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Over the years we have noticed a major increase of requests to provide third party independent pressure testing at our facility. Prior to the industry slowdown
of 2008, there was a minority of end users who would perform third party pressure testing of valves for use in critical service with acceptance criteria as per
ASME B16.34, API-598, API-6D, etc. Since 2008, the request for independent valve pressure testing has increased greatly.
(Above is a pressure seal gate valve in an 800 ton hydrostatic test stand)
The same increase has been noted on NDE such as RT (Radiographic Testing), MPI (Magnetic Particle Inspection), LPI (Liquid Penetrant Inspection) and
visual inspection of valve body castings to meet the requirements of either customer specific requirements or industry standards such as ASME B16.34
Section 8 for special class services. In order to perform such NDE as RT on a valve body/bonnet casting, it requires the full disassembly of the valve in order
to gain unobstructed access to all critical areas of the casting. Once an RT is complete and the castings verified as free of defects or the castings weld
repaired to meet industry codes, the valves can then be assembled, bolting torqued to OEM specification and the valve fully pressure tested to insure there
are no seat or shell (atmospheric) leaks. The increased volume of RT inspection thus means an increased volume of valve pressure testing.
It is apparent that the world has become more environmentally conscious. Therefore, one can assume that the additional valve NDE we see is a result of this.
With this increase in volume of NDE we have had to increase personnel and equipment to deal with the increased volume of NDE testing. It is, however, a
positive aspect when we see an increased work load volume and the need to hire more staff.
The problem rests in the interpretation of the ASME B31.3 code; and in particular the following areas. The second paragraph within ASME B31.3, 326.3 states
“The design, materials, fabrication, assembly, examination, inspection, and testing requirements of this Code are not applicable to components manufactured
in accordance with the documents listed in Table 326.1, unless specifically stated in this Code, or listed document.” Therefore, would a valve manufactured to
meet the requirements of ASME B16.34 and pressure tested at factory to API-598 criteria then be exempt from a pressure test required by ASME B31.3? Yes,
in the fact that the valve would have been tested to insure there were no body seat leaks and no atmospheric shell leaks at the factory to meet the design
criteria requirements of B16.34. No, in the fact that paragraph 345.1 of B31.3 states that “each piping system shall be tested to ensure tightness.”, and further
to that Paragraph 345.2.2 (a) states “Examination for Leaks. A leak test shall be maintained for at least 10 min, and all joints and connections shall be
examined for leaks.” The only way to satisfy this requirement is to have the spool pressure tested by the fabricator with the individual valves, fittings, pipe, etc.
assembled as a complete unit and then pressure tested as a whole to prove that the component joints (connection ends) are free from atmospheric leaks.
In summary, there is no problem with a customer wanting to do an additional 10 minute pressure test on a valve to insure there are no atmospheric leaks at an
extended duration time compared to what the factory would have done. An extended duration test, though, does not relieve the fabricator from the
requirements of ASME B31.3 to prove that the final joints and end connections that connect the valve to that piping system are to be examined for leaks. My
interpretation of this growing trend is that users are increasing efforts to prove functional assurance of the component (s) provided through global supply, not
to imply replacement of final testing required by ASME B31.3.
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