LAC 43:XIII.1323. Nondestructive Testing [49 CFR 192.243]

A. Nondestructive testing of welds must be performed by any process, other than trepanning, that will clearly indicate defects that may affect the integrity of the weld. [49 CFR 192.243(a)] B. Nondestructive testing of welds must be performed: [49 CFR 192.243(b)] 1. in accordance with written procedures; and [49 CFR 192.243(b)(1)] 2. by persons who have been trained and qualified in the established procedures and with the equipment employed in testing. [49 CFR 192.243(b)(2)] C. Procedures must be established for the proper interpretation of each nondestructive test of a weld to ensure the acceptability of the weld under §1321.C. [49 CFR 192.243(c)] D. When nondestructive testing is required under §1321.B, the following percentages of each day's field butt welds, selected at random by the operator, must be nondestructively tested over their entire circumference: [49 CFR 192.243(d)] 1. in Class 1 locations, except offshore, at least 10 percent; [49 CFR 192.243(d)(1)] 2. in Class 2 locations, at least 15 percent; [49 CFR 192.243(d)(2)] 3. in Class 3 and Class 4 locations, at crossings of major or navigable rivers, offshore, and within railroad or public highway rights-of-way, including tunnels, bridges, and overhead road crossings, 100 percent unless impracticable, in which case at least 90 percent. Nondestructive testing must be impracticable for each girth weld not tested; [49 CFR 192.243(d)(3)] 4. at pipeline tie-ins, including tie-ins of replacement sections, 100 percent. [49 CFR 192.243(d)(4)] E. Except for a welder or welding operator whose work is isolated from the principal welding activity, a sample of each welders or welding operator’s work for each day must be nondestructively tested, when nondestructive testing is required under §1321.B. [49 CFR 192.243(e)] F. When nondestructive testing is required under §1321.B, each operator must retain, for the life of the pipeline, a record showing by milepost, engineering station, or by geographic feature, the number of girth welds made, the number nondestructively tested, the number rejected, and the disposition of the rejects. [49 CFR 192.243(f)]