Final Role Delineation & Rubrics (content classification)

Piping Inspector Certification (API-570)

Activity areas (Domains)
Task Statements
Knowledge statements

Activity 01 -- Planning and Extent of Inspections - 570

Tasks:
0101
0102
0103
0104
0105
0106
0107
0108
0109
0110
0111

Review previous piping inspection reports

Identify areas of special concern (e.g., dead legs, injection points, buried piping)
Determine and document any changes in service conditions (e.g., temperature, pressure)
Determine number and placement of thickness measurement locations (TMLs) in piping
systems
Plan the piping inspection as regards types of deterioration (e.g., corrosion, SCC, CUI,
embrittlement, erosion, vibration)
Plan the piping inspection as regards inspection techniques (e.g., NDE, impact testing)
Determine inspection techniques for large bore piping (>2" diameter)
Determine inspection techniques for threaded and small bore piping ( 2" diameter)
Determine limits of scope of inspection (including jurisdictional requirements and code
applicability)
Review and validate piping classifications (per API 570)
Identify, locate, and document specialty items (e.g., expansion joints), noting those which
need additional inspection
Knowledge of:
01
..responsibilities of involved parties (e.g., inspectors, repair organizations)
02
..major types of corrosion/deterioration mechanisms and where they are likely to
occur
03
..areas of special concern as regards deterioration
04
..applications/limitations of various inspection techniques
05
..special considerations for buried piping
06
..testing requirements
07
..types of refractory and inspection methods
08
..record keeping systems and requirements (e.g., including manual and computerbased systems)
09
..scope of API 570, Piping Inspection Code
10
..drafting conventions

Activity 02 -- Inspection and Testing Practices - 570

Tasks:
0201 Assess potential safety hazards associated with conducting inspection & follow all
required safety permits, procedures, & provisions for proper personal protective
equipment
0202 Ensure all NDE equipment is properly maintained and calibrated
0203 Conduct external visual inspection of piping including pipe supports
0204 Conduct appropriate NDE inspection (including flaw detection and sizing)
0205 Ensure that inspection and data collection is done in accordance with approved
procedures
0206 Conduct thickness measurements
0207 Conduct internal inspection of piping
0208 Conduct inspection for corrosion under insulation (CUI)
0209 Conduct inspection of refractory systems
0210 Specify and witness pressure and leak tests including aboveground and buried piping
0211 Specify and oversee necessary destructive examination
0212 Conduct inspection of piping insulation
0213 Inspect coating of above ground and buried piping systems
0214 Observe cathodic protection system (close interval potential survey) and obtain report
advice as needed
0215 Conduct external pipe inspection of buried piping
0216 Conduct visual surveillance of soil-to-air interface points of buried piping
0217 Inspect valves, fittings, flanges
Knowledge of:
12
..safety requirements for inspection (e.g., Permit Required Confined Spaces,
Lockout/Tagout, elevated work)
13
..personnel qualification for NDE per ASNT SNT-TC-1A
14
..NDE procedures per ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code, Section V
15
..insulation and insulation inspection methods (including CUI)
16
..refractory systems and inspection methods
17
..leak and pressure testing procedures, requirements, and precautions
18
..cleanliness requirements for inspection
19
..maintenance and calibration requirements and methods for various inspection
equipment
20
..applications/limitations of various inspection techniques (e.g., hammer testing,
strapping, PT, RT)
21
..paint and coating systems
22
..cathodic protection systems
23
..requirements for non-destructive examination
24
..requirements for destructive examination
25
..material verification and traceability
26
..piping components (e.g., piping, tubing, valves, fittings, expansion joints, pipe
supports) and pipe joining methods
27
..special inspection requirements for buried piping

Activity 03 -- Data Evaluation and Documentation - 570

Tasks:
0301
0302
0303
0304
0305
0306
0307
0308
0309
0310
0311

Determine minimum allowable thickness of piping components

Determine MAWP
Record inspection data
Evaluate locally thinned areas or other indications (e.g., undercut, slag inclusion,
porosity) in regard to need for repair or replacement
Calculate corrosion rates on piping
Evaluate change of service effects on inspection frequency and suitability of continued
service
Determine estimated remaining life
Adjust the number and location of thickness measurement locations based on inspection
results and deterioration mechanisms
Document the evaluation in a record system
Schedule the next inspection based upon frequency requirements and estimated
remaining life
Evaluate effectiveness of cathodic protection and/or coating for aboveground and buried
piping
Knowledge of :
30
..corrosion rate calculation
31
..remaining life calculation
32
..establishing inspection frequency based on remaining life and service
33
..maximum service intervals specified by codes and standards
34
..thickness measurement locations (TMLs) and their selection
35
..requirements for documentation of results
36
..deterioration mechanisms and their impact on suitability of continued service
37
..maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP) calculations
38
..minimum required thickness determination
39
..evaluation of locally thinned areas
40
..widely scattered pits
41
..established inspection frequency for buried piping
42
..cathodic protection systems and principles of operation
43
..need for piping stress analysis

Activity 04 -- Repairs, Alterations, and Rerating - 570

Tasks:
0401 Specify repairs and alteration work prior to commencement of work including
identification of inspection hold points
0402 Verify correct materials are used
0403 Ensure that all work complies with approved procedures and standards
0404 Ensure that a piping engineer has been consulted when appropriate
0405 Approve all repairs, rerating, and alterations when complete
0406 Document repairs, alterations, and rerating
Knowledge of :
44
..procedures to evaluate competency of repair organization
45
..ASME B31.3, Process Piping
46
..ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section VIII Division I
47
..material requirements and methods for positive material identification
48
..inspection, testing, and documentation requirements
49
..definitions of repairs and alterations
50
..repairs and alteration methods and procedures (including temporary repairs)
51
..hot tapping techniques and requirements
52
..rerating requirements and calculations
53
..fabrication techniques
5x
..repairs to buried piping
54
..piping components (e.g., piping, tubing, valves, fittings, expansion joints, pipe
supports) and pipe joining methods
Activity 05 -- Welding - 570
Tasks:
0501 Approve welding procedure specifications (WPS) and Procedure Qualification Records
(PQR) to assure compliance with applicable code
0502 Verify welders qualifications
0503 Ensure welding is performed according to approved procedure (including pre-heat)
0504 Ensure correct filler metals are used and properly stored
0505 Ensure PWHT is performed according to procedure
0506 Ensure that alternatives to PWHT (e.g., temper-bead) conform to applicable code
Knowledge of :
55
..ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section IX-Welding and Brazing
Qualifications
56
..impact testing requirements
57
..WPS, PQR, and WPQ requirements
58
..preheat requirements for various materials, thicknesses, and conditions
59
..acceptable methods and temperatures, and precautions for PWHT
60
..acceptable alternative methods to PWHT
61
..methods of documenting welds (e.g., welders stamps, weld maps)
62
..requirements for welding conducted on piping in operation (e.g., hot tapping)