Area of Examination & Reference Documents

In this module, you shall learn about:

Introduction to API 1169 Inspector certification

Pre-qualification

Area of examination

API 1169 – Body of Knowledge

Our E- Learning itinerary

Exam Tips

Introduction to API 1169 Inspector certification:

API 1169 pipeline construction inspector certification is designed to qualify individuals who shall be the eyes and ears of the owner/operator company in the pipeline construction field.

Pipeline Inspector should be monitoring and reporting all aspects of pipeline construction;

• Survey;

• Clearing & Grading;

• stockpiling & Stringing;

• Field Bending;

• Ditching & Excavation;

• Welding; Coating;

• Lowering-In; Backfilling;

• Cathodic Protection;

• Hydrostatic Testing;

• Clean-up & Restoration

• as well as be involved with the contract and agreement, monitor safety and health, environmental aspect and finally ensure compliance with project specifications.

So, the inspector is practically representing the owner in the field.

For example, the inspector has the authority to stop the work when there is imminent danger to people or environment.

API RP 1169 defines the inspector as somebody who is qualified to:

• monitor,

• assess,

• evaluate,

• verify,

• discuss,

• decide,

• resolve,

• report,

• and document pipeline construction activities to ensure the requirements of the design, drawings, specifications, regulations, and industry practices are being met safely, efficiently, & in an environmentally sound manner.

As you can see, the job description covers a long list of topics:

HSE,

NDE,

Welding,

Coating,

Mechanical Inspection,

Material Inspection and Material Test Report,

storage and handling

to name a few) without the need to have specialization in any of them whatsoever, but just a general knowledge.

If you are already a specialist in any other inspection field such as welding or coating inspection, you may find it difficult to answer some welding or coating related exam questions!

This is because exam question are too simplified from a welding inspector point of view.

Therefore, during the exam, don’t read too much into a question which happens to be your field of expertise.

Most of the questions are common sense really; provided you know the ABC of pipeline construction inspection.

API 1169 is the fastest growing certification among all the other dozen certifications and has a good passing rate (60%) so far; although the pass rate has been declining over the past 8 years.

API 1169 exam has some peculiarity over other API exams, namely:

a) The prime document is not API RP 1169; but the practical guide published jointly by INGAA (Interstate Natural Gas Association of America) and CEPA (Canadian Energy Pipeline Association).

b) API RP 1169 basically explains what is expected from the inspector but does not explain how? On the other hand, the practical guide has extensive checklist showing what need to be verified or ticked by the inspector. These areas are categorized by construction phase as well as by topic.

c) API 1104 standards is the governing document for the WPS qualifications as well as the NDE acceptance criteria.

d) API RP 1110 is exclusively dedicated to the pressure testing of pipeline.

e) ISO 9000 explains the quality management system (QMS) vocabulary while API Q1 describes QMS requirements.

f) Although ASME B31.4 (Pipeline Transportation Systems for Liquids) and ASME B31.8 (Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping Systems) has been brought as part of body of knowledge, but API has noted within the BoK that these ASME Documents are recommended for general knowledge only and are not required for the exam; because all exam related information contained within ASME B 31.4 & B31.8 documents can also be found in API RP 1169 and CEPA/INGAA’s Practical Guide for Pipeline Construction Inspectors.

Nevertheless, we have dedicated course module 12 to these ASME codes so you may understand where those information brought within API RP 1169 and INGAA are coming from.

g) During the exam, you shall have access to both US and Canadian sets of HSE documents (12 US and 9 Canadian). We have highlighted important information and included them in the course. The search button is disabled but the content lists are available. You should have a fair idea where you can find the answer to open book questions.

2.1 Pre-qualification

The exam is 3 hours long and has 115 questions, of which only 100 are scored (1.5 minute per question). The remaining 15 are called pretest questions and not scored.

Scored and non scored questions are shuffled and unmarked, so, you need to answer all questions.

You should have at least 3 years pipeline inspection experience or 4 years pipeline non inspection experience (1 years experience is reduced if you have BS or 2-year degree in a technical discipline).

The minimum experience required MUST be documented on your application and should have been acquired within the last 20 years.

Below please find the prequalification requirements. Contact us if you are in doubt.

Inspection Experience

Non –  Inspection Experience 

General Oil & Gas Experience

2.2 Area of examination

6-7 questions are based on the API Recommended Practice 1169 Pipeline Construction Inspector body of knowledge.

12-15 questions shall be from the open book.

Nothing complicated or cross referenced, just need to know where to find the information.

We suggest flagging them off to be answered at the end since these questions would normally take more time to answer than the closed book questions.

Most of questions are common sense if you are familiar with the various phases of pipeline construction. We have provided lots of pictures to give you the feel factor.

Around 7-8 questions shall come from API Q1 and ISO 9000. We have explained the quality terms in an easy to understand format and also highlighted the potential exam questions (in yellow).

API BoK specifies the following topics for exam questions:

1.Pipeline Construction Inspection/Management Knowledge Areas

• Quality assurance (records, measurement, documentation)

• Safety (basic site safety, roles and responsibilities)

• Environmental (permits, SWPPP, BMP’s, etc.)

• Training and Qualifications

2. Front-end Construction

• Survey & Staking

• Line Locating

• ROW Clearing/Grading

− Alignment sheets (e.g., extra workspace, PI locations, special conditions)

− Specifications (e.g., width, right of way, grubbing, topsoil segregation)

− Permits (e.g., road crossing, road access, railroad, encroachment)

− Special landowner requirements (e.g., line list)

− Written and/or electronic reporting

3. Installation Construction

• Stringing

− Materials identification (e.g., pipe grade, wall thickness, coating, heat and pipe number)

− Materials defects / condition

− Handling requirements (e.g., lifting, loading and unloading, equipment, stacking, securing)

− Pipe tally / pipe placement (e.g., placed per alignment drawings, seam locations)

− Specifications (e.g., minimum equipment requirements)

− Written electronic reporting (e.g., stringing distances and skips, number of joints)

• Bending

− Pipe ovality and wrinkles (e.g., CFR192)

− Proper bending equipment (e.g., liners, mandrels, shoes, angle measurement)

− Specifications (e.g., bending requirements, tangents, maximum angles, seam alignments, coating or metal damage)

− Written electronic reporting (e.g., bend location, as built)

• Welding/NDE

− Specifications, qualified procedures, qualified personnel, documentation, material/consumable control, testing (equipment and products)

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API Specification Q1, Specification for Quality Management System,

ANSI Z49.1, Safety in Welding, Cutting, and Allied Processes,

CGA, Best Practices,

INGAA, Construction Safety Guidelines,

CS-S-9 Pressure Testing (Hydrostatic/Pneumatic) Safety Guidelines,

API Standard 1104, Welding of Pipelines and Related Facilities,

ASME B31.4, Pipeline Transportation Systems for Liquids and Slurries (only those information that could be found in API 1169 and hence not required to study).

ASME B31.8, Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping Systems (only those information that could be found in API 1169 and hence not required to study).

There are also 12 US HSE Documents used for open book part of the exam

(Click on them to study or download):

29 CFR 1910, Occupational Safety and Health Standards

29 CFR 1926, Safety and Health Regulations for Construction

33 CFR 321, Navigation and Navigable Waters

33 USC Chapter 9, Protection of Navigable Waters and of Harbor and River Improvements

40 CFR 300, National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan

49 CFR 172, Hazardous Materials Table, Special Provisions

49 CFR 192, Transportation of Natural and Other Gas by Pipeline

49 CFR 195, Transportation of Hazardous Liquids by Pipeline

50 CFR 21, Migratory Bird Permits

Endangered Species Act of 1973

FERC Upland Erosion Control Revegetation and Maintenance Plan, May 2013

FERC Wetland and Waterbody Construction and Mitigation Procedures, May 2013

Our E- Learning Course itinerary

Module1: Basic facts & study tips

Module 2: Body of Knowledge and Exam Tips

Module 3 – Explanatory Pictures

Module 4 –  INGAA-DEFINITIONS

Module 5–  CGA Best Practices

Module 6 –  A Practical Guide for Pipeline Construction Inspectors

Module 7-  API 1169

Module 8-  API 1104

Module 9 – ANSI Z49.1

Module 10- API 1110

Module 11 –INGAA – CS-S-9 – pressure testing

Module 12- ASME B31.4 & ASME B31.8

Module 13 – ISO 9000

Module 14 – API Q1

Module 15- 12 US HSE Documents (marked and should be used for Open Book questions).

Module 16 – 7 Sets of  Flash cards

Module 17: 6 sets of mock exams to cover the important topics within the body of knowledge

Click to go to: 

API 1169 Pipeline Construction Inspector: Body of Knowledge and Scoring Areas – YouTube

Exam Tips