What are pipe chocks?
Pipe chocks represent an essential component in various industries, specifically designed to ensure the secure handling and storage of pipes. These specialised stabilisers are typically made from robust materials such as polyethylene. Plastic pipe chocks, for example, prevent pipe movement and potential damage, promoting both safety and efficiency. In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at chocks, covering:
- How do pipe chocks work?
- How pipe chocks ensure stability
- Benefits of pipe chocks
- Industries that use pipe chocks
- Pipe chock materials
How do pipe chocks work?
Pipe chocks are wedges strategically positioned to ensure pipes remain precisely where they're intended and beneficial for pipe protection. This is particularly crucial for high-pressure systems, where even minor movement or misalignment can trigger leaks, loss of containment, or potentially catastrophic failures. By providing unwavering support, pipe chocks safeguard the integrity of the entire piping system.
Pipe chocks support layers of pipes, creating a stable pyramid-like structure. By preventing pipes from rolling or shifting, chocks ensure the safety of the pipes themselves and the workers around them.
How pipe chocks ensure stability
Pipe chocks, despite their simple design, play a vital role in keeping pipes secure throughout various stages. Their effectiveness relies on a combination of factors:
Strategic Positioning
Pipe chocks are placed on supporting surfaces like the ground, truck beds, or pipe racks, ensuring proper alignment for optimal support. This creates a stable base for the pipe to rest upon, providing stability for the application.
Friction Power
The material of the pipe chock can provide a high coefficient of friction. This creates a strong grip between the chock and the pipe's surface, further enhancing stability and preventing slippage.
Load Distribution
By cradling the pipe, pipe chocks help distribute its weight more evenly across the supporting surface. This reduces the risk of concentrated pressure on specific areas, minimising the potential for pipe damage or deformation.
Benefits of pipe chocks
Pipe chocks serve three main purposes. To get the advantages they offer, use them in these instances:
1. Transportation:
Pipe chocks act as wedges during transit, typically secured between layers of pipes on trucks, trailers, or other vehicles. This creates a stable structure that prevents the pipes from rolling, shifting, or falling. This not only protects the pipes themselves from damage but also enhances overall safety on the road.
2. Storage:
Within storage facilities, pipe chocks are employed to maintain organisation and prevent movement. They are positioned strategically to keep pipes separated and prevent them from becoming jumbled together. This allows for easier access to specific pipes and minimises the risk of damage caused by uncontrolled rolling.
3. Handling:
We’ve already alluded to this point, but it bears repeating. Pipe chocks act as temporary anchors for pipes, preventing them from rolling or shifting unexpectedly during loading, unloading, and manoeuvring. This not only minimises the risk of accidents associated with unpredictable pipe movement but also allows workers to focus on safe and controlled handling. By creating a stable platform for pipes, pipe chocks also reduce the risk of slips, trips, and falls, further contributing to a safer working environment.
By ensuring pipes remain stable during transport, storage, and handling, pipe chocks contribute to a safe and efficient piping system. Once the pipes are in place, secure and leak-proof connections become crucial.
To learn more, check out Why Flange Covers are Essential. Our experts have also put together a Guide to Flanges.
Also as a final note, pipe chocks have an easy installation process that you can get the benefits of.
Industries that use pipe chocks
Pipe chocks are used across various industries that work with pipes. Here are some of the most common ones:
● Oil and Gas: Essential for securing pipes during transportation. In storage yards, they keep pipes organised, minimising damage and making them easier to access.
● Construction: Used to secure pipes during transportation, storage, and installation. They provide temporary stabilisation for pipes during loading, unloading, and manoeuvring.
● Shipbuilding: Ensure stability during welding, fitting, and other fabrication processes.
● Plumbing: Used for temporary stabilisation of pipes during installation and maintenance. This is particularly helpful in tight spaces or when working on overhead pipes.
Hose clamps can provide another option, depending on the application. They’re designed to create a leak-proof seal around a hose or pipe where it connects to a fitting or another pipe. They work by constricting the hose or pipe material around the connection point, ensuring a tight and secure fit that prevents fluids from leaking out.
We recommend you learn more in our Guide to Hose Clamps.
Pipe chock materials
There are different pipe-chock types, and these variations come down to materials.
● Plastic pipe chocks:
Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) is a common choice due to these characteristics:
■ Durability: LDPE is a resilient plastic known for its resistance to wear and tear, making it suitable for many environments.
■ Lightweight: The lightweight nature of an LDPE pipe chock means it’s easier to handle and transport.
■ Cost-effectiveness: This is a relatively inexpensive material, making an LDPE pipe chock a cost-efficient solution.
■ Chemical resistance: LDPE exhibits good resistance to many chemicals commonly encountered in industrial settings.
● Metal chocks:
Steel pipe chocks offer superior strength and are ideal for heavy-duty applications involving:
■ Large or heavy pipes: Steel chocks can withstand the weight and pressure exerted by large or heavy pipes.
■ High-impact environments: Steel's robust nature makes it suitable for environments with potential for impacts or rough handling.
● Wood chocks:
Traditional wooden chocks are another consideration:
○ Customisable: Wood can be easily cut and shaped to fit specific pipe sizes.
○ Hardwood chocks are both lightweight and sturdy and good for temporary use.
However, wood chocks also come with some drawbacks.
● Susceptibility to moisture: Wood can absorb moisture, potentially warping or rotting over time, especially outdoors.
● Limited durability: Compared to steel or an LDPE pipe chock, wood generally offers lower durability and may not withstand heavy loads or rough handling.
Try before you buy
Request free samples now to make sure you’ve chosen exactly what you need. If you have any questions about plastic pipe chocks, our experts are always happy to advise you.
Questions?
Email us at sales@essentracomponents.co.uk or speak to one of our experts for further information on the ideal solution for your application 0345 528 0474.