Implementing Robust Covered Piping System Programs in the Pulp and Paper Industry, TAPPICon26

The pulp and paper industry is facing mounting pressure from insurance, corporate mandates, and jurisdictional authorities to implement covered piping systems (CPS) programs compliant with ASME B31.11, the standard for power piping safety.

However, piping systems with missing documentation and undocumented repairs pose significant barriers, risking non-compliance and making it difficult to identify where the risks are located. This paper outlines a tailored approach, drawing on extensive experience in pulp and paper and power generation, to enable mills to establish effective CPS programs that enhance safety and reliability.

This methodology integrates a comprehensive assessment framework, combining advanced inspection technologies, digital documentation tools, and holistic system evaluations. Mills should account for historical inspection and repair data, steam chemistry, pipe support surveys, and operational conditions to create a robust CPS framework. This paper will look at practical operational changes and steps to meet CPS requirements, organize plant documentation, and address gaps in legacy documents.

There are pros and cons to performing engineering assessments to develop inspection scopes versus utilizing inspection and repair data alone. This paper will discuss those, as well as the actionable recommendations that can be generated from a well-managed CPS program, from material upgrades to predictive maintenance schedules, tailored to each mill’s unique needs. This scalable solution empowers facilities to meet regulatory requirements while optimizing operational efficiency.

A practical roadmap for mills to achieve ASME B31.1 compliance will be presented, with an emphasis on safety. If mills can overcome the documentation challenges, a successful CPS program can enhance system reliability, maximize the risk managed in inspection budgets while minimizing the cost, and provide alternative program timelines to achieve CPS compliance without breaking the bank.

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