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Closure Weld Inspection Requirements to B31.3 Interpretation

Closure Weld Inspection Requirements to B31.3 Interpretation

Closure Weld Inspection Requirements to B31.3 Interpretation

(OP)
I am on a project that will have roughly 1000 closure welds. Long story.....

Anyway my corporate Quality Director & Our Corporate Level III state that the code requires a certified inspector perform continuous monitoring/inspection on each closure weld.

Historically we have always been there to witness new to old prep; final root; & final weld. (I am generalizing a bit here to keep it short)But the other steps that are normally covered under different procedures for monitoring the correct electrodes, inter-pass temps etc. have been historically performed by the fitter or the welder. This is what I have always seen and been required regardless of the employer or client.

I have tried to insert a copy of the "swim lanes" that I came up with to show the code requirement and where it refers you to Section V and back to b31.3.... to try to help. But from what I can tell at a minimum I can get away with a ASNT-TC-1A Level I Inspector to monitor "specific" examination points.

The issue is in T-922, mid paragraph where it starts with "Where impracticable...."; the client views the statement as a "competent person" basically, and not a trained person to a ASNT-TC-1A program so I am basically looking for a sanity check to see if I am way off vs. what my management is directing and what the client is interpreting. I hope this makes sense.

I fully understand that the client can use the owner clause but my management is wanting the client to provide written formal documentation removing my company from liability of not following the code requirement.

Thanks for any help and advice.

RE: Closure Weld Inspection Requirements to B31.3 Interpretation

Rob,

IMHO the client is correct but the statement in T-922 could be construed as misleading - trained personnel ?
Have a look at Table T-921 Requirements of a Visual Examination Procedure.
Personnel Qualifications are a non-essential variable so that clearly states qualifications are not a code requirement.

T-922 PERSONNEL REQUIREMENTS
Where impractical to use specialized visual examination personnel, knowledgeable and trained personnel, having limited
qualifications, may be used to perform specific examinations, and to sign the report forms.

"Anyway my corporate Quality Director & Our Corporate Level III state that the code requires a certified inspector perform continuous monitoring/inspection on each closure weld."

Interpretation: 19-17
Subject: B31.3-1999 Edition (2001 Addenda), Para. 344.2.1, Definition and Para. 344.7, In-Process
Examination
Date Issued: July 1,2002
File: B31-D2-03073
Question (1): In accordance with ASME B31.3-1999 Edition (2001 Addenda), does the Code
require the examiner to be present 100% of the time during all welding operations?
Reply (1): No.
Question (2): In accordance with ASME B31.3-1999 Edition (2001 Addenda), does the Code
require the examiner to be present 100% of the time for in-process examination described in para.
344.71
Reply (2): No, but the examiner must be present to examine points (a) through (g), as applicable,
for the entire weld.

Interpretation: 21-10
Subject: ASME B31.3-2004, Para. 345.2.3(c), Leak Testing of Closure Welds
Date Issued: March 29,2006
File: 06-388
Question: Does ASME B31.3-2004 require the owner's approval to apply the closure weld
provisions described in para. 345.2.3(c)?
Reply: No.

Cheers,
DD


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