RT / Radiographic Procedure

1. SCOPE

This procedure describes the minimum requirement of Radiographic

examination of welds using Iridium -192 (Gamma Ray). This procedure has
specific reference to the

2. REFERENCES

2.1 ASME Sec V -Non Destructive Examination

2.2 ASNT-SNT-TC1A -Recommended Practice for Non-Destructive

Testing Personnel

2.3 ASME Sec VIII -Pressure Vessels

2.4 ASME B31.1 -Power Piping
2.5 ASME B31.3 -Chemical Plant and Petroleum
Refinery Piping
2.6 ASME B31.4 -Liquid Transportation Systems for
Hydrocarbons
2.7 ASME B31.8 -Gas Transmission and Distribution
Piping Systems
2.8 API 650 -Welded Steel Tanks for Oil Storage
2.9 API 1104 -Welding of Pipe lines & related facilities

2.10 AWS D1.1 -Structural steel welding code

3. DEFINITIONS

3.1 ASNT -American Society for Non-destructive

Testing
3.2 ASME -American Standard for Mechanical
Engineers
3.3 API -American Petroleum Institute

3.4 AWS -American Welding Society

4. PROCEDURE

4.1 PERSONNEL QUALIFICATION

4.1.1 All personnel will be qualified in accordance with ASNT SNT-TC
I-A Level -II.
4.1.2 Film interpreter shall have yearly eye examination and
certificate shall be available for verification.
4.1.3 Complete qualification records for each radiographer shall be
4.1.4 Submitted for contractor approval prior to the beginning of
any radiographic work.
4.2 CONSUMABLES
 4.2.1 Chemicals

Processing chemicals shall be prepared as per manufacturer's

recommendation.

4.2.2 Film
Kodak, Agfa or Fuji films shall be used for radiography.

Film Type Material Thickness

Class I - t < 0.5

Class II - t 0.5 to 1.0

Class III - t > 1.0

4.2.3 Lead Intensifying Screens

Intensifying screen shall be 0.125mm thick (lead) for both
front and back. Additional external shielding may be required
to avoid any back scattered radiation. All screens shall be
handled carefully to avoid dents, scratches, dirt etc. on
surfaces. All damaged screens shall be discarded.

Chemically coated, fluorescent or Fluor metallic intensifying

screens shall not be used unless specifically approved by the
client.

4.3 NUMBER OF EXPOSURES

An adequate number of exposures shall be made to demonstrate

that the required coverage has been made. At the end of films the
penetrated thickness shall not be more than 10% of thickness of
weld.

4.4 BACK SCATTER RADIATION

4.4.1 A lead symbol B with minimum dimensions of 1/2 in. in
height and 1/16 in. in thickness shall be attached to the back
of film holder to determine if backscatter radiation is exposing
the film.

4.4.2 If a light image of the B appears on a darker background of

the radiograph, protection from backscatter is insufficient and
the radiograph shall be considered unacceptable.

4.5 IMAGE QUALITY INDICATOR(IQI)

4.5.1 IQI shall be used for the verification of radiographic sensitivity.
Radiography shall be executed with a technique of sufficient
 sensitivity to display the IQI image and specified wire number
listed in Table 1.
4.5.2 Wire number shall be based on nominal single wall thickness
plus appropriate weld reinforcement pad in the case of DWSI
or SWSI. The thickness laying between source and film shall
be considered in the case of DWDI.
4.5.3 Backing rings or strips and root penetration are not to be
considered as part of the weld or reinforcement thickness in
selection of the IQI.
4.5.4 IQI shall be placed so that at least one is visible on each
radiograph. Where a panoramic exposure is taken then a
minimum of three equally spaced IQI shall be used or other as
specified by the reference code. The IQI is placed across the
weld seam so that the wires are perpendicular to the weld
axis.
4.5.5 The IQI shall be placed on the source side of the part being
tested, except for the condition described in 4.5.6.
4.5.6 Where inaccessibility prevents hand placing the IQI on the
source side, the IQI shall be placed on the film side of the part
and a lead letter F of dimensions at least the same as the
IQI identification shall be placed adjacent to the IQI
identification.

4.5.7 The material of the IQI shall be of similar radiographic density

to that of the material under examination, i.e. use steel for
steel, aluminum for aluminum, etc.,

4.6 SENSITIVITY
Radiographic sensitivity is calculated using the following formula
and the entire radiograph shall have a minimum 2% sensitivity.
% Sensitivity = Diameter of thinnest wire visible x100

Wall thickness + reinforcement

4.7 INHERENT UNSHARPNESS

The inherent unsharpness (Ug) shall be calculated using the
following formula.

Ug. = F.OFD
SOD
Where Ug = Geometric unsharpness(mm)
F = Focal spot /Source size in mm, the maximum effective
dimension of
the radiating focal spot / source in the plane normal to
the line of
the SOD
 OFD = Object to film distance (mm), distance from the
source side of the
object being radiographed to the film.
SOD = Source to Object distance (mm), distance from the
source of
radiation to weld or other object being radiographed.

Material Thickness ( inch) Maximum Ug (inch)

Under 2 0.020
2 through 3 0.030
Over 3 through 4 0.040

Greater than 4 0.070

5. STANDARD TECHNIQUES (ATTACHED) SHALL BE UTILIZED

WHERE POSSIBLE.

Technique Pipe Diameter(NPS)

Single Wall Single Image(SWSI) Over 6"
Double Wall Double Image( DWDI) 3
Double Wall Single Image (DWSI) 3
5.1 Film Identification
Each radiograph shall be identified through the use of lead markers
(numbers and letters). The identification shall be as specified by the
client but should consist of:-
1. Project Identification
2. Component, Vessel or piping identifications
3. Seams or welds identification
4. R for repair, R2, R3 etc. if more than one repair.
5. C for new weld following complete cut out
6. Date of radiography

7. Welders identification

5.2 Surface Preparation

Welds which are to be examined radiographically shall be prepared

by the contractor to the extent necessary to ensure that, in the
resulting radiographic image any irregularities will not mask or be
confused with the image of any unacceptable discontinuity on the
radiograph.

5.3 Marking
5.3.1 For single viewing (SV) techniques a starting point shall be
selected for each weld being radiographed. The starting point
shall be accurately marked on pipe showing the datum and
direction of the marker belt. The belt shall start with zero at
 the arrow and encircle the pipe. The arrow direction and
location shall be consistent on any given job.
5.3.2 For double viewing (DV) techniques, markers shall usually be
as single marker mounted centrally above the area of interest.
The first exposure marker designated A the second B and
so on if required. The location of the marker shall be marked
on the object.
5.3.3 Where the weld is ground smooth with the adjacent base
metal and it is not evident where the edges of the weld begin,
marker arrows or V shall be supplied placed at the ends of
the intended area for interpretation. Markers shall be placed
at the end of the intended area for Interpretation.
5.3.4 If mechanical means of marking the datum and direction are
to be used, this shall be supplied by the Contractor unless
otherwise specified. If metal stamping is not permitted in a
particular situation, vibroetching, electroetching or other
techniques may be used as specifically approved by the
Client.
5.4 Film Processing
5.4.1 Film shall be processed to comply with the film manufacturers
recommendations as to required chemicals, processing
techniques and times.
5.4.2 All radiographs shall be free from mechanical and chemical
marks or other artifacts to the extent that they cannot mask
or be confused with the image of any discontinuity in the area
of interest of the object being radiographed.
5.4.3 Processing will be manual.
5.4.4 Development time shall be 3 to 5 minutes in developer
solution at 20 C with constant agitation.
5.4.5 Following development the film shall be agitated for at least
one minute in acetic acid stop bath.
5.4.6 Films will be fixed for at least twice the clearing time with
agitation for the first 20 seconds.
5.4.7 Washing will be for at least 15 minutes in running water.
5.4.8 Drying temperature shall not exceed 40 C.

5.4.9 Particular care shall be taken on dilution, chemical life and

replenishment as recommended by manufacturers.

5.5 Film Density

5.5.1 Radiographic density in area of interest shall be not less than
1.8 and not greater than 3.6 unless adequate viewing and
satisfactory interpretation of higher density films are
permitted by the viewing equipment.
 5.5.2 The weld metal film in the area of interest shall not vary by
more than plus 30% or minus 15% of the density adjacent to
the IQI, excepting as described in the item no. 5.5.3.

5.5.3 If more than one IQI is used, one shall be representative of

higher density.

5.6 Film Viewing

5.6.1 Equipment used to view radiographs for interpretation shall
have a variable light source sufficient for the essential
designated IQI wire to be visible for the specified density
range of 2.0 to 4.0 High intensity light sources shall have
exhaust arrangements for cooling to prevent film damage.
5.6.2 Light from the viewer not transmitted through the film shall be
masked when viewing the radiograph.

5.6.3 Calibrated densitometers or step wedge films shall be used to

assure film density compliance.

6. QUALITY OF RADIOGRAPHS

All radiographs shall be free from mechanical, chemical or other blemishes

to the extent that they do not mask and are not confused with the image
of any discontinuity in the area of interest of the object being
radiographed. Such blemishes include:

1) Fogging
2) Processing defects such as streaks, watermarks, or chemical stains
3) Scratches, finger marks, crimps, dirtiness, static marks, smudges or
tears

4) False indications due to defective screens.

7. FILM INTERPRATION

Radiographs shall be interpreted by Level II or Level III personnel

Acceptance level shall be as per relevant project code

8. SAFETY

Every personnel involved in radiography shall wear personal

monitoring film badge.
The team leader shall have approval of Radiation Protection Dept. of
Ministry of Public Health, Kuwait.
 The radiation area (3mSv/hr limit) shall be cordoned off with rope
and all non-radiography personnel shall be evacuated from the area
prior to start of work. Radiation warning signs shall be posted at
sufficient locations along the rope and monitored by the technician.
Fire and safety regulations of clients shall be adhered to at all times.