Canute LLP

Pipe Data Tables

Last year saw the introduction of files with the file extension PDT. The PDT files (pipe data tables) defines the data for each pipe material such as the pipes description nominal bore, internal bore and C-Factor. In addition the files hold the equivalent lengths for fittings and valves. You can have as many PDT files as you wish but you can only use one on each FHC project. All the PDT files MUST be stored in a sub-folder ‘PipeData’ (normal path c:\fhc\PipeData).

Previous versions of FHC used the same file format but the files had a ‘txt’ file extension. FHC will still read any projects, which use the older pipe data files with the ‘txt’ extension and again these files must be located in the ‘PipeData’ folder for FHC to find them.

We would recommend that you make a copy of any customized pipe data tables you may have and rename them with the ‘PDT’ file extension.

Example: mypipedata.txt
mypipedata.pdt

Both files must be kept in the ‘PipeData’ folder.

Warning
The pipe data file with the file name STD_PIPE.PDT is the standard file which be default will be used for all new FHC projects. As this is the standard PDT file we would ask you NOT to modify this file in any way as FHC will automatically replace this file each time you install the FHC program and update FHC.

Changes form version 1.2.5
As from version 1.2.5 FHC will only allow you to use pipe data tables with the ‘PDT’ file extensions for new projects. However FHC will still read old projects using files with the ‘txt’ file extension, if FHC can find the file in the ‘PipeData’ folder.

When you open the ‘Project Data’ [Ctrl+P] window and select the ‘Pipe types data file’ drop down box, the box will be automatically populated with all the available ‘PDT’ file which are available for you to use.

You can now specify a different location to keep your PDT file including network drive. This can be useful if you wish your office to share command PDT’s. You must first copy all the PDT files you wish to share to a common network folder (where all uses have ‘read’ rights). Next for each FHC user start the FHC program and then select ‘Tools -> Preferences’ and press the ‘Locate Pipe Dir’ button, you will then see the ‘Browse for folder’ dialog box. Use this dialog box to locate the location of the folder with the PDT files are stored and then press the ‘OK’ button. Repeat for the location of the Head Data (if required) and then press the Save button.

Each time the FHC is started, it will check to see if it can use the specified file location. If the network drive is not connected and the files cannot be accessed FHC will ask you if you if you wish to use local copies of the PDT files. If you say YES to this question FHC will then check that the local copies of the files can be accessed, if FHC cannot find them, FHC will not start and you will not be able to use FHC program.

If you only wish to use PDT file stored on a network drive then you should delete the local copies of the ‘PDT’ files from all the computers attached to the network.


Changes from version 1.3.x
A new text editor has been added to help you edit ‘PDT’ file. You will find this editor by selecting the ‘Tools’ menu -> Options -> Edit Pipe Data Tables. You can select any of the pipe types from the drop down box at the top of the window.