What are Piping &

Instrumentation Diagrams
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Contents
What is P&ID?

How to create a P&ID

P&ID symbols and notations

What to look for in P&ID diagram software

P&IDs can seem mysterious, but don’t have to stay that way thanks to
our intuitive P&ID software. Learn the what, why, and how of
everything Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams in this comprehensive
guide.
12 minute read

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and completely free.

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What is P&ID?
A piping and instrumentation diagram, or P&ID, shows the piping
and related components of a physical process flow. It’s most
commonly used in the engineering field.

Function and purpose of P&IDs

P&IDS are foundational to the maintenance and modification of

the process that it graphically represents. At the design stage, the
diagram also provides the basis for the development of system
control schemes, like Hazard and Operability Study (HAZOP).

For processing facilities, it’s a graphic representation of

 Key piping and instrument details

Control and shutdown schemes

Safety and regulatory requirements

Basic start up and operational information

When to use P&IDs and who uses them

P&IDs are a schematic illustration of the functional relationship of

piping, instrumentation and system equipment components used
in the field of instrumentation and control or automation. They are
typically created by engineers who are designing a manufacturing
process for a physical plant.

These facilities usually require complex chemical or mechanical

steps that are mapped out with P&IDs to construct a plant and also
to maintain plant safety as a reference for Process Safety
Information (PSI) in Process Safety Management (PSM). If
something does go wrong, reviewing the P&ID is usually a good
place to start. P&IDs are invaluable documents to keep on hand,
whether they’re used to streamline an existing process, replace a
piece of equipment, or guide the design and implementation of a
new facility. With the record they provide, changes can be planned
safely and effectively using Management of Change (MOC).

P&IDs are used by field techs, engineers, and operators to better

understand the process and how the instrumentation is
interconnected. They can also be useful in training workers and
contractors.

What are P&IDs all about?

P&IDs play an essential role in the process engineering world to

show interconnectivity, but they don’t necessarily include
specifications. Specifications are usually provided in separate
documents. But they are incredibly useful in many ways, including:

Evaluate construction processes

 Evaluate construction processes

Serve as a basis for control programming

Develop guidelines and standards for facility operation

Produce documents that explain how the process works

Provide a common language for discussing plant operations

Create and implement philosophies for safety and control

Design a conceptual layout of a chemical or manufacturing plant

Form recommendations for cost estimates, equipment design,

and pipe design

What’s the difference between a process flow diagram (PFD) and

a piping & instrumentation diagram (P&ID)?

Instrumentation detail varies with the degree of design

complexity. Simplified or conceptual designs are called process
flow diagrams (PFDs). A PFD shows fewer details than a P&ID and is
usually the first step in the design process–more of a bird’s eye
view. More fully developed piping and instrumentation diagrams
(P&IDs) are shown in a P&ID.

What are the limitations of P&ID?

Since P&IDs are graphic representations of processes, they have

some inherent limitations. They can’t be relied on as real models,
because they aren’t necessarily drawn to scale or geometrically
accurate. There’s also no generally accepted universal standard for
them, so they may look different from company to company—or
even within the same company—based on internal standards, the
type of software system being used, and the preferences of the
creator. That’s why it’s important to design and review the
documentation that gets down to the real nuts-and-bolts of
support documents.

A look at P&ID support documents

 A look at P&ID support documents

Because P&IDs are schematic overview graphics, you need

documents to clarify the details and specifications. Here are some
of them:

. Process flow drawings (PFDs). P&IDs originate from PFDs. A PFD

is a picture of the separate steps of a process in sequential order.
Elements that may be included are: sequence of actions,
materials or services entering or leaving the process (inputs and
outputs), decisions that must be made, people who become
involved, time involved at each step and/or process
measurements.

. Piping material specifications (PMS). Here’s where you find

details about materials of construction, gaskets, bolts, fittings.

. Equipment and instrumentation specifications (EIS). Standards

and details too extensive to fit into the P&ID are included in the
EIS including Scope, Standards, Codes and Specifications,
Definitions and Terminology, Materials of Construction, Design
Basis, Mechanical/Fabrication, Guarantees, Testing and
Inspection, Documentation and Shipping.

. Functional Requirement Specification (FRS). How the plant or

system operates is detailed in the FRS. It includes the Functional
Description, Communication, and Scope Definition of the
process.

What should a P&ID include?

While there are no exact standards for the way P&IDs should be
drawn, there have been standards suggested by the Process
Industry Practice (PIP), a consortium of process industry owners
and engineering construction contractors who serve the industry.
PIC001: Piping and Instrumentation Diagram Documentation
Criteria details what a P&ID should contain:

Mechanical equipment with names and numbers

 Mechanical equipment with names and numbers

All valves and their identifications

Process piping, sizes and identification

Miscellaneous - vents, drains, special fittings, sampling lines,

reducers, increasers and swagers

Permanent start-up and flush lines

Flow directions

Interconnections reference

Control inputs and outputs, interlock

Seismic category

Interfaces for class changes

Quality level

Annunciation inputs

Computer control system input

Vendor and contractor interfaces

Identification of components and subsystems delivered by

others

Intended physical sequence of the equipment

Equipment rating or capacity

What should a P&ID not include?

The nitty-gritty details can be better left to support documents.

You want to create P&IDs that create clarity, not clutter. For that
reason, you will want to omit:

Instrument root valves

Control relays
 Control relays

Manual switches

Primary instrument tubing and valves

Pressure temperature and flow data

Elbow, tees and similar standard fitting

Extensive explanatory notes

How to create a P&ID

If you use software to create your P&IDs, there are some basic
steps to follow:

. Create and check an equipment list. Use the symbols within the
library after you’re sure of your list.

. Connect pipes and equipment, then review the details with a

trusted colleague. Walk through the process several times and
search for ine(iciencies.

. Share with collaborators.

For more details and how-to, go to the P&ID Tutorial.

Organization fundamentals of P&ID

As a keystone document, the P&ID should be organized in a logical

progression. While many—or most—companies set their own
standards for P&ID organization, it can be thought of as chapters
of a book or scenes from a movie that interconnect to tell your
engineering process story. It should provide a concise and easy-
to-understand illustration of all the equipment to be included in
the process flow, alert information around hazard, safeguards and
potential faults so that errors can be minimized or eliminated. It
will help support the development of operating and maintenance
will help support the development of operating and maintenance
procedures. As a storyboard of the process, it’s a way to see that
changes can be made safely and effectively using Management of

Change.

Different types of P&ID diagrams

There are as many different styles and types of diagrams as there

are companies and products. Here are two examples:

This example shows a fluid flow system and defines mechanical

and design configurations that are in place.
A P&ID of 3-phase separator vessels, which are components used
in the oil and gas industry to separate various liquids that flow
from wells.

Want to make a P&ID of your own? Try Lucidchart. It's quick, easy,
and completely free.

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P&ID symbols and notations
One area of P&IDs that is standardized are the instrumentation
symbols, the key to being able to understand P&IDs.
Instrumentation symbols appearing on diagrams adhere to
ANSI/ISA’s S5.1-1984 (R 1992) standards. Sticking to the
Instrumentation, Systems, and Automation Society (ISA) S5.1
Instrumentation Symbols and Identification standard ensures a
consistent, system independent means of communicating
instrumentation, control, and automation intent so everyone
understands.

ISA S5.1 defines four graphical elements—discrete instruments,

shared control/display, computer function, and programmable
logic controller—and groups them into three location categories
(primary location, auxiliary location, and field mounted).

Discrete instruments are signified by circular elements. Shared

control/display elements are circles surrounded by a square.
Computer functions are indicted by a hexagon, and
programmable logic controller (PLC) functions are shown as a
triangle inside a square.

A single horizontal bar across any of the four graphical elements

means the function resides in the primary location category. A
double line indicates an auxiliary location, and no line places the
device or function in the field. Devices located behind a panel-
board in some other inaccessible location are shown with a
dashed horizontal line

Letter and number combinations appear inside each graphical

element and letter combinations are defined by the ISA
standard. Numbers are user assigned and schemes vary with
some companies use of sequential numbering. Some tie the
instrument number to the process line number. Others may
choose to adopt unique and sometimes unusual numbering
systems.
 The first letter defines the measured or initiating variables.
Examples inlcude Analysis (A), Flow (F), Temperature (T), etc.
with succeeding letters defining readout, passive, or output
functions such as Indicator (I), Record (R), Transmit (T), and so
forth.

Here are some examples of P&ID symbols. You can review a full
overview of all P&ID symbols included in Lucidchart if needed.

Equipment

Equipment is comprised of miscellaneous P&ID units that don't fit

into the other categories. This group includes hardware like
compressors, conveyors, motors, turbines, vacuums, and other
mechanical devices.
Piping
A pipe is a tube that transports fluid substances. Piping can be
made of various materials, including metal and plastic. The piping
group is made up of one-to-many pipes, multi-line pipes,
separators, and other types of piping devices.

Vessels

A vessel is a container that is used to store fluid. It may also alter

the characteristics of the fluid during storage. The vessels
category includes tanks, cylinders, columns, bags, and other
vessels.
Heat exchangers

A heat exchanger is a device that's designed to e(iciently transfer

heat from different areas or mediums. This category includes
boilers, condensers, and other heat exchangers.
Pumps

A pump is a device that uses suction or pressure to raise,

compress, or move fluids in and out of other objects. This section
is comprised of both pumps and fans.
Instruments

An instrument is a device that measures—and sometimes controls

—quantities such as flow, temperature, angle, or pressure. The
instruments group houses indicators, transmitters, recordings,
controllers, and elements.
Valves

A valve regulates, directs, or controls the flow of a fluid by

opening, closing, or partially obstructing passageways in a piping
system. This category includes rotameters, orifices, and other
types of valves.
You’ll find many more of the common shapes and symbols at
Lucidchart P&ID Symbols Legend .

What to look for in P&ID diagram

software
There are lots of software tools that enable diagramming. But
there are criteria that can make P&ID more e(icient: ISA standards
adherence, ease of use, ability to integrate into other productivity
tools, and most importantly in many cases, the power to
collaborate with other team members and departments.

Why is Lucidchart right for your P&IDs?

Lucidchart online flowchart maker is used by people around the
world to create P&ID and many other types of diagrams and
charts. Because of its intuitive user interface and collaborative
features, it is the most popular online Visio alternative. Lucidchart
was designed to be both intuitive and powerful to meet the needs
of engineers, so projects go smoothly for everyone involved in
your P&ID process:

Simple to use: Detailed diagramming options for fast, precise

drawing. And since Lucidchart's symbols are based on the ISA S5
standards, your P&IDs will be welcome in any professional
context. Engineers and technicians will appreciate Lucidchart's
streamlined online P&ID software. Drag-and-drop simplicity,
keyboard shortcuts, and interactive elements make Lucidchart
the perfect P&ID creator.

Fully integrated: Diagramming can fit seamlessly into your

current workflow. Since Lucidchart is integrated with G Suite,
Google Drive, JIRA, Atlassian, and other top productivity tools, all
you need to do is plug and play.

Enables collaboration: Standard download options—PNG, JPG,

PDF, VDX—or save the diagram to a secure webpage. Your
diagram can also be embedded on any HTML website. Our
cloud-based tool allows collaborators to work together for
detailed, accurate work. To save time and energy, Lucidchart
allows you to sketch out diagram requirements early on. Use our
real-time collaboration—including group chat and commenting—
while working with clients, engineers, and designers.

Visio import/export: Is your team still using Microsoft Visio to

create piping and instrumentation designs? We offer the same
shape set, but with a much friendlier price tag. Just import your
old Visio documents into Lucidchart—they’ll become instantly
editable.
A use case shows the value of Lucidchart—for everyone

It’s no small thing: Lucidchart can help save the earth. Ship ballast
water is terrible for the environment. Its discharge usually includes
non-native nuisance species that can cause extensive ecological
and economic damage to aquatic ecosystems.

Additional Resources
How to Draw a P&ID Diagram

P&ID Symbols and Notation

It's easy to create effective P&ID diagrams in Lucidchart. Sign up
now to access our comprehensive P&ID resources, including
templates and shape libraries housed in a simple interface.

Want to make a P&ID of your own? Try Lucidchart. It's quick, easy,
and completely free.

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