Welded piping

[TimNY]

Other than the pressure test, what are you guys requiring for inspection of welded fuel gas piping? Do you require special inspection? Continuous, just a visual after completion, or not required? The fuel gas code is kind of vague on the subject. The building code references structural steel.

I am getting the certs for the welder. I don't foresee any issues with his qualifications.

Tim

 

[fatboy]

I'd go with special inspections, take it off your plate. JMHO

 

[mtlogcabin]

We get the certs and pressure test. No special inspectors required

 

[JCraver]

We get the certs and pressure test. No special inspectors required

We do the same. Pretty rare that we get a project like that around here, though.

 

[TimNY]

Great, thanks for the input. This is a first for me and given the vague text of the fuel gas code... I wanted to see what other inspectors have done.

The welder goes to school each year for a week to practice and learn new techniques, so I am pretty confident the welds are quality. Always nice to see a tradesman who values training.

Tim

 

[ADAguy]

Be "very" careful with your documentation.

Is soil in the area known to be corrosive?

Have you followed the news in Calif? A major UG gas line explosion in Northern CA was traced to weld failure.

 

[jdfruit]

The UG gas line explosion was for welds done in the late 1950's or early 1960's (documentation lacking). Failure was most likely due to higher pressure than system could handle. PG&E (at the time) would run higher pressure on their long distance delivery piping to get larger volumes delivered at the farther ends to meet load demands.