ASME B31.

3-2016

within a specified extent of welding. For girth, miter, 344.7 In-Process Examination
and branch groove welds the minimum requirement is
344.7.1 Definition. In-process examination com-
(1) for sizes ≤DN 65 (NPS 21⁄2), a single elliptical
prises examination of the following, as applicable:
exposure encompassing the entire weld circumference
(a) joint preparation and cleanliness
(2) for sizes >DN 65, the lesser of 25% of the inside
(b) preheating
circumference or 152 mm (6 in.)
(c) fit-up, joint clearance, and internal alignment prior
For longitudinal welds the minimum requirement is
to joining
152 mm (6 in.) of weld length.
(d) variables specified by the joining procedure,
344.6 Ultrasonic Examination including filler material
(1) (for welding) position and electrode
344.6.1 Method. Examination of castings is covered (2) (for brazing) position, flux, brazing tempera-
in para. 302.3.3; other product forms are not covered. ture, proper wetting, and capillary action
Ultrasonic examination of welds shall be performed in (e) (for welding) condition of the root pass after clean-
accordance with BPV Code, Section V, Article 4, except ing — external and, where accessible, internal — aided
that the alternative specified in (a) and (b) below is by liquid penetrant or magnetic particle examination
permitted for basic calibration blocks specified in when specified in the engineering design
T-434.2.1 and T-434.3. (f) (for welding) slag removal and weld condition
(a) When the basic calibration blocks have not between passes
received heat treatment in accordance with T-434.1.5, (g) appearance of the finished joint
transfer methods shall be used to correlate the responses
from the basic calibration block and the component. 344.7.2 Method. The examination is visual, in
Transfer is accomplished by noting the difference accordance with para. 344.2, unless additional methods
between responses received from the same reference are specified in the engineering design.
reflector in the basic calibration block and in the compo-
nent and correcting for the difference. 345 TESTING
(b) The reference reflector may be a V-notch (which
must subsequently be removed), an angle beam search 345.1 Required Leak Test
unit acting as a reflector, or any other reflector that will Prior to initial operation, and after completion of the
aid in accomplishing the transfer. applicable examinations required by para. 341, each pip-
(c) When the transfer method is chosen as an alterna- ing system shall be tested to ensure tightness. The test
tive, it shall be used, at the minimum shall be a hydrostatic leak test in accordance with
(1) for sizes ≤DN 50 (NPS 2), once in each 10 welded para. 345.4 except as provided herein.
joints examined (a) At the owner ’s option, a piping system in
(2) for sizes >DN 50 and ≤DN 450 (NPS 18), once Category D fluid service may be subjected to an initial
in each 1.5 m (5 ft) of welding examined service leak test in accordance with para. 345.7, in lieu
(3) for sizes >DN 450, once for each welded joint of the hydrostatic leak test.
examined (b) Where the owner considers a hydrostatic leak test
(d) Each type of material and each size and wall thick- impracticable, either a pneumatic test in accordance with
ness shall be considered separately in applying the trans- para. 345.5 or a combined hydrostatic-pneumatic test in
fer method. In addition, the transfer method shall be accordance with para. 345.6 may be substituted, recog-
used at least twice on each type of weld joint. nizing the hazard of energy stored in compressed gas.
(e) The reference level for monitoring discontinuities (c) Where the owner considers both hydrostatic and
shall be modified to reflect the transfer correction when pneumatic leak testing impracticable, the alternative
the transfer method is used. specified in para. 345.9 may be used if both of the follow-
ing conditions apply:
(16) 344.6.2 Acceptance Criteria. Acceptance criteria (1) a hydrostatic test would
shall be as described in (a) or (b). (a) damage linings or internal insulation
(a) A linear-type discontinuity is unacceptable if the (b) contaminate a process that would be hazard-
amplitude of the indication exceeds the reference level ous, corrosive, or inoperative in the presence of moisture
and its length exceeds (c) require significant support modifications for
(1) 6 mm (1⁄4 in.) for T w ≤ 19 mm (3⁄4 in.) the hydrostatic test load or
(2) T w /3 for 19 mm < T w ≤ 57 mm (21⁄4 in.) (d) present the danger of brittle fracture due to
(3) 19 mm (3⁄4 in.) for T w > 57 mm (21⁄4 in.) low metal temperature during the test
(b) The fracture mechanics ultrasonic acceptance cri- (2) a pneumatic test would
teria in Appendix R may be used if all requirements of (a) present an undue hazard of possible release
Appendix R are met. of energy stored in the system or
 ASME B31.3-2016

(b) present the danger of brittle fracture due to 100% ultrasonic examination in accordance with
low metal temperature during the test para. 344.6.
(d) Unless specified in the engineering design, lines (d) Instrument Connections. Threaded joints, tubing
open to the atmosphere, such as vents or drains down- joints, or a combination of these joints used to connect
stream of the last shutoff valve, need not be leak tested. instruments to previously leak tested piping need not
be leak tested in accordance with para. 345.1.
345.2 General Requirements for Leak Tests (e) See also Appendix F, para. F345.2.3.
Requirements in para. 345.2 apply to more than one
345.2.4 Externally Pressured Piping (16)
type of leak test.
(a) Except as provided in (b) below, piping systems
(16) 345.2.1 Limitations on Pressure subject to external pressure shall be tested at an internal
(a) Reduced Test Pressure. If the test pressure would gage pressure 1.5 times the external differential pressure,
produce a circumferential or longitudinal stress (based but not less than 105 kPa (15 psi).
on minimum pipe wall thickness) in excess of yield (b) As an alternative to leak testing under internal
strength at test temperature or is greater than 1.5 times pressure, piping systems designed for vacuum service
the component rating at test temperature, the test pres- only may be subjected to a vacuum leak test method,
sure may be reduced to the maximum pressure that will technique, and acceptance criteria specified by the
not exceed the lesser of the yield strength or 1.5 times owner. The vacuum leak test shall be performed follow-
a component rating at test temperature. [See ing a written procedure complying with the applicable
paras. 302.3.2(e) and (f).] For metallic bellows expansion technical requirements of the BPV Code, Section V,
joints, see Appendix X, para. X302.2.3(a). Article 10. Leak-testing personnel shall be qualified and
(b) Test Fluid Expansion. If a pressure test is to be certified as required by Section V, Article 1, T-120(e)
maintained for a period of time and the test fluid in the or (f).
system is subject to thermal expansion, precautions shall
345.2.5 Jacketed Piping
be taken to avoid excessive pressure.
(a) The internal line shall be leak tested on the basis
(c) Preliminary Pneumatic Test. A preliminary test
of the internal or external design pressure, whichever
using air at no more than 170 kPa (25 psi) gage pressure
is critical. This test must be performed before the jacket
may be made prior to hydrostatic testing to locate
is completed if it is necessary to provide visual access
major leaks.
to joints of the internal line as required by para. 345.3.1.
345.2.2 Other Test Requirements (b) The jacket shall be leak tested in accordance with
(a) Examination for Leaks. The leak test pressure shall para. 345.1 on the basis of the jacket design pressure
be maintained for at least 10 min and then all joints unless otherwise specified in the engineering design.
and connections shall be examined for leaks. The test
pressure may be reduced to not less than the design 345.2.6 Repairs or Additions After Leak Testing. If
pressure while performing this examination. repairs or additions are made following the leak test, the
affected piping shall be retested, except that for minor
(b) Heat Treatment. Leak tests shall be conducted after
repairs or additions the owner may waive retest require-
any heat treatment has been completed.
ments when precautionary measures are taken to assure
(c) Low Test Temperature. The possibility of brittle frac-
sound construction.
ture shall be considered when conducting leak tests at
metal temperatures near the ductile-brittle transition 345.2.7 Test Records. Records shall be made of each
temperature. piping system during the testing, including
(16) 345.2.3 Special Provisions for Testing (a) date of test
(a) Piping Components and Subassemblies. Piping com- (b) identification of piping system tested
ponents and subassemblies may be tested either sepa- (c) test fluid
rately or as assembled piping. (d) test pressure
(b) Flanged Joints. Flanged joints used to connect pip- (e) certification of results by examiner
ing components and subassemblies that have previously These records need not be retained after completion
been tested, and flanged joints at which a blank or blind of the test if a certification by the Inspector that the
is used to isolate equipment or other piping during a test, piping has satisfactorily passed pressure testing as
need not be leak tested in accordance with para. 345.1. required by this Code is retained.
(c) Closure Welds. The final weld connecting piping
345.3 Preparation for Leak Test
systems or components that have been successfully
tested in accordance with para. 345 need not be leak 345.3.1 Joints Exposed (16)
tested provided the weld is examined in-process in (a) Except as provided in (b) and (c) below, all joints,
accordance with para. 344.7 and passes with 100% radio- welds (including structural attachment welds to pres-
graphic examination in accordance with para. 344.5 or sure-containing components), and bonds shall be left
 ASME B31.3-2016

uninsulated and exposed for examination during leak 345.3.4 Limits of Tested Piping. Equipment that is
testing. not to be tested shall be either disconnected from the
(b) Joints previously tested in accordance with this piping or isolated by blinds or other means during the
Code may be insulated or covered. test. A valve may be used provided the valve (including
(c) At the owner’s option, joints in Category D Fluid its closure mechanism) is suitable for the test pressure.
Service that are subject to a hydrostatic leak test
345.4 Hydrostatic Leak Test
(para. 345.4) or an initial service leak test (para. 345.7)
may be insulated and have protective weather sheathing 345.4.1 Test Fluid. The fluid shall be water unless
installed prior to leak testing. Consideration shall be there is the possibility of damage due to freezing or to
given to increasing the test period to allow time for adverse effects of water on the piping or the process
possible leakage to pass through the insulation and (see para. F345.4.1). In that case another suitable non-

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weather sheathing. toxic liquid may be used. If the liquid is flammable, its
(d) All joints may be primed and painted prior to flash point shall be at least 49°C (120°F), and consider-
leak testing unless a sensitive leak test (para. 345.8) is ation shall be given to the test environment.
required. 345.4.2 Test Pressure. Except as provided in (16)
345.3.2 Temporary Supports. Piping designed for para. 345.4.3, the hydrostatic test pressure at every point
vapor or gas shall be provided with additional tempo- in a metallic piping system shall be as follows:
rary supports, if necessary, to support the weight of test (a) not less than 1.5 times the design pressure.
liquid. (b) when the design temperature is greater than the
test temperature, the minimum test pressure, at the point
345.3.3 Piping With Expansion Joints under consideration, shall be calculated using eq. (24).
(a) Unrestrained expansion joints depend on external
PT p 1.5 PST/S (24)
main anchors to resist pressure thrust forces. Except as
limited in para. 345.3.3(c), a piping system containing
where
unrestrained expansion joints shall be leak tested with-
P p internal design gage pressure
out any temporary restraints in accordance with
PT p minimum test gage pressure
para. 345 up to 150% of the expansion joint design pres-
S p allowable stress at component design tempera-
sure. If the required test pressure exceeds 150% of the ture for the prevalent pipe material; see
expansion joint design pressure and the main anchors Table A-1 or Table A-1M
are not designed to resist the pressure thrust forces at ST p allowable stress at test temperature for the
the required test pressure, for that portion of the test prevalent pipe material; see Table A-1 or
when the pressure exceeds 150% of the expansion joint Table A-1M
design pressure, the expansion joint shall either be tem-
porarily removed or temporary restraints shall be added (c) in those cases where the piping system may not
to resist the pressure thrust forces. include pipe itself, any other component in the piping
(b) Self-restrained metallic bellows expansion joints system, other than pipe-supporting elements and bolt-
(i.e., tied, hinged, pressure balanced, etc.) have restraint ing, may be used to determine the ST/S ratio based on the
hardware designed to resist the pressure thrust forces. applicable allowable stresses obtained from Table A-1 or
Except as limited in para. 345.3.3(c), a piping system Table A-1M. In those cases where the piping system may
containing self-restrained expansion joints shall be leak be made up of equivalent lengths of more than one
tested in accordance with para. 345. A self-restrained material, the ST/S ratio shall be based on the minimum
expansion joint previously shop tested by the manufac- calculated ratio of the included materials.
turer in accordance with Appendix X may be excluded 345.4.3 Hydrostatic Test of Piping With Vessels as a
from the system to be leak tested, except when a sensi- System 3
tive leak test in accordance with para. 345.8 is required. (a) Where the test pressure of piping attached to a
Restraint hardware for all types of expansion joints shall vessel is the same as or less than the test pressure for
be designed for the pressure thrust forces at the test the vessel, the piping may be tested with the vessel at
pressure. the piping test pressure.
(c) When a metallic bellows expansion joint is (b) Where the test pressure of the piping exceeds the
installed in the piping system subject to a leak test and vessel test pressure, and it is not considered practicable
the leak test pressure determined in accordance with to isolate the piping from the vessel, the piping and the
para. 345 exceeds the pressure of the test performed by vessel may be tested together at the vessel test pressure,
the manufacturer in accordance with Appendix X, the
required leak test pressure shall be reduced to the manu- 3
The provisions of para. 345.4.3 do not affect the pressure test
facturer’s test pressure. requirements of any applicable vessel code.
 ASME B31.3-2016

provided the owner approves and the vessel test pres- 345.7.3 Examination for Leaks. The examination for
sure is not less than 77% of the piping test pressure leaks required by para. 345.2.2(a) shall be conducted
calculated in accordance with para. 345.4.2(b). while the system is at operating pressure. It is permissi-
ble to omit examination for leaks of joints and connec-
345.5 Pneumatic Leak Test tions previously tested in accordance with this Code.
345.5.1 Precautions. Pneumatic testing involves
the hazard of released energy stored in compressed gas. 345.8 Sensitive Leak Test
Particular care must therefore be taken to minimize the The test shall be the Bubble Test — Direct Pressure
chance of brittle failure during a pneumatic leak test. Technique in accordance with the BPV Code, Section V,
Test temperature is important in this regard and must Article 10, Appendix I or another leak test method that
be considered when the designer chooses the material has a demonstrated sensitivity not less than
of construction. See para. 345.2.2(c) and Appendix F, 10−3 std ml/s under test conditions.
paras. F323.4 and F345.5.1. When the Bubble Test — Direct Pressure Technique
345.5.2 Pressure Relief Device. A pressure relief is used
device shall be provided, having a set pressure not (a) the test pressure shall be at least the lesser of
higher than the test pressure plus the lesser of 345 kPa 105 kPa (15 psi) gage or 25% of the design pressure.
(50 psi) or 10% of the test pressure. (b) the pressure shall be gradually increased until a
gage pressure equal to the lesser of one-half the test
345.5.3 Test Fluid. The gas used as test fluid, if not pressure or 170 kPa (25 psi) is attained, at which time
air, shall be nonflammable and nontoxic. a preliminary check shall be made. Then the pressure
(16) 345.5.4 Test Pressure. The test pressure shall be shall be gradually increased in steps until the test pres-
not less than 1.1 times the design pressure and shall not sure is reached, the pressure being held long enough at
exceed the lesser of each step to equalize piping strains.
(a) 1.33 times the design pressure
(b) the pressure that would exceed 90% of the pressure 345.9 Alternative Leak Test
described in para. 345.2.1(a) The following procedures and leak test method may be
345.5.5 Procedure. The pressure shall be gradually used only under the conditions stated in para. 345.1(c).
increased until a gage pressure that is the lesser of one-
345.9.1 Examination of Welds. Welds, including
half the test pressure or 170 kPa (25 psi) is attained, at
those used in the manufacture of welded pipe and fit-
which time a preliminary check shall be made, including
tings, that have not been subjected to hydrostatic or
examination of joints in accordance with para. 341.4.1(a).
pneumatic leak tests in accordance with this Code, shall
Thereafter, the pressure shall be gradually increased in
be examined as follows:
steps until the test pressure is reached, holding the pres-
(a) Circumferential, longitudinal, and spiral (helical
sure at each step long enough to equalize piping strains.
seam) groove welds shall be 100% radiographed in
The pressure shall then be reduced to the design pressure
accordance with para. 344.5 or 100% ultrasonically
before examining for leakage in accordance with
examined in accordance with para. 344.6.
para. 345.2.2(a).
(b) All welds, including structural attachment welds,
345.6 Hydrostatic-Pneumatic Leak Test not covered in (a) above, shall be examined using the
liquid penetrant method (para. 344.4) or, for magnetic
If a combination hydrostatic-pneumatic leak test is
materials, the magnetic particle method (para. 344.3).
used, the requirements of para. 345.5 shall be met, and
the pressure in the liquid filled part of the piping shall 345.9.2 Flexibility Analysis. A flexibility analysis
not exceed the limits stated in para. 345.4.2. of the piping system shall have been made in accordance
with the requirements of para. 319.4.2 (b), if applicable,
345.7 Initial Service Leak Test or (c) and (d).
This test is applicable only to piping in Category D
Fluid Service, at the owner’s option. See para. 345.1(a). 345.9.3 Test Method. The system shall be subjected
to a sensitive leak test in accordance with para. 345.8.
345.7.1 Test Fluid. The test fluid is the service fluid.
345.7.2 Procedure. During or prior to initial opera-
tion, the pressure shall be gradually increased in steps 346 RECORDS
until the operating pressure is reached, holding the pres-
346.2 Responsibility
sure at each step long enough to equalize piping strains.
A preliminary check shall be made as described in It is the responsibility of the piping designer, the manu-
para. 345.5.5 if the service fluid is a gas or vapor. facturer, the fabricator, and the erector, as applicable, to
 ASME B31.3-2016

prepare the records required by this Code and by the

(16) 346.3 Retention of Records