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Table of Contents
1. Scope
2. Applicable Codes
3. Welding Procedures and Welders Qualifications
4. Inspection Requirements
5. Weld Joint Preparation
6. Heat Treatment
7. Radiographic Requirements
8. References
Prefabricated piping.
Field welding of pipe to vessel stub-ends (e.g. furnaces or in some cases vessel to vessel stub-ends
due to transport limitations).
(Whilst this section is written in terms of welding associated with piping, the same general principles apply
to welding of structural steelwork and of storage tanks).
Primary responsibility for quality is that of the subcontractor who shall satisfy himself through his own
quality system that specified requirements are met.
It is the responsibility of the Welding Engineer to ensure that the subcontractor is in fact effectively
applying his quality system and obtaining acceptable results.
The following specialist organizations are also implicated:
May be imposed on the subcontractor should the latter's forms be considered to be unsuitable.
2. Applicable Codes
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section VIII, latest issue, or specified equivalent.
American National Standard Code for Pressure Piping ANSI B 31.3, or specified equivalent.
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section IX, latest issue, or specified equivalent.
1. When a welder or welding operator has not used the specific process, i.e., metal-arc, gas submerged
arc, etc. for a period of three (3) months or more.
2. When there is specific reason to question his ability to produce welds that meet the specification.
When welder qualifications are not available or on request of client, it is allowable to have the welder
perform a testweld. It is necessary in this case to perform a guided bend test as described in ASTM E
190-64. The performance of every welder who is newly qualified shall be checked initially more than other
welders by means of NDE (see Reference 17.8.2).
The Company Welding Engineer can authorize changes in non-essential variables in accordance with
section IX of the ASME code and/or other governing codes after approval by client's inspection
representative. Such changes do not require the qualification of the procedure in question. However,
changes in essential variables not only require requalification but also prior approval by home office
Engineering Department and client.
4. Inspection Requirements
Definition of welding inspection: A phase of quality control which by means of examination, observation,
or measurement determines the conformance of materials, supplies (gases, electrodes and/or other
consumables) parts, components, systems, processes to predetermine quality requirements.
The Welding Engineer shall ensure that welding inspection personnel, whether of the piping
subcontractor, of the latter‘s own subcontractor or of a third party shall be adequately qualified and
experienced to a recognized standard.
The following is a list of items to be checked or verified to assure correct field welding. The Welding
Engineer shall check the following:
a. Qualification of welders
Names of welders whilst at work and if identification marks along completed welds check with
qualification.
b. Weld numbering
Welds are numbered according to approved numbering system and that ISO's and drawings are
marked-up with this number.
c. Requirements to be met before welding starts
Pre-heating.
Check that proper equipment will be used. (e.g. welding machines, purge gases and their associated
equipment, heat pre- and after treatment including temperature recording apparatus).
Material check i.e. materials on both sides of weld comply with that in WPS (for further details see
Reference 17.8.2).
cracks
undercutting
overcrown and
lack of penetration
Branch-welds shall be visually inspected as specified for butt-welds.
All welds of dummy pipe supports shall be inspected for proper beveling and fit-up after full penetration
tack welding, prior to start of root and filler passes.
5. Weld Joint Preparation
Weld bevels shall be made by machining, grinding or thermal cutting and grinding.
The surfaces shall be reasonably smooth and true for good fit-up.
Spacers shall be used while tackwelding pipe and fittings in position to ensure proper gap and full
penetration in welding.
Small tack welds shall be used with full root penetration. Make sure that if pre-heating is required that its
requirements are met during tackwelding.
6. Heat Treatment
The Welding Engineer shall ensure with the subcontractor that all necessary precautions are taken to
prevent distortion during heat treatment.
Heat treatment operations shall be checked for compliance with approved procedures.
The proposed stress relieving method and location of thermocouples shall be defined in a written
procedure submitted by the subcontractor to the Welding Engineer for approval.
Thermocouples and a temperature chart recorder shall be used to provide a permanent record of all post
weld heat treatments. Observe the gradient of temperature increase as laid down in the specifications.
Thermocouples shall not be in direct contact with electrical heating elements or subjected to flame
impingement by gas burners.
Thermocouples shall, if applicable, be placed on the inside of objects being heated from the outside and
vice versa, if internally heated.
At least two thermocouples shall be used for circumferential welds on pipe diameters of 24 in. and
smaller. These should be placed at the top and bottom of the pipe. Pipes of diameter larger than 24 in.
shall have at least four thermocouples.
Threads and gasket surfaces shall be protected from oxidation during heat treatment.
After heat treatment, welding or heating is not permitted, if no re-heat treatment is performed. (Re-heat
treatments shall be limited to two times).
Hardness testing shall not be done until the pipe has reached ambient temperature.
Hardness tests shall be carried out as near to the weld heat affected zone as possible.
7. Radiographic Requirements
Radiographic requirements shall be in accordance with the relevant pipe classes and specifications.
The first weld of each welder shall have 100% radiography regardless of pipe diameter and thickness.
Where random X-ray is required, the Welding Engineer shall select locations.
The Welding Engineer shall ensure that the extent of radiography on weld and per welder meets the
requirements of the applicable specifications, ANSI B 31.3 or equivalent specified code.
NDE examination will be executed after stress relieving.
For further details on X-raying see Non Destructive Examination (see Reference 17.8.2).
8. References