The Breakdown of a P&ID: What’s Included in P&ID Borders?

While often considered background detail, P&ID borders play a crucial role in providing context, clarity, and traceability. The border isn’t just a decorative frame—it’s packed with essential metadata that helps engineers, operators, and contractors quickly understand the drawing’s identity, scope, and status.

Let’s break down what’s typically found in P&ID borders, and why each part matters.

Drawing Title

The drawing title is the primary label for the document. It offers a snapshot of what the P&ID represents and may include:

• Process Area or Building – Indicates where on site the process takes place
• Primary Equipment – Identifies the key item the drawing focuses on, such as a vessel, skid, or pump slab
• P&ID Type – Clarifies the layout style (e.g., Side Elevation, Lateral, Road Loading, Tank Top) so users immediately know what they’re viewing

Drawing Number

Every P&ID needs a unique identifier, and this is where the drawing number comes in. A well-structured number often includes:

• Site or Area Code – Identifies the part of the facility
• Drawing Type – Such as P&ID, GA (General Arrangement), PFT (Process Flow Table), or DSEAR layout
• Unique Number – Differentiates this drawing from others in the same system
• Sheet Numbering – Helps track where this page fits in a multi-sheet set
• Paper Size Code – Reflects the intended print format

Revision Table

The revision history table records all updates made to the P&ID over time. This is essential for change tracking and audit readiness. It typically includes:

• Revision Letter or Number – Identifies the version
• Change Description – Summarises what was modified
• Updated By / Approved By – Tracks responsible personnel
• Date of Change – Provides a timeline for document updates

Company Logo

While seemingly minor, placing your company logo inside the P&ID border helps identify ownership and site association. We always recommend converting logos into CAD linework (rather than inserting image files), so the logo becomes part of the DWG and won’t cause issues during plotting or export.

Notes Section

A notes area is often added to keep the body of the P&ID uncluttered. It’s a flexible space for important side information, such as:

• Highlighting redundant or isolated equipment
• Reporting known issues or field discrepancies
• Listing unused nozzles (e.g., capped tank outlets)
• Providing setup or configuration tips

Keyplan

A keyplan provides vital orientation—especially useful for contractors or staff unfamiliar with the site. It shows:

• Where the P&ID fits within the broader facility
• The drawing’s location in relation to adjacent systems or buildings
• Multiple keyplans (when needed) to break down large sites into manageable zones

A good keyplan enhances usability and reduces the likelihood of on-site errors.

References Section

P&ID borders also typically include a reference area to connect the drawing to related documentation. Common references include:

• Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs)
• Safety documents or isolation matrices
• Industry symbol standards or legends used on the drawing

This section ensures that anyone reading the P&ID has access to the broader documentation landscape.

Other Common Elements in P&ID Borders

• Grid System – Columns and rows help pinpoint asset locations quickly (e.g., valve at B4)
• File Path and Save Name – Helps teams retrieve the correct CAD file from your server
• Uncontrolled Print Notice – Ensures printed copies are marked appropriately if not revision-controlled
• Margins – Standard buffer zones to ensure borders aren’t cropped during printing
• Paper Size and Scale – While P&IDs aren’t drawn to scale, the paper size is still specified, and a scale box may exist if using a universal template

Best Practice Tip: Use a Border Template with Xrefs

We strongly advise creating a standard P&ID border template and referencing it into each drawing via an Xref. This means you can update 600+ drawings by changing just one file—saving hours (and a lot of frustration).