The PVRC Technical Committee on Piping Systems has recognized that the piping system design process has become quite complex. In addition, design, fabrication, installation and inspection of pipe supports have evolved into a significant portion of the total plant design and construction process.The combination of increased design process complexity, increased reliance on analytical tools, and the development of assembly line approaches to piping system analysis and design has led to a final design product that is potentially inferior to that produced 10 to 15 years ago.Modern piping systems tend to be stiffer than their predecessors and the Committee believes that some current practices may reduce plant reliability, increased personnel exposure, increased costs and reduce safety margins.