How to Read P&IDs

..learning is not a solitary task of memorizing information, but an interactive process of refining one’s understanding and developing one’s skills....
P&IDs: What? Why? Who? How?

• What Does P&ID Stand For?

• Why Learn to Read P&IDs?
• Who Uses P&IDs?
• How Are P&IDs used?
• How to Read P&IDs?
What Does P&ID Stand For?
What Does P&ID Stand For?

• P&ID Stands For:

• Process and
• Instrumentation
• Diagram or Drawing
 Why Learn to Read P&IDs?
• Design Review and Feedback: P&IDs reflect overall
design and operating intent. Knowing how to read
P&IDs, allows you to better understand the design
intent and provide feedback.
• Operation: Aid to understanding of process and
process interactions. Correlation to SCADA. Options
for control.
• Maintenance: Tag numbers; interlocks with other
equipment; valves and controls; redundancy.
 Who Uses P&IDs?

Process Design

P&IDs P&IDs
EIC Mech O&M Software
 How Are P&IDs Used?
• Design:
• Integrate different disciplines, including Process,
Mechanical, Electrical, and I&C.
• Show Functional requirements (not Physical)
• Used to develop and check equipment lists
• Used to develop PLC input/output lists
• Describe requirements for PLC and SCADA software
• Operation and Maintenance:
• Reference Tool
• Training Tool
• Documentation of Plant Process and Control
How To Read P&IDs

• Layout
• Focus
Process
 off sheet connecttions
Process
off sheet connecttions
 off sheet connecttions
Local Control

Process
off sheet connecttions
 off sheet connecttions
Local Control
PLC

Process
off sheet connecttions
 off sheet connecttions
Local Control
PLC
SCADA

Process
off sheet connecttions
Legends – Are essential in helping
you understand symbols used on
P&IDs.
 Questions and Discussion

• Don’t be afraid to use the legend.

• Draw on your own knowledge.

• Wouldn’t it be nice if P&IDs came with a narrative

description as well?
 Control Loop Descriptions
• Process Description
• Equipment and Instrumentation
• Control Strategies:
• Local Control
• SCADA Manual
• SCADA Auto
• SCADA Displays:
• Status and Process
• Operator Entries
• Historical Trending
• Alarms and Interlocks
• Programming Requirements
 Things to Remember

• The more you review P&IDs, the easier it will

become.
• Review the process flow first.
• Legends are your friends.
 Our commitment is clear.

Phone: (503) 547-8177

Cell: (503) 789-3564 Joel Borchers
16060 SW 85th Avenue Construction Coordinator
Tigard, Oregon 97224
borchersj@cleanwaterservices.org