WHAT IS A CODE?

A code consists of a set of conditions and requirements relating to a particular subject It !ill indicate appropriate procedures to determine !"et"er or not t"e requirements "a#e been met A code is intended to be mandator$ It is a legal document t"at must be used !"en it is required b$ a go#ernmental aut"orit$ or !"en specified b$ ot"er mandator$ documents %Ot"er mandator$ documents% could be documents issued b$ purc"asing departments& trade associations& insurance companies& or an$ bu$er !"o !ants "is product to be constructed under t"e requirements of t"at code T"e #erb %s"all% is used in codes because compliance is not a matter of c"oice A code must be precise and unambiguous Interpretation is not left to t"e user Ot"er alternati#es ma$ be stated but t"e code !ill almost al!a$s indicate clearl$ !"o !ill (1) (2) (3) Make the choice in the materials to be purchased. Schedule operations. Test and inspect the products.

T"e most important t"ing to remember about a code is t"at it "as legal standing T"e inspections $ou perform under a code ma$ be used as e#idence in a product or ot"er liabilit$ la!suit T"e code& if used and enforced properl$& protects t"e purc"aser as !ell as t"e contractor from casual or slopp$ !or' (ajor codes for !elding "a#e been !ritten b$ t"e American Welding Societ$& t"e American Societ$ of mec"anical Engineers& and t"e American )etroleum Institute Codes publis"ed b$ t"e American *ational Standards Institute& suc" as A*SI +,- -& !ere prepared b$ committees in ot"er tec"nical societies or trade organi.ations Codes are sometimes adopted b$ ot"er organi.ations& suc" as state and municipal go#ernments& !"o !is" to control t"e qualit$ of products !it"in t"eir jurisdiction Insurance companies and purc"asing departments do not !rite codes but do state t"at !or' done for t"em s"all be in accordance !it" a particular code !ritten b$ a tec"nical societ$

T"e purc"aser is t"e one !"o decides "o! "is product is to be built If a certain !elding code assures "im product qualit$& "e !ill designate t"at
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code as t"e control to be applied T"e contractor or supplier for t"e job must t"en use t"at code In a cit$ or state t"at "as adopted t"e AWS Structural Welding Code& t"e purc"aser does not "a#e a c"oice His product must be built to t"e adopted code

As a !elding inspector& $ou are responsible for seeing t"at all !or' is done in accordance !it" t"e go#erning code T"e engineers and personnel in c"arge of design& materials& and fabrication tell t"e !elders "o! to do t"e !or'& usuall$ in t"e form of job specifications and procedures& but if $ou suspect t"at a mista'e is made& $ou must refer to t"e code t"at applies If $ou find a mista'e in t"e specifications and procedures t"at are used& $ou must report it to t"e management for correction

WHAT IS A STA*DA/D?
T"e term %standard&% as used b$ AWS& AST(& and A*SI& is applied collecti#el$ to codes& specifications& recommended practices& classifications& met"ods& definitions of terms& and grap"ic s$mbols t"at "a#e been appro#ed b$ a sponsoring committee of t"e tec"nical societ$ and adopted b$ it Standards ma$ be eit"er mandator$ or non mandator$ E0amples of mandator$ standards are AS(E Section III& *uclear )o!er )lant Components1 AWS D- -& Structural Welding Code Steel1 and AS(E 234 -& Safet$ in Welding and Cutting A mandator$ standard is precise& unambiguous& and suitable for adoption as part of a la! or regulation A mandator$ standard uses t"e #erb %s"all% because its requirements are not a matter of c"oice E0amples of non5mandator$ standards are %recommended practices % T"ese ma$ pro#ide alternati#e !a$s in !"ic" objecti#es can be accomplis"ed T"eir requirements are recommendations and use t"e #erb %s"ould % Standards e0ist in a #ariet$ of t$pes& eac" "a#ing different purposes Specifications clearl$ and accuratel$ describe t"e tec"nical requirements of an$ gi#en product or process and are used "ea#il$ b$ purc"asing departments for controlling t"e qualit$ of incoming materials

Standards are used b$ fabricators and contractors T"e$ are onl$ required to use a standard under mandate from a customer or !"en t"e standard is referenced in a code or specification go#erning t"eir !or' 6niformit$& reliabilit$& reproducibilit$& and safet$ are benefits gained from using a standard

W"at is a Specification?
A specification is a standard t"at clearl$ and accuratel$ describes t"e essential and tec"nical requirements for a material& product& s$stem& or ser#ice It indicates t"e procedures& met"ods& qualifications& or equipment t"at are to be used to determine if t"e requirements "a#e been met A specification is mandator$ !"en it is referenced b$ ot"er mandator$ documents A great number of specifications are publis"ed b$ AST( for ferrous and nonferrous allo$s and materials )urc"asing departments rel$ "ea#il$ on AST( specifications for controlling t"e qualit$ of incoming materials Specifications are also !ritten b$ t"e #er$ same groups t"at produce standards 6sers frequentl$ !rite t"eir o!n purc"asing specifications& defining t"eir requirements for a material& product& s$stem& or ser#ice A user7s specification frequentl$ lac's a statement on "o! compliance is to be recogni.ed 8our e0perience as a !elding inspector !ill alert $ou to suc" loose ends 8ou s"ould urge $our client to reac" an agreement !it" t"e specification !riter regarding t"e conditions for compliance T"is !ill "elp a#oid e0pensi#e& un!anted de#elopments after !elding "as begun A fabricator of !eldments must use man$ specifications T"e$ are usuall$ essential to t"e success of t"e #enture A fabricator does not feel forced to compl$ !it" a specification but is often grateful for it A specification pro#ides definite requirements so t"at #er$ little is left to c"ance If t"e material meets t"e specification& it7s somet"ing t"at doesn7t require additional concern

WE9DI*: /E9ATED CODES

T"e follo!ing are specific codes and specifications t"at $ou !ill deal !it" on t"e job

AWS +, ;& Welding )rocedure and )erformance <ualification

T"is standard& pre#iousl$ entitled %Standard <ualification )rocedure&% is intended for use in an$ !elding situation !"ere a specific product specification does not e0ist It s"ould not be used to replace qualification requirements of AWS or ot"er recogni.ed codes and specifications Section 3 of t"is standard gi#es requirements for qualif$ing a !elding procedure& and Section = gi#es t"e met"od of qualif$ing !elders and !elding operators

To assure t"at predictable results are reac"ed !it" an$ >oint !elding procedure& t"e #ariables of t"e procedure must be controlled 9imits are fi0ed b$ t"e !ritten qualified procedure W"en $ou inspect !or' under t"is standard& $ou !ill be concerned !it" seeing t"at t"e limitations are obser#ed Departures from t"e procedure t"at mig"t affect t"e predicted results are called %c"anges in essential #ariables % In t"is standard& t"e essential #ariables are all listed& !it" stated tolerances for !"ate#er c"anges !ould affect t"e mec"anical properties of t"e !eldment An$ c"anges in t"e process or !elding operation t"at !ould affect t"e abilit$ of t"e !elder or !elding operator to perform as planned are also stated If t"ese limitations of #ariables are e0ceeded& a ne! performance qualification is required T"is concept of essential #ariables for procedure and performance qualification testing is also used b$ Section I? of t"e AS(E +oiler and )ressure @essel Code

AWS D- -& Structural Welding Code Steel

T"is code is publis"ed b$ t"e American Welding Societ$ T"e code is re#ised eac" $ear&& but prior editions are frequentl$ used in !elding contracts and t"e$& of course& go#ern t"at particular job T"e code carefull$ defines t"e responsibilities and duties in $our role as !elding inspector T"is code contains an e0tended section on qualification of !elding procedures& !elders& !elding operators& and tac' !elders T"ese are t"e standard procedures used for all major structural steel !or' and ot"er miscellaneous steel fabrication using s"ielded metal arc& gas metal arc& flu0 cored arc& electroslag& electrogas& and stud arc !elding Specifications are included for qualif$ing on plates& pipe& and on structural tubing Attention is gi#en to !elds in ne! buildings& ne! bridges& and ne! tubular structures T"e code also co#ers t"e repair of e0isting structures

AWS D- ,& Specification for Welding S"eet Steel in Structures

T"is specification is important for engineers and fabricators of structures made !it" s"eet metal parts *o codes "a#e co#ered materials t"inner t"an one5quarter inc" prior to AWS D- ,

AWS D- 3& Structural Welding Code /einforcing Steel

T"is code pro#ides qualif$ing procedures and requirements for !elders and !elding operators& for ma'ing reinforcing bar splices& bar connections& and insert connections T"e code co#ers fi#e !elding processes commonl$ used on reinforcing steelA s"ielded metal arc !elding& gas metal arc !elding& flu0 cored arc !elding& pressure gas !elding& and t"ermit !elding

AWS D-; 4- Standard for <ualification of Welding )rocedures and Welders for )iping and Tubing
T"is standard pro#ides t"ree different le#els of procedure and !elder qualification Babricators and specification !riters ma$ select t"e le#el t"at best meets t"eir needs T"e standard co#ers t"e materials most commonl$ used in !elding piping and tubing T"e$ are aluminum& copper& nic'el& steel& and t"eir allo$s T"e materials are grouped in !a$s t"at eliminate "a#ing to requalif$ a procedure !"en c"anging from one material to anot"er material of similar !eldabilit$

AWS D-3 - Specification for !elding industrial and (ill Cranes

T"is specification contains requirements for qualif$ing procedures& !elders& and !elding operators for t"e fabrication of all load5bearing !eldments used in t"e manufacture of industrial cranes and mill cranes T"is includes o#er"ead cranes& gantr$ t$pe cranes& pillar cranes& and electric tra#elling cranes& but e0cludes construction cranes

A)I Standard--;3& Standard for Welding )ipelines and /elated Bacilities

T"is standard is publis"ed b$ t"e American )etroleum Institute T"e standard requires qualification of !elding procedures& !elders& and !elding operators T"e standard co#ers t"e gas and arc !elding of butt& fillet& and soc'et joints in piping used in t"e compression& pumping& and transmission of crude petroleum& petroleum products& and fuel gases It co#ers distribution s$stems& !"ere applicable T"e !elding ma$ be done b$ s"ielded metal arc& submerged arc& gas tungsten arc& gas metal arc& and o0$acet$lene !elding A)I --;3 determines t"e qualit$ of t"e !elds b$ destructi#e tests& including tensile tests& nic'5brea' tests& and root5bend& face5bend& and side5bend tests T"e number and #ariet$ of tests #ar$ according to a sc"edule for procedure or operator qualification As an option& !elders ma$ be qualified b$ radiograp"ic e0amination of t"eir !elds

AS(E +,- -& )o!er )iping

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T"is code is one section of t"e Code for )ressure )iping CAS(E +,-D publis"ed b$ t"e American Societ$ of (ec"anical Engineers T"e pro#isions of t"is code for boiler e0ternal piping are t"e same as t"ose in Section I of t"e AS(E +oiler and )ressure @essel Code T"e allo!able stress #alues for po!er piping are generall$ consistent !it" t"ose assigned for po!er boilers As an inspector& $ou s"ould note t"at t"is code contains pro"ibitions onl$ in areas !"ere practices or designs are 'no!n to be unsafe In ot"er areas& t"e code contains !arnings !"ere caution is 'no!n to be necessar$& but !"ere a direct pro"ibition is felt to be un!ise 78ou s"ould discuss de#iations !it" t"e engineer C"apter @I of AS(E +,- - includes requirements for e0amining& inspecting& and testing of elements before assembl$ or erection and of t"e completed s$stems after erection (aterials or practices t"at are not specificall$ appro#ed under t"is code& but !"ic" are not pro"ibited b$ t"e code& must be qualified for use as stated in t"e paragrap"s t"at appl$ Welding and bra.ing are co#ered in paragrap"s -EF and -EG of C"apter @ of AS(E +,- -

AS(E +,- , AS(E +,- , )etroleum /efiner$ )iping

C"emical

)lant

and

T"is standard pro#ides t"e minimum requirements for t"e design& materials& fabrication& assembly, erection, e0amination& inspection& and testing of piping for c"emical piping s$stems T"is Code applies to all fluids T"e follo!ing is a list of t$pical fluidsA /a!& intermediate& and finis"ed c"emicals )etroleum products :as& steam& air& and !ater Bluidi.ed solids /efrigerants +, - , requires t"at all !eldingHbra.ing procedures and !eldersHbra.ers t"at are used in t"e !elding or bra.ing of c"emical piping must be qualified in accordance !it" t"e requirements of AS(E Section I?

T"e Babrication& Assembl$& and Erection c"apter of t"is code identifies t"e acceptable !eld joint configurations for t"e t$pical !eld joints t"at are listed belo!A Welds t"at join slip5on and soc'et5!eld fittings to piping Welds t"at join members t"at are of unequal t"ic'nesses Welds t"at attac" branc"es to piping and are suitable for -;;I radiograp"$ T"e Inspection& E0amination& and Testing c"apter of +,- , identifies t"e !eld inspection acceptance criteria for #isual& magnetic particle& liquid penetrant& ultrasonic& and radiograp"ic e0aminations of !eldments

AS(E +,- 3 9iquid Transportation S$stems for H$drocarbons 9iquid )etroleum :as& An"$drous Ammonia& and Alco"ols
T"is standard pro#ides t"e minimum requirements for t"e design& materials& construction& assembl$& inspection& and testing of piping t"at is used to transport liquids suc" as crude oil& condensate& natural gasoline& natural gas liquids& liquefied petroleum gas& liquid an"$drous ammonia& and liquid petroleum products T"is code co#ers t"e piping bet!een t"e producer7s facilities& tan' farms& natural gas processing plants& refineries& stations& ammonia plants& terminals Cmarine& rail& and truc'D& and ot"er deli#er$ and recei#ing points )iping& as used in t"is code& includes pipe& flanges& bolting& gas'ets& #al#es& relief de#ices& fittings& "angers& supports& and t"e pressure5containing parts of ot"er piping components +,- 3 requires t"at all !elding procedures and !elders t"at are used in t"e !elding of liquid transportation s$stem piping must be qualified in accordance !it" t"e requirements of A)I Standard --;3 or AS(E Section I? T"e Construction& Welding& and Assembl$ c"apter of t"is code identifies t"e acceptable !eld joint configurations for t"e follo!ing t$pical !eld jointsA Welds t"at join pipe to pipe Welds t"at join members t"at are of unequal t"ic'nesses Welds t"at join flanges to pipe T"e Inspection and Testing c"apter of +,- 3 identifies t"e !eld inspection acceptance criteria for t"e #isual inspection of !eldments W"en radiograp"ic testing is required& t"e acceptance criteria of !eldments must
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be in accordance !it" t"e %Standards of Acceptabilit$ 5 *ondestructi#e Testing% Section in A)I --;3

AS(E +,- G :as Transmission and Distribution )iping S$stems

T"is standard co#ers t"e design& fabrication& installation& inspection& testing and safet$ aspects of t"e operation and maintenance of gas transmission and distribution s$stems Cincluding gas pipelinesD& gas compressor stations& gas metering and regulating stations& gas mains& and ser#ice lines up to t"e outlet of t"e custorner7s meter set assembl$ +,- G requires t"at all !elding procedures and !elders t"at are used in t"e !elding of gas transmission and distribution piping must be qualified in accordance !it" t"e requirements of A)I Standard --;3 or AS(E Section I? T"e Construction& Welding& and Assembl$ c"apter of t"is code identifies t"e acceptable !eld joint configurations for t"e follo!ing t$pical !eld jointsA Welds t"at join pipe to pipe Welds t"at join members t"at are of unequal t"ic'nesses Welds t"at join branc"es to pipe T"e Welding C"apter of +, - G requires t"at t"e radiograp"ic acceptance criteria of !eldments be in accordance !it" t"e %Standards of Acceptabilit$ 5 *ondestructi#e Testing% section in A)I --;3

A)I JE; Design and Construction of 9arge& Welded& 9o!5)ressure Storage Tan's
T"is standard co#ers t"e design and construction of large& !elded& lo!5pressure carbon steel abo#e5ground storage tan's t"at "a#e a single #ertical a0is of re#olution T"ese field5assembled tan's contain petroleum
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intermediates Cgases and #aporsD& finis"ed products& and ot"er liquid products t"at are commonl$ "andled and stored b$ t"e #arious branc"es of t"e industr$ T"e tan's t"at are co#ered b$ t"is standard are designed for metal temperatures t"at do not e0ceed E=; B and for pressures t"at do not e0ceed -= psig A)I JE; requires t"at all of t"e !elding procedures and !elders t"at are used in t"e !elding of lo!5pressure storage tan's must be qualified in accordance !it" t"e requirements of AS(E Section I? T"e Design Section of A)I JE; identifies t"e acceptable !eld joint configurations for t"e follo!ing t$pical !eld jointsA Welds t"at join no..les and ot"er connections to t"e tan' Welds t"at join members t"at are of unequal t"ic'nesses Welds t"at join s"ells to bottom plates Welds t"at join t"e compression ring to t"e top of t"e s"ell Welds t"at join flat "eads to t"e s"ell Welds t"at join flus"5t$pe connections to t"e tan'

T"e Inspection and Testing Section of A)I JE; pro#ides t"e #isual !eld inspection acceptance criteria T"e acceptance criteria of !eldments t"at are e0amined b$ radiograp"$& liquid penetrant& or magnetic particle met"ods must be in accordance !it" t"e applicable sections of AS(E Section @III W"en ultrasonic e0amination is used& t"e acceptance criteria must be b$ agreement bet!een t"e purc"aser and t"e manufacturer

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A)I J=; Welded Steel Tan's& for Oil Storage

T"is standard co#ers material& design& fabrication& erection& and testing requirements for #ertical& c$lindrical& abo#e5ground atmosp"eric tan's T"ese field5assembled tan's store petroleum and petroleum products t"at are commonl$ "andled and stored b$ t"e #arious branc"es of t"e industr$ A)I 650 requires t"at all of t"e !elding procedures and !elders t"at are used in t"e !elding of atmosp"eric storage tan's must be qualified in accordance !it" t"e requirements of AS(E Section I? T"e Design Section of A)T 650 identifies t"e acceptable !eld joint configurations for t"e follo!ing t$pical !eld jointsA Welds t"at join #ertical s"ell members Welds t"at join no..les and man"oles to t"e tan' Welds t"at join members t"at are of unequal t"ic'nesses Welds t"at join t"e roof and t"e bottom plate to t"e s"ell Welds t"at join flanged and scre!ed no..les to t"e roof Welds t"at join flus"5t$pe connections to t"e tan' T"e (et"ods of Inspecting >oints section of A)T 650 requires t"at t"e acceptance criteria of !eldments t"at are e0amined b$ radiograp"ic& liquid penetrant& or magnetic particle e0amination must be in accordance !it" t"e applicable sections of AS(E Section @III W"en ultrasonic e0amination is used& t"e acceptance criteria must be b$ agreement bet!een t"e purc"aser and t"e manufacturer

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AS(E +oiler and )ressure @essel Code

T"is code is publis"ed b$ t"e American Societ$ of (ec"anical Engineers As a !elding inspector acting on be"alf of an emplo$er constructing equipment under t"e jurisdiction of t"is code& $ou !ill "a#e t"e responsibilit$ of determining t"e adequac$ of bot" procedure and operator qualifications and t"eir proper application to t"e construction of t"e equipment

8ou ma$ be required to ascertain t"at required nondestructi#e e0aminations and ot"er mandator$ inspections "a#e been made To assist in t"e performance of t"ese duties& $ou s"ould be familiar !it" t"e sections of t"e code listed belo!& along !it" t"eir mandator$ appendices Also& $ou s"ould be a!are of and "a#e t"e latest addendum to t"e code A ne! code is publis"ed e#er$ t"ree $ears and !ill include all of t"e addenda publis"ed in summer and !inter of t"e pre#ious t"ree $ears C-D Section I& /ules for Construction of )o!er +oilers T"is section of t"e code co#ers t"e rules for t"e construction of po!er& electric& miniature& and "ig" temperature !ater boilers to be used in stationar$ ser#ice& and also includes t"ose po!er boilers used in locomoti#es& po!er& and traction ser#ice CED Section II& (aterial Specifications C)art A 5 Berrous and )art + 5 *onferrousD T"is section is a joint effort of AS(E and AST( CAmerican Societ$ for Testing and (aterialsD in t"e preparation of material specifications adequate for safet$ in t"e field of pressure equipment for ferrous and nonferrous materials T"ose AS(E material specifications t"at are identical to t"e AST( material specifications !ill be so indicated under t"e title An$ differences bet!een t"e AS(E and AST( material specifications !ill also be indicated C,D Section III& *uclear )o!er )lant Components T"is section of t"e code defines t"e rules for t"e construction of nuclear po!er plant components and is composed of t"e follo!ing eig"t boo's& comprising Di#isions I and E of t"is section

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Division 1 Subsection *+ 5 Class - components Subsection *C 5 Class E components Subsection -3D 5 Class , components Subsection *E 5 Class (C components Subsection *B 5 Component supports Subsection *: 5 Core support structures Appendices Division 2 Code for concrete reactor #essels and containments Since a limited number of $ou !ill be performing inspections to t"is section of t"e code& a more precise description !ill not be made of t"e eig"t boo's in#ol#ed C3D Section @& *ondestructi#e E0amination T"is section of t"e code describes t"e nondestructi#e e0amination met"ods and standards t"at are referenced b$ t"e ot"er sections of t"e code Included in t"is section are radiograp"ic& ultrasonic& liquid penetrant& magnetic particle& edd$ current& and #isual e0aminations& along !it" lea' testing C=D Section @III& )ressure @essels As a !elding inspector& $ou !ill become more familiar !it" t"is section of t"e code t"at contains all t"e rules for t"e construction of pressure #essels& including containers for t"e containment of pressure eit"er internal or e0ternal T"e pressure ma$ be obtained from an e0ternal source& b$ t"e application of "eat from a direct or indirect source& or b$ an$ combination t"ereof Included are pressure #essels for petroc"emical "eat e0c"angers and a large #ariet$ of ot"er #essels CJD Section I?& Welding and +ra.ing <ualifications T"is section of t"e code pro#ides requirements for t"e qualification of !elding procedures& !elders& !elding operators& bra.ers& and bra.ing operators T"is section identifies essential& nonessential& and supplementar$ essential #ariables for eac" !elding process and pro#ides rules on t"e qualification of procedures and personnel T"is includes t"e tests and e0aminations t"at are performed on t"e !eldments and t"e acceptance criteria T"is section is referenced b$ ot"er sections of t"e code& suc" as Section I& III& and @III for !elding and bra.ing procedure and performance qualification testing

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S6((A/8
Codes& standards& and specifications must be understood b$ $ou and carried out according to t"e precepts of $our job as inspector& since t"e$ go#ern t"e legal aspects of !elding and fabrication 8ou need to recogni.e and be able to locate an$ code or standard essential to eac" indi#idual project& and to be t"oroug"l$ familiar !it" specification details

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