ASME B31.3 leak test required for added spectacle blank?

[dougiefresh99]

Two ASME B16.48 spectacle blanks are being added to an existing B31.3 piping system (installed in the blind position). The blanks are being installed on the boiler piping inlet/outlet flanges to a shell and tube heat exchanger. The blanks are only required temporarily while work is being done on the boiler piping. The entire boiler piping and shell will be depressurized, so the blanks will not see any pressure. They are being installed for the case that the heat exchanger tubes fail and gas enters the shell side of the exchanger. Is testing the blanks required?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

 

[XL83NL]

Not under code requirements as I see it. You might want to specify a few things in the purchase order just to be sure that you het and inspection what you paid for, and that the blanks are able to hold the pressure. But other than that, no not as far as I know.

Huub
- You never get what you expect, you only get what you inspect.

 

[LittleInch]

This is no different and in fact a little better than any flange make / break so should be treated exactly the same as if you were making and breaking any other flange.

What are your usual procedures when doing this??

As it's a stop, any leak will be to the outside, not along the pipe.

Having said tat, there is a tendency to treat these temporary connections less seriously.

If you can I would use a low pressure air test and soap / bubble test.

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