ASME B31.3 Piping Reinforcing Pad - Leak test requirement criteria 1

[0984]

Hi all,
Piping Reinforcing pads need to do Air leak test/Bubble test/Pneumatic test. What is the criteria for that. Whether all the RF pad's need to be tested.. like Branch connection, Support connection. Because as per ASME B31.3, i believe its not mandatory. But for critical areas like branch connection we practice to do leak test. But is it required to do support connection RF pads also. Is it a normal practice. My company specification not clearly mentioned about which RF pads. So as a client inspector i need to take a decision on this. Kindly advice.

Thanks
Bala

 

[JohnBreen]

Does the reinforcing pad have a vent hole? The reinforcing pad is NOT intended to be a pressure barrier. The welds should be inspected for mechanical integrity and there should be a vent hole (or holes) to assure the pad will NOT contain pressure.

John

 

[stanweld]

0984,
As an inspector, you need to inspect in accordance with the Contract and Engineering drawing requirements. B31.3 (assumed to be part of the Contract) does not require Bubble Leak testing or similar leak testing of pad fillet welds. Only those pads required under the Contract to be tested must be so tested.

 

[0984]

Thanks for your advice. Supports RF pads are not much critical, so it is concluded that leak test was not needed. But from my personal opinion, i prefer to do because its a blind spot where we may face corrosion due to external/atmospheric conditions if the RF pad got some defects.