Weld and Sil-braze Inspection for B31 Piping

[tc7]

I am involved with HP air (2500 psi), present project will use copper nickel pipe (1 1/2" or less) all fittings will be sil-braze socket type. This question relates to "In-Process Examination" which appears as para 344.7 of ASME B31.3. also, "examination during fabrication" is mentioned but vaguely in paragragh 136.4.2 of ASME B31.1.

B31.3 states that the in-process examiner is someone other than the those performing production work. B31.1 seems to offer no guidance on who is to perform the in-process examination.

So my question is who may perform the in-process examination? May this individual be a piping foreman, welding forman, project supervisor? may the brazers/welders provide the in-process examination on themselves or each other? or must I employ a full time qualified weld inspector to watch over each and every joint as it is prepped and fabricated?

I am also looking for a good method to keep track of pipe joints, materials used, certs, weldor, date, inspections, etc. Any references available on this?

Thanks for helping,
Tom

 

[metengr]

I would refer you to ASME B31.1, Paragraph 136.1.4. The Owner is responsible for delegating the Inspector, and identifying inspection activities unless the work was being performed under the administration of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section I, which clearly this is not.

I would highly recommend that you delegate an individual that is technically competent regarding brazing methods and procedures. This person would have the responsibility to stop work and question personnel, so I would not have a peer or someone within your organization that cannot be persuasive and make recommendation to brazers in the field.

If necessary, hiring someone like a (Certified Welding Inspector) CWI would be well worth the cost, and would ensure an independent line of authority. An experienced CWI can recommend record keeping, inspection frequency and provide the necessary enforcement to assure a quality job.

 

[stanweld]

Regarding brazing, the requirements for a manufacturer/contractor are defined in Section 128 of B31.1; particularly 128.5.2, "Each employer...shall be responsible for the brazing performed by his organization and the performance of brazers..." There is no requirement to employ a full time "CWI" to watch over each and every joint. You need to assure that your brazing procedure and brazers are qualified per Section IX and you need to assure that your brazers are performing the production work correctly. Initial observations of each brazers work performance is recommended to assure that the brazer fully understands what is expected followed by random observations thereafter. A competent individual (CWI, Welding/Brazing Technician, Welding Engineer, etc.) should provide these inspections.

It is noted that the hydrostatic leak test is the only required test of the production brazed joint.