tie-in welds testing requirements 1

[engr2GW]

Hi,

In a tie-in weld that will join pretested piping sections or untestable sections, is the tie in weld required to be pressure tested? can it just be NDE'ed? codees in questoin are ASME B31.3, 31.4, and 31.8.

Thanks for your help

As much as possible, do it right the first time...

 

[metengr]

In B31.3 review section 345.9,

 

[engr2GW]

I was able to review all the sections in ASME B31.4 and B31.8 and they basically appear to be similar and summarized as such:
"It is not required that tie-in welds be tested, but the joint must undergo radiographic (X-ray) or other acceptable NDE and meet the acceptance criteria or API 1104. The joint must be coated before backfilling if it is in a buried section"
BUT
in ASME B31.3, it states something similar but calls it "closure weld", I understood the the closure weld to be the B31.3 term for tie-in weld for closing in or tieing in previously tested sections, does that sound right?

Thank you.

As much as possible, do it right the first time...

 

[engrom]

In industry terms it is called as 'golden weld'. Pls refer if there is any company standard or client spec for this. Golden welds are generally 100% radiograph tested in lieu of pressure test. I remember B31.3 mentions something similar for closure welds in the testing and examination. Pls refer latest version of the code, as I think it was added in 2004 version onwards. Hope this helps.