Page 560 - Subyek Teknik Mesin - Forsthoffers Best Practice Handbook for Rotating Machinery by William E Forsthoffer

The Post-Shipment Phase: Installation, Pre-Commissioning, Commissioning and Start-up Best Practices Best Practice 1 0.5

Fig 10.4.3 The basics of leveling of equipment

Best
Best Practice 10.5Practice 10.5
Use epoxy grout for all machinery foundations, in accor- and use an experienced epoxy grout contractor has
dance with the epoxy grout vendor’s procedures, and caused significant project delays, and produced founda-
employ an experienced epoxy grout contractor to produce tions that required re-grouting before or during the first
a grout foundation that will last for the life of the installed scheduled plant turnaround.
equipment.
Only epoxy grout, when properly applied, will ensure a machinery Benchmarks
baseplate support that will last for the life of the installed equipment. This best practice has been used since the mid-1980s when significant
Ensure that prior to the construction phase of the project: epoxy grouting issues were experienced. The final solution, after
Epoxy grout will be used for all machinery. a project delay, was to require that the epoxy grout vendor represen-
An accepted epoxy grout procedure is approved by all parties. tative come to the site and conduct epoxy grout training for the grout
The selected grout contractor has experience in epoxy grout contractor, who did not have any experience in epoxy grout installation
applications in the geographical area (environment) where the plant in the geographical area in which the plant was located. Since that
is located. time, we have required that the site grout procedure be reviewed and
approved prior to start of construction and that the contractor expe-
rience be confirmed.
Lessons Learned
Failure to specify the use of epoxy grout for all machinery
installations, have an approved grout procedure in place

B.P. 10.5. Supporting Material presents some general grout considerations that have been
proven through many long, hard construction projects.
Most important is an approved grouting procedure. This is
Grout (general) not a simple procedure that states the type of grout and how
much will be used, but a detailed procedure specifying the
The grouting plays an important role in the availability of
equipment used for proper grout pours, the forms, the form
equipment. Improper grout type and application has caused preparation, the details concerning depth of pour, specifications
many unscheduled shutdowns in the field. Figure 10.5.1
for grout, etc. It has been our experience that contractors are not
experienced in proper grouting procedures. Remember, the
installation phase is only a short period in the life of equipment.
1. Approved grouting procedure The decisions made during grouting will affect the equipment
2. Epoxy grout for: for its entire lifetime.
Greater than 75 kw (100 hp) Epoxy grout is usually required for equipment greater than
All axial, centrifugal or reciprocating compressor trains
3. Special environmental conditions 75 kW (100 hp) and all reciprocating types of rotating equipment.
Temperatures > 50°C (140°F) Although epoxy grout is much more expensive than conventional
4. Proper surface preparation grouts, it certainly pays out in the long run since it is impervious to
Clean oil and resists cracking. In the application of any grouts, ambient
Chipped conditions are very important. Be sure that the site grouting
Water free (for epoxy grout) procedure takes the local ambient conditions into account.
Grease anchor bolts, jackbolts, chocks
Like most jobs, proper preparation significantly affects the
quality of the finished product. Clean, chipped, water-free (for
Fig 10.5.1 General grout considerations epoxy grout) foundations are a necessity. Also anchor bolts, jack

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