The Benefits of Using API 686 PDF for Machinery Installation and Installation Design Projects
What is API 686 and why you need it
If you are involved in the installation and design of machinery in the process industry, you may have heard of API 686. But what is it exactly and why do you need it? In this article, we will answer these questions and show you how to download API 686 PDF for free.
api 686 pdf free download
API 686 is a recommended practice (RP) published by the American Petroleum Institute (API) that provides guidelines for the installation and installation design of new, existing, and reapplied machinery in the downstream segment of the process industry. It covers various types of machinery, such as pumps, compressors, turbines, fans, blowers, gearboxes, couplings, motors, generators, and drivers.
The purpose of API 686 is to help ensure that the machinery is installed properly and safely, according to the manufacturer's specifications and industry standards. It also aims to improve the reliability, performance, efficiency, and lifespan of the machinery by minimizing errors, defects, failures, and downtime.
By following API 686, you can benefit from:
Reduced installation costs and time
Increased operational safety and environmental protection
Enhanced quality control and assurance
Optimized alignment and balance of rotating equipment
Better coordination and communication among different parties involved in machinery installation and design
Improved troubleshooting and maintenance capabilities
How to download API 686 PDF for free
Now that you know what API 686 is and why you need it, you may be wondering how to get a copy of it. Having a digital copy of API 686 PDF can be very convenient and useful for reference, especially if you work on different sites or projects that require different types of machinery.
There are several ways to download API 686 PDF for free, depending on your preferences and needs. Here are some of them:
The official sources of API 686 PDF
The most reliable and authoritative source of API 686 PDF is the API website itself. You can purchase the latest edition (second edition, December 2009) of API 686 from this link for $195. However, if you are an API member or a student, you can access it for free through API University, which is an online platform that provides access to over 200 API standards and technical publications.
To access API University, you need to create an account with your email address and password. Then, you can browse through the available standards and publications by category or keyword. Once you find API 686, you can view it online or download it as a PDF file.
The alternative sources of API 686 PDF
If you are not an API member or a student, or if you prefer to download API 686 PDF without paying or registering, you can try some alternative sources that offer free downloads of API 686 PDF. However, you should be careful and cautious when using these sources, as they may not be updated, accurate, or secure. Some of these sources are:
Academia.edu: This is a platform that allows researchers and academics to share their papers and publications. You can find a PDF version of API 686 uploaded by a user named M.A Choudary. You can download it by clicking on the "Download" button on the top right corner of the page.
ASME standards online: This is a website that provides free downloads of various standards and codes related to engineering and technology. You can find a PDF version of API 686 from this link. You can download it by clicking on the "Download" button at the bottom of the page.
How to use API 686 for machinery installation and installation design
Once you have downloaded API 686 PDF, you may want to know how to use it for your machinery installation and installation design projects. In this section, we will give you an overview of the scope, content, and application of API 686.
The scope and applicability of API 686
API 686 is intended to be used for the installation and installation design of new, existing, and reapplied machinery in the downstream segment of the process industry. The downstream segment includes refining, petrochemical, chemical, pharmaceutical, pulp and paper, food and beverage, and other industries that process raw materials into finished products.
API 686 covers various types of machinery, such as pumps, compressors, turbines, fans, blowers, gearboxes, couplings, motors, generators, and drivers. It also covers different aspects of machinery installation and installation design, such as foundations, grouting, alignment, piping, electrical, instrumentation, lubrication, testing, and commissioning.
API 686 does not cover the installation and installation design of machinery in the upstream segment (exploration and production) or the midstream segment (transportation and storage) of the process industry. It also does not cover the installation and installation design of machinery that is subject to other specific standards or codes, such as nuclear power plants, marine vessels, aerospace vehicles, or military equipment.
The main sections and topics of API 686
API 686 consists of nine main sections that cover different topics related to machinery installation and installation design. These sections are:
General: This section provides general information about the scope, purpose, definitions, references, units of measurement, symbols and abbreviations used in API 686.
Project Planning: This section provides guidance on how to plan and manage a machinery installation and installation design project. It covers topics such as project organization, roles and responsibilities, schedules and milestones, budgets and costs, quality assurance and control, safety and environmental considerations, documentation and records management.
Installation Design: This section provides guidance on how to design the installation of machinery according to the manufacturer's specifications and industry standards. It covers topics such as foundation design and analysis, grout selection and application, anchor bolt selection and installation, baseplate selection and fabrication.
Machinery Installation: This section provides guidance on how to install the machinery according to the manufacturer's specifications and industry standards. It covers topics such as receiving inspection and storage of machinery components, preparation of foundation and baseplate surfaces, alignment methods and procedures, piping connections and supports, electrical connections and grounding, instrumentation connections and calibration, lubrication systems and fluids, testing methods and procedures, commissioning methods and procedures.
Machinery Reinstallation: This section provides guidance on how to reinstall existing or reapplied machinery according to the manufacturer's specifications and industry standards. It covers topics such as removal methods and procedures, inspection methods and procedures, repair methods and procedures, reinstallation methods and procedures.
Machinery Relocation: This section provides guidance on how to relocate existing or reapplied machinery from one site to another according to the manufacturer's specifications and industry standards. It covers topics such as relocation planning and management, disassembly methods and procedures, transportation methods and procedures, and procedures.
Installation Verification: This section provides guidance on how to verify the installation of machinery according to the manufacturer's specifications and industry standards. It covers topics such as verification methods and procedures, verification documentation and records, verification acceptance criteria and tolerances.
Installation Maintenance: This section provides guidance on how to maintain the installation of machinery according to the manufacturer's specifications and industry standards. It covers topics such as maintenance methods and procedures, maintenance documentation and records, maintenance intervals and frequencies.
Appendices: This section provides additional information and resources related to machinery installation and installation design. It includes appendices such as installation checklists, installation drawings and sketches, installation calculations and formulas, installation references and bibliography.
The recommended procedures, practices, and checklists of API 686
API 686 provides detailed and comprehensive procedures, practices, and checklists for each topic related to machinery installation and installation design. These procedures, practices, and checklists are based on the best available knowledge and experience of the industry experts who contributed to API 686. They are intended to help ensure that the machinery is installed properly and safely, according to the manufacturer's specifications and industry standards.
For example, API 686 provides a procedure for aligning a pump and a motor using a dial indicator method. The procedure consists of several steps, such as:
Mounting the dial indicators on the coupling hubs or shafts.
Setting the dial indicators to zero at the top position.
Rotating both shafts together by 180 degrees and recording the dial indicator readings.
Calculating the vertical offset and angularity between the shafts.
Adjusting the shims under the motor feet to correct the vertical offset.
Repeating steps 2 to 5 until the vertical offset is within tolerance.
Rotating both shafts together by 90 degrees and recording the dial indicator readings.
Calculating the horizontal offset and angularity between the shafts.
Adjusting the motor horizontally to correct the horizontal offset.
Repeating steps 7 to 9 until the horizontal offset is within tolerance.
Checking the soft foot condition of the motor by loosening one foot at a time and measuring the change in dial indicator readings.
Correcting the soft foot condition by adding or removing shims under the motor feet.
Rechecking the alignment after correcting the soft foot condition.
API 686 also provides a checklist for verifying the alignment of a pump and a motor. The checklist consists of several items, such as:
The alignment method used is appropriate for the type and size of machinery.
The alignment tolerances are specified by the manufacturer or industry standards.
The alignment tools and instruments are calibrated and in good condition.
The alignment procedure is followed correctly and completely.
The alignment results are documented and recorded properly.
How to ensure compliance with API 686
Compliance with API 686 is not mandatory or legally binding, but it is highly recommended and widely accepted by the process industry as a best practice for machinery installation and installation design. Compliance with API 686 can help you avoid potential problems, risks, and liabilities that may arise from improper or unsafe installation of machinery. It can also help you improve your reputation, credibility, and competitiveness in the market.
To ensure compliance with API 686, you need to consider several factors, such as:
The roles and responsibilities of different parties involved in machinery installation and installation design
Machinery installation and installation design involves various parties, such as owners, operators, engineers, contractors, suppliers, manufacturers, inspectors, auditors, regulators, etc. Each party has different roles and responsibilities in ensuring compliance with API 686. For example:
The owner is responsible for defining the project scope, objectives, requirements, and specifications, as well as providing adequate resources, support, and oversight for the project.
The operator is responsible for operating and maintaining the machinery according to the manufacturer's instructions and industry standards, as well as reporting any issues, anomalies, or failures that may affect the machinery performance or safety.
The engineer is responsible for designing and verifying the installation of machinery according to the manufacturer's specifications and industry standards, as well as providing technical guidance, support, and documentation for the project.
The contractor is responsible for installing and commissioning the machinery according to the engineer's design and API 686 guidelines, as well as following the safety and environmental regulations and procedures for the project.
The supplier is responsible for supplying and delivering the machinery components according to the owner's requirements and the manufacturer's quality standards, as well as providing warranty and after-sales service for the machinery.
The manufacturer is responsible for producing and testing the machinery components according to the industry standards and the owner's specifications, as well as providing installation instructions, recommendations, and support for the machinery.
The inspector is responsible for inspecting and verifying the installation of machinery according to API 686 checklists, as well as reporting any deviations, nonconformities, or defects that may affect the machinery reliability or safety.
The auditor is responsible for auditing and evaluating the compliance of machinery installation and installation design with API 686, as well as providing feedback, recommendations, and improvement actions for the project.
The regulator is responsible for enforcing and monitoring the compliance of machinery installation and installation design with the applicable laws and regulations, as well as issuing permits, licenses, and penalties for the project.
The documentation and verification requirements of API 686
API 686 requires that the installation and installation design of machinery be documented and verified properly and adequately. Documentation and verification are essential for ensuring compliance with API 686, as they provide evidence, records, and traceability of the installation process and results. Documentation and verification also help to improve the quality, consistency, and transparency of the installation project.
API 686 provides guidance on what types of documentation and verification are required for different topics related to machinery installation and installation design. For example:
For foundation design and analysis, API 686 requires that the following documents be prepared and verified: foundation drawings, foundation calculations, soil investigation reports, grout specifications, anchor bolt specifications, etc.
For alignment methods and procedures, API 686 requires that the following documents be prepared and verified: alignment tolerances, alignment tools and instruments, alignment procedure steps, alignment results and records, etc.
For testing methods and procedures, API 686 requires that the following documents be prepared and verified: testing plan, testing equipment and instruments, testing procedure steps, testing results and records, etc.
The common challenges and best practices of applying API 686
Applying API 686 can be challenging and complex, as it involves many factors, variables, and uncertainties that may affect the installation and installation design of machinery. Some of the common challenges that may arise when applying API 686 are:
Lack of coordination and communication among different parties involved in machinery installation and installation design.
Lack of knowledge and experience in applying API 686 guidelines and requirements.
Lack of resources and support for implementing API 686 recommendations and actions.
Lack of consistency and accuracy in following API 686 procedures and practices.
Lack of flexibility and adaptability in dealing with changes or deviations from API 686 standards or expectations.
To overcome these challenges and ensure successful application of API 686, some of the best practices that can be followed are:
Establish clear roles and responsibilities for each party involved in machinery installation and installation design.
Provide adequate training and education on API 686 guidelines and requirements for each party involved in machinery installation and installation design.
Allocate sufficient resources and support for implementing API 686 recommendations and actions.
Use appropriate tools and instruments for performing API 686 procedures and practices.
Maintain regular communication and feedback among different parties involved in machinery installation and installation design.
Document and verify every step and result of the installation process according to API 686 requirements.
Review and evaluate the compliance of the installation project with API 686 standards or expectations.
Conclusion
, electrical, instrumentation, lubrication, testing, and commissioning.
Compliance with API 686 is not mandatory or legally binding, but it is highly recommended and widely accepted by the process industry as a best practice for machinery installation and installation design. Compliance with API 686 can help you avoid potential problems, risks, and liabilities that may arise from improper or unsafe installation of machinery. It can also help you improve your reputation, credibility, and competitiveness in the market.
To ensure compliance with API 686, you need to consider several factors, such as the roles and responsibilities of different parties involved in machinery installation and installation design, the documentation and verification requirements of API 686, and the common challenges and best practices of applying API 686.
If you want to learn more about API 686 and how to use it for your machinery installation and installation design projects, you can download API 686 PDF for free from the official or alternative sources mentioned in this article. You can also contact us for any questions or inquiries related to API 686 or other standards and codes related to engineering and technology.
We hope you found this article informative and useful. Thank you for reading and have a great day!
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about API 686 and their answers:
What is the difference between API 686 and API 610?
API 686 is a recommended practice that provides guidelines for the installation and installation design of new, existing, and reapplied machinery in the downstream segment of the process industry. It covers various types of machinery, such as pumps, compressors, turbines, fans, blowers, gearboxes, couplings, motors, generators, and drivers.
API 610 is a standard that specifies the minimum requirements for centrifugal pumps used in petroleum, petrochemical, and natural gas industries. It covers only one type of machinery (centrifugal pumps) and focuses on the design and manufacture of the pump