Retention of Radiographs of Welds (Xray Film) 1

[cheifchick]

Good Afternoon All,

In finishing up a project, I have been approached by the owner of the company with the question of what is the required retention time by B31.3, B31.4, & B31.8 of film of the welds radiographed during the project.

I can only find a requirement (B31.3) to retain records for a period of 5 years. This is a "loose" statement, and was wondering if any one could clear this up for me?

Regards

 

[rustbuster]

5 to 7 years is pretty standard

 

[cheifchick]

Yes, this is true, however, I am looking for specific requirements for the retention of the film itself. When you think about it, there is no "film" for PT or MT, only the reader sheets......

Does code specifically state that you must retain the film?

 

[MiketheEngineer]

That might be a question for your lawyer??

 

[BigInch]

7 years, for a pipeline that has a life of 7 years would normally be adequate.

What you choose to retain or not to retain will be a question answered by the legal codes in force within the jurisdiction in which you are operating, not the "design" codes, and determined with due regard as to the type of pipeline you are constructing and the length of service for which it is intended.

http://law.justia.com/cfr/title18/18-1.0.1.16.71.html#18:1.0.1.16.71.0.27.3

Let your acquaintances be many, but your advisors one in a thousand’ ... Book of Ecclesiasticus

 

[eyec]

aside from the 7 yr retention, scan all test records & film, put them on a cd and submit it to you customer with an official transmittal.

this provides some level of protection (legal or otherwise) for both you and your customer.

 

[brimmer]

In Canada for example the code states it clearer, the actual film must be retained for at least 2 years. The actual interpretation reports must be retained or the life of the pipeline.

 

[ndeguy]

Storage of X-ray films is a safety hazard due their high flammability and should be properly housed under deluge systems. Given their snesitivity its not surprising how often radiograph archives spontaneously combust!

 

[unclesyd]

We hold Film for piping for 7 years and the reader sheet for as along as the subject piping is in service. On vessels we keep the film as long as practical with the reader sheets going into vessel package forever.
If part of a film package starts going bad we still keep it as you can still read the flash screen.
You have to remember that film start loosing quality within a year, how much depend on how forced the development was and the proper fixing. Once a film starts losing quality the exposure to light will accelerate the process. This can just a few passes on the viewer.

We store our film in fire resistant cabinets, not only as fire hazard but to save the film in case of a fire.
The only time I've seen the storage question come up was during a EPA inspection after we had a recordable spill. We were asked for the film of the line and we had to answer that there was no film, but we had the reader sheets. Nothing was ever mentioned about the lack of film. I think we being able to go to a weld map get weld number and pullout a reader sheet impressed him. It did us too as we were able go right to it.