Piping Inspectors Handbook
Revision 0 May 2007
Hydrostatic Testing of Buried Pipework
(QCS/50/00/CS/PC/NA/801)
This primarily applies to large bore fresh cooling water
supply & return pipework.
During construction & installation special care is to be
taken with the cleanliness of this pipework. Further
special requirements apply at the pre-commissioning
stage.
Gauges for hydrostatic testing shall have a range of
between 1.5 and 2.2 times the test pressure; they shall
have been calibrated within the previous 1 month
period. A pressure / temperature recorder is
mandatory.
Test pressure shall be held for 24 hours. Steps shall be
taken so as to avoid over pressurisation due to
temperature changes.
36
CONTENTS
SectionTitlePage1.List of Project Specifications22.Storage and Preservation of
Piping Materials33.Colour Coding of Pipe Materials44.Colour Coding of Gasket
Materials55.Colour Coding of Bolting Materials56.Cold Bending67.High Frequency
Induction Bending88.Piping Fabrication, Erection, Inspection &
Testing11Intersecting Weld Seams11Welding Consumables11Welding Procedure
Qualification12Welder Qualification13Welding Control16Post Weld & Post Bending
Heat Treatment189.Positive Material Identification2010.Hardness
Testing2311.Radiography2412.Notes on Other NDT
Methods2613.Tolerances2814.Bolting of Flanges3015.Threaded
Joints3216.Hydrostatic Testing (above ground piping)3317.Pneumatic
Testing3518.Hydrostatic Testing of Buried Pipework36
1

This pocket reference guide has been
designed to provide a quick on-site
reference to the various project
specifications which relate to piping.
This document does not in anyway
replace the project specifications.
Where doubt exists always refer to a
controlled copy of the relevant
specification. This document has been
designed for use by Piping Inspectors
and by Piping Supervisors.
List of Project Specifications
Design Fabrication & Inspection For Cold Bending Pipe
(QCS/50/00/MP/DB/NA/004).
Design Fabrication & Inspection For High Frequency Induction
Bending of Pipe (QCS/50/00/MP/DB/NA/003).
Piping Colour Coding For Material Identification
(QCS/50/00/MP/TS/NA/003).
Bolting For Flange Joints (QCS/50/00/MP/TS/NA/008).
Technical Specification For Cement Mortar Lined Piping Components
(QCS/50/00/MP/TS/NA/140).
Piping Fabrication, Erection, Inspection & Testing
(QCS/50/00/MP/TS/NA/001).
Welding Requirement At Site (QCS/50/00/QA/SW/NA/016).
Pressure Containing Equipment Welding & Weld Inspection
(QCS/50/00/QA/SW/NA/010).
Positive Material Identification (QCS/50/00/QA/SW/NA/012).
Control of Nonconforming Product At Site
(QCS/50/00/QA/SW/NA/018).
Pneumatic Testing Procedure For Piping Systems
(QCS/50/00/MP/PC/NA/001).
Protection & Preservation Of Equipment & Material At Site
(QCS/50/00/PE/TS/NA/002).
Hydro Testing Procedure
(QCS/50/00/QA/PC/NA/745)
Procedure for cleaning, testing and inspection of FCW underground
piping (QCS/50/00/CS/PC/NA/801
2 35
For Your Notes
37
Pneumatic Testing
(QCS/50/00/MP/PC/NA/001 & QCS/50/00/MP/TS/NA/001)
During construction (after any PWHT) reinforcing pads
shall be tested pneumatically using a test pressure of
between 60 & 100 psig. Test openings in reinforcing
pads shall not be plugged after test.
Pneumatic testing of piping systems shall be subject to
Company approval with the following exceptions: (1)
instrument air piping (2) lines to air motor operated
valves. For these two exceptions test pressure shall
not exceed
100 psig.
Where pneumatic testing of other systems is approved
by Company the test pressure shall be 1.1 times the
design pressure.
Strict safety rules apply please refer to
QCS/50/00/MP/PC/NA/001 for details.
A minimum of 2 pressure gauges shall be used. These
gauges shall have been calibrated within the previous
14 day period & shall have a range of between 1.5 &
2.2 times the test pressure.
Method: (1) raise the pressure to 1.7 barg & hold for a
minimum of 10 minutes, (2) perform an initial leak test
using Snoop or similar product, (3) the pressure shall
then be raised in steps, holding for 10 minutes at each
step
(see QCS/50/00/MP/PC/NA/001 for details), (4) once the
maximum test pressure is reached hold for 10 minutes
then reduce to the design pressure, (5) perform leak
test using snoop or similar product.
 Test blinds shall be in accordance with sheet 41A of
drawing number QCS/50/00/MP/DR/TD/003.
Pressure gauges and chart recorders shall have been
calibrated within the previous 30 period.
Pressure gauges shall have a range of between 1.5
times and 4 times the test pressure.
In general a minimum of 2 gauges shall be used. One
gauge shall be positioned at the high point and one at
the low point of the system.
NOTE: EXCEPT AS SPECIFICALLY AGREED CHART
RECORDERS SHALL NOT BE USED
The system shall be pressurised via a test manifold
incorporating a relief valve set at 110% of test
pressure.
The ambient temperature of the pipework under test
and the test pressure shall be recorded at 5 minute
intervals throughout the duration of the test.
Prior to testing all pipework shall be thoroughly
cleaned internally, by flushing, internal brushing or air
blowing as appropriate.
Method: (1) raise pressure to 1 barg, hold for 10
minutes & check for leaks at flange joints, (2) raise
pressure at a controlled rate not exceeding 5 barg per
minute until the test pressure is achieved (on the high
point gauge), (3) wait for the test pressure to stabilise,
(4) once the pressure is stable the test starts, (5) the
minimum holding time shall be 30 minutes (longer
than this depending how long it takes to inspect all
welds for leaks), (6) if leaks are detected the system
must be depressurised, the leak fixed & the full test
repeated.
34
Threaded Joints
(QCS/50/00/MP/TS/NA/001 & ASME B31.3)
At least 1.5 threads should still be visible when a taper
threaded joint has been fully tightened.
Seal welding of threaded joints is subject to Company
approval. If welding is permitted then the use of a
thread lubricant is prohibited.
Where no seal welding is to take place a lubricant
should be used. Recommended lubricants are listed in
the table below:
Threaded Joints - Recommended Lubricant By
ServiceServiceRecommended LubricantService air,
water, steam & hydrocarbon lines with design
temperature up to 205CTeflon tape, Bostik Never-Seez
with Teflon, Jet Lube TFW with ReflexHydrocarbon and
steam lines with design temperature above
205CGrafoil GTS paste, Bostik Never-Seez (regular),
GTF thread sealant tape.Instrument air, lube oil, seal oil
& control oil pipingTeflon paste: Bostik Never-Seez with
Teflon, Jet Lube TFW with TeflonOxygenTeflon tape
(flammable materials not permitted)
32
Storage & Preservation Of Piping Materials
(QCS/50/00/PE/TS/NA/002)
Flange faces and threaded fittings must be protected at all
times by use of a suitable corrosion preventative oil.
Flange faces shall further be protected by means of a
suitable flange face cover to prevent mechanical damage.
Flange faces must be inspected for corrosion & damage at
intervals not exceeding 3 months.
Where uncoated stainless steel pipe spools stored for an
extended period they should be inspected periodically for
pitting corrosion. Where uncoated carbon & low alloy steel
pipe spools stored for an extended period they should be
inspected periodically for severe general or localised
corrosion.
All pipe spools shall be stored on wooden skids to prevent
soil contamination. This is particularly important in the
case of uncoated stainless steel spools.
The open ends of all pipe spools shall be suitably sealed
during storage using suitable end covers. Where such
covers are found to be missing or damaged the affected
spool shall be inspected & cleaned internally.
Spools should be stored in such a way that any water or
other liquid entering will quickly drain away.
Valve stems shall be coated with a suitable grease. Valves
stored in outdoor conditions shall be inspected at intervals
not exceeding 3 months.
3
Colour Coding Of Gasket Materials
(QCS/50/00/MP/TS/NA/003)
TypeColourDescriptionSpiral WoundYellow316 Hoop
GRH / OR = CSBlue316 Hoop GRH / IOR = CSGreen316 Hoop
GRH / IR = 316, OR = CSPurple316 Hoop GRH / OR =
316Orange316 Hoop GRH / IOR = 316Pink316 Hoop PTFE / IR =
316, OR = CSWhite316 Hoop GRH / Mica Fill / OR = 316, High Temp
ServiceBlack316 Hoop GRH / Mica Fill / IOR = 316, High Temp ServiceOxide
RedIncoloy 825 Hoop / IR = Incoloy 825, OR = CSYellow GrayInconel 625
Hoop / IOR = Inconel 625Ring JointSky Blue316 Stainless
SteelNoneSoft IronResinRedGlass Reinforced PTFENonePTFE
Soft DeformableNote: This table is a simplified version of
QCS/50/00/MP/TS/NA/003 Table 3
Colour Coding Of Bolting Materials
(QCS/50/00/MP/TS/NA/003)
ColourMaterialColourMaterialNoneA193-B7 / A194-
2HGreenA320-B8M CL2 /
A194-8MA / A194-8M /
A193-B8M2 CL2 YellowA193-B7M / A194-2HMBlackA193-B16 / A194-4RedSA193-
B7 / SA194-2HOrangeSA193-B16 / SA194-4WhiteA320-L7 / A194-4PurpleA320-
L7M / A194-7M
5
Colour Coding Of Pipe Materials
(QCS/50/00/MP/TS/NA/003)
COLOURMATERIAL TYPECOMMON
SPECIFICATIONSNoneCarbon SteelA106 Grade B, A105,
A234 WPB, A216 WPBYellowNACE Carbon SteelA106 Grade
B, A105, A234 WPB, A216 WPBWhiteLow Temperature
Carbon SteelA333 Grade 6, A350 LF2, A420 WPL6, A352
LCCPurpleNACE
Low Temperature Carbon SteelA333 Grade 6, A350 LF2,
A420 WPL6, A352 LCCPink304L Stainless SteelA312
TP304L, A358 304L, A182 F304L, A403 WP304L, A240
TP304LBrown304L Stainless Steel (valves only)A182 F304L,
A351 CF8MSky Blue316L Stainless SteelA312 TP316L, A358
316L, A182 F316L, A403 WP316LGreen1 Cr Mo Low
Alloy SteelA335 P11, A182 F11, A234 WP11Light
GreenNickel AlloysB622 N10276,
B574 N08825Oxide RedIncoloyB705 N08825,
B564 N08825Yellow GreyInconelB705 N06625,
B564 N06625Note: This table is a simplified version of
QCS/50/00/MP/TS/NA/003 Table 2
4 33
Cold Bending
(QCS/50/00/MP/DB/NA/004)
Cold bending is permitted for small bore (NPS to
NPS1) pipes:
A106 Grade B (but not aluminised or galvanised)
wall thickness SCH80 up to XXS
A312 TP304L (or TP 316L) SCH 40S
Cold bending may be applicable if the line class is
1A1A, 1W3AX, 1W3AY, 1P1A, 1P1AR, 1S1A, 3P1A,
3S1A, 3S1AU, 1C0JL, 1Y0JL, 1C0KL, 3C0JL, 3C0KL,
6C0JL, 6C0KL or 9C0JL.
Unless a larger bending radius is specified the bending
radius shall be 5 times the outside diameter of the
pipe. The maximum bending angle shall be 90.
Compound bends shall be separated by a minimum
straight run of 150mm. At the end of the bent pipe the
minimum length of straight run is 300mm. The
maximum allowable thinning ratio is 10%. The
maximum allowable flattening ratio is 8% for internally
pressurised pipe & 3% for externally pressurised pipe.
Flattening ratio is defined as:
Where: D1 = the maximum OD, D2 = the minimum OD
& D = the nominal OD
The minimum wall thickness shall equal or exceed the
required wall thickness (TR) but in no case shall it be
less than 79% of the nominal wall thickness.
6 31
Hydrostatic Testing (above ground piping)
(QCS/50/00/QA/PC/NA/754 & QCS/50/00/MP/TS/NA/001)
Pressure testing shall be generally in accordance with
the requirements of ASME B31.3.
Vents & open drains with a design pressure of 15 psig
or less are exempted from hydrostatic testing.
Relief or blowdown systems shall be tested in
accordance with ASME B31.3. Relief valves & rupture
disks must be removed for testing. In no case shall the
test pressure be less than
15 psig.
The chloride content of water used for austenitic
stainless steel systems shall not exceed 50 ppm. After
testing such systems shall be drained immediately
followed by air blowing to remove any remaining water.
Exemption from hydrostatic testing owing to reasons of
impracticality shall be subject to specific approval by
the Company.
Before any hydrostatic testing takes place the test pack
must have been approved by all parties.
Items which should not be included in a hydrostatic
test include: pressure safety valves, rupture disks,
flame arrestors, steam traps, all equipment (pressure
vessels, pumps etc), filters, instruments such as
pressure gauges and some types of valve (e.g. control
valves, soft seated ball valves).
With the exception of socket welds, seal welds & single
pass fillets all welds may be painted prior to
hydrostatic testing.
Gaskets shall be handled with care and shall be
centred without the use of grease gasket compound or
adhesive tape.
Prior to fitting bolts are to be inspected for signs of
corrosion, mechanical damage or dirt. Damaged or
corroded bolts shall be discarded. Dirty bolts shall be
cleaned prior to the application of thread lubricant.
Thread lubricants must not contain lead. Thread
lubricants for use on stainless steel piping systems
shall not contain chlorides, zinc, sulphur or low
melting point alloy constituents.
Acceptable lubricants for various design temperatures
are listed in the table below:
Thread LubricantsLubricantBolting MaterialDesign
TemperatureGraphite and oilCarbon or low alloy steel-46C to
400CMolybdenum disulphide and graphite base Carbon or low alloy steel-
46C to 400CCopper and graphite baseCarbon or low alloy steel-46C to
540CCopper baseStainless steel-196C to 870CNickel baseStainless
steel-196C to 870C
Torqued / tensioned flanges are to be marked by the
attachment of a metal tag following torquing. This tag
shall be removed if the flange leaks during hydrostatic
testing & the joint shall be re-torqued or re-tensioned
as appropriate.
Crews involved in torquing or tensioning shall be
properly trained & shall be approved (practical
demonstration required) by CTJV.
Bolting of Flanges
(QCS/50/00/MP/TS/NA/001 & 008)
Prior to final tightening all flanged joints must be
brought up flush such that the entire flange face bears
gently on the gasket.
In all cases bolts shall be tightened in a progressive
manner.
Bolt torquing using properly calibrated (i.e.: calibrated
daily) torque wrenches is required as detailed in the
table below:
Bolt torquing requirements for spiral wound /
expanded graphite / PTFE deformable gasketsService
/ ClassBolt Size (inches)Low temperature service1 to
1 Cryogenic service1 to 1*900 class piping1 to 1
Severe cyclic service1 to 1HHP Steam service1**All
other services & classes1 to 1Notes: *except for NPS
18-24 for 150 class piping;
**line size NPS 4 & 6
Required tightening torque can be found in attachment
2 of QCS/50/00/MP/TS/NA/008
For hand tightened & torqued stud bolts the bolt shall
extend complete through the nut with a maximum of
three threads showing at each end. The amount of
thread showing shall be equal at each end of the bolt.
For larger bolt sizes bolt tensioning is required. The
required bolt tensioning force can be found in
attachment 4 of QCS/50/00/MP/TS/NA/008.
30
Tolerances
(QCS/50/00/MP/TS/NA/001 & PFI ES-3)
28
The required wall thickness (TR) is defined as:
TR = TC + CA or TR = TRT + CA which ever is the greater
TC = calculated thickness
(per ASME B31.3 paragraphs 304.1.2 & 304.2.1)
CA = corrosion allowance
TRT = retirement thickness
(per QCS/50/00/MP/DB/NA/001 paragraph 4.2.4)
After bending the hardness of carbon steel bends shall
be checked. The maximum hardness is 225HB or
200HB for NACE / sour service.
Cold bending is not allowed if the design temperature
is below -29C.
Prior to commencement of production bending trial
bending shall take place per paragraph 6 of
QCS/50/00/MP/DB/NA/004.
A small amount of mechanical damage to the
completed bend is permitted provided that the
minimum wall thickness remains within tolerance.
With this proviso mechanical damage up to 0.2mm
deep is acceptable as is; mechanical damage up to
0.8mm deep may be blended by grinding. Mechanical
damage more than 0.8mm deep is not permitted & the
affected item shall be rejected. Repair by welding is
not permitted.
7
In all cases the maximum bending angle is 90. The
minimum bending radius is generally 3 times the
outside diameter (DO); but for A106 Grade B the
minimum bending radius is 2 times DO for NPS2 & 1.5
times the nominal pipe diameter (DN) for NPS3 to
NPS12. In specific cases other minimum bending radii
may apply.
The thinning ratio which shall not exceed 12.5% is
defined as:
(TM/T0) x100
Where TM = the minimum thickness after bending
and T0 = the original thickness before bending.
However, in no case shall TM be less than 79% of the
nominal wall thickness or the required wall thickness
(TR) whichever is greater.
TR = TC + CA or TR = TRT + CA which ever is the greater
TC = calculated thickness
(per ASME B31.3 paragraphs 304.1.2 & 304.2.1)
CA = corrosion allowance
TRT = retirement thickness
(per QCS/50/00/MP/DB/NA/001 paragraph 4.2.4)
After HF induction bending the hardness of ferritic
steel pipes shall be checked. Hardness testing
requirements are 100% for carbon steel & low
temperature carbon steel intended for sour service
(NACE) & 100% for heat treated bends. For other
services the requirements are 100% for the first 5
bends of each size & wall9 thickness and 10%
thereafter. Hardness requirements are given in the
post bending heat treatment section below.
High Frequency Induction Bending
(QCS/50/00/MP/DB/NA/003)
High frequency induction bending is applicable to the
materials and line classes list in the table below. In
general high frequency induction bending is applicable
to pipes in the nominal diameter range 2 to 12 but
the specific applicable diameter range varies
dependent on line class.
Materials & Line Classes For HF Induction BendingMaterialWall
ThicknessNPSLine ClassesA106
Grade BStandard
to
XXS2 121A1A, 1P1A, 1S1A, 3S1A4, 1C3AS, 1C3ASR, 1C4AS, 1C6AS, 1P3A, 1W3AX,
1W3AY, 3C3AS, 3C4AS, 3C6AS, 3P1A, 3P3A, 3S1A, 3S1AU, 6C3AS, 6C4AS, 6C6AS, 6P1A,
6P3A, 6S1A, 6S1AU, 9C3AS, 9C4AS, 9S1A, 9S1AUA333
Grade 6SCH30
To
SCH1602 121R1B, 1R11BR, 1R3BS, 1R3BSR, 3R1B1, 3R1B3, 3R3BS, 6R1B, 6R3BS,
9R3BSA335 P11XS
to
SCH1602 121P3Y, 9S1Y, 9S1YUA312 TP304LSch20S
To
SCH80S2 61C0JL, 1Y0JL, 1C1JL, 1R0JL, 1R0JLR, 1R0JL5, 3C0JL, 3C1JL, 3R0JL,
3R0JLT, 6COJL, 6C0JL6, 6R0JL, 9C0JLA358 304LSch20S
To
SCH80S8 10A312 TP316LSch20S
To
SCH80S2 61C0KL, 1Y0KL, 1C1KL, 3C0KL, 6C0KL A358 316LSch20S
To
SCH80S8 10
8 29
Post bending heat treatment is required:
when the hardness of carbon steel bends intended for H2S
sour service (NACE) exceeds 200 HB.
for all carbon steel bends intended for amine or caustic
service. (the maximum hardness after heat treatment shall
be 200 HB).
for all other carbon steel bends when the hardness after
bending exceeds 225 HB.
for all low alloy steel bends (the maximum hardness after
heat treatment shall be 225 HB).
The requirements for post bending heat treatment are
otherwise identical to those for post weld heat
treatment for which see below.
Flattening ratio requirements are as for cold bent pipe,
for which see above. Other dimensional requirements
and tolerances apply, for these please refer to the
project specification referenced at the head of this
section.
10
In the figure above the tolerance on dimension A is
as tabulated below:
Tolerance on dimension APipe DiameterTolerance (mm)10 &
under312 to 245over 24 to 36648860107212
In certain cases tighter tolerances apply:
For steam turbines and compressors other than those
of the reciprocating type the tolerances applying to
flange alignment are 0.4 mm for vertical / horizontal
bolt offset, rotational offset, flange face parallelism
and flange face separation
Equipment nozzle and mating flange alignment
tolerances for centrifugal pumps, reciprocating
compressors and other rotating machinery are as
tabulated below.
Alignment CategoryMax. Permissible Misalignment
(mm)NPS 1214NPS22NPS 24Vertical bolt hole offset31.50.4Horizontal
bolt hole offset31.50.4Rotational Offset31.50.4Flange face parallelism
(across diameter)1.51.51.5Flange face separation
(+ space required for gasket)31.50.4
Both surface inspection methods are heavily
dependent on lighting conditions. A minimum of 1000
lux of white light is required. By far the best source of
light is the sun; subdued daylight is best. Working at
night should be avoided if possible.
Volume Inspection Methods
Radiography (RT) provides good sensitivity for
volumetric defects such as slag or porosity. RT has
poor sensitivity for planar defects such as cracks or
lack of fusion. It is a good method for proving good
workmanship, but a poor one for proving fitness for
purpose.
Inspectors should be aware of the dangers of x-ray
and gamma ray radiation & should stay well away
from areas where radiography is taking place,
respecting all warning signs & barriers.
Where a weld is being checked for fitness for purpose,
rather than good workmanship ultrasonic testing (UT)
is the best method owing to its high sensitivity for
planar imperfections. UT is also an excellent method
for providing back-up inspection where there is doubt
concerning a radiographic image. Where RT becomes
difficult owing to safety concerns UT will often be a
good substitute. UT, however, has its limitations. It
should not generally be used if the parent material is
less than 10mm thick, since on thin material weld cap
geometry causes access restrictions. The root
condition of single sided girth welds in pipe is often
difficult to assess by UT. Even a small amount of
internal mismatch will give rise to UT indications which
are difficult to interpret.
The UT & RT methods are complementary; a weld
acceptable to the UT method will often be rejected by
the RT method and vice versa.
27
Notes On Other NDT Methods Piping Fabrication, Erection, Inspection & Testing
(QCS/50/00/MP/TS/NA/001)
Surface Inspection
Intersecting Weld Seams
Of the two surface inspection methods in use on this
project the magnetic particle method (MT) is by far the
Longitudinal seams of welded pipe shall be staggered, by a
most sensitive provided that the material is
minimum of 25mm.
ferromagnetic. Penetrant testing (PT) requires a very
Longitudinal seams of welded pipe shall be rotated so as to
high degree of surface cleanliness if it is to be fully
avoid intersection with branch connections except that the
effective. MT can produce good results on surfaces
intersection of the longitudinal seam with reinforcing pad
which might have a thin layer of paint or which may be
attachment welds is permitted.
slightly rusty, it is much less adversely affected by poor
Similarly, although it should be avoided where possible
surface cleanliness than is PT. MT is overall a much
intersection of longitudinal seams with attachment welds is
quicker method & it is much more temperature tolerant
permitted.
than PT. For these reasons MT should be used in
preference to PT whenever the material is
Welding Consumables
ferromagnetic.
Wet MT using paraffin based magnetic ink can tolerate Low Temperature Carbon Steel (LTCS)
surface temperatures of up to 60C or so. In summer
conditions, however, it is always best to perform wet Welding consumables for LTCS shall be pre-qualified by
MT in the early morning when the surface temperature the consumable supplier. For each heat number
is not overly high. charpy impact testing shall be performed on an as-
welded all weld metal sample at -46C. The minimum
Dry powder MT can be used without contrast lacquer
average for 3 samples shall be 27J with no single
on hot surfaces up to 316C. Dry powder must NEVER
sample recording a value of less than 20J.
be used in conjunction with a permanent magnet.
AC yokes are far superior in terms of sensitivity to Carbon Steel in Sour Service (NACE)
surface breaking defects. Permanent magnets should
only be used when there are valid reasons why a yoke The nickel content of the deposited weld metal shall
cannot be used. Under the ASME code their use is not not exceed 1% for carbon steel in sour service (NACE).
recommended on parent material which is thicker than
6mm.
Penetrant testing should not be performed if the
surface temperature exceeds 50C. In summer
conditions PT should always be performed in the early
morning. If penetrant dries out during the dwell time
the test must be repeated starting with thorough
26 11
surface cleaning.

Radiography Where the welding process is SAW the brand name

(QCS/50/00/MP/TS/NA/001)
Acceptance Criteria
The table below represents an interpretation of ASME
B31.3Table 341.3.2
DefectRemarksCracksNot permittedLack of Fusion (LOF)Not permitted
(note that aligned porosity generally indicates lack of fusion)Incomplete
Penetration
(ICP)Permitted if the film density measured through defect is less than that of
adjacent parent material & the length is 38mm or less in any 150mm of weld.
In practice, however, ICP will generally rejected owing to associated
LOF. PorosityAcceptance criteria for porosity are contained in ASME VIII division
1 Appendix 4. Note that for weld thickness above 6mm the permitted level of
porosity is 1.5 times that permitted by the referenced document. The porosity
charts given by the referenced document are for guidance only; they must be
used in conjunction with the document text.Slag Inclusion, Linear Indication (not
LOF) or Tungsten InclusionPermitted if all of the following criteria are satisfied:
(a) the length of an individual inclusion is 2TW (b) the width is 3mm and
TW/3 (c) the accumulated length is less than 4 TW in any 12 TW weld
length.Undercut*Permitted without limit on length provided that the depth is
1mm or less. In general undercut judged to be very sharp should be
rejected.Surface porosity or exposed slag inclusionNot PermittedRoot
ConcavityPermitted if the film density measured through defect is less than that
of adjacent parent material.Excessive Reinforcement or excessive
penetrationPermitted if the height is 3mm and TW/2. In practice should be
judged not acceptable if a sharp change of section is involved.TW is the effective
weld thickness
*internal undercut is not permitted for double welded joints
and grade of flux becomes an essential variable
The use of gas shielded FCAW is subject to Company
approval. Self-shielded FCAW is not permitted.
All new welding procedure qualification tests shall be
subject to witness by the Company.
A Hardness survey shall form a part of all welding
procedure qualification records. Where the base
material is ASME P1 the maximum hardness (Vickers
HV10) shall be 238 for the weld, heat affected zone &
base material.
When producing a welding procedure qualification
record or a welding procedure specification the brand
name of the welding consumable used or to be used
must be specified.
Welder Qualification
All piping welders engaged at the construction site
shall be qualified by visual inspection and radiography
on a test coupon.
The ASME P Number is an essential variable for
welder qualification.
The surface of the welders test coupon shall be left in
the as-welded condition. Grinding of the surface to
remove undercut etc is not permitted.
Welder qualification tests shall be witnessed by
Company.
Each welder shall be awarded a unique identification
number & identification card. Each welder shall carry
his identification card at all times.

24 13
 Austenitic Stainless Steel (Cryogenic Service)
A test by the supplier for each lot of consumables is
required as follows:
The ferrite content of the deposited weld metal shall be in
the range 2-5% (ferrite number 2-5) for SMAW electrodes &
3-10% (ferrite number 3-11) for GTAW filler wire.
For SMAW electrodes charpy impact testing shall be
performed at -196C. The minimum lateral expansion value
shall be 0.38mm. This requirement does not apply to GTAW
filler wire.
Welding Procedure Qualification
All welding procedure specifications shall be reviewed
and approved by the Company. Work start is not
permitted if the WPS is not approved.
When impact testing or hardness testing is required
(e.g. the process is wet H2S, amine, caustic etc) the
brand name of the welding consumable becomes an
essential variable. The WPQR must be performed
using welding consumables which are identical in
terms of trade name with those to be used at the
construction site
For austenitic stainless steel, if the design
temperature is below -100C the WPQR must include
Charpy impact testing at -196C. The minimum
requirement for this test is 0.38mm lateral expansion
Where automatic welding processes are used welding
position becomes an essential variable.
12
Maintenance of Welder Qualifications
The performance of production welders shall be
monitored by radiography. In principle the percentage
of butt welds tested by radiography for each welder
shall not be less than 5% (excluding penalty shots). If
for any period of 6 consecutive months a welder has
no recorded production welds tested by radiography
his qualification shall be automatically revoked.
Initial Evaluation
The first three actual production butt welds welded by
each newly qualified welder shall be examined by
radiography. All three welds must be acceptable to
specification. If this is not the case then the affected
welder shall not be permitted to continue with further
production welding except as detailed below.
If only one out of the first three production welds is
defective the welder shall be required to weld two
further joints, both of which shall be radiographed. If
either of these two joints fails to meet the
specification the affected welder shall have his
qualification revoked.
Periodic Evaluation (method-1)
The welders performance shall be monitored by
radiography. His repair rate calculated on a per film
basis shall not exceed 10 %.
14
Radiographic Sensitivity
Source side IQIs are preferred. Where IQIs are placed
film side they must be identified with the lead letters
FS.
ASME V Article 2 requirements apply.
The table below gives wire diameters for ASTM type
IQIs:
ASTM E747 Wire Type IQIs
wire diameter (mm) Set
A0.080.10.130.160.20.25Set
B0.250.330.40.50.630.81Set C0.811.01.271.62.02.5
The table below gives essential wire diameter for
single wall thickness up to 64mm:
ASME V Article 2 Sensitivity RequirementsThickness
Range (mm)Source Side IQIFilm Side IQI 60.20.16< 6
90.250.2< 9 130.330.25< 13 190.40.33< 19
250.50.4< 25 380.630.5< 38 510.810.63< 51
641.00.81Thickness is the nominal single wall thickness
plus reinforcement in all cases.
25
Hardness Testing
(QCS/50/00/MP/TS/NA/001)
Hardness testing is a requirement for ASME P1, P3, P4,
P5 & P6 materials following PWHT.
One test location for each 300mm weld length is
required.
At each test location 3 measurements are required: 1
on the weld cap & 1 on the heat affected zone both
sides of the weld.
For carbon steel (typically A106 Grade B) and low
temperature carbon steel piping (typically A333 Grade
6) in sour service (NACE) the maximum hardness
permitted is 200 HB.
The line specifications included within NACE scope are:
1C3AS, 1C3ASR, 1C3ASV, 1C4AS, 1C6AS, 1R3BS,
1R3BSR, 1T6ASJ, 3C3AS, 3C4AS, 6C4AS, 6C6AS, 6R3BS,
9C3AP, 9C3AQ, 9C3AS, 9C4AS & 9R3BS.
In all other cases a maximum hardness of 225 HB is
specified.
23
 Acceptable limits for PMI analysis are given in the
table below:
AlloyMin
MaxELEMENTS (%)CrNiFeMoTiVCoCuMn 0304L Parent MaterialMin16.27.2xShould be
effectively zeroxx0Max2214.3xxx2.2308L
Weld Metal
SMAWMin15.87.9x0.66xxx0.660.44Max23.612.4x0.85xxx0.852.8308L
Weld Metal
GTAWMin17.17.9x0.66xxx0.660.88Max24.812.4x0.85xxx0.852.8316L Parent
MaterialMin14.49.0x1.8xxxx0Max19.816.5x3.3xxxx2.2316L
Weld Metal
SMAWMin14.99.6x1.8xxx0.660.44Max22.515.8x3.4xxx0.852.8316L
Weld Metal
GTAWMin15.89.6x1.8xxx0.660.88Max22.515.8x3.4xxx0.852.8Incoloy
B423 N08825Min17.634.219.82.30.54xx1.40Max25.950.6x3.91.3xx3.31.1Hasteloy* B622
N10276Min13.1x3.613.5x00x0Max18.2x7.718.7x0.392.8x1.11 Cr
A335 P11Min0.9xx0.40xxxx0.27Max1.65xx0.72xxxx0.66
*Note: For Hasteloy Tungsten (W) shall be 2.7% min, 5.0%
max.
22
Positive Material Identification
(QCS/50/00/QA/SW/NA/012)
The intent of PMI is to identify the nominal composition
of alloy materials. It is not the intent of PMI to
establish conformance of a material to a given
specification. PMI is not to be taken as a substitute
for a mill test report.
Alloy steel is defined as steel containing measurable
quantities of alloying elements other than carbon,
manganese, silicon, niobium and vanadium. e.g.: a
steel containing 0.5% Cr is an alloy steel, a steel
containing 1.1% Mn would in general not be classed as
an alloy steel.
The following services are identified as critical:
Wet H2S (per NACE MR0175)
Hydrofluoric acid
Amine / ammonia
Caustic
Hydrogen partial pressure over 100 psi
Sulphuric acid
Cryogenic service below -46C (except liquid nitrogen)
Where PMI is required for shop and field welds in
general the test shall include one sampling of the weld
cap & one sampling of the parent material each side
of the weld.
For piping systems only pressure containing welds are
included within the scope of PMI.
20
Periodic Evaluation (method-2):
This method works on a 3 strikes & youre out basis.
The welders performance shall be monitored by
random radiography. Where a weld is found not to
meet the specification 2 further similar welds welded
by the same welder shall be tested by radiography. If
both of these joints are acceptable the welders
performance shall be deemed acceptable; if either or
both of these joints is / are rejected further penalty
shots shall be taken on a 2 for 1 basis. If any of these
joints fails to meet the required standard the welders
qualification shall be revoked; if all of these joints are
acceptable the welders performance shall be deemed
acceptable.
Note that in a case where the welders qualification is
revoked radiographic examination shall be performed
on all joints welded by that welder in the previous two
week period.
15
Down-hand welding is not permitted.
Adjacent welds shall be separated by a minimum
distance of three times the pipe wall thickness. Where
there is a thickness change the thicker of the two
thicknesses shall apply in this calculation.
Socket welds shall not be bottomed out; prior to
welding a gap of between 1.5 and 3mm shall exist
between the end of the pipe and the internal shoulder
of the fitting.
Where tack welds are incorporated into a completed
weld (i.e. not removed during welding) they must be
made in accordance with the specified approved WPS.
All tack welds, including bridge tacks shall be made by
qualified pipe welders.
Bridge tacking outside the weld groove is not
permitted other than as specifically approved by the
Company. Material used for bridge tacks either inside
or outside the groove shall have the same basic
chemical composition as the parent material.
Welded type valves shall be positioned half open
during welding and PWHT.
Remote control of welding current is mandatory for
field welding.
GTAW welding equipment shall be provided with a high
frequency start facility so as to reduce the occurrence
of tungsten inclusions.
17
 Welding Control
The extent of PMI is a minimum of 10% for all alloy
Joint preparation, welding technique, root spacing and steel piping systems and 100% for those systems
alignment shall be in accordance with the approved identified as being in the critical service category (see
WPS. above). The table below specifies the extent of PMI for
various line classes.
Welding parameters such as travel speed and welding
current shall be in accordance with the approved WPS.
Preheating and maximum interpass temperature shall
be in accordance with the WPS, but, for austenitic
stainless steel, in no case shall the interpass MaterialLine ClassesPMI
temperature exceed 175C, similarly for carbon steel Extent304L1C0JL, 1C1JL, 1R0JL, 1R0JLR, 1R0JL5, 3C0JL,
and low alloy steel in no case shall it exceed 300C. 3C1JL, 3R0JL, 3R0JLT, 6C0JL, 6R0JL, 9C0JL100%1Y0JLNot
Reqd*316L1C0KL, 1C1KL, 3C0KL, 6C0KL100%1Y0KL, 3Y0KL,
For all full penetration welds, including branch welds
6Y0KL, 9Y0KL, XY0KLNot Reqd*Incoloy B423
the root pass shall be accomplished using GTAW. For
N088251C0N100%Hasteloy B622 N102761J0M100%1 Cr
small diameter pipe (2" and below) girth butt welds
A335 P111P3Y, 3S1Y, 9S1Y, 9S1YU10%316L Clad C.
and for all welds in Copper-Nickel (Cu-Ni) pipe only the
Steel6R0CM, 9C0CK, 9R0CM100%
GTAW process is permitted.
(on cladding)
The use of an inert gas back purge is required when *PMI is not required for lube oil, seal oil, seal gas, air
the GTAW process is used for girth butt or branch or water service
welds and the base material is stainless steel, copper-
nickel alloy, aluminium alloy or alloy steel (except as
described below).
An inert gas back purge is not required if the base
material is carbon steel or low alloy steel with a
chromium content not exceeding 1% by weight.
For socket welded pipe, carbon steel (1" NPS &
smaller) and stainless steel / non-ferrous alloys (all
pipe sizes) GTAW shall be used with a minimum of two
passes.
Where preheat is required only specifically designed
heating torches, gas rings or electric heaters shall be
used. Oxyacetylene welding and cutting torches shall
not be used.

16 21

Strict segregation of power tools (grinding machines

etc) and hand tools (wire brushes etc) shall be applied.
Tools used for carbon steel shall not be used for
stainless steel. Tools used for stainless steel shall not
be used for other alloys such as hastalloy or copper-
nickel. Similarly tools used for copper nickel or
hastalloy shall not be used for stainless steel.
Care shall be taken to ensure that galvanised
materials, including scaffold tubes etc, do not come
into contact with stainless steels.
Post Weld Heat Treatment (PWHT)
[also post bending heat treatment]
When post bending heat treatment is required the
heating rate / cooling rate, holding time and
temperature shall be as detailed for PWHT below.
PWHT shall be performed as required by ASME B31.3
table 331.1.1 except as stated in (a), (b) & (c) below:
PWHT is mandatory for all welds in ASME P3, P4, P5, P10A
and P11 materials regardless of thickness or tensile
strength.
For ASME P1 (other than as detailed below), P3, P4, P5 and
P6 materials PWHT is required if the hardness of the weld
NACE19N/AN/AN/A>19610-6652.41P1C. SteelNACEall610-6652.41P41
metal exceeds 225 HB.
Steelall595-6352.41P115-9Ni SteelSee note aboveall550-5852.41
PWHT is required for carbon steel piping in sour service (we
H2S / NACE), ammonia service, amine service and (in some
cases) caustic service. This PWHT requirement applies to
all welds not just those which are pressure retaining.
The rate of heating or cooling above 400C shall not
be more than (5000/t)C per hour where t is the parent
material or weld throat thickness (as detailed below)
or 200C per hour whichever is least*.
For butt welds t is the thickness in millimetres of the
thicker of the 2 components joined. For branch welds
t is the maximum weld throat thickness or the
thickness of the main pipe whichever is greater. For
attachment welds t is the thickness of the pipe.
For ASME P1 material the holding time is 1 hour or
(t/25) hours whichever is greater (t as defined
above). Where materials other than those listed in the
abbreviated table below are subject to PWHT please
consult ASME B31.3 table 331.1.1 and table 4 of
QCS/50/00/QA/SW/NA/010.
*Note: For ASME P11 material the cooling rate to
316C
shall exceed 167C per hour.
PWHT PARAMETERSASME
P-numberMaterialNotesThickness Range (mm)SoakingTemp.
(C)Time (min/mm)Minimum Time (hr)P1Carbon SteelNot
Cr Steelall705-7452.42P9Ni

18 19