DOCUMENT NO.

DOCUMENT TITLE :
WELDING PROCEDURE AND WELDING QUALITY
CONTROL for PIPING

Rev.
0

EFFECTIVE DATE

Table of Contents
1.
2.
3.
4.
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
5.
6.
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
7.
7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4
8.

SCOPE
DEFINITIONS
REFERENCES
WELDING PROCEDURE AND PROCEDURE QUALIFICATION
GENERAL
DOCUMENTATION of WPSs AND PQRs
GENERAL WELDING REQUIREMENT for PIPING
WELDING REQUIREMENT for SPECIFIC MATERIAL
WELDING RODS AND ELECTRODES
WELDER PERFORMANCE QUALIFICATION TEST
GENERAL
CLASSIFICATION of WELDER
REQUIRED TEST And ACCEPTANCE CRETERIA
RECORD of TESTS.
QUALITY CONTROL
GENERAL
QUALITY CONTROL PROCEDURE
SUPPORTING PROCEDURE
INSPECTION and TEST
APPENDIXES.
REVISION RECORDS

REV.

DATE

DESCRIPTION

18-05-2009 Issued for Approval

CONTRACTOR

Prepared by

ARS

Checked by

OWNER

Review by

Approved by

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WELDING PROCEDURE AND WELDING QUALITY CONTROL FOR PIPING

DISTRIBUTION
1.
2.
3.
4.

REMARKS

All Manager Department

Project Manager
Site Manager
File ( DCC )
1

SCOPE
This specification covers the requirements for welding procedures, welding procedure and
welder. Performance qualifications and the minimum quality control / inspection requirements
for piping welding.
This specification applies to piping welding work at the jobsite, as well as any prefabrication
shop(s), on-site or off-site, including piping welding as part of packaged equipment.
2.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.

DEFINITI
ONS

Project Title
Contractor
Owner

:
:
:
2.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.2.

REFERE
NCES

The requirements contained in the latest edition as of March 2009 of the following publications
shall form a part of this specification, unless a different edition is specified in the individual
datasheets, drawing or specification
-

ASME Sec. IX

: Welding and Brazing Qualifications

ASME Sec. II Part C

: Specification for Welding Rods, Electrodes, Filler Metal

ASME B31.1

: Power Piping

ASME B31.3

: Process Piping

ASME B 31.8

: Gas Transmission And Distribution Piping System

ASME B31.9

: Building Piping

ASME/ANSI B1.20.1

Pipe Threads, General Purpose (Inch)

ASME/ANSI B 16.5.

Flange and Fittings

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WELDING PROCEDURE AND WELDING QUALITY CONTROL FOR PIPING

2.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.3.

WELDIN
G
PROCED
URE AND
PROCED
URE
QUALIFI
CATION

4.1 General.
(1) In principle, welding procedures for piping using manual welding process (GTAW and/or SMAW
process) shall comply with Appendix-1 Outline of Recommended Welding Procedures for
Piping herein.
Detailed Welding Procedure Specifications (WPSs) and supporting Procedure Qualification
Records
(PQRs) for piping shall be prepared by Supplier in accordance with the requirements of local
Regulation applicable Code and this specification
Contractor shall submit WPSs and PQRs to Owner for review and approval prior to commencing
of any production welding.
(2) If Contractor intends to use manual welding procedures other than those specified in Appendix-1
herein or welding procedures for other piping materials not listen in Appendix-1 herein, Supplier
shall submit such welding procedures to Owner for review and approval. Supporting technical
data and/or evidence of previous satisfactory application shall also be submitted to Owner when
so requested.
(3) The use of semi-automatic or automatic FCAW/GTAW/GMAW/SAW process for piping welding
are acceptable at piping fabrication shop only within the limitation imposed in SPGN-P-PR-001
and the provision of the specific approval of Owner. Contractor shall submit satisfactory previous
experience, limitation on material, pipe size, thickness, welding position, etc. and quality control
method for Owner satisfaction.
(4) PQRs for previous jobs are acceptable provided that the contents of WPSs/PQRs satisfy all the
requirements of this specification except that the following WPSs shall require new qualification
at the jobsite or Contractor fabrication shop.
a) When an impact test is required, e.g., WPSs for low temperature carbon steels and austenitic
stainless steels in cryogenic service. Welding procedure qualification test shall be carried out
using exactly the same manufacturer and trade name of welding consumables to be used for
production welds. And the welding parameters shall be monitored by using proper equipment
such as electronic portable monitoring equipment.
b) When Contractor proposes to use semi-automatic or automatic welding process. Welding
procedure qualification test shall be carried out using the same manufacturer and trade name
of welding consumables, the same type of welding machine and essentially the same welding

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condition to be used for production welds. In addition to the required mechanical testing,
radiographic examination shall be required.
4.2. Documentation of WPSs and PQRs.
(1) The format of WPSs and PQRs shall be essentially the same as suggested in ASME Section IX
(QW-482 and 483).
(2) Trade names of welding consumables and their manufacturers names shall be specified in each
WPS.
(3) A summary table of applicable WPSs for piping welding WPS/PQR. In the summary table, at
least each WPS No., supporting PQR No., applicable piping material,
pipe size and thickness range, PWHT requirement and applicable piping service class(es) shall
be described.
4.3 General Welding Requirements for Piping
(1)

All butt welds and branch connection welds shall be full penetration welds unless otherwise
specifically approved by Owner for the specific piping.

(2)

The required weld size for branch connections, sockets, flanged connections and other
pressure- retaining welds shall comply with the requirements of applicable piping code. The
fillet weld size for support welds, etc., shall comply with the applicable piping standard
drawings approved by Owner

(3) The edge preparation and root gap for girth butt welds and branch connection welds shall
comply with the requirements/recommendations of applicable piping code and the approved
WPS.
(4) For butt welding of pipe sizes 2 inch NPS and smaller, the GTAW process shall be used for all
passes of the complete weld.
(5)

All pressure-retaining welds shall be made by multilayer welding (at least two layers)
regardless of pipe size, thickness and joint/weld type (butt, branch, socket or fillet). If it is not
practical for small bore piping, the GTAW process with a minimum two layers shall be used.

(6)

All welding shall be uphill for the vertical position unless otherwise approved by Owner for
pipeline welding.

(7)

Impact test requirements shall comply with the applicable piping code. In addition,
manufacturer and trade names of welding consumables shall be the essential variable for
procedure qualification when an impact test is required.

(8)

PWHT requirements for carbon and low alloy steels shall comply Subsection 4.4 and
Appendix-1 herein.

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(9)

Hardness test requirements for welding procedure qualification and production weld shall
comply with Subsection 4.4 herein.

(10) Front weld of slip-on flange shall be carefully done so that the flange face is not damaged.
(11) If a threaded joint need seal welding, it shall be made up without compound or seal tape, and
all exposed thread shall be covered by welds.
4.4 Welding Requirements for Specific Material.
4.4.1 Welding Carbon Steel and Low-Temperature Carbon Steels (P No.1)
(1) Root pass of girth butt welds and branch connection welds shall be made by the GTAW process
except as permitted in (2) & (3) below.
(2) Root pass of girth butt welds and branch connection welds shall be made by the SMAW process
using high cellulose type electrodes per AWS E6010, provided that the piping is for Category
D fluid service of ASME B31.3 and size is 3 inch NPS or greater.
(3) For large bore piping where accessible from inside double sides welding using SMAW, i,e weld
from outside, back-gouge or back-grind from inside and back weld from inside, is acceptable
provided that all weld slag is removed and pipe internal is thoroughly cleaned.
(4) Electrodes for the SMAW process shall be low-hydrogen types for all pressure-retaining parts of
piping except for the root pass of girth butt welds and branch connection welds described in (2)
above.
(5) The GTAW process (minimum of 2 layers) shall be used for socket welds unless otherwise
approved by Owner.
(6) Welding of carbon steel and low-temperature carbon steel piping shall required preheating at a
minimum 10C or as per Manufactures recommendation and it with a wall thickness 25.4mm or
greater shall require preheating at a minimum 80C.
(7) PWHT shall be applied either when required by applicable piping code or when required for
process reason, such as for piping in wet H2S (sour), amine or caustic service, as specified in the
applicable Project Specification and the piping service class. PWHT condition shall be those
specified in piping code and Appendix-1 herein, with a minimum holding time of one hour.
When PWHT is required for process reason, PWHT shall be required for not only pressure
retaining welds but also for attachment welds to the pressure parts.
(8) Each PQR for carbon steel piping in wet H2S (sour including lean and rich amine) service shall
include a hardness survey as per requirement of SPGN-P-PR-001. The maximum Brinell
hardness of production welds (on the deposited weld metal) in these shall be 200BHN.
4.4.2 Welding of C-1/2Mo and Cr-Mo Low-Alloy Steels (P. No. 3, 4 5A & 5B)
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(1) Root pass of girth butt welds and branch connection weld shall be made the GTAW process. For
Cr-Mo low-alloy steels, the root and second layers shall be made by GTAW process.
(2) Internal gas purging with an inert gas shall be required for the GTAW root run of a butt/ branch
connection weld of 2-1/4Cr-1Mo and higher grade alloys. The gas purging shall be maintained
and monitored until the second weld layer is completed.
(3) Electrodes for the SMAW process shall be the low-hydrogen types for all pressure-retaining
welds and attachment welds to the pressure-retaining parts of piping.
(4) The GTAW process (minimum of 2 layers) shall be used for socket weld.
(5) Preheating shall be as bellow:
a) P No.3: minimum 100 C regardless of thickness
b) P No.4: minimum 150 C regardless of thickness
c) P No.5A and 5B : minimum 200 C regardless of thickness
Only for root and/or second layer made by the GTAW process, the preheat temperature may be
lowered to a minimum 100 C for P No.4 and 5A (up to 2-1/4Cr-1Mo) materials and to a
minimum 150 C for P No.5B (5Cr-1/2Mo, 9Cr-1Mo) materials.
The required preheat temperature shall be maintained until the weld is completed.
(6) In principle, all welding shall be completed without interruption. And immediately after
completion of Cr-Mo (P No.4, 5A & 5B) welding, de-hydrogenation post-heating by using
resistance heaters shall be applied as per requirements SPGN-P-PR-001. This post-heating shall
be also be applied immediately after interruption of the welding when the welding is unavoidably
interrupted.
(7) Appropriate preheating and post-heating methods shall be employed to maintain the required
temperature. Oxy-acetylene cutting torches shall not be used for preheating and post-heating.
Preheating and Post-heating temperature shall be checked by temperature indicating crayons,
thermocouples, or other suitable means.
(8) PWHT of low alloy welds shall comply with the code requirement except as follows:
a) For P No. 3 and P No. 4 welds in sour or hydrogen service and all P No.5A/5B welds, PWHT
shall be required regardless of thickness.
b) Exemption of PWHT for ferritic materials based on the use of austenitic stainless steel or
nickel-based filler materials is not permitted unless specifically approved by Owner.
The PWHT conditions shall be as specified in piping code and Appendix-1 herein
(9) The production weld hardness on the deposited weld metal and HAZ after PWHT shall satisfy
the maximum value of 225BHN for P No. 3 and 4, and 235BHN for P No.5A/5B respectively.
4.4.3. Welding of Austenitic Stainless Steels (P No.8 Group 1)

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(1) Root and second layer of girth butt welds and branch connection welds shall be made by the
GTAW process, except that for large bore piping where accessible from inside, double sides
welding with back-grinding using SMAW may be applied provided that all weld slag is removed
and pipe internal is thoroughly cleaned.
(2) Internal gas purging shall be required for the GTAW root run and shall be maintained and
monitored until the second layer is completed.
(3) The GTAW process (minimum of 2 layers) shall be used for socket welds.
(4) Maximum inter pass temperature shall be 150C or as per Manufactures recommendation.
(5) Welding of austenitic stainless steel to galvanize carbon steel or zinc-rich primer coated carbon
steel is prohibited, so as to avoid cracking due to zinc contamination.
(6) Tools such as grinding discs, wheels, wire brushes and files shall be physically segregated and
clearly distinguished from those used for ferritic steels to avoid contamination. The bristles of
wire brushes shall be made of stainless steel.
(7) The use of flux-cored or flux-coated GTAW rods for the root pass without back purging shall
require the specific prior approval of Purchaser unless slag can be removed from the process side
of root pass and the area is visually inspected.
(8) The welding consumable of 308 and 308L shall be segregated by using color coding on the tip
end.

4.4.4 The Welding of High-Nickel Alloys (such as Incoloy 800, 825, Inconel 600, 625, Monel, etc)
The same requirement for austenitic stainless steels shall apply to the welding of high-nickel alloys.
In addition:
(1) To avoid hot cracking, the weld area and adjacent area within 30mm of each side of the weld

shall be cleaned prior to welding. Acetone or an equivalent cleaning solvent should be used for
cleaning.
(2) Maximum inter pass temperature shall be 150 C or as per Manufacturers recommendation.
(3) All weld craters shall be ground off to eliminate possible crater cracks or pinholes.

4.4.5 Dissimilar Welding

If dissimilar welding is required, the following basic requirements shall apply:
(1) Dissimilar welds between ferritic steels.

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a) For pressure-retaining dissimilar welds, filler metal selection shall be for the lower grade or the
intermediate grade between the two ferritic steels. Preheating/post heating temperature shall be
for the higher grade alloy.
b) For dissimilar attachment welds to pressure-retaining parts, filler metal selection, preheating /
post heating and PWHT conditions shall be identical to those for the pressure parts (the higher
grade alloy).
c) For dissimilar welds between non-pressure parts, such as a Cr-Mo pad plate to a carbon steel
shoe or dummy support, a carbon steel filler metal (low-hydrogen type for SMAW) shall be
used. PWHT is not required provided that the preheating/post heating conditions for the higher
grade alloy are applied.
(2) Dissimilar welds between ferritic steel and austenitic stainless steel.
a) For pressure-retaining dissimilar welds, AWS E NiCrFe-2 or 3 or AWS ER NiCr-3 filler metal
shall be used when the maximum design temperature exceeds 350 C. AWS E/ER309(L) filler
metal may be used when the maximum design temperature is 350 C or less.
b) For dissimilar welds between non-pressure parts, such as a stainless steel pad plate to a carbon
steel shoe or dummy support, AWS E/ER309 filler metal shall be used.
5. Welding Rods and Electrodes.
(1) Welding consumables used for each type of piping material shall comply with Appendix-1
herein and/or approved WPS. Contractor shall select a reliable and suitable welding
consumable manufacturer and trade name product.
(2) For SMAW, FCAW and SAW austenitic stainless steel weld consumable to be used in
cryogenic service piping below -101C, each heat/lot of filler metals and wire/flux combination
shall be delivered with certified weld deposit impact results of 15 mils lateral expansion at
-196C.
6. Welding Performance and Qualification Test
6.1 General.
(1) All welders engaged in the welding work shall be qualified in accordance with ASME Sec. IX
and the requirements herein and shall be approved by Owner prior to commencing any welding
work.
(2) All welders shall be newly qualified except when welders hold a valid welder certificate and it
is specifically reviewed and approved by Owner.

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(3) Standard welder test procedure and each qualified range shall be prepared by Contractor and
agreed by Owner prior to commencement of welder qualification test.
(4) The requirements in Subsection 5.2 and 5.3 are for manual welders using GTAW or SMAW or
combination thereof. For semi-automatic welding operator qualification, Contractor shall
propose the detailed test procedure and approved by Owner.
6.2. Classification of Welder
A Piping welder is defined as a welder who can make butt welds, branch connection welds,
socket welds and fillet welds in piping and other welds within the range of qualification in ASME
Section IX. Piping welders shall be qualified for all positions. All pressure-retaining welds and
attachment welds to pressure parts of piping shall be made by a qualified piping welder.
There are four classifications of piping welder, as welder follow:
(1) Carbon Steel (C.S.) piping welder for carbon steel and low-temperature carbon steel including

up to C-1/2 Mo steel piping (P No.1, 3)

(2) Cr-Mo Low-Alloy Steel (L.A.) piping welder for Cr-Mo steel piping (P No.4, 5A and 5B)
(3) Stainless Steel (S.S.) piping welder for austenitic stainless steel piping (P No.8)
(4) Special Alloy piping welder for nickel alloy and copper alloy materials, etc..

Separate qualification tests shall be conducted for Carbon Steel piping welders, Cr-Mo Low Alloy
Steel piping welders and Stainless Steel piping welders. These qualifications are not
interchangeable, even if the F. No. of ASME Section IX is the same. The qualification test for
Special Alloy piping welders shall comply with ASME Section IX.
Conspicuous identification is required for each class of welders for the purpose of avoiding weld
by a wrong class welder.
6.3 Required Test and Acceptance Criteria.
Each welder shall be clearly budged with the assigned test No. or their name for identification. Test
position shall be the 6G position. Grinding the external surfaces of welds is prohibited except for
crater treatment. The finished weld shall be cleaned by the welder with a chipping hammer and/or
wire brush, and shall be free from slag and arc spatters.
Welds shall be examined by visual inspection and radiographic examination as follows:
(1) Visual Welding

During and after welding, each welders skill, technique and appearance of their weld beads
shall be checked carefully. External weld reinforcement and internal protrusion shall be fused
with and shall be merged smoothly into the component surfaces. Cracks, incomplete
penetration, surface porosity, exposed slag inclusion and undercutting (over 0.5mm dept) are
unacceptable.
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(2) Radiographic Examination

Radiographic examination shall comply with QW-302.2 of ASME Sec. IX and acceptance
criteria per QW-191.
6.4 Records of Test.
At the construction site, after the welder performance qualification test, Contractor shall submit a
Welder Performance Qualification Test Record (per the format suggested in QW-484 of ASME
Section IX) and the photograph of each welder to Owner for site registration prior to commencing
any production welding.
7. QUALITY CONTROL
7.1 General
Contractor is wholly responsible for the quality of welding. To achieve and maintain the required
quality level as specified by the contract throughout the construction period, Contractor shall
establish an adequate quality control system, including the necessary quality control procedure(s)
and supporting procedure(s). Such system and procedures shall be subject to review and approval
by Owner before Contractor commences any piping work.
7.2 Quality Control Procedure
Contractor Quality Control procedure shall ensure that the following controls is fully implemented:
(1) The correct piping material is welded in accordance with the established WPS by a qualified
piping welder using a properly controlled, correct welding rod or electrode.
(2) Necessary examination (visual inspection, NDE, PMI, etc) and PWHT are properly performed
at the correct timing in accordance with the approved procedures by qualified personal without
oversight. The result must also be acceptable to Owner.
(3) When a defect is detected, an acceptable repair procedure shall be applied and the defect
thoroughly re-examined/accepted.
(4) Specified quality control and inspection records or reports shall be prepared, approved,
compiled and retained.
Contractor quality control procedures related to piping welding shall detail proper control methods
including, but not limited to the following:
-

Piping material control after receiving.

(how to ensure that the correct piping material is used during fabrication and installation, such
as the use color coding, physical segregation of prefabrication yard according to type of
material, storage of prefabricated spools and their identification)

Welding consumables control during storage, at fabrication shop and at site including
identification method of consumables, especially that have close chemistry.

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Weld joint numbering system on each ISO Drawing. or spool Drawing for recording of welder
identities and all the welding inspection results, including visual inspection/NDE/PMI/PWHT.

Marking each production weld with the joint number, welder identity and indication that visual
inspection is complete. (Note that hard die-stamping shall not be used on low temperature
service piping.)

Procedure for instructing welders of the correct WPS to be used for a specific weld joint.
(Especially for piping other than carbon steel piping).

Weld QC monitoring before, during and after welding, covering such precautions as protecting
welds from detrimental weather conditions such as wind or rain (including at the time of weld
interruption), condition of welding machines and cables, scaffolding, baking/handling and
correct usage of weld consumables, fit-up check including root gap/miss-alignment,
preheating, post heating, etc.

Procedure for release to pressure test of a piping system including documentation of a test
package, i.e., :

Procedure for line check, punch list, etc

Checking satisfactory completion of all welding work and required welding inspections/
PWHT. (Summary/check sheet for the welding inspection results for each weld is
required.)

7.3 Supporting Procedures

The following procedures shall be prepared for piping welding work:
(1) Control procedure for welding materials
To prevent misuse of welding electrodes and rods, and to provide welders with good
conditioned electrodes and rods, the proper control procedure for welding materials is required.
(2) Control procedure for welders performance
In order to obtain the required quality of piping welds throughout the construction stage,
welder qualification and identification, evaluation and controlling of each welders
performance continually during construction is essential...
(3) NDE, PMI and PWHT Procedure.
7.4 Inspection and Test
7.4.1 Visual Inspection
Weld QC monitoring before, during and after welding as required in Section 7.2 shall be carried
out continually throughout the piping construction stage by competent welding inspectors.
For completed welds, all pressure retaining welds and attachment welds shall be 100% visually
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inspect regardless of piping materials, size or rating. Acceptance criteria shall be per the applicable
piping code.
7.4.2 NDE Requirement
Minimum requirements for NDE shall be in accordance with Appendix-2 Extent of NDE for
Piping attached herein.
Acceptance criteria for NDE shall be as those specified in the applicable piping code and the
following:
Unless otherwise specified, the acceptance criteria of radiographic examination (RT) for B31.3
piping weld shall be for Normal Fluid Service in Table 341.3.2 of ASME B31.3 except that no
incomplete penetration is allowed for girth and miter groove welds in piping services where 100%
RT is specified in Appendix- 2.

7.4.3 Production Weld Hardness Test

Production weld hardness test shall be carried out in accordance with the requirements of SPGN-PPR-001 and Subsection 4.4 herein.

7.4.4 Rejection
Defects that are outside the limits of the codes, project specifications or other requirements shall be
cause rejection and Contractor shall take such remedial action as is necessary to secure acceptance
and shall be at sole expense of Contractor.
8. APPENDIX
Appendix-1

Outline of Recommended Welding for Piping

Appendix 2

Extent of NDE for Piping.

NOTES FOR APPENDIX-1.

(1)

WELD TYPE
GW: Groove Weld (for butt & branch connection welds)

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SW: Socket Weld
FW: Fillet Weld
(2)

THICK RANGE (thickness range) is applicable to butt welding. For fillet welding, there is no
limitation on thickness.

(3)

WELDING PROCESS
SMAW: Shielded Metal Arc Welding
GTAW: Gas Tungsten Arc Welding

(4)

When the ambient temperature is below 100 C, preheat to at least hand-warm (min.10 C) or
the specified preheat temperature, whichever is higher.

(5)
(6)

POSTHEATING shall mean de-hydrogenation post heating. Refer to Subsection 4.4.2.

APPLICATION

(A)

Groove weld (butt and branch connection welds) for pressure parts

(B)

Socket weld, fillet weld for pressure parts

(C)

Fillet welds between pressure parts and non-pressure parts, such as attachment welds for pad
plates, supports, and pipe shoes attached to run pipe.

(7)

Trade name TGS-50 (AWS A5.18, ER70S-G, KOBE STEEL LTD.) is also acceptable for
GTAW of carbon steel.

(8)

GTAW process is mandatory for butt welds in 2 inch NPS or smaller piping.

(9)

Trade name ER 70S-G or TGS-1N (KOBE STEEL LTD.) is also acceptable for GTAW of
low-temperature carbon steel piping down to 50 C.

(10)

Trade name LB 52 and LB52U (AWS A5.5, E7016-G, KOBE STEEL LTD.) is also
acceptable and recommended for SMAW of low-temperature carbon steel piping down to 50
C.

(11)

When low-temperature and wet H2S (sour) service is specified for the same piping, the
maximum nickel content of the filler metal shall be 1%.

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(12)

When AWS EXX16-XX is specified, EXX15-XX or EXX18-XX (low hydrogen type) is also
acceptable.

(13)

Preheat temperature may be lowered to minimum 100 C for GTAW root and second passes.

(14)

Minimum holding times for post heating shall be as follows:

- For 1Cr, 1 1/4Cr 1/2Mo: None for t<10 mm (cool under insulation), 30 minutes for t >10
mm.
- For 2 1/4Cr-1Mo

: 15 minutes for t<10 mm, 30 minutes for t >10 mm

(15)

Inert gas backing is applicable to Groove Weld (GW) only.

(16)

Welding consumable shall be selected for each type of austenitic stainless steel as follows:

BASE METAL
Type 304 a), b)
304L
304H
316 b)
316L
321

GTAW

SMAW

(AWS Class)
ER308 c)
ER308L
ER308H c)
ER316 c)
ER316
ER347 c)

(AWS Class)
E308-15,16 c)
E308-15,16 d)
E308H-15,16 c)
E316-15,16 c)
E316L-15,16 d)
E347-15,16 c)

Notes for the above Table:

a)

When a minimum carbon content of 0.04% is specified for Type 304 SS piping for high
temperature service, the minimum carbon content of E/ER308 weld consumables shall be
0.04% or alternatively E/ER308H may be used.

b)

When Type 304 or Type 316 SS piping is used in cryogenic service, low carbon grade E/ER
308L or E/ER 316L shall be used. See also Note d) below.

c)

When PWHT is specified or the design temperature is above 550 C, ferrite content of weld
consumables shall be 3-10% (3FN-10FN). The ferrite content shall be checked for each

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heat/lot of welding consumables by chemical analysis using Delong or WRC Delta Ferrite
Diagram.
d)

For cryogenic service temperature of below 101 C down to 196 C, each heat/lot of SMAW
electrodes (except for GTAW rods) shall be impact tested and shall satisfy the impact test
requirements of ASME B31.3 at 196 C.

(17)

Maximum inter pass temperature shall be 150 C.

(18)

Contractor shall select the welding consumables to be overmatching weld metal tensile
properties with base material.

APPENDIX-2 EXTENT OF NDE FOR PIPING

P No.
Material
Service.
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1
Carbon Steel

4, 5A, 5B
Cr-Mo Low
Alloy

8
Austenitic Stainless Steel
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Pressure
Class
150
300
600
900
>=1500

Non-Low
Temperature
Service
A
A
A
A
C+E

Low
Temperature
Service
(down to
-46C)
B+D
B+D
C+E
C+E
C+E

1Cr-0.5Mo to
9Cr-1Mo

NonCryogenic
Service

Cryogenic Service
(-46C to -196C)

C+F
C+F
C+F
C+F
C+F

B+D
B+D
B+D
C+E
C+E

B+F
C+F
C+F
C+F
C+F

Legend
A: 5% Random RT, i.e. Entire circumference of one weld out of every twenty welds shall be examined.
(Applicable to circumferential butt and miter welds.)
B: 10% Random RT, i.e. Entire circumference of one weld out of every ten welds shall be examined.
(Applicable to circumferential butt and miter welds.)
C: 100% RT for all circumferential butt and miter welds.
D: 10% MT or PT for pressure retaining welds except circumferential butt and miter welds, i.e., branch
connection, socket and other fillet welds.
E: 100% MT or PT for all pressure retaining welds except circumferential butt and miter welds, i.e., all
branch connection, socket and other fillet welds
F: 100% MT or PT for all pressure retaining welds including all circumferential butt and miter welds, all
branch connection, socket and other fillet welds. In addition, for Cr-Mo Low Alloy piping, all attachment
welds to pressure parts shall also be 100% MT examined.

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NOTES for APPENDIX-2

1. All pressure retaining welds and attachment welds shall be 100% visually inspected regardless of
piping service class in addition to the required NDE in this Table.
2. For random radiography, at least one weld of each welder for every material grouping he welds and
weld process he uses shall be radio graphed. When random radiography reveals a defect, Progressive
Examination shall be applied in accordance with Para. 341.3.4 of ASME B 31.3.
3. Either of MT or PT may be applied to P-1 welds. MT shall be applied to P-4, 5A and 5B Cr-Mo Low
Alloy weld PT shall be applied to P-8 welds.
4. For weld acceptance criteria, refer to Subsection 7.4.2 of this specification.
5. For Category D fluid service of ASME B 31.3, RT is not required. This Table does not apply to
Category D fluid service.
6. For ASME B 31.1 piping, this Table does not apply. All ASME B 31.1 piping shall be
nondestructively examined as per B 31.1 Code requirements.
7. When pneumatic test is applied, the following additional inspection to this Table shall be required, as
a minimum:
(a) For Pressure Class 300 and higher.
100% RT for all butt welds and 100% MT or PT for all other pressure retaining welds regardless of
piping service class.
(b). For Pressure Class 150
100% MT or PT for all pressure retaining welds including circumferential butt welds, branch
connection, socket and other fillet welds.
The above additional requirements do not apply to the piping for instrument air, plant air and
nitrogen

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