
#Hot to avoid dead legs in pipe full#
That way, your pipe isn’t flexing or wobbling in a way that puts it in danger of wear or ruptures.īy contrast, a dummy support consists of a full piece of pipe that you weld to the back of an elbow. For instance, if you have vertical piping that you need to secure, you can weld trunnions to the sides of your vertical pipe. Trunnions usually take the form of two pieces of pipe that you weld to a vertical run. There are a few differences between these two pipe supports: So what’s the difference between a dummy leg and a trunnion? These two terms are commonly mentioned in the same breath, but don’t be fooled. What’s the Difference Between a Dummy Leg and Trunnion? It can be dangerous to have elbow joints sticking out and hovering because these areas are also where liquids are forced to switch directions-making them high pressure points.īy welding a dummy leg to the back of your pipe elbow, you add a support point that helps absorb pressure and fight gravity that otherwise may pull your pipe joint apart. Sometimes your pipe runs will end up with elbows that extend past their supports. The most common way to use a dummy leg is to add support at unprotected elbows. By welding these extra pieces to your pipe run’s elbow, you essentially add a support wedge that fortifies a vulnerable point in your pipe system. It is generally either smaller than or the same size as the pipe you’re supporting. The trunnion helps by adding stability and securing the pipe.Ī dummy leg is a piece of pipe that acts as a support branch between your pipe and a nearby support point. It also can put extra pressure on those pipe supports that are trying to pick up the slack. With gravity pulling down, the pipe flexes or wobbles, which endangers piping. Anyone who has tried balancing a long pole in the palm of their hand understands how gravity can destabilize an object. Without support, vertical piping can lose stability. They’re usually welded to those areas of the piping system that need a higher load-bearing capacity. In this article, we discuss the ins and outs of these pipe supports and point to the subtle differences between trunnions and dummy legs.Ī trunnion is a piece of pipe that you weld to vertical piping in order to add support. We’re here to help you sort out the answer. Because they’re often mentioned together, it is only natural to wonder, “What is the difference between trunnions and dummy legs?” At the top of the list aretrunnions and dummy legs. The process piping world is packed with fun, and sometimes confusing, terms.
