2012 Reinforced Thermoset Resin (RTR) Pipe, Fittings
Next Planned Update: 21 February 2017 and Adhesive Packing, Handling, Transportation and Storage

1 Scope

This Specification defines minimum mandatory requirements governing the packing,

handling and storage of RTR line pipe, fittings and adhesives/other chemicals.

2 Conflicts and Deviations

2.1 Any conflicts between this procedure and other applicable Saudi Aramco
Engineering Procedures (SAEPs), Engineering Standards (SAESs), Standard
Drawings (SASDs), or industry standards, codes, and forms shall be resolved in
writing by the Company or Buyer Representative through the Manager,
Consulting Services Department of Saudi Aramco, Dhahran.

2.2 Direct all requests to deviate from this specification in writing to the Company or
Buyer Representative, who shall follow internal company procedure SAEP-302
and forward such requests to the Manager, Consulting Services Department of
Saudi Aramco, Dhahran.

3 References

The selection of material and equipment, and the design, construction, maintenance, and
repair of equipment and facilities covered by this specification shall comply with the
latest edition of the references listed below, unless otherwise noted.

3.1 Saudi Aramco References

Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedure

SAEP-302 Instructions for Obtaining a Waiver of a Mandatory
Saudi Aramco Engineering Requirement

3.2 Industry Codes and Standards

American Petroleum Institute

API 15TL4 Recommended Practice for Care and Use of
Fiberglass Tubulars

International Standards Organization

ISO 14692-4 Petroleum and Natural Gas Industries Glass
Reinforced Plastic (GRP) Pipes-Part 4:
Fabrication, Installation and Operation

3.3 RTR Manufacturers Handling and Storage Procedures

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Document Responsibility: Piping Standards Committee 01-SAMSS-049
Issue Date: 21 February 2012 Reinforced Thermoset Resin (RTR) Pipe, Fittings
Next Planned Update: 21 February 2017 and Adhesive Packing, Handling, Transportation and Storage

4 General

4.1 This Specification shall be considered supplementary to government rules or

regulations that are or will become effective with respect to the transportation of
line pipe by truck, railroad or ship. If any conflict arises between such
mandatory rules or regulations and the requirements of this Specification, the
former shall prevail and the Vendor shall notify the Buyer of all exceptions to
this Specification before shipment.

4.2 After inspection by Buyer's inspectors the RTR pipe shall be handled and
transported in such a manner that under normal, foreseeable conditions the pipe
will arrive at destination undamaged. The Vendor shall establish suitable
practices for all phases of the shipping operation and provide for adequate
supervision to ensure that the practices are properly followed.

4.3 Discovery of any mechanical damage is grounds for rejection of the entire load,
until absence of cracking on the load is proven to Buyer's satisfaction.

4.4 All personnel involved in the handling, transportation and storage of RTR pipes,
fittings and adhesive shall be given the proper training in this procedure by the
manufacturer.

5 Packing

5.1 End Protectors

RTR pipes shall be packaged so that the body and connections are protected
during shipping, loading, unloading, storage, and handling.

5.1.1 The manufacturer shall apply external and internal protectors of such
design, material and mechanical strength to protect the threads, and/or
ends, of the tubular and coupling from damage under normal handling
and transportation.

5.1.2 External protectors shall cover the full length of the thread, or bonding
area, on the pin.

5.1.3 The internal protectors shall cover the equivalent total thread length of
the internal thread, and bonding surface.

5.1.4 Protectors shall exclude foreign matter such as dirt from the threads and
from the interior of the tubular.

5.1.5 The protectors shall contain no compounds capable of damaging the

threads or promoting adherence of the protectors to the threads or
bonding surfaces.

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Document Responsibility: Piping Standards Committee 01-SAMSS-049
Issue Date: 21 February 2012 Reinforced Thermoset Resin (RTR) Pipe, Fittings
Next Planned Update: 21 February 2017 and Adhesive Packing, Handling, Transportation and Storage

5.1.6 The RTR pipe and fitting ends shall be sealed to prevent damage and
penetration of dirt, water or contaminants.

5.2 Pipes up to 6 shall be packed in crates with wooden supports and reinforced
with steel bands as shown in Figure 1.

5.3 Pipes larger than 6 shall be loaded directly on the trailer or inside a container.
The joints shall be separated and secured by means of wooden spacers, wooden
stoppers and straps as shown in Figure 2.

5.4 Fittings and flanges shall be packed in wooden boxes. All the fittings in the box
shall be separated with corrugated sheet to prevent damage and abrasion.
The bottom of the boxes shall support the entire load during lifting and shall
allow handling by a forklift.

Figure 1 Stacking Method for RTR Pipes up to 6

Figure 2 Stacking Method for RTR Pipes larger than 6

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Document Responsibility: Piping Standards Committee 01-SAMSS-049
Issue Date: 21 February 2012 Reinforced Thermoset Resin (RTR) Pipe, Fittings
Next Planned Update: 21 February 2017 and Adhesive Packing, Handling, Transportation and Storage

6 Handling and Transportation

Observation of the following practices will assure that damage to the product does not
occur. The following precautions shall be taken for truck transportation:

6.1 Trucks that haul RTR pips shall be the flat-bed type. Bed length of the trailer
should be sufficient so that no overhang occurs.

6.2 Ensure the pipes are protected with end caps protectors as mentioned earlier.

6.3 Ensure that the trailer bed is free from sharp objects.

6.4 Pipes shall be uniformly supported throughout the length by flat wooden skids
beneath each pipe layer with spacing not more than 3 meter.

6.5 Pipe shall be loaded on the trailer in layers with each pipe box/pin placed at
alternate ends.

6.6 Ensure that wooden wedges are provided to maintain stability and separation.

6.7 Ensure that no pipe to pipe contact to avoid abrasion during transit.

6.8 During transport, stack height of the pipe shall not exceed 1.5 meter from trailer
bed.

6.9 While in transit, strap the pipe to the trailer over the support points using
flexible straps or belts.

6.10 Never use steel wires or chains for lifting pipes and fittings.

6.11 Do not drop or bump the pipes while loading and off-loading.

6.12 Straps that are made of material softer than the pipe shall be used while loading
and off-loading.

6.13 Side post of the trailer must be wrapped with rubber sheet to avoid contact of
pipes with the metal parts of the vehicle.

6.14 After loading, pipes shall be fastened tightly with straps in every 3 meters.

6.15 While loading and off-loading by crane, single pipe shall be lifted using flexible
strap to lift with two support points placed with equal distance to handle the pipe
easily.

6.16 Spreader bar is also recommended for the loading and off-loading of the pipes.

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Document Responsibility: Piping Standards Committee 01-SAMSS-049
Issue Date: 21 February 2012 Reinforced Thermoset Resin (RTR) Pipe, Fittings
Next Planned Update: 21 February 2017 and Adhesive Packing, Handling, Transportation and Storage

6.17 For the wooden boxes, fork lift can be used for loading & off-loading.

6.18 Prior to unloading, make sure that the protectors are tightly in place. Inspect the
body for delamination (bruises), crazing, indentations, contaminations or tears.
Always use some form of padding on the forklift forks.

7 Storage

7.1 Pipe

7.1.1 Pipe should be stored separately according to pressure class and

diameter.

7.1.2 During storage, pipe shall be uniformly supported throughout the pipe
length at all times by flat, cross boards placed under each pipe layer with
spacing not greater than 2 meters to avoid pipe sagging.

7.1.3 Wooden wedges shall be used to prevent the stored pipe from sliding.
Wedges should be placed on both sides of the stack on the cross timbers,
as shown in Figure 3.

7.1.4 If RTR products will be stored for long periods (6 12 months) or

subjected to high temperatures, they must be covered with tarpaulins or
UV resistance sheets (Figure 4).

7.1.5 Small diameter pipe can be stacked in the same crate as shipped.

7.1.6 RTR pipe threads (both male and female) shall not be subjected to direct
Ultraviolet (UV) rays. They shall be covered by thread protectors at all
times until installation.

7.1.7 In the event of high winds, the RTR pipe stack shall be strapped down to
prevent damage.

7.1.8 The stacking height shall not be more than 1.5 meters.

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Document Responsibility: Piping Standards Committee 01-SAMSS-049
Issue Date: 21 February 2012 Reinforced Thermoset Resin (RTR) Pipe, Fittings
Next Planned Update: 21 February 2017 and Adhesive Packing, Handling, Transportation and Storage

Figure 3 Utilizing Wooden Wedges

Figure 4 End Protectors and Covers of RTR Pipes during Storage

7.2 Fittings

7.2.1 Fittings shall be stored in wooden boxes. All the fittings in the box shall
be separated with corrugated sheet to prevent damage and abrasion.
The bottom of the boxes shall support the entire load during lifting and
shall allow handling by a forklift.

7.2.2 Fittings shall be stored separately according to their class, type, and
degree.

7.2.3 Ensure that the end caps for the fittings are intact while storage.

7.2.4 RTR fittings threads (both male and female) shall not be subjected to
direct Ultraviolet (UV) rays. They shall be covered by thread protectors
at all times until installation.

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Document Responsibility: Piping Standards Committee 01-SAMSS-049
Issue Date: 21 February 2012 Reinforced Thermoset Resin (RTR) Pipe, Fittings
Next Planned Update: 21 February 2017 and Adhesive Packing, Handling, Transportation and Storage

7.3 Adhesives and other Chemicals

7.3.1 Thread sealant/Epoxy thread paste kit/ Amine Harder/ thread lubricant
shall be stored at a temperature below 80oF (26oC).

7.3.2 The storage shall be in a temperature controlled container/ warehouse by

means of Air-conditioner.

7.3.3 Shelf life of the adhesives has to be checked and monitored periodically.
Commentary Note:

It is important to refer to the adhesives manufacturers storage

procedures for more details.

8 Storage Space

8.1 The shipping space selected shall allow loading and unloading of line pipe with
minimum risk of damage to the pipe.

8.2 In the event that the use of less suitable shipping space cannot be avoided,
additional care during loading and unloading must be enforced by continuous
supervision in order to avoid damage to the pipe.
Commentary Note:

For resolution of questions on ship storage and inland transportation consult with
Material Distribution Department, Saudi Aramco, Dhahran.

9 Records

The following shall be available at all times with products:

9.1 Packing list.

9.2 Shipping documents.

9.3 Material test certificate (MTC).

9.4 Material safety data sheet (MSDS)

Revision Summary
21 February 2012 New Saudi Aramco Materials System Specification.

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