The Full Form of P&ID is‍ Piping and Instrumentation Diagram.

A piping and instrumentation diagram (P&ID) is a detailed diagram in the process industry which shows the piping and process equipment together with the instrumentation and control devices.

Superordinate to the P&ID is the process flow diagram (PFD) which indicates the more general flow of plant processes and the relationship between major equipment of a plant facility.

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.

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.