Nondestructive Testing

§ 192.243 Nondestructive Testing#

(a)Nondestructive testing of welds must be performed by any process, other than trepanning, that will clearly indicate defects that may affect the integrity of the weld.#

(b)Nondestructive testing of welds must be performed:#

(1)In accordance with written procedures; and#

(2)By persons who have been trained and qualified in accordance with the requirements of API Standard 1104. These persons must also be qualified on the equipment employed in the nondestructive testing.#

(c)Procedures must be established for the proper interpretation of each nondestructive test of a weld to ensure the acceptability of the weld under § 192.241(c).#

(d)When nondestructive testing is required under § 192.241(b), the following percentages of each day's field butt welds, selected at random by the operator, must be nondestructively tested over their entire circumference:#

(1)In Class 1 locations, at least 10 percent.#

(2)In Class 2 locations, at least 15 percent.#

(3)In Class 3 and 4 locations at crossings of major or navigable rivers and within railroad or public highway rights-of-way, including tunnels, bridges, and overhead road crossings, 100 percent unless impracticable, in which case at least 90 percent. Nondestructive testing must be impracticable for each girth weld not tested.#

(4)At pipeline tie-ins, including tie-ins of replacement sections, 100 percent.#

(e)Except for a welder or welding operator whose work is isolated from the principal welding activity, a sample of each welder's or welding work for each day must be nondestructively tested, when nondestructive testing is required under § 192.241(b).#

(f)When nondestructive testing is required under § 192.241(b) each operator must retain, for the life of the pipeline, a record showing by milepost, engineering station, or by geographic feature, the number of girth welds made, the number nondestructively tested, the number rejected, and the disposition of the rejects.#