(On revision) Acceptance Criteria for Welds - NDE for Piping Spool
Piping
1) B31.3 Process Piping
1-1) Why the piping spool is examined as per ASME B31.3? If the contract document states ASME B31.3 for the piping spool, it shall be applied.
(If the purchaser is not familiar with B31.3 code, the piping spool should be tested and inspected as per B31.3 for the safety issue.)
1-2) B31.3 is not applicable for the following cases from (a) to (d)
(a) piping systems designed for internal gage pressures at or above zero but less than 105 kPa (15 psi), provided the fluid handled is nonflammable, nontoxic, and not damaging to human tissues as defined in 300.2, and its design temperature is from −29°C (−20°F) through 186°C (366°F)
(b) power boilers in accordance with BPV Code2 Section I and boiler external piping that is required to conform to B31.1
(c) tubes, tube headers, crossovers, and manifolds of fired heaters that are internal to the heater enclosure
(d) pressure vessels, heat exchangers, pumps, compressors, and other fluid handling or processing equipment, including internal piping and connections for external piping
1-3) Fluid Service Category
(a) Category D Fluid Service: a fluid service in which all of the following apply:
(1) the fluid handled is nonflammable, nontoxic, and not damaging to human tissues, as defined in para. 300.2(2) the design gage pressure does not exceed 1 035 kPa (150 psi)(3) the design temperature is not greater than 186°C (366°F)(4) the fluid temperature caused by anything other than atmospheric conditions is not less than −29°C (−20°F)
(b) Category M Fluid Service: a fluid service in which both of the following apply:
(1) the fluid is so highly toxic that a single exposure to a very small quantity of the fluid, caused by leakage, can produce serious irreversible harm to persons on breathing or bodily contact, even when prompt restorative measures are taken(2) after consideration of piping design, experience, service conditions, and location, the owner determines that the requirements for Normal Fluid Service do not sufficiently provide the leak tightness required to protect personnel from exposure(c) Elevated Temperature Fluid Service: a fluid service in which the piping metal temperature is sustained equal to or greater than Tcr as defined in Table 302.3.5, General Note (b).(d) High-Pressure Fluid Service: a fluid service for which the owner specifies the use of Chapter IX for piping design and construction; see also para. K300.(e) High Purity Fluid Service: a fluid service that requires alternative methods of fabrication, inspection, examination, and testing not covered elsewhere in the Code, with the intent to produce a controlled level of cleanness. The term thus applies to piping systems defined for other purposes as high purity, ultra-high purity, hygienic, or aseptic.(f) Normal Fluid Service: a fluid service pertaining to most piping covered by this Code, i.e., not subject to the rules for Category D, Category M, Elevated Temperature, High Pressure, or High Purity Fluid Service.
1-4) Acceptance Criteria for NDE
- B31.3_Table 341.3.2 Acceptance Criteria for Welds - Visual and Radiographic Examination
- B31.3_344.3 Magnetic Particle Examination - 344.3.2 Acceptance Criteria
- B31.3_344.4_Liquid Penetrate Examination - 344.4.2 Acceptance Criteria
- B31.3_344.6_Ultrasonic Examination - 344.6.2 Acceptance Criteria
2) B31.1 Power Piping
- B31.1_136.4.2 Visual Examination
Rotating
Pump - Casing
- API 610, 6.12.2.1
MSS-SP55 (Quality Standard for Steel Castings for Valves, Flanges, Fittings, and Other Piping Components - Visual Method for Evaluation of Surface Irregularities)
Compressor - Casing
Blower - Casing
136.4.2 Visual Examination
Steel Structure
AWS D1.1, Table 6.1 Visual Inspection Acceptance Criteria