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WR Training

June 24 course update:

We have added new video lectures. In addition, new quizzes are being added to help you test your knowledge and emphasize the key learning points. The quiz will include:

  • True/False questions

  • Multi-choice questions

  • Images, cross-sectionnal views

  • Solved problems

  • and much more...

When you think you’ve got a good grasp on a topic within the course, you can test your knowledge by taking the quiz. If you pass, wonderful . If not, you can review the videos and notes again or ask us for help in the Q&A section.

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June 24 course update:

We have added new video lectures. In addition, new quizzes are being added to help you test your knowledge and emphasize the key learning points. The quiz will include:

  • True/False questions

  • Multi-choice questions

  • Images, cross-sectionnal views

  • Solved problems

  • and much more...

When you think you’ve got a good grasp on a topic within the course, you can test your knowledge by taking the quiz. If you pass, wonderful . If not, you can review the videos and notes again or ask us for help in the Q&A section.

Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams commonly referred to as P&ID’s are encountred nowadays throughout all process industries such as Oil & Gas, chemical, pharmaceutical or food industries.

These engineering drawings are used worldwide in design, construction, commissioning, operation and maintenance of industrial plants.

They provide clear information on processes, equipment, control systems and how the plant should handle emergency situations.

As a potential actor in these industries, it is therefore vital that you have a thorough understanding of P&ID’s components and construction.

Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams don’t have to be a complicated . It isn’t rocket science . This course will make you a P&ID expert and you will know how to read, interpret and successfully understand :

  • all of those many lines

  • symbols

  • process control schemes

  • and safety instrumented functions you see in your plant drawings

The knowledge gained in this course will help you to understand ALL P&ID’s so that you can draw the correct information from them.

This will set you apart from your peers, whether you are an operator, engineer, or manager and will give you an edge over your competitors when seeking employment at one of these industrial facilities.

Moreover since Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams are used in the planning and risk assessment of tasks to identify hazards, process flows and isolation points, then by ensuring that these drawings are properly drawn and understood, you contribute to the safety of your facility, your fellow workers and yourself.

This training course starts by initiating you to basic blueprint reading (which is also used in electrical, hydraulic and mechanical fields of expertise), then moves on to familiarize you with simple to complex process flow features, such as :

  • instrument loops

  • advanced process control systems

  • safety instrumented functions

  • and alarm systems

Symbols are also discussed thoroughly with all the P&ID's standards, conventions and designation codes that apply to them according to the ISA symbology. These include :

  • valves (gate, globe, ball, butterfly...)

  • actuators (pneumatic, hydraulic, solenoid, single acting spring return, double acting...)

  • process equipment (pumps, compressors, heat exchangers, reactors...)

  • instrumentation (flow meters, temperature transmitters, pressure gauges...)

  • piping and fittings

  • lines

  • signals (pneumatic, hydraulic, electric...)

Included in the course are access to numerous downloadable resources, real industrial examples of P&ID’s and the keys to interpret them in high quality video lectures. You will be able to practice and become even more proficient with these bonus items that you will find throughout the course.

So with no further ado, check out the free preview videos and the curriculum of the course and we look forward to seeing you in the first section.

Hope to see you there

WR Training

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Understand and evaluate the purpose, content, and importance of p&ids to the construction, commissionning, safe operation and maintenance of a process plant
  • Learn how to read, interpret and successfully understand all p&ids through numerous real industrial examples
  • Identify the 5 key sections of your p&id (title block, grid system, revision block, notes and legend, engineering drawing block)
  • Know and identify valve symbols on your p&ids (gate, globe, ball, butterfly, needle…)
  • Know and identify valve actuator symbols on your p&ids (pneumatic, hydraulic, electric, single acting spring return, double acting…)
  • Know the standards and conventions for valve status (open, closed, throttled)
  • Identify valve position and failure mode on your p&ids (lo, lc, fo, fc, fai…)
  • Know and identify process equipment symbols on your p&ids (pumps, compressors, heat exchangers, columns, furnaces, reactors, vessels, containers, mixers…)
  • Know and identify piping symbols on your p&ids (process, pneumatic, electric, hydraulic…)
  • Determine specific information about a process piping including type of material in the line, line size, line number and type of insulation when applicable
  • Know and identify pipe fitting symbols on your p&ids (flanges, reductions, caps, spool pieces, unions…)
  • Know and identify the p&id symbols of safety devices that are used to safely isolate, vent & drain process equipment for ease of maintenance (spectacle and spade blinds, double block and bleed valves…)
  • Know and identify pneumatic, electric, hydraulic and instrument signal lines on your p&ids
  • Know and identify instrumentation symbols on your p&ids (flow meters, temperature transmitters, pressure gauges…)
  • Know and identify the location of instruments, recorders, modifiers and controllers on your p&ids (field mounted, board mounted, inaccessible…)
  • Know the lettering and numbering standards based on isa symbolgy for piping, instruments and equipment designation on your p&ids
  • Trace the flow of a process stream into your p&id, through the pipes and equipment, and out of the p&id
  • Understand the importance of process control and how it is displayed on your p&ids
  • Successfully interpret basic process control schemes on your p&ids
  • Understand the different process control options and how they are displayed on your p&ids (cascade control, split range control, ratio control, batch control, selective control…)
  • Define the term flow control and explain how it is displayed on your p&ids
  • Define the term temperature control and explain how it is displayed on your p&ids
  • Define the term pressure control and explain how it is displayed on your p&ids
  • Define the term level control and explain how it is displayed on your p&ids
  • Understand the control of pressure in a pipe and explain how it is displayed on your p&ids
  • Understand the control of flow in a pipe and explain how it is displayed on your p&ids
  • Understand flow merging control and explain how it is displayed on your p&ids
  • Understand flow splitting control and explain how it is displayed on your p&ids
  • Understand centrifugal pump control systems (discharge throttling, variable speed drive, minimum flow…) and explain how they are displayed on your p&ids
  • Understand positive displacement pump control systems (recirculation pipe, variable speed drive, stroke adjustment…) and explain how they are displayed on your p&ids
  • Understand compressor control systems (capacity control, variable speed drive, anti-surge…) and explain how they are displayed on your p&ids
  • Understand heat exchanger control systems (direct control, bypass control, back pressure control…) and explain how they are displayed on your p&ids
  • Understand reactor temperature control systems and explain how they are displayed on your p&ids
  • Understand fired heater control systems and explain how they are displayed on your p&ids
  • Understand container and vessel control systems and explain how they are displayed on your p&ids
  • Understand electric motor control systems (on / off actions) and explain how they are displayed on your p&ids
  • Know and understand the concept of safety instrumented systems (sis) and explain how safety instrumented functions are displayed on your p&ids
  • Know and understand the concept of alarm systems and explain how alarms are displayed on your p&ids
  • Identify safe operating limits based on system designs as displayed on your p&ids
  • Know and understand how fire and gas detection systems (fgs) are displayed on p&ids
  • Assess emergency situations and regulatory compliance issues using your p&ids
  • Show more
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Syllabus

WR Training
Welcome to WR Training
ABOUT THE COURSE
Introduction
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Covers P&ID interpretation, which is essential for roles in design, construction, operation, and maintenance across various process industries
Provides knowledge that can differentiate learners from their peers and give them an edge in seeking employment in industrial facilities
Starts with basic blueprint reading, which builds a solid foundation for understanding more complex process flow features
Explains how P&IDs are used in planning and risk assessment, contributing to the safety of facilities and workers
Explores symbols according to ISA symbology, which is a standard in process industries
Includes downloadable resources and real industrial examples of P&IDs, allowing learners to practice and improve their proficiency

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Reviews summary

Mastering p&ids for process industries

According to learners, this course offers a comprehensive guide to reading and understanding Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs), which are essential in process industries like Oil & Gas, chemical, and pharmaceutical. Students appreciate the detailed coverage of symbols, including valves, equipment, piping, and instruments, aligned with ISA standards and designation codes. The inclusion of real industrial examples is highlighted as particularly beneficial for practical application. The course is seen as providing a strong foundation, making it suitable for beginners, while also delving into basic and advanced process control systems as displayed on P&IDs. The content is considered highly relevant for professionals working in design, operations, and maintenance roles.
Includes quizzes and downloadable materials.
"The new quizzes are helpful for testing my knowledge retention after each section."
"The downloadable resources like symbol guides are a great reference to keep."
"Practicing with the bonus items really improved my skills beyond the core lectures."
Provides a solid base for understanding P&IDs.
"I was a complete beginner to P&IDs and this course gave me a strong starting point."
"It covers all the fundamentals needed before diving deeper into complex systems."
"The step-by-step approach was great for someone learning the basics from scratch."
Covers basic and advanced control loops.
"The explanations of feedback, feedforward, and cascade control were well done."
"I finally understood how different control strategies are shown on a P&ID after this module."
"The sections on pump and compressor control were particularly relevant to my work in operations."
Explains ISA standards and coding systems.
"Understanding the ISA symbology and designation codes was very helpful for interpreting diagrams correctly."
"The course explained the lettering and numbering standards clearly."
"Knowing the proper codes makes reading P&IDs much faster and more accurate."
Includes practical examples from industry.
"Seeing real P&IDs helped cement my understanding of how everything fits together."
"The examples made the theory much more practical and relatable to my daily tasks."
"Applying the concepts to actual plant drawings was invaluable for reinforcing the lessons."
Detailed explanations of all key P&ID symbols.
"I found the breakdown of valve symbols and actuators very clear and easy to follow."
"The section on instrument symbols and locations was exactly what I needed to grasp."
"Learning all the piping and equipment symbols was crucial for my job function."
"The course provides a thorough overview of symbols used in P&IDs."
Directly applicable to industrial roles.
"This knowledge is directly applicable to my work as an operator in the chemical plant."
"It definitely gives me an edge when applying for process industry jobs, enhancing my resume."
"Understanding P&IDs is vital for safety and efficiency in my facility, which this course teaches."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Know Read Understand Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams P&IDs with these activities:
Review Blueprint Reading Fundamentals
Reinforce your understanding of basic blueprint reading concepts, which are essential for interpreting P&IDs effectively.
Show steps
  • Review the basic principles of blueprint reading.
  • Practice identifying common symbols and conventions.
  • Complete practice exercises on blueprint interpretation.
Read 'Instrument Engineers' Handbook, Volume One: Process Measurement and Analysis'
Expand your understanding of instrumentation and control systems by studying a comprehensive handbook.
Show steps
  • Acquire a copy of the 'Instrument Engineers' Handbook, Volume One'.
  • Focus on sections related to flow, pressure, level, and temperature measurement.
  • Relate the information to the instrumentation symbols and designations learned in the course.
Read 'Process Piping Design Handbook'
Gain a deeper understanding of piping design principles to better interpret the information presented in P&IDs.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of the 'Process Piping Design Handbook'.
  • Read the chapters related to piping components and layout.
  • Take notes on key concepts and terminology.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
P&ID Symbol Identification Exercises
Improve your familiarity with P&ID symbols through repetitive identification exercises.
Show steps
  • Create a set of flashcards with P&ID symbols on one side and their descriptions on the other.
  • Practice identifying symbols using online quizzes or interactive tools.
  • Review the symbols you find most challenging.
Develop a P&ID Glossary
Solidify your understanding of P&ID terminology by creating a comprehensive glossary of terms and definitions.
Show steps
  • Compile a list of key terms and abbreviations used in P&IDs.
  • Research and write clear and concise definitions for each term.
  • Organize the glossary alphabetically and share it with other learners.
Analyze Real-World P&IDs
Apply your knowledge by analyzing real-world P&IDs from various process industries.
Show steps
  • Obtain sample P&IDs from publicly available sources or your workplace (if permitted).
  • Identify key components, control loops, and safety instrumented functions.
  • Document your findings and present them in a report or presentation.
Develop a P&ID for a Simple Process
Reinforce your understanding by creating a P&ID for a simple process system.
Show steps
  • Select a simple process system, such as a water tank level control system.
  • Identify all the necessary components, instruments, and control loops.
  • Draw the P&ID using appropriate symbols and conventions.
  • Review your P&ID with a peer or instructor for feedback.

Career center

Learners who complete Know Read Understand Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams P&IDs will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Plant Operator
Plant operators monitor and control equipment and systems in industrial plants to ensure efficient and safe operation. This course on Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams is invaluable for plant operators, enabling them to understand P&IDs and draw the correct information from them, relating to processes, equipment, and control systems. This course will help a plant operator identify valve symbols, understand process equipment symbols, trace process streams on P&IDs, and be able to interpret basic and advanced process control schemes. Greater insight into P&IDs helps a plant operator identify hazards, process flows, and isolation points.
Process Engineer
A process engineer designs, develops, and manages processes for manufacturing chemicals, materials, and other products. This course, focused on Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams, helps process engineers understand the crucial engineering drawings used in the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of industrial plants. Process engineers will gain proficiency in interpreting P&IDs, understand process control schemes, and ensure safety in their facilities by properly drawing and understanding these diagrams. The course helps build a strong foundation in blueprint reading, process flow features, and the identification of various symbols and standards used in P&IDs.
Control Systems Engineer
Control systems engineers design, develop, and maintain control systems that manage processes in various industries. The ability to read and interpret Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams is critical for control systems engineers to understand the intricacies of process control. This course will help control systems engineers become proficient in interpreting complex process control schemes, understanding advanced control systems, and identifying safety instrumented functions on P&IDs. A control systems engineer will also gain knowledge of control theory basics, various control loop configurations, and the implementation of advanced control strategies.
Safety Engineer
A safety engineer develops and implements safety programs to prevent accidents and ensure regulatory compliance in industrial settings. Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams are essential tools for safety engineers. This course on P&IDs helps safety engineers understand how safety instrumented systems and alarm systems are displayed on P&IDs. A safety engineer will also learn to identify safe operating limits based on system designs, how fire and gas detection systems are represented, and how to assess emergency situations using P&IDs. Competency in P&ID interpretation helps a safety engineer contribute to the overall safety of the facility and its employees.
Commissioning Engineer
Commissioning engineers oversee the startup and initial operation of new or modified industrial plants and equipment. Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams are invaluable documents during the commissioning process because they show the detailed design and configuration of the plant's systems. This course will help commissioning engineers interpret P&IDs effectively, ensuring that all systems are installed and functioning correctly. A commissioning engineer will be able to use their insight into P&IDs to trace process flows, verify instrument calibrations, and validate control system functionality.
Instrumentation Technician
Instrumentation technicians install, maintain, and calibrate instruments and control systems in industrial facilities. This course on Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams gives instrumentation technicians essential knowledge for interpreting P&IDs, which are crucial for understanding the layout and function of instrument loops, control systems, and safety functions within a plant. An instrumentation technician will become familiar with identifying instrument symbols, understanding control valve designations, and tracing signal lines on P&IDs. Familiarity with P&ID standards and conventions, as taught in this course, will improve the precision with which an instrumentation technician can perform their duties.
Project Engineer
Project engineers manage and coordinate engineering projects from conception to completion. A thorough understanding of Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams is essential for project engineers to ensure projects are designed, constructed, and operated safely and efficiently. This course will help project engineers understand the purpose, content, and importance of P&IDs in all phases of a project. This course will also give a project engineer better insight into process control schemes and safety instrumented functions, and also recognize and understand the various symbols representing valves, equipment, and instrumentation on P&IDs.
Automation Engineer
Automation engineers design, develop, and implement automated systems to improve efficiency and reduce human error in industrial processes. Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams are essential for understanding the integration of automation systems within a plant. Taking this course, an automation engineer will learn to interpret advanced process control schemes, identify instrument loops, and understand the function of various control components represented on P&IDs. This course will also help an automation engineer better understand process control options, control signals, and the implementation of ratio, cascade, and selective control strategies.
Maintenance Technician
Maintenance technicians are responsible for maintaining and repairing equipment and systems in industrial facilities, and are often called upon to interpret P&IDs. This course helps maintenance technicians understand the layout and function of plant systems as depicted in P&IDs. This course will familiarize maintenance technicians with isolating, venting, and draining symbols, aiding in the safe maintenance of process equipment. This course will also show maintenance technicians how to identify pipe fitting symbols, instrumentation, and signal lines on P&IDs. Maintenance technicians can use P&IDs to plan maintenance tasks safely and efficiently.
Reliability Engineer
A reliability engineer analyzes and improves the reliability of equipment and systems to minimize downtime and maximize productivity. Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams are a crucial reference for reliability engineers, as they provide detailed information about process flows, equipment configurations, and control systems. This course will help reliability engineers trace process streams on P&IDs, identify potential failure points, and understand the function of safety devices and control loops. A reliability engineer can use a mastery of P&IDs to conduct effective risk assessments and implement strategies to improve equipment reliability and prevent failures.
Process Safety Management Coordinator
Process safety management coordinators oversee process safety programs, ensuring that facilities comply with regulations and maintain a safe operating environment. This course may be useful for a coordinator to understand Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams, which are critical for identifying hazards, assessing risk, and developing safety procedures. It may help a process safety management coordinator interpret P&IDs to ensure that safety instrumented systems are properly designed and maintained. A process safety management coordinator can use P&IDs to identify isolation points, assess emergency shutdown systems, and ensure that all safety devices are correctly installed and functioning.
Chemical Technician
Chemical technicians assist chemical engineers in research, development, and production processes. Knowledge of Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams may be useful for a chemical technician to understand the layout and operation of chemical processing equipment. This course may help a chemical technician identify process equipment symbols, trace process streams, and understand basic control loops. A chemical technician will also learn to identify instrumentation symbols, interpret valve positions, and understand the function of safety devices represented on P&IDs. Familiarity with P&IDs helps a chemical technician work more effectively and safely in a chemical processing environment.
Technical Writer
Technical writers create technical documentation such as manuals, reports, and procedures. Detailed knowledge of plant systems, as represented in Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams may be useful for technical writers who work in the process industries. This course may help a technical writer to understand P&ID symbols, process flows, and control schemes. Technical writers can use this knowledge to develop accurate and comprehensive documentation that helps others understand and operate complex systems. Technical documentation can be improved with a better understanding of industry processes and controls.
Operations Manager
Operations managers oversee the day to day activities of an industrial plant, ensuring efficient and safe operations, and it may be useful to understand Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams. While an operations manager might not work directly with P&IDs, this course may help them gain a high level awareness of plant processes, control systems, and safety instrumented functions. This course can also give an operations manager a better understanding of the information contained within P&IDs. This may provide them with better insight into process flows and control schemes.
Technical Trainer
Technical trainers develop and deliver training programs to employees in various industries. While not directly related, an understanding of Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams may be useful for technical trainers who provide training on process operations and safety. This course may assist technical trainers in better understanding the content and purpose of P&IDs. Because they have insight into plant processes, a technical trainer can develop more effective training materials. Gaining knowledge of instrument symbols and control schemes, a technical trainer can prepare employees to use and interpret P&IDs in their daily work.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Know Read Understand Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams P&IDs.
This handbook provides in-depth information on process measurement and analysis techniques, which are essential for understanding the instrumentation depicted in P&IDs. It covers a wide range of instruments and their applications in process control. valuable reference for engineers and technicians working with process instrumentation. It adds depth to the course by providing detailed information on the instruments represented in P&IDs.
This handbook provides a comprehensive overview of process piping design, including materials, components, and layout considerations. It serves as a valuable reference for understanding the context in which P&IDs are created and used. While not directly focused on P&IDs, it offers essential background knowledge for interpreting them effectively. is commonly used by piping engineers and designers.

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