Pipe Rack

Structural steel pipe racks typically support pipes, power cables and instrument cable trays in petrochemical, chemical and power plants. Occasionally, pipe racks may also support mechanical equipment, vessels and valve access platforms. Main pipe racks generally transfer material between equipment and storage or utility areas. Storage racks found in warehouses are not pipe racks, even if they store lengths of pipe.

A pipe rack is the main artery of a process unit. Pipe racks carry process and utility piping and may also include instrument and cable trays as well as equipment mounted over all of these.

Pipe racks consist of a series of transverse bents that run along the length of the pipe system, spaced at uniform intervals typically around 20 ft. To allow maintenance access under the pipe rack, the transverse bents are typically moment frames. Transverse bents are typically connected with longitudinal struts.