Nondestructive Testing [49 CFR 192.243]

(A)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. [49 CFR 192.243(a)]#

(B)B. Nondestructive testing of welds must be performed: [49 CFR 192.243(b)]#

(1)1. in accordance with written procedures; and [49 CFR 192.243(b)(1)]#

(2)2. by persons who have been trained and qualified in the established procedures and with the equipment employed in testing. [49 CFR 192.243(b)(2)]#

(C)C. Procedures must be established for the proper interpretation of each nondestructive test of a weld to ensure the acceptability of the weld under §1321.C. [49 CFR 192.243(c)]#

(D)D. When nondestructive testing is required under §1321.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: [49 CFR 192.243(d)]#

(1)1. in Class 1 locations, except offshore, at least 10 percent; [49 CFR 192.243(d)(1)]#

(2)2. in Class 2 locations, at least 15 percent; [49 CFR 192.243(d)(2)]#

(3)3. in Class 3 and Class 4 locations, at crossings of major or navigable rivers, offshore, 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; [49 CFR 192.243(d)(3)]#

(4)4. at pipeline tie-ins, including tie-ins of replacement sections, 100 percent. [49 CFR 192.243(d)(4)]#

(E)E. Except for a welder or welding operator whose work is isolated from the principal welding activity, a sample of each welders or welding operator's work for each day must be nondestructively tested, when nondestructive testing is required under §1321.B. [49 CFR 192.243(e)]#

(F)F. When nondestructive testing is required under §1321.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. [49 CFR 192.243(f)]#

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 30:501 et seq.#

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Natural Resources, Office of Conservation, LR 9:230 (April 1983), amended LR 10:522 (July 1984), LR 24:1309 (July 1998), LR 30:1242 (June 2004), LR 44:1039 (June 2018).#