Non pressure containing welds on a pressure vessel

[StoneCold]

I am under the impression that if I need to weld on an ASME coded vessel, that the welding company needs an "R" Stamp. Even though the welds are not pressure containment welds, they are for hardware mounting on the shell. This vessel is already in the field and needs repaired. Am I on the right track here?

Thanks
StoneCold

 

[dtn6770]

“R” Stamps come into play in jurisdictions that require repairs to be performed in accordance with NBIC. Not everyone plays by that rule. In the absence of such requirements, other codes/standards/practices (API 510) are followed the may not require the repair organization to hold an “R” Stamp.

You termed it a “pressure containment welds” but it should be thought of as welds to pressure containment components. It’s been my experience that welds involving any pressure containing component fall under much greater scrutiny than those made to non-pressure containing components. Basically, you can weld all day long on the skirt without many, if any, requirements, but once you strike arc on the shell, head, or any other part designed to hold stuff in you’re into “code” territory.

Hope that helps.

 

[JoeTank]

StoneCold,
You should go to the website of your jurisdiction and review their specific requirements.

Joe Tank

 

[metengr]

Just about ALL jurisdictions in the US implement the NBIC and require an R-Certificate to weld on a pressure retaining item.

 

[chicopee]

If the repair is of the so called "routine nature" which appears to be your case, ie, welding a non pressure part on the pressure vessel requiring no post weld heat treatment, you will not need a "R" stamp per NBIC.
Before undertaking the repair, consult with the authorized boiler inspector of your district.

 

[metengr]

If the repair is of the so called "routine nature" which appears to be your case, ie, welding a non pressure part on the pressure vessel requiring no post weld heat treatment, you will not need a "R" stamp per NBIC.

I need to step in here to qualify statements in reference to the R-stamp. An organization that is authorized to weld repair boiler and pressure vessels is issued an R- Certificate of Authorization and an R-stamp from the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors. When I hear or see just the words R-Stamp as used above that implies to me that the repair organization must have a valid certificate of Authorization, and not just an R-Stamp.

Routine repairs in some Jurisdictions are not automatically accepted. Routine repairs were introduced in the NBIC to allow an Inspector to waive in-process hold points and sign the final Form R-1 after completion of the repair. The bottom line is that a repair organization which does any welding to a pressure retaining item must have a valid R-Certificate of Authorization issued by the National Board. If they have this Certificate they will also have an R-Stamp.