Weld and Sil-braze Inspection for B31 Piping
Weld and Sil-braze Inspection for B31 Piping
(OP)
I am involved with HP air (2500 psi), present project will use copper nickel pipe (1 1/2" or less) all fittings will be sil-braze socket type. This question relates to "In-Process Examination" which appears as para 344.7 of ASME B31.3. also, "examination during fabrication" is mentioned but vaguely in paragragh 136.4.2 of ASME B31.1.
B31.3 states that the in-process examiner is someone other than the those performing production work. B31.1 seems to offer no guidance on who is to perform the in-process examination.
So my question is who may perform the in-process examination? May this individual be a piping foreman, welding forman, project supervisor? may the brazers/welders provide the in-process examination on themselves or each other? or must I employ a full time qualified weld inspector to watch over each and every joint as it is prepped and fabricated?
I am also looking for a good method to keep track of pipe joints, materials used, certs, weldor, date, inspections, etc. Any references available on this?
Thanks for helping,
Tom
B31.3 states that the in-process examiner is someone other than the those performing production work. B31.1 seems to offer no guidance on who is to perform the in-process examination.
So my question is who may perform the in-process examination? May this individual be a piping foreman, welding forman, project supervisor? may the brazers/welders provide the in-process examination on themselves or each other? or must I employ a full time qualified weld inspector to watch over each and every joint as it is prepped and fabricated?
I am also looking for a good method to keep track of pipe joints, materials used, certs, weldor, date, inspections, etc. Any references available on this?
Thanks for helping,
Tom





RE: Weld and Sil-braze Inspection for B31 Piping
I would highly recommend that you delegate an individual that is technically competent regarding brazing methods and procedures. This person would have the responsibility to stop work and question personnel, so I would not have a peer or someone within your organization that cannot be persuasive and make recommendation to brazers in the field.
If necessary, hiring someone like a (Certified Welding Inspector) CWI would be well worth the cost, and would ensure an independent line of authority. An experienced CWI can recommend record keeping, inspection frequency and provide the necessary enforcement to assure a quality job.
RE: Weld and Sil-braze Inspection for B31 Piping
It is noted that the hydrostatic leak test is the only required test of the production brazed joint.