"We don't need no stinking engineers on a hydrotest". I just looked back at several test proceedurs that I've written over the years, and neither of the failures would have happened if the crews had followed properly designed proceedures.
The second one was pretty clearly an improper fill or a very low pipe temperature. Neither should have been allowed by procedure.
Since I recieved these a few days ago, I noticed that they were both issued by "Dynamic Industries". More information about other accidents is available on thier website.
These are not full "accident reports" like those found on
and other informative websites. There is no "root cause" analysis, which would reveal why there was a brittle failure of a blind and explain why an elbow failed at an intrados.
Faulty welding may be to blame in the blind flange failure, but I suspect that there are defective materials to blame also. There may never be a full report. Lawyers are probably circling the site in thier high powered BMWs.....
It certainly warmed the corners my stone-cold heart to see that all of the bolts were tightened in the correct sequence on a blind flange that was 35% too thin......
It was also very interesting to note that the ability of the work crews to speak the same language is listed as a factor in one of the accidents.
Thanks cantiqa. I have a sketch made up for a blind, plate flange to be used for testing. I'll have it stamped with the pressure rating since we can't be sure where it may end up. Star to you.
