Table of Contents

ASME B16.5...............................................................................................................................2
ASME B31.3...............................................................................................................................2
ASME V......................................................................................................................................2
ASME VIII..................................................................................................................................3
API 510.......................................................................................................................................3
RP 571........................................................................................................................................3
RP 577........................................................................................................................................4
API 578.......................................................................................................................................4
API 570.......................................................................................................................................5
RP 574........................................................................................................................................8
RP 576......................................................................................................................................13
RP 572......................................................................................................................................13
ASME B16.5
1. This Standard is limited to flanges and flanged fittings made from cast or forged
materials. (1.1.b.1)
2. At temperatures above 400F for Class 150 and above 750F for other class
designations, flanged joints may develop leakage problems unless care is taken
to avoid imposing severe external loads, severe thermal gradients, or both. (2.5.2)
3. Flanged joints & fittings may be subjected to system hydrostatic tests at a
pressure of 1.5 times the 100F rating rounded off to the next higher 1 bar (25
psi) increment. (2.6)
4. Flanges Identification Markings (4.2):
The manufacturers name or trademark;
Material shall be identified by ASTM specification, grade identification
symbol (letters and numbers), and the melt number;
Rating Designation;
The designation B16 or B16.5 shall be applied to the flange or flanged fitting,
preferably located adjacent to the class designation, the prefix ASME is
optional;
Temperature markings are not required on flanges or flanged fittings,
however, if marked, the corresponding pressure should be noted;
The NPS designation shall be marked on flanges and flanged fittings;
In ring joint flanges, the edge (periphery) of each ring joint flange shall be
marked with the letter R & the corresponding ring groove number.
5. Flanges do not require pressure test. (8.1)
6. Each flanged fitting shall be given a shell pressure test. (8.2.1)

ASME B31.3
1. Reinforcing pads & saddles shall have a vent hole at the side (not at the
crotch) to reveal leakage in the weld between branch and run and to allow
venting during welding & heat treatment. (328.5.4.g)
2. A Pad can be viewed as a center fillet welded elbow of two perpendicular plates
(Figure 328.5.4D.3/4), while a saddle have a rounded center, and fillet welded at
both ends (Figure 328.5.4D.5). (Table D300)
3. The preheat zone shall extend at least 1 beyond each edge of the weld. (330.1.4)
4. A PRV shall be provided during pneumatic testing, having a set pressure not higher
than the test pressure plus the lesser of 50 psi or 10% of the test pressure.
 (345.5.2)

ASME V
1. A lead symbol B with minimum dimensions of 12in. (13 mm) in height and 116
in. (1.5 mm) in thickness. (T-223)
2. The transmitted film density through the radiographic image of the body of the of
interest shall be 1.8 minimum for single film viewing for radiographs made with an
X-ray source and 2.0 minimum for radiographs made with a gamma ray source.
Composite films shall have a minimum density of 1.3. The maximum density
shall be 4.0 for either single or composite viewing. A tolerance of 0.05 in density is
allowed for variations between densitometer readings. (T-282.1)
3. PT penetrant materials used with Austenitic, Duplex Stainless, & Titanium
shall be analyzed for halogens, ie: Chlorine & Fluorine. The total halogens content
shall not exceed 1% by weight. (II-642)
4. MT prod spacing shall be between 3 & 8. (T-752.3)
5. The lifting power at the maximum MT pole spacing that will be used shall be at
least 10 lb for AC yoke, and 40 lb for DC yoke. (T-762)
6. MT is calibrated with 8 pie-shaped magnetic particle field indicator (T-764.2)

ASME VIII
1. Minimum Thickness of Pressure Retaining Components shall be 116 in. (1.5
mm) exclusive of any corrosion allowance. (UG-16)
2. The minimum length of spot radiography shall be 6 in. (UW-52(c))
3. The minimum width for PWHT is the widest width of weld plus 1t or 2 in. (50
mm), whichever is less, on each side or end of the weld. (UW-40(a))

API 510
1. An engineer shall approve all nozzle installations. (8.1.3)
2. The use of fillet-welded patches may be subject to the acceptance of the governing
jurisdiction. (8.1.5.1.2.1)
3. Preheating exceptions must be approved by the engineer. (8.1.6.3)
4. The materials used with controlled-deposition shall be limited to P-No. 1, P-No. 3,
 and P-No. 4 steels. (8.1.6.4.2.3b)

RP 571
1. If weld repairs are required, the effects of temper embrittlement can be
temporarily reversed (de-embrittled) by heating at 1150F (620C) for two
hours per inch of thickness, and rapidly cooling to room temperature. It is
important to note that re-embrittlement will occur over time if the material is re-
exposed to the embrittling temperature range. (4.2.3.6)

RP 577
1. RT clear film has a zero density value. (9.8.9.3)
2. The UT A-scan, shows the response along the path of the sound beam for a
given position of the probe. The x axis represents the time of flight, while the y
axis shows the amplitude of reflected signals. (9.9)
3. The UT B-scan, shows a cross sectional view of the object under test by scanning
the probe along one axis. (9.9)
4. The UT C-scan, shows a plan view of the test object. The image is produced by
mechanically or electronically scanning in an x-y plane. (9.9)

API 578
1. Carbon steel components specified in new or existing piping systems are not
specifically covered under the scope of this document unless minor/trace alloying
elements are critical to component corrosion resistance or similar degradation. (1)
2. The use if hardenable alloy in systems including wet hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S),
hydrofluoric acid (HF), and sulfuric acid (H 2SO4 ) services, may result in failure.
(4.1.1)
3. One electrode or wire sample from each lot or package of alloy welding rods
should be PMI tested. (4.2.6)
4. Carbon & low alloy steels are more likely to have material nonconformances with
serious consequences (e.g. 1-14Cr12Mo, 2-14Cr1Mo, 5 Cr12Mo, 9Cr1Mo).
(4.3.3.1)
5. Carbon steels in some specific locations in HF service have been reported to suffer
increased corrosion rates based on the residual elements (RE) (i.e. C, Ni, Cr, and
 Cu). (4.3.3.2)
6. Carbon steels with low silicon (< 0.10 %) can corrode at an accelerated rate when
exposed to hydrogen-free sulfidation conditions. (4.3.3.4)
7. PMI testing within the warehouse should not be regarded as an alternative to
PMI testing of the fabricated piping system. (4.4.2)
8. PMI tests are intended to identify alloy materials & are not intended to
establish the exact conformance of a material to a particular alloy specification.
(5.1)
9. Visual identification of materials using stamps/markings alone should not be
considered as a substitute for PMI testing but may be an important component
of an overall quality assurance program. (5.1)
10. Portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometers use gamma ray or X-ray
sources. (5.2.2)
11. Chemical spot test is done by electrochemically removing a minute amount of
surface metal and depositing it onto moistened filter paper, which produce distinct
colors after reagents are dropped onto it. (5.2.5.1)
12. Resistivity testing uses the Seebeck Effect, or thermoelectric principle. Alloy
sorters have not proved to be consistently capable of sorting low alloy (< 5 % Cr)
and austenitic stainless steels. (5.2.5.2)
13. Other PMI testing techniques include; eddy-current sorters, electromagnetic alloy
sorters, triboelectric testing devices (e.g. ferrite meters), and thermoelectric tests.
(5.2.5.3)
14. If any of a representative sample is rejected, all items of that inspection lot should
be considered suspect & a more extensive Follow-up inspection of the remaining lot
should be considered. (6.3)
15. Pipe Fabrication Institute (PFI) Standard ES22 is an example of a Color
Coding/Marking system. (7.1.1)

API 570
1. Examination Points (Within CML) are circles with diameter <=2", for pipes <=10"
diameter. For larger pipes, the circle can be as large as 3". (3.1.20)
2. Soil-to-Air interface; 12" below ground & 6" above.(3.1.87)
3. NDE & Repair organizations equipment are subject to the owner safety
requirements. (5.3.2)
4. Before starting any piping system inspection and maintenance permission should
be obtained from operating personnel responsible for the piping to work in the
 vicinity. (5.3.3)
5. Appropriate responses to accelerated corrosion rates includes, additional
thickness readings, UT scans, corrosion/process monitoring, revisions to the
inspection plan. (5.5.3)
6. Use of RT & Thermography to check for fouling or internal plugging,
thermography to check for hot spots in refractory lined systems. (5.5.8)
7. Acoustic emission, Acoustic leak detection, and thermography can be used for
remote leak detection and surveillance. (5.5.8)
8. Localized erosion or erosion-corrosion should be inspected using visual internal
inspection or RT inspection or UT scanning if the line is larger than NPS 12.
(5.5.8)
9. Injection Point Circuit limits are recommended at 12" or 3D upstream of the
injection point whichever is greater, while downstream should be at the second
directional change in flow past the injection point, or 25 ft beyond the first
change in flow direction, whichever is less. (5.5.9)
10. The preferred inspection methods at injection points are RT & UT, close grid
ultrasonic or scanning may be used, as long as temperatures are appropriate.
(5.5.9)
11. Inspections at injection points should cover at least 12" before, and 10D
after the insjection point. (5.5.9)
12. CMLs may be eliminated under certain circumstances, such as olefin plant
cold side piping, anhydrous ammonia piping, clean noncorrosive
hydrocarbon product, or high-alloy piping for product purity. (5.6.2)
13. Some uniform corrosions as high-temperature sulfur corrosion and sour
water corrosion (if corrosion/erosion is avoided) require fewer CMLs to monitor.
(5.6.3)
14. UT above 150 F, needs instruments, couplants, and procedures that will result
in accurate measurements at the higher temperatures. Otherwise, the
measurements should be adjusted by the appropriate temperature correction
factor. (5.7.1)
15. UT for thicknesses of less than 1/8" can be inaccurate for typical digital
thickness gauges. (5.7.1)
16. Calipers are useful in determining approximate thicknesses of castings,
forgings, and valve bodies, as well as pit depth approximations from CUI on
pipe. (5.7.1)
17. Field metallographic replication for identifying metallurgical changes.
(5.7.2)
18. Acoustic emission examination for detecting structurally significant defects.
(5.7.2)
19. An engineer should be consulted when a pressure test of piping
components/sections is to be performed (including use of isolation devices) to
ensure it is suitable for the intended purpose. (5.8)
20. If flammable fluid is used for hydrotest, its flash point shall be at least 120 F
(49 C) or greater. (5.8.1)
21. 300 Stainless steel should be hydrotested with a solution made up of potable
water, de-ionized/de-mineralized water or steam condensate having a total
chloride concentration (not free chlorine concentration) of less than 50 ppm.
(5.8.1)
22. Sensitized austenitic stainless steel piping subject to polythionic stress
corrosion cracking, hydrotested using an alkaline-water solution. (5.8.1)
23. If potable water is not available, water having a very low chloride level, higher
pH (>10), and inhibitor addition should be used. (5.8.1)
24. Special attention should be given when testing low-alloy steels, especially 2-1/4
Cr-1Mo, prone to temper embrittlement. (5.8.3)
25. Metal temperature should be maintained at least 30 F above MDMT if more
than 2" thick, and 10 F for 2" or less. The test temperature however need not
exceed 120 F during pneumatic testing. (5.8.3)
26. Substituting pressure test by NDE after an alteration is allowed only after the
engineer and inspector have approved. (5.8.5)
27. When valve body and/or closure are pressure tested after servicing, they should be
conducted in accordance with API 598. (5.8.10)
28. Class 1 (6.3.4.2):
Flammable services that can autorefrigerate and lead to brittle fracture;
Rapid vapourising (Boiling below 50 F);
H2S, greater than 3 % weight;
Anhydrous HCl \ Hydrofluoric acid (HF);
29. Class 2 (6.3.4.3):
Anything not other classes;
Flammable slow vapourizing;
Hydrogen, fuel gas, and natural gas;
Something corrossive on-site;
30. Class 3 (6.3.4.4):
Flammable none vapourizing;
Something corrossive off-site;
31. Class 4 (6.3.4.5):
Utility services;
Category "D" piping;
32. Piping systems that are known to have a remaining life over 10 years or that are
adequately protected against external corrosion need not be included for the NDE
inspection for CUI. (6.4)
33. Process SBP == Normal piping, and Secondary SBP Class 1 == Normal Class
1. (6.6.1)
34. Secondary SBP Class 2/3 inspections are optional, however, deadlegs (such as level
bridles) should be inspected. (6.6.1)
35. Deadlegs with CMLs should be tracked in a separate circuits & may be
combined. Inspections are to use profile RT on small diameter deadlegs, such
as vents and drains. (6.6.1)
36. PRV inspection interval is determined by either the inspector, engineer, or
other individual per the owners QA system. (6.7.3.1)
37. Normal PRV inspection interval is 5/10 years based on service conditions. (6.7.3.2)
38. New piping or changes in service, the initial thickness measurement shall be
made after no more than three months of service. (7.1.2c)
39. Owner/user approval of on-stream welding is required. (8.1.3)
40. ASME PCC-2, Repair of Pressure Equipment and Piping. (8.1.4.1)
41. A patch can only be used if the SMYS of the pipe is not more than 40,000 psi.
(8.1.4.1)
42. Permenant flush patches can be used made with full-penetration welds, 100%
RT for Class 1/2 material & 1 rounded corners. (8.1.4.2)
43. Any welding on piping components in operation shall be done in accordance
with API 2201. (8.2.1)
44. The repair organization shall use welders and welding procedures qualified
in accordance with ASME B31.3. (8.2.2)
45. Exceptions for pre-heat or PWHT for temporary repairs shall be approved by
the piping engineer. (8.2.3.2/3)
46. Preheating to not less than 300 F may be an alternative to PWHT for systems
initially PWHT as a code requirement. (8.2.3.2)
47. Examples of situations where this alternative could be considered include seal
welds, weld metal buildup of thin areas, and welding support clips. (8.2.3.2)
48. Local PWHT temperature shall be maintained for a distance of not less than two
times the base metal thickness & monitored by a minimum of two
thermocouples. (8.2.3.3)
49. Substituting NDE for a pressure test after an alteration, re-rating, or repair
may be done only after consultation with the inspector & engineer. (8.2.7)
50. An increase in the rating temperature that does not affect allowable tensile
stress does not require a leak test. (8.3d)
51. Inspection of buried process piping, not regulated by the U.S. Department of
Transportation, is based on API 570. (9.1)
52. ILI In-line inspection tools, commonly referred to as smart or intelligent
pigging. (9.2.6a)
53. LR UT ie: Long Range guided wave UT, allows 15 ft or longer to be screened from
one installation. (9.2.6d)
54. Above-grade Visual Surveillance should be done at approximately six month
intervals. (9.3.1)
55. For poorly coated pipes where cathodic protection potentials are
inconsistent,pipe-to-soil potential survey may be conducted at five-year
intervals. (9.3.2)
56. For piping buried in lengths greater than 100 ft & not cathodically protected,
soil corrosivity should be performed at five-year intervals. (9.3.4)
57. The external condition of buried piping that is not cathodically protected
should be determined by thickness measuring pigging or by excavation. (9.3.6)
58. Periodic excavation shall be in lengths of 6 ft to 8 ft at one or more locations.
(9.3.6)
59. An alternative or supplement to inspection of buried piping is leak testing
with liquid at a pressure at least 10 % greater than maximum operating
pressure, at intervals per Table 5. (9.3.7)
60. Leak testing of non cathodically protected buried pipes should be at intervals
one-half of those in Table 5. (9.3.7)
61. Sonic measurements may be helpful in locating leaks during leak testing.
(9.3.7)
62. Other alternative leak test methods includes; Volume in/volume out, Single
point volumetric method, acoustic emission & tracer fluid (such as helium
or sulfur hexafloride), after the owner confirms suitability for process and product.
(9.3.7/RP574 10.10.3)
63. Records of the location & date of installation of temporary clamps shall be
maintained for buried piping. (9.4.2/9.5)
RP 574
5. 2-1/4 Cr-1Mo at the range of 650 F to 1100 F is prone to temper
embrittlement. (3.1.39)
6. The size refers to the approximate ID for NPSs =<12 or the actual OD for NPSs
>=14. (4.1.1.2)
7. American Water Works Association (AWWA) is an organization that provides
guidance on FRP pipe design and testing. (4.1.2.4)
8. Standardized FRP piping systems commonly called commodity piping. (4.1.2.8)
9. Clad pipe has a metallic liner that is an integral part of the plate material rolled or
explosion bonded before fabrication of the pipe, while strip lining may be
separate strips of metal welded to the pipe. (4.1.4)
10. Tubing stated size is the actual OD rather than NPS. (4.2)
11. Ball valves are well suited for quick on/off or bubble tight service. (4.3.5)
12. Diaphragm valves are not used extensively in the petrochemical industry but
they may be used in corrosive services below 250 F for a leak tightness. (4.3.6)
13. Slide valves do not make a gas tight shutoff. (4.3.9)
14. If cracking is anticipated, a CML may be established temporarily to monitor the
rate of cracking. (7.3.3)
15. Examples of injection points are chlorine in reformers, water wash in overhead
systems, polysulfide injection in catalytic cracking wet gas, anti-foam injections,
corrosion inhibitors, and neutralizers. (7.4.1)
16. For some injection points, piping spools may be removed for visual
inspection, however, thickness measurements is still required. (7.4.1)
17. Injection points Inspections can additional utilize automated UT (AUT) C-
scan techniques, real-time RT, or electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT)
with Lamb waves may be needed to identify the worst localized corrosion within
the circuit. (7.4.1)
18. Mix Points examples include (7.4.2):
Chloride-containing stream from a catalytic reformer (e.g. naphtha) with a wet
hydrocarbon stream;
Low-temperature, high-sulfur-containing hydrocarbon stream with a high-temperature
stream as high-temperature sulfidation becomes active;
19. Some users apply injection point inspection requirements to susceptible
process mixing tees, ie: This is not the normal practice. (7.4.2)
20. In tower overhead systems & hydrotreater where ammonium salts are
present, corrosion can occur in dead-legs where the metal is at the salting or dew-
point temperature. (7.4.3)
21. In hot piping, the high points can corrode due to convective currents set up
in the dead-leg. (7.4.3)
22. The two forms of CUI are localized corrosion of carbon steel and chloride
SCC of austenitic stainless steels. (7.4.4)
23. CUI is more likely to happen in (7.4.4.1):
Carbon steel piping systems, between 10 F & 350 F;
Austenitic stainless steel piping, between 140 F & 400 F (susceptible to
chloride SCC); <140F == 60C, RP 574 Typo>
Carbon steel piping which normally operate above 350 F, but are in intermittent
service;
Carbon or low-alloy steel flanges, bolting, and other components under insulation
in high-alloy piping systems; (7.4.4.2)
24. At S/A for piping without cathodic protection, if evidence that the caulking or
seal at the interface has deteriorated and allowed moisture ingress in systems
over 10 years old, it may be necessary to inspect for corrosion beneath the
surface before resealing the joint. (7.4.5)
25. Service-specific & Localized Corrosion is more likely to happen in (7.4.6.2):
Upstream of product separators (e.g. hydroprocessor reactor effluent lines);
Dew-point corrosion in condensing streams, (e.g. overhead fractionation);
Unanticipated acid or caustic carryover from processes into nonalloyed piping
systems or in the case of caustic, into non-PWHTed steel piping systems;
Mixed-phase flow and turbulent areas in acidic systems, also hydrogen grooving
areas;
Mixed grades of carbon steel piping in hot corrosive oil service 450 F or higher
temperature and sulfur content greater than 0.5 % by weight;
Under deposit corrosion in slurries, crystallizing solutions, or coke-producing
fluids;
Chloride carryover in catalytic reformer units, particularly where it mixes with
other wet streams;
Hot spot corrosion on piping with external heat tracing, e.g in services that is
more corrosive with increased temperatures including sour water, caustic in
carbon steel, corrosion or SCC can develop at hot spots that develop under low flow
conditions;
Steam systems subject to wire cutting / wiredrawing, graphitization, or where
condensation occurs.
26. Temporary (or swing-out) piping spools should be removed prior to process operation
start-up, unless it is verified that it is isolated from the process with double-block valve
or isolation blind. If the temporary piping is isolated and left for a significant period
of time, lock-out/tag-out should be used. (7.4.6.3)
27. Erosion-corrosion is more likely to happen in (7.4.7):
Downstream of control valves, especially where flashing or cavitation is
occurring;
 Downstream of piping configurations (welds, thermowells, flanges, etc.) that
produce turbulence, such as ammonium hydrosulfide & sulfuric acid systems;
28. Environmental Cracking examples (7.4.8.1):
Chloride SCC of austenitic stainless steels resulting from moisture and chlorides
under insulation, under deposits, under gaskets, or in crevices;
Polythionic SCC of sensitized austenitic alloy steels resulting from exposure to
sulfide/moisture/oxygen;
Amine SCC in nonstress-relieved piping systems;
Wet H2S SCC & hydrogen blistering in systems containing sour water;
29. Where available, spools suspect of environmental cracking may be removed
from the piping system and split open for internal surface examination. (7.4.8.2)
30. Microwave examination technique (MW) can examine the refractory for
volumetric flaws & separation. (7.4.9.3)
31. Trunnions or other attachments extending beyond the insulation act as a cooling
fin & may result in thermal fatigue cracking. (7.4.10.1)
32. It is important to understand that fatigue cracking is likely to cause failure
before detection with any NDE methods. (7.4.10.3)
33. Creep cracking may occur in 1-1/4 Cr steels above 900 F. (7.2.11.2)
34. Refrigerating effect of vaporizing liquids such as ammonia or C2 or C3
hydrocarbons can promote brittle fracture. (7.4.12.1)
35. Brittle fracture usually is not a concern with relatively thin wall piping.
(7.4.12.1)
36. Thermal imaging can show wet insulation that can lead to CUI. (8.2.1.3)
37. Caution should be taken when attempting to remove scale or deposits from in-
service piping especially when operating at high pressure or temperature. (9.1.4)
38. In cases of severe vibration, specialized equipment, such as a pulsation bottle
or sway stabilizers, may be required. (10.1.5)
39. Temporarily cooling severe hot spots with steam, water, or air may be desirable
or necessary until the system can be removed from service after reviewal by the
piping engineer. (10.1.8.2)
40. The use of numeric thickness readout only instruments should be carefully
considered as they have been misused & misapplied within the industry and can
lead to erroneous and inaccurate results. (10.2.1.2.1)
41. A-scan display aids the examiner in distinguishing between corroded surface
& laminar inclusion. (10.2.1.2.2.1)
42. A-scan instruments operate two modes. The IP mode is used for corrosion
evaluation, while the multiple echo mode is used for measuring the remaining
thickness on specimens with coated surfaces without including the coating
 thickness. (10.2.1.2.2.2)
43. Advanced crack sizing techniques includes: tip diffraction, high-angled L-
waves, 30-70-70 search units and bimodal search units, time-of-flight
diffraction (TOFD) and phased arrays. (10.2.1.2.3.4)
44. High-temperature hydrogen attack can be detected and evaluated utilizing UT
backscatter and velocity ratio techniques. (10.2.1.2.3.5)
45. If the ID surface is extremely rough & irregular-shaped pit is encountered, a
lower amplitude back-wall signal or a complete loss of the back-wall signal may
be encountered. (10.2.1.3.3)
46. Doubling occurs when measuring thin materials usually less than 0.100 (2.5
mm) and results in a reading much thicker than the actual wall thickness.
(10.2.1.3.4)
47. At elevated temperatues, the as-measured UT thickness increase by a factor of
1 %/100 F . (10.2.1.5.3)
48. For cracks detection, cleaning can be by wire brushing, sandblasting, or
chemically removing coatings, deposits, and corrosion products. (10.3.2.2)
49. Spot checking by MT, PT, or UT should be considered even if visual inspection
revealed no cracks. (10.3.2.2)
50. In severe services, such as hydrofluoric acid, slurry, fluidized catalyst
services, valves may need to be dismantled and inspected at specified intervals.
(10.3.4.2)
51. When a valve is disassembled for inspection, the bonnet gasket should be
replaced. (10.3.4.3)
52. Welded joints in carbon steel and carbon-molybdenum steel exposed to
temperatures of 800 F or greater a sample should be taken from a welded joint
and examined metallurgically for excessive graphitization. (10.3.5.2.4)
53. A leaking threaded should not be tightened while the system is in under
pressure, as an undetected crack in a thread root could open up significantly
and cause a release of product. (10.3.5.3)
54. FRP are generally initially inspected within the first two years of operation
with subsequent intervals based on initial findings. (10.4)
55. ASTM D5263 provides guidance for the visual examination of FRP components
but is focused on manufacturing, assembly. (10.4.1)
56. Some FRP specifications require more advanced examinations, including RT &
bond inspetions to supplant the coin tapping method for locating
delaminated or disbonded areas close to the surface. (10.4.1)
57. FRP pressure testing at up to 1.5 times design pressure are not a guarantee
of structural integrity, however the use of acoustic emission monitoring during
pressure testing can increase the sensitivity of the pressure test. (10.4.1)
58. UT techniques in FRP cannot detect kissing bonds in thermal welds, which
MW can detect. (Table 5)
59. Barcol hardness test method used to determine the hardness of both reinforced
& nonreinforced rigid plastics. (Table 5)
60. For service testing of Category D piping systems, ASME B31.3 limits the gage
pressure to 150 psi. (10.5.1.2)
61. If a pump of sufficient head is not available for pressure testing, the necessary
test pressure can be supplied by bottled inert gas, such as nitrogen, bled in at the
top of the system after the system is filled with the test liquid. (10.5.2.4)
62. Water may not be suitable as a test fluid in piping systems, such as acid lines,
cryogenic systems, and air-drier systems. (10.5.2.6)
63. Tell-tale drilling (aka sentinel holes or delforez holes) are small pilot holes,
e.g. 1/8 (3.2 mm) diameter, drilled into the pipe component wall using specified
and controlled patterns and depths such that when the internal corrosion
allowance is consumed a weep occurs at the tell-tale hole. (10.7)
64. PMI is made using material test kits, portable X-ray fluorescence, portable
optical emission spectrometry analyzers. (10.11.2)
65. Additional thickness is often needed near branch connections, which is
usually provided by one of the following (11.1.1.2):
A welding tee;
A saddle;
An integrally reinforced branch outlet (e.g. a weldolet);
The header and/or run pipe thickness is greater than required by design
conditions. (Retirement thickness in this case should be performed by a
piping engineer.)
66. Additional consideration & structural allowances may be required for the
following conditions (11.1.3):
Screwed piping and fittings;
Piping diameters greater than 24;
Temperatures exceeding 400 F for carbon and low-alloy steel;
Higher alloys (other than carbon steel and Cr-Mo);
Spans in excess of 20 ft (6 m);
High external loads (e.g. refractory lined, pipe that is also used to support other
pipe, rigging loads, and personnel support loading);
 Excessive vibration;
67. Austenitic stainless piping often have lower minimum structural thickness
requirements based upon their typically higher strength, toughness & thinner
initial thicknesses of piping components. (11.1.3)
68. ASME B16.34 establishes the minimum valve wall thickness at 1.5 times (1.35
times for Class 4500) the thickness of a simple cylinder and subjected to an
internal pressure equal to the pressure rating class for valve Classes 150 to 2500,

ie: . (11.2)

RP 576
1. Pressure relieve devices are NOT used to control process flow.
2. Safety valves are used for gases.
3. Relieve valves are used for liquids.
4. Safetyrelieve valves can be used for either.
5. Balanced safetyrelieve valves can mitigate the effect of back-pressure.
6. Pilot operated valves are nice, but require care for service, temp, etc..
7. Vent-Vacuum valves are weight or spring loaded, and work below 15 PSI (Not
covered by ASME VIII, or API 510).
8. Rupture disks can protect pressure relieve devices' inlet or outlet.
9. Normal rupture disks are metal, bulged or not.
10. Scored rupture disks are stronger and may not need support with vacuum.
11. Composite rupture disks are corrosion resistant, and are strong.
12. Graphite impinged rupture disks are corrosion resistant, but usually
fragment.

RP 572
1. Titanium is used with saltwater.
2. Epoxy can be used to internally coat tubes.
3. Admiralty Brass can be used in tube-sheets.
4. Non-metallic vessels can be made from Fiber Reinforced Plastic.
5. As per AMSE VIII strictness, Div 1 < Div 2 < Div 3.
6. OSHA required the use of Recognized and Generally Accepted Good Engineering
Practice (RAGAGEP) !
7. Catalytic reformer equipment operating at temperature more than 900 F (482 C)
 may experience creep embrittlement damage during operation. Replication is a
useful technique in detecting this damage).
8. Recommended resistance for grounding is 5 ohms or less, can not be more
than 25 ohms.
9. Neutron backscatter methods can provide assessment of areas with high
moisture and can provide a screening assessment for CUI.
10. Inspect vessels in cyclic service at external supports using either PT or MT
testing for fatigue cracking.
11. The caustic material seeping through the cracks will often deposit white salts
that are readily visible.
12. Those areas below the liquid level in vessels that contain acidic corrosion
products are more likely to be subject to hydrogen blistering.
13. Vessels underground are subject to soil corrosion will be particularly intense in
areas where cinder fills were used or where acid splash-over has occurred.
14. The most severe soil corrosion will usually be found between ground level and up
to several inches below. Any vessel in contact with the ground is a candidate for
connection to cathodic protection, and this should be inspected.
15. In riveted vessels, the most common location for cracks is at metal ligaments
between the rivets.
16. Visual inspection is not sufficient (often the case in the detection of amine
and deaerator cracking), wet or dry MT, angle beam UT, PT, or acoustic
emission analysis may be used.
17. Using replication techniques or taking a material sample (a boat or other sample)
should be considered if carbon steel temperatures were in the range of 750 F to
1000 F (399 C to 538 C).
18. Austenitic stainless steels are particularly susceptible to polythionic stress
corrosion cracking (PSCC) and chloride corrosion.
19. The bottom head and shell of fractionators processing high-sulfur crude oils are
susceptible to sulfide corrosion around the inlet lines.
20. In general, high-temperature sulfur corrosion tends to be uniform compared to
more localized corrosion from high naphthenic acids.
21. The upper shell and the top head of the fractionation and distillation towers are
sometimes subject to chloride attack. The liquid level lines at trays in towers
and in the bottom of overhead accumulators are points of concentrated attack.
22. Vessel parts that are subject to wet hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) or cyanide
environments are susceptible to cracks in their welds and weld heat-affected
zones.
23. Vessels containing amines (absorbers, accumulators, coalescers, condensers,
coolers, contactors, extractors, filter vessels, flash drums, knockout drums,
reactivators, reboilers, reclaimers, regenerators, scrubbers, separators, settlers,
skimmers, sour gas drums, stills, strippers, surge tanks, treating towers, treated
fuel gas drums, etc.) are subject to cracks in their welds and the heat-affected
zones of the welds.
24. Erosion or corrosion at the baffles of exchangers will often show up as a series of
regularly spaced rings when a flashlight beam is place parallel to the shell
surface.
25. Lap joint flanges or slip flanges such as Van Stone flanges should be checked for
corrosion between the flange and the pipe. The check can be made from inside the
pipe by special probes and UT thickness-measuring devices. (9.4.6)
26. Hydrocrackers and hydrotreaters reactors , use weld overlay with
stabilized austenitic stainless steel welding rods or wire as liners instead of
plug- or strip-welded or clad plate. Disbonding from the parent metal can be
checked by UT, visual checking for bulges, and light tapping. (9.4.7)
27. The effectiveness of linings is reduced by breaks in the film or coatings sometimes
called holidays. The spark tester method of inspection for leaks in paint, glass,
plastic, and rubber linings with voltage not exceed the dielectric strength of
the coating. This method cannot be used for concrete, brick, tile, or refractory
linings. (9.4.8)
28. Concrete and refractory linings may spall and crack in service. (9.4.8)
29. If the shell-metal temperatures are near the calculated dew point of the process
stream, a frequently used corrective measure is to reduce the internal
insulation or to add extra external insulation without exceeding the design metal
temperatures. (9.4.8)
30. UT scanning from the external surface can be used on linings, such as explosion
bonded clad or weld overlaid clad, to measure wall thickness and to detect
separation, holes, and blisters. (9.4.9)
31. Sample removal can be used to spot-check welds and to investigate cracks,
laminations, and other flaws with a trepan or weld probe tools. The sample is
then analyzed under a microscope or with an ordinary magnifying glass.
The filings obtained during cutting may be used in the chemical analysis of the
metal. (9.5)
32. The sample hole left in the vessel wall must be evaluated by Fitness-For-
Service assessments and repaired, the decision to remove samples should be
made by someone who knows how to analyze the problems related to repair of the
 sample holes. (9.5)
33. Portable hardness testers can be used to detect faulty heat-treating,
carburization, nitriding, decarburization, and other processes that cause
changes in hardness. (9.6)
34. ET, X-ray fluorescence, radiation, and portable light emission spectroscope
instruments are used for material identification. (9.6)
35. Because normally nonmagnetic steel usually becomes magnetic when carburized,
carburization of austenitic stainless steel can sometimes be detected by a
magnet. (9.6)
36. When testing pneumatically, a UT leak detector or soap solution or both
should be used to aid visual inspection. (9.7.2)
37. Exchangers with floating heads do not permit individual detection of leaking
tubes or access to both ends of tube during a shell side test. A test ring is
sometimes used for these exchangers. (9.7.3)
38. Tube condition assessment can also be performed using scanning detection tools
including ET, remote field ET, magnetic flux, laser, and UT test equipment, to
detect erosion, corrosion, pitting, and cracking in tubes. (9.7.3)
39. After historical records have been built up for exchanger, inspection is
performed only when the number of plugged tubes indicates that the re-tubing
point may be approaching. (9.7.3)
40. Steps to be followed to assess the vessels condition based on thickness: (10.3)
1. Comparison of the current thickness against nominal, original, and required
thicknesses;
2. Calculate the required thickness of vessel components by utilizing the design
code of construction (typically ASME BPVC Section VIII);
3. A Fitness-For-Service analysis utilizing API 579-1/ASME FFS-1, for general or
local metal loss;
41. Some jurisdictions require that welded repairs and alterations be done by
certified organizations that possess appropriate National Board R stamp,
usually in accordance with NB-23 and accompanied by the completion and filing
National Board Form R-1 with the jurisdiction. (10.5)
42. The repair of sample holes left by a trepan or weld probe tool is likely to be
poor unless carefully controlled. Therefore, the removal of samples for weld
inspection should be avoided if possible. (10.5.1.1)
43. Cracks in vessel walls or heads may be repaired by chipping, by flame, arc, or
mechanical gouging, or by grinding the crack from end to end and then welding.
(10.5.1.1)
44. Scattered pits in pressure vessels are best repaired by welding. As a means of
temporary repair, proprietary epoxy base materials are available that can be
packed into pits to prevent further corrosion. (10.5.1.1)
45. The inside of the tubes can be partially checked at the ends by use of flashlight
extensions, fiber optic scopes, borescopes, and special probes (slender 18-in. (3.2
cm) rods with pointed tips bent at 90). (A.9.1)
46. Tube removal may be used when metallurgical and chemical examination, are
needed to check for dezincification of brass tubes, the depth of etching or fine
cracks, or high-temperature metallurgical changes. (A.9.1)
47. A distinctive prussian blue color on bundle tubes indicates the presence of ferri-
ferrocyanide. (A.9.2)