A power plant contractor in the Southeast needed a fast turnaround quote for a mixed-diameter pipe run — 4" and 6" Schedule 40 A106 — as part of a cooling water expansion. The run included 260 linear feet of pipe total, with 18 butt welds on the 6" line and 14 on the 4" line. Shop spool fabrication was done off-site with field fit-up and final welds on location. IronKit separated the shop and field labor automatically when the user specified both locations. Total turn time from the quote request to the signed PO was 48 hours — the plant manager needed the work done during a scheduled outage window.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is field weld labor more expensive than shop?
Field welds require working in-position on installed pipe — harder access, more setup time, and typically slower travel speed. Shop welds can be rotated to optimal position, so the hourly rate is lower and the production rate is higher.
Does IronKit handle mixed-diameter pipe runs?
Yes. Enter each pipe size separately and IronKit prices them independently with the correct fittings, weld counts, and labor hours for each diameter.
What is the typical lead time for pipe spool fabrication?
Shop spool fabrication for this volume typically takes 2–3 weeks from signed PO, depending on material availability. IronKit notes the lead time in the terms section.