A. Code calculation questions will be oriented toward existing in-service piping, not new piping.
API Authorized Piping Inspectors should be able to check and perform calculations relative to in-service deterioration, repairs, rerates, or alterations, such as those included in the following eight categories.
Note: Candidates are expected to understand the US customary units (inches, feet, PSI, etc.) and the SI units (metric system) and to use both system formulas.
The Inspector should be able to understand inspection data and determine the thickness measurement and visual external inspection intervals.
The Inspector must be able to calculate:
a) Corrosion Rates (API 570, 7.1.2)
b) Remaining Life (API 570, 7.2)
c) Inspection Interval (API 570, 6.3.3 & Table 1)
The formulas for performing the above calculations and rules for setting the inspection intervals may be “closed-book” during the exam.
The inspector should be able to determine the weld joint quality factor “Ej” of a longitudinal pipe weld joint. The inspector should be able to determine:
a) Casting Quality factor, Ec from ASME B31.3, 302.3.3(b) and Table A-1A
Determining weld joint quality factor may be part of an internal pressure problem since the joint factor Ej is used in the formulas for determining required thickness or internal design pressure.
The inspector should be able to determine:
a) The minimum required thickness or pressure design thickness of a straight pipe section for internal pressure only (ASME B31.3, 304.1.1 and 304.1.2);
b) The minimum required thickness of a permanent blank for a given design pressure (ASME B31.3, 304.5.3);
The inspector should also be able to compensate for the corrosion allowance. (Add or subtract based on requirements from the exam problem).
The inspector should be able to:
a) Demonstrate knowledge concerning hydrostatic leak testing (ASME B31.3, 345.4)
b) Demonstrate knowledge concerning pneumatic leak testing (ASME B31.3, 345.5)
The inspector should be able to:
a) Determine the minimum metal temperature of a material, which is exempt from impact testing (ASME B31.3, 323.2.2, Figure 323.2.2A and Table A-1).
The inspector should be able to determine which weld sizes require preheating and/or heat treatment.
The inspector also should be able to determine what is the required or recommended preheat temperature (ASME B31.3, 330 and Table 330.1.1).
The inspector should be able to determine the minimum wall thickness and working pressure requirements for flanges.
The inspector should also be able to:
b) Determine the minimum dimensions of a given flange (ASME B16.5, Tables 7 through 22 and Tables 7 C through 22 C).
d) Determine maximum temperature of a flange when given the design pressure, flange material and flange class.
e) Determine most cost-effective flange when given the design pressure, design temperature, and flange material.
9. MINIMUM REQUIRED THICKNESS OF A PERMANENT BLANK (ASME B31.3, 304.5.3)
The inspector should have the knowledge and skills required to review a Procedure Qualification Record, Welding Procedure Specification and Welder Performance Qualification to determine the following:
1. Determine if procedure and qualification records are in compliance with applicable ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code and any additional requirements of API 570. The weld procedure review will include:
2. Determine if all required essential and non-essential variables have been properly addressed. (Supplemental essential variables will not be a part of the WPS/PQR)
3. Determine that the number and type of mechanical tests that are listed on PQR are the proper tests, and whether the results are acceptable.
4. Determine that the welder is qualified to make a production weld according to the WPS WELD PROCEDURE REVIEW MAY INCLUDE SMAW, GTAW, GMAW, OR SAW, WITH THE FOLLOWING LIMITATIONS:
2. Filler metals will be limited to one-per-process for SMAW, GTAW, GMAW, or SAW.
3. The PQR will be the supporting PQR for the WPS.
4. The WPQ test coupon is to be welded in accordance with a qualified WPS.
5. Base metals will be limited to P-No. 1, P-No. 3, P-No. 4, P-No. 5, and P-No. 8
.
6. Dissimilar base metal joints, and dissimilar thicknesses of base metals will be excluded.
7. Special weld processes such as corrosion-resistant weld metal overlay, hard-facing overlay, and dissimilar metal welds with buttering of ferritic member will be excluded.
8. For P-No. 1, P-No. 3, P-No. 4, and P-No. 5, for the purpose of the exam the lower transition temperature will be 1330°F and the upper transformation temperature will be 1600°F.
The inspector should be familiar with and understand the general rules for welding in ASME B31.3, Chapter V such as:
1. Typical joints and definitions
2. Weld sizes
3. Restrictions on joints
4. Maximum allowable reinforcement
6. Preheating and Heat Treatment
The inspector should be familiar with and understand any rules for welding in API 570. Any rules for welding given in API 570 shall take precedence over those covering the same areas in ASME, B31.3.
Note: “Editorial” and non-technical requirements for the welding subject matter, the candidate is to be tested on, are excluded. This includes items such as the revision level of the WPS, company name, WPS number and date, and name of testing lab.
D. The inspector shall be familiar with all the requirements of and information in API RP 577.
A. ASME Section V, Nondestructive Examination
Note: The exam will cover only the main body of each referenced Article, except as noted.
The inspector should be familiar with and understand;
a) The Scope of Section V
b) Rules for use of Section V as a referenced Code
c) Responsibilities of the Owner / User, and of subcontractors
d) Calibration
e) Definitions of “inspection” and examination”
f) Record keeping requirements
The inspector should be familiar with and understand;
a) The Scope of Article 2 and general requirements,
b) The rules for radiography as typically applied on butt welded seams such as, but not limited to:
• Required marking
• Type, selection, number, and placement of IQI’s,
• Allowable density and density ranges
• Control of backscatter radiation
c) Records
(Including mandatory appendices II and III):
The inspector should be familiar with and understand the general rules for applying and using the liquid penetrant method, including but not limited to the following:
a) The Scope of Article 6,
b) General requirements such as but not limited to:
• Procedures
• Contaminants
• Techniques
• Examination
• Interpretation
• Documentation and record keeping
(Yoke and Prod techniques only):
The inspector should be familiar with and understand the general rules for applying and using the magnetic particle method including, but not limited to the following:
a) The Scope of Article 7,
b) General requirements such as but not limited to:
• Procedures
• Techniques (Yoke and Prod only)
• Calibration
• Examination
• Interpretation
c) Documentation and record keeping
The inspector should be familiar with and understand the general rules for applying and using the visual examination method including, but not limited to the following:
a) The scope of Article 9,
b) General requirements such as but not limited to:
• Procedures
• Physical requirements
• Procedure/technique
• Evaluation
c) Documentation and record keeping
(Including Mandatory Appendix I Bubble Test –Direct Pressure Technique):
The inspector should be familiar with and understand the general rules for applying and using the leak testing method including, but not limited to the following:
a) The scope of Article 10,
b) General requirements such as but not limited to:
• Procedures
• Equipment
• Calibration
• Test
• Evaluation
c) Documentation and record keeping
Standard practice for measuring thickness by manual ultrasonic
pulse-echo contact method:
The inspector should be familiar with and understand;
a) The Scope of Article 23, SE-797,
b) The general rules for applying and using the Ultrasonic method
c) The specific procedures for Ultrasonic thickness measurement as contained in paragraph 7.
B. ASME B31.3 and API 570: General nondestructive exam requirements:
API 570: The inspector should be familiar with and understand the general rules for NDE in API 570.
The following topics may be covered:
3. Welding on Piping
6. Inspection Interval Determination and Issues Affecting Intervals.
7. Maintenance Inspection Safety Practices.
8. Inspection Records and Reports.
9. Repairs/Alterations/Reratings to Piping.
10. Rerating Piping.
11. Pressure Testing After Repairs, Alterations, or Rerating
12. Pressure Temperature Ratings
13. Markings
14. Materials
15. Dimensions
16. Test
17. Limiting Dimensions of Gaskets
19. Methods of performing positive material identification and related record keeping.
• API 570, Inspection, Repair, Alteration, and Rerating of In-Service Piping Systems – Entire document is subject to testing
• API RP 571, Damage Mechanisms Affecting Fixed Equipment in the Refining Industry
ATTN: Exam questions will be based on the following portions of the document only:
Par. 3.3 Amine Stress Corrosion Cracking
3.14 Caustic Corrosion
3.15 Caustic Stress Corrosion Cracking
3.17 Chloride Stress Corrosion Cracking
3.22 Corrosion Under Insulation
3.27 Erosion/Erosion – Corrosion
3.37 Hydrochloric Acid Corrosion
3.57 Soil Corrosion
3.58 Sour Water Corrosion (Acidic)
3.61 Sulfidation
Entire document is subject to testing
• API RP 576, Inspection of Pressure-Relieving Devices
ATTN: Exam questions will be based on the following portions of the document only:
Sections 5
Sections 6.1-6.3
Section 8
Sections 10.1-10.3
Entire document is subject to testing
Entire document is subject to testing
o Scope
o Markings
o Materials
o Dimensions
o Limiting Dimensions of Gaskets
ATTN: The examination will cover each referenced Article and its Appendices.
Article 210: In-Service Welding on to Carbon Steel Pressure Components or Pipelines
Article 211: Weld Buildup, Weld Overlay, and Clad Restoration
Article 212: Fillet Welded Patches
Article 304: Flaw Excavation and Weld Repair
Article 305: Flange Repair and Conversion
Article 306: Mechanical Clamp Repair
Article 502: Nondestructive Examination in Lieu of Pressure Testing for Repairs and Alternations
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