Missing Hydro Test Records

[CRG]

I am reviewing the records of a 5 year old mobile crude oil processing plant. The plant was never put into service because of bankruptcy and other legal issues. The problem is that all of the records are available from the plant’s construction except the hydro test records for the piping system. As built drawings, pipe weld x-rays, operation manuals, pressure vessel documentation, etc. are all there except any hydro testing records for the B31.3 piping. The construction documents clearly show that all spools were to be constructed in accordance with B31.3 and hydro tested, however; there are no hydro test record or any summary of records per B31.3, 345.2.7 Test Records.

I have every reason to believe that plant’s piping was hydro tested; the project manager, a licensed professional engineer, who no longer works for the construction company stated that it was hydro tested; however, he refuses to sign any documentation regarding this. The construction company that built the plant was purchased by another company 4 years ago, and there is no one at the new company that was on site when the hydro test was done; however, they verbally have stated that the piping system was hydro tested. The company that the plant was built for filed for bankruptcy years ago and no one is around that is willing to discuss problems, I am sure that they just want to look forward instead of look back at a project that may have caused their failure. I cannot locate anyone that I could consider the owner’s inspector. The closest person who could be considered the owner’s inspector is the PE that refuses to get involved in any manner at this point. So the trail is running cold. I can probably find a worker that was involved in the construction from 5 years ago; however, I doubt that I can truthfully call him an owner’s inspector.

So any Ideas how I can get the last piece of paperwork in order without another hydro test? I can hydro the plant; however the cost will be substantial. It just doesn’t seem practical to retest the entire facility due some of the paper work falling through the cracks. Does anyone have experience with anything like this? We will be putting this plant into service in the next few months and I will need to certify that the piping conforms to B31.3 requirements.

Any suggestions besides buck up and do the hydro test would be helpful.

 

[BigInch]

The signed hydrotest charts, as well as the test certifications for the dead weight pressure gages within the allowed time period before the hydrotest took place, all form just as much of the evidence needed for the files as the test inspector's certification itself. I've never seen anything put into service without totally complete hydrotest records.

"Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler." - Albert Einstein (1879-1955)
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[btrueblood]

"The construction company that built the plant was purchased by another company 4 years ago, and there is no one at the new company that was on site when the hydro test was done; however, they verbally have stated that the piping system was hydro tested."

The construction company ought to have copies of the test records (and calibration reports for the test equipment, as BigInch points out) in their files, I would think. Can't imagine why they would not keep those records. You may need to ask for/pay for a little forensic time on the new company's part to dig around and find the lost file cabinets or 3-ring binders in boxes that the old company kept their test records in.