repairs per API 510 or NBIC? 1

[billjj]

What is the difference between making a repair in accordance with API 510 or NBIC? When repairing per NBIC the R stamp holding contractor makes the repair and it is approved by their insuring AI certified to NBIC and you receive a signed R1 form. If I have a repair made in accordance with API 510 using a R stamp holding contractor and my inspector employed by my company (the owner of the equipment) certified per API 510 approves the work and fills out and sign the repair form (D-3) provided in the 510 code would this be a code compliant repair in the state of Louisiana? If so why do most people go the route of NBIC and the contractors AI?

 

[metengr]

The National Board Inspection Code (NBIC) is the Code that a majority, if not all, of the Jurisdictions in the US have accepted by law. This means that under the rules of the Jurisdiction, any weld repair to a boiler and/or pressure vessel must be performed in accordance with the NBIC.

When the National Board was formed years ago, it was at the request of the ASME Boiler Code committee to enforce accepted construction design rules thereby ensuring uniformity and safety across the industry. The original rules that were drafted by Jurisdictions and ultimately passed by State legislators started out with the boiler and over the years included pressure vessels.


API is a Standard that is endorsed as a reference in the NBIC. However, when it comes down to it, the NBIC is the Code we live and die by in the US for boilers. For those Juridictions that do not regulate pressure vessels, API can be used.

 

[billjj]

Thanks metengr,

Louisiana unlike California is not a per say code state. We typically work under NB-23 using the R stamp contractor and their AI. At some times we have a very short window to conduct repairs we must repair it and get back on-line. So if we are not a regulated state it would be legal for my certified api 510 inspector employed by the refinery I work for to act as the AI overseeing the R stamp holding contractor and generate a 510 repair form for the repair?

 

[metengr]

I am not sure if Louisiana regulates pressure vessels for an owner-user category, which I assume is your company. I would double check with the Board of Boiler rules or the Division of Boiler Safety in the State of Louisiana just to be sure (ps, I used to know the Boiler Chief before he retired).

If what you state is correct or they do not regulate pressure vessels, I see no reason why you cannot use API.

 

[GenB]

I believe Certification power is the name,
owners and Insurance Companies want to have a more powerful certificate so NBIC repair with R stamp prevails.
even with owner-user R stamp the repair will be made to the NBIC but employees of the refinery will have to perform the repair.
genb