Pipeline Shim Reports & Documentation Guide

Accurate shim documentation is a critical requirement on every pipeline construction project. Shim reports provide a permanent record of every shim installation, supporting quality control, regulatory compliance, and long-term asset management. This guide covers everything you need to know about creating professional shim reports.

What Should a Shim Report Include?

• Project name and identification
• Pipe support number and location
• Shim thickness (individual and total stack)
• Shim material and grade
• Shim dimensions (width, length)
• Number of shims in stack
• Taper direction (if applicable)
• Installation date
• Inspector or installer name

Why Shim Documentation Matters

Pipeline operators and regulatory bodies require documented shim records for: quality assurance audits, insurance compliance, maintenance planning, root cause analysis if failures occur, and asset management over the pipeline lifecycle.

Common Shim Report Formats

Paper Shim Logs

Traditional handwritten logs on preprinted forms. Prone to errors, water damage, and loss. Cannot be searched or sorted.

Spreadsheet Reports

Excel or Google Sheets templates. Better than paper but not optimized for field use. Difficult to generate formatted PDF submittals.

Digital Shim Report Apps

Purpose-built apps like ShimSheet that generate professional PDF shim reports automatically from field-entered data. The fastest and most reliable method.