ASME Code Sect VIII Div 1 Hydrostatic Test Hold Time 1

[DEAC]

Does anyone know the hold time required by the ASME Code, Section VIII, Division 1 for a hydrostatic test of a pressure vessel? If so, what is it and where is it stated in the Code?

 

[deckie1026]

ASME does not specifically address the hold time duration. The hydro hold time is quite often a customer requirement.

 

[metengr]

The actual procedure for hydrostatic testing is developed by the Certificate holder subject to review and approval by the Inspector. The Inspector should provide guidance for hold times, based on expierence.

 

[ercegs]

According to TEMA standard, the test pressure shall be held for at least 30 minutes.

 

[PVinspector]

There is no requirement for any hydrotest hold time at test temperature in ASME Section VIII-1. Period. Test pressure for 1/10 second meets the requirement, if acceptable to the AI. In real life, most AIs want to see the vessel hold test for a short time if there is no manufacturer's or contract hydrotest procedure. Then vessel is then supposed to be dropped to working pressure for visual examination, though this is often not done.

 

[JoeTank]

PVinspector,
1/10 of a second seems a bit short to me. Typical practice is to hold it for a short period as defined in the manufacturer's hydro procedure. I've observed times as short as 15 minutes and as long as 8 hours.

Joe Tank

 

[PVinspector]

Seems a bit short to me too, but notice I was talking about meeting requirements, not what Joe Tank or PV Inspector or Billy Bob the Hydro guy thinks would be nice. When a Code gets adopted by a jurisdiction and becomes law, it is important to be clear on what is required. If the Certificate holder's QC Manual says they will hold for 15 mintues then, yes, that becomes the Code hydro. But only then. Neither UG-99 nor Appenix 10 require a hydrotest procedure, and while many Certificate holders have one, many don't.

 

[weeeds]

What I have heard about this over the years is that the time needs to be "long enough to perform a full inspection of the vessel". This is completely at the discretion of the AI.