Area of Examination & Reference Documents

In this module, you shall learn about:

• Reference documents,

• General tips on document navigation,

• Important terms and definitions,

• Body of Knowledge (BoK)

Introduction

Certified API 570 Piping Inspector must have a broad knowledge in inspection and repair of piping.

As an API 570 Piping Inspector, you should know about Piping Inspection Code (API 570) and Piping Inspection Practices (API 574).

You should also know about:

• Process Piping (ASME B31.3);

• Pipe Flanges and Fittings (ASME B16.5);

• Welding Inspection and WPS (ASME Sec IX & API 577),

• Positive Material Identification (API 578);

• NDT (ASME Sec V);

• Damage mechanism (API 571),

• PRD (API 576);

• Repair of Piping (PCC-2),

• and finally have general knowledge of safety.

The API 570 examination has two sets of references as study materials:

One set contains ASME codes (Section IX (Welding) and Section (V Non-destructive Testing); Process Piping (ASME B31.3), Flanges and Fittings (ASME B16.5) as well as the all-important Piping Inspection Code (API 570).

The other set of reference materials are API Recommended Practices (API 571, 574, 576, 577 & 578) and PCC-2, Repair of Pressure Equipment and Piping.

Most calculation type of questions from the API and ASME codes are in the open book part of the examination.

You need not memorize the formulas but should know where to look for when solving the open book questions.

You should have an idea how to navigate through them during open book part since the “search button” is disabled during the exam.

When reading a code and standard; don’t immediately dive into the details.  Get the bigger picture.

First, understand what the code covers by reviewing the opening paragraphs of each code. This is called the Scope or purpose.

Next, look at the table of contents to understand how the RP and code is structured. It helps you to have a fair idea of where to look for.

List of figures and table of contents can be used as plan ‘’B’’ if you cannot find a particular piece of information from the content list during open book part of the exam.

We have flagged important pages of codes and also brought important information in the flash cards that should be treated as potential exam questions.

Our timed mock exams and practice questions are also designed to test your knowledge, and help you understand how to interpret and answer exam questions.

Those closed book exam questions that are coming straight from API and ASME codes and RPs or within a context/scenario; are the ones that an inspector would be using on daily basis and therefore, you need to memorize them.

API calls them ‘’practical questions’’.

But don’t worry; we shall supply you with enough presentation, mock question and flash cards to ensure that you would not forget them during the exam.

The second set of reference documents contains the recommended practices (API 571, 574, 576, 577, 578 & PCC-2).

Again, we have summarized them; highlighted important information and explained the underlying reasons whenever necessary, so you can understand the concepts.

Around 45% of exam questions come from API 570 piping inspection code alone.

Please note that only API 570 is an inspection code and therefore, mandatory, while the rest of API documents are recommended practices (RP) and hence not mandatory as the name RP (Recommended Practice) suggests.

Closed book questions mostly come from API 570 code and RPs because this type of information is supposed to be used by piping inspectors on daily basis.

For open book questions that need referring to tables, graphs and formulas, you shall have access to both the API RPs, API 570 & ASME codes.

API 570 Reference Materials

• • API Standard 570, Piping Inspection Code: Inspection, Repair, Alteration, and Rerating of In-Service Piping

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• API RP 571, Damage Mechanism (2, 3.3, 3.8, 3.9, 3.14, 3.15, 3.17, 3.22, 3.27, 3.31, 3.37, 3.43, 3.45, 3.57, 3.58, 3.61)

• API Recommended Practice 576, Inspection of Pressure-Relieving Devices

• API RP 577, Welding Inspection and Metallurgy

• • API  578, Material Verification Program for New and Existing Alloy Piping Systems

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• ASME B31.3, Process Piping

• ASME B16.5, Pipe Flanges and Flanged Fittings

• ASME V (Articles 1, 2, 6, 7 and 23 (Section SE-797 only)

• ASME IX (WPS, PQR, WPQ)

• PCC-2

We shall summarize and explain the concepts of these Reference Materials within the next 9 modules complete with flash cards and mock exams.

Codes are based on engineering design and calculations while recommended practices are mostly the result of past experience gathered over the years showing the trends and good practices.

That’s why; you may observe that the formulas brought within RPs are empirical. The empirical formulas have no sound scientific backing and are merely formulated to show the trends and relationship between various parameters.

Why? Because, to turn an empirical formula into a scientific formula necessitates including many more parameters of less importance and this would unnecessarily complicate the equation where as empirical formulas are like rule of thumbs that can be of everyday use especially when you do not need to be that accurate.

The analogy would be the difference between a WPS and a Welding Instruction. The welder does not need to know about all the essential and non essential parameters or the PQR and it’s associated test reports.

All the welder needs to know is the range of amperage & voltage, the welding speed, the type and size of electrode, the welding position, the number of passes and whether any pre heat required.

Empirical formulas are used when a very high accuracy is not important. They are basically the mathematical representation of trends. For example, as a rule of thumb, you need to preheat 4’’ or 4t from each side of the weld whichever is more. You do not really need complicated formulas to come to the right number that you cannot even implement in practice.

Document Navigation during open book examination

Before going to the relevant section, you need to know which document you need to look at in order to find a particular topic.

Therefore, you need to know what is covered in each code and recommended practice. If you are in doubt, look at the table of contents.

If it does not help, look at the list of figures or list of tables.  It shall give you an idea where you can find the topic.

Try reading the PDF format of documents on a desktop or laptop so your eyes and mind-set gets used to them.

Practice actually solving closed book calculation type of questions using codes and RPs to simulate an actual exam.

Reading soft copies of reference documents help acclimatize oneself while searching for a topic.

A little practice is necessary to get it right. It is particularly useful for bigger codes such as ASME Sec V & IX and ASME B31.3 & 16.5.

Also try to memorize the topics of codes and RPs so you know where to look for.

If you can’t find the relevant section after a couple of minutes, flag off the question and note the question number on a piece of paper.

There is a high chance that you shall find it when looking for answers to other questions.

Once found, you can go back to the flagged off question and solve it within seconds.

API code 570 and API RP 571, 574, 576, 577, 578, PCC-2 should not be a problem navigating as they are much smaller compared to ASME.