BODY OF KNOWLEDGEAPI-570 PIPING INSPECTOR1

BODY OF KNOWLEDGE
API-570 AUTHORIZED PIPING INSPECTOR
CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION

October 2020 and Feb 2021 (Replaces February 2019)

API Authorized Piping Inspectors must have a broad knowledge base relating to maintenance, inspection, alteration and repair of in-service metallic piping systems. The API Authorized Piping Inspector Certification Examination is designed to determine if applicants have such knowledge.

 

Questions may be taken from anywhere within each document in this BOK, unless specifically excluded herein.

 

In the event that specific sections of a document are listed as excluded– all other sections within that document are included.

 

In some cases specific paragraphs or sections, such as the example shown below, are included as an aid to the candidate. This is not intended to exclude other paragraphs.

 

     For example: In the “Corrosion Rate and Inspection Intervals” section of this BOK (Section A, Sub-section 1), it

     states:
             The Inspector must be able to calculate:
                   a) Corrosion Rates (API-570, Par. 7.1.2).
     This means that the corrosion rate calculation will be found in paragraph 7.1.2 It does not mean that other

      paragraphs in that section are excluded.

 

The examination consists of two parts. The closed-book part tests the candidate on knowledge and tasks requiring everyday working knowledge of API Standard 570 and the applicable reference documents. The open-book portion of the examination requires the use of more detailed information that the inspector is expected to be able to find in the documents, but would not normally be committed to memory. During the exam, applicants will be expected to choose the best answer from the options provided.

 

REFERENCE PUBLICATIONS:

 

A. API Publications:

API Standard 570, Inspection, Repair, Alteration, and Rerating of In-Service Piping Systems
API Recommended Practice 571, Damage mechanisms Affecting Fixed equipment in the Refining Industry
API Recommended Practice 574, Inspection Practices for Piping System Components
API Recommended Practice 577, Welding Inspection and Metallurgy
API Recommended Practice 578, Guidelines for a Material Verification Program (MVP) for New and Existing Assets

 

B. ASME Publications:

American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code:

Section V, Nondestructive Examination
Section IX, Qualification Standard for Welding, Brazing and Fusion Procedures; Welders; Brazers; and Welding, Brazing and Fusing Operators
B16.5, Pipe Flanges and Flanged Fittings
B31.3, Process Piping

 

Note: Refer to the Publications Effectivity Sheet in the application package for a list of specific editions, addenda, and supplements of the referenced publications that are effective for your examination date.

 

     The following is the list of specific topics in which an API certified Piping Inspector should be knowledgeable.

 

CALCULATIONS FOR EVALUATING THICKNESS MEASUREMENTS, INSPECTION INTERVALS, AND PIPING INTEGRITY

 

A. Code calculation questions will be oriented toward existing in-service piping, not new piping. API Authorized   

    Piping Inspectors should be able to check and perform calculations relative to in-service deterioration, repairs,

    rerates, or alterations, such as those included in the following eight categories.

Note: Candidates are expected to understand the US customary units (inches, feet, PSI, etc.) and the SI units (metric system) and to use both system formulas.

 

1. CORROSION RATES AND INSPECTION INTERVALS

The Inspector should be able to understand inspection data and determine the thickness measurement and visual external inspection intervals.
  The Inspector must be able to calculate:
    a) Corrosion Rates (API-570, Par. 7.1.2)
    b) Remaining Service Life (API-570, Par., 7.2)
    c) Inspection Interval (API-570, Par., 6.3.3 & Table 2)
The formulas for performing the above calculations and rules for setting the inspection intervals may be "closed-book” during the exam.

 

2. WELD JOINT QUALITY FACTORS AND CASTING QUALITY FACTORS

The inspector should be able to determine the weld joint quality factor “Ej” of a longitudinal pipe weld joint. The inspector should be able to determine:
    a) Casting Quality factor, Ec from B31.3, 302.3.3 (b) and Table A-1A
    b) Weld Joint Quality factors from ASME B31.3, 302.3.4 and Table A-1B;
    c) Increased Joint Quality Factors by performing supplemental NDE from ASME B31.3 Table 302.3.4;
Determining weld joint quality factor may be part of an internal pressure problem since the joint factor Ej is used in the formulas for determining required thickness or internal design pressure.

 

3. INTERNAL PRESSURE / MINIMUM THICKNESS OF PIPE

The inspector should be able to determine:
    a) The minimum required thickness or pressure design thickness of a straight pipe section for internal pressure 

       only (ASME B31.3 Section 304.1.1 and 304.1.2);
    b) The minimum required thickness of a permanent blank for a given design pressure (ASME B31.3 Section 

       304.5.3);
    c) The "MAWP" of corroded pipe, compensating for expected corrosion loss at the next inspection (API 570, Par.,

       7.5)
The inspector should also be able to compensate for the corrosion allowance. (Add or subtract based on requirements from the exam problem).

 

4. PRESSURE TESTING

The inspector should be able to:
    a) Demonstrate knowledge concerning hydrostatic leak testing (ASME B31.3 Section 345.4)
    b) Demonstrate knowledge concerning pneumatic leak testing (ASME B31.3 Section 345.5)
    c) Calculate a hydrostatic or pneumatic leak test pressure (ASME B31.3 Sections 345.4, 345.5)

 

5. IMPACT TESTING

The inspector should be able to:
    a) Determine the minimum metal temperature of a material, which is exempt from impact testing (ASME B31.3, Section 323.2.2, Figure 323.2.2A & Table A-1).
    b) Determine the minimum required Charpy V-notch impact values of a given material. (ASME B31.3, Section 323.3, Table 323.3.5)

 

6. PREHEATING AND HEAT TREATMENT REQUIREMENTS

The inspector should be able to determine which weld sizes require preheating and/or heat treatment. The inspector also should be able to determine what is the required or recommended preheat temperature (ASME B31.3, Section 330 & Table 330.1.1).

 

7. THERMAL EXPANSION
The inspector should be able to determine the total thermal expansion of a material between temperatures (ASME B31.3, Appendix C, Table C-1).

 

8. MINIMUM WALL THICKNESS & WORKING PRESSURES FOR FLANGES
The inspector should be able to determine the minimum wall thickness and working pressure requirements for flanges. The inspector should also be able to:
    a) Determine the working pressure and minimum/maximum system hydrostatic test pressure for a flange of specified material and temperature (ASME B16.5, Par. 2. & Table 1A & Tables 2-1.1 through 2-3. 19 and Tables II-2.1.1 through II-2-3.19).
    b) Determine the minimum dimensions of a given flange (ASME B16.5 Tables 7 through 22 and Tables II-7through 22).
    c) Determine maximum working pressure of a flange when given the design temperature, flange material and flange class.
    d) Determine maximum temperature of a flange when given the design pressure, flange material and flange class.
    e) Determine most cost effective flange when given the design pressure, design temperature, and flange material.

 

9. MINIMUM REQUIRED THICKNESS OF A PERMANENT BLANK (ASME B31.3, Par. 304.5.3)

 

B. The following are the ASME B31.3 code engineering requirements that are excluded from the examination and that the API Authorized Piping Inspectors will NOT be expected to know for the purposes of certification testing.
  1. 302- Design criteria – (All except for 302.3.3 Casting Quality Factor, Ec, and 302.3.4, Weld Joint Quality Factor, Ej)
  2. 304.1.3- Straight Pipe Under External Pressure
  3. 304.2- Curved and Mitered Segments of Pipe
  4. 304.3- Branch Connections
  5. 304.4- Closures
  6. 304.5- Pressure Design of Flanges & Blanks (All except 304.5.3, Blanks)
  7. 304.6- Reducers
  8. 304.7- Pressure Design of Other Components
  9. 315- Tubing Joints
  10. 316- Caulked Joints
  11. 317- Soldered and Brazed Joints
  12. 318- Special Joints
  13. 319.4- Flexibility Analysis
  14. 319.5- Reactions
  15. 319.6- Calculation of Movements
  16. 319.7- Means of Increasing Flexibility
  17. 322.3- Instrument Piping
  18. Chap.VII- Nonmetallic Piping and Piping Lined With Nonmetals
  19. Chap.VIII- Piping for Category M Fluid Service
  20. Chap.IX- High Pressure Piping
  21. App.B- Stress Tables and Allowable Pressure Tables for Nonmetals
  22. App.D- Flexibility and Stress Intensification Factors
  23. App.E- Reference Standards
  24. App.G- Safeguarding
  25. App.H- Sample Calculations for Branch Reinforcement
  26. App.J- Nomenclature
  27. App.K- Allowable Stresses for High Pressure Piping
  28. App R - Use of Alternative Ultrasonic Acceptance Criteria
  29. App.X- Metallic Bellows Expansion Joints
  30. App.Z- Preparation of Technical Inquiries