Thermocouple welds require ASME/R-Stamp?
Thermocouple welds require ASME/R-Stamp?
(OP)
I have recently been involved in the attachment of temporary thermocouples to boiler tubes that has been in service for some time. Have done it many times. Process and equipment (Zap gun) identical to what is used when attaching thermocouple to completed welds to monitor PWHT temperature.
The customer is asking about an R-stamp and all the relevant paperwork that would go with it. I dont believe its required but dont really have an answer to give as to why I believe this. It is a weld process being performed on a pressure part and I guess technicly would require a qualified welder and procedure. Or is an R-stamp and the associated paperwork nessesary or is there an "out" in the NBIC code somewhere?
Thank you in advance
The customer is asking about an R-stamp and all the relevant paperwork that would go with it. I dont believe its required but dont really have an answer to give as to why I believe this. It is a weld process being performed on a pressure part and I guess technicly would require a qualified welder and procedure. Or is an R-stamp and the associated paperwork nessesary or is there an "out" in the NBIC code somewhere?
Thank you in advance





RE: Thermocouple welds require ASME/R-Stamp?
Regards,
Mike
RE: Thermocouple welds require ASME/R-Stamp?
Interpretation: VIII-80-50
Subject: Section VIII - Divisions 1 and 2, Attachment of Studs or Thermocouples to a Vessel
Date Issued: June 5, 1980
File Number: BC-79-332
Since you don't need to have or to qualify an ASME welding procedure for the capacitance discharge technique, this is outside of the scope of the NBIC (R-Certificate).
RE: Thermocouple welds require ASME/R-Stamp?
RE: Thermocouple welds require ASME/R-Stamp?
you should still contact your AI and let him know what the customer is wanting. There decision is probably coming from their AI? Like it has been said above the process that you use to attach these TC's isn't considered a welding procedure (although some engineers believe that it is)and if the boiler tubes are less than 5" OD then this would still be considered a "routine repair" which doesn't usually doesn't considered stamping the vessel. This all depends on the customer's AI and your AI's interpretation.