Hydro Test for 24" Butt Weld Tee Piece

[X60]

We have been supplying a belt and braces Total Elf Fina job and they have waived the Hydro-Test in favour of the Mnfr guaranteeing that the base material (pipe) was Hydro tested at the mill at point of production. However, it seems that the mnfr cannot verify this for one fitting and now Bureau Veritas have insisted a Hydro Test must be undertaken on this one fitting. Does anyone know a cheap and effective method of doing this test without the need for butt weld caps and blind flanges? Gratful for any help/suggestions.

 

[pennpiper]

On the off chance it has not yet been welded in to the system: Send it back to the vendor and ask (tell) them to retest it and provide the certification paperwork.

If it is already welded into place in the system then (bummer) you just may have to isolate that section of the system and do your own hydrotest.

 

[X60]

Thanks Penn,

The fittings are currently being produced but the problem is that Total want the material pronto and I am led to believe that Hydro Testing is extremely expensive and very time consuming. The other problem is that I'm a UK supplier and the fittings are being made in USA and I have absolutely no knowledge of that side of the market stateside. I did locate a testing house which undertake Hydro tests but they just couldn't understand the dimensions and purpose of butt weld fittings - in fact they misinterpreted inches for feet!!! Which didn't exactly instil me with greatest of confidence. Do you know any companies which might assist us?

 

[pennpiper]

You said
"The fittings are currently being produced".
If this is so then do not accept them from the manufacturer unless and until they are properly tested. Check your applicable Code, they should be tested by hydrotest or 100% radiograph.

Your other alternative is to use your testing sub-contractor company (with radiograph capabilities) at to the jobe site.
I'm quite sure that you must have a testing sub-contractor because you will have some field welds that must be "shot" and varified.

 

[X60]

Penn,

Point taken but the mnfr has said categorically from the start that they do not do hydro-testing and the client along with the incredibly lame brained and unhelpful bureau veritas finally waived the hydro because the mnfr guaranteed all base material had been hydroed at the mill at point of production. but now they tell us that this one fitting is being made from a forging and this forging has not been hydroed. So I've got to find suitable pipe or a hydro tester - the latter is proving impossible - any ideas Penn?