API 570 Piping Inspection Code

1. What is considered an alteration in a piping system?

a. Comparable or duplicate replacement
b. Addition of a reinforced branch connection equal to or less than the size of
existing ones
c. Addition of branch connections not requiring reinforcement
d. A physical change affecting the pressure containing capability or flexibility
beyond the scope of its design

2. What does ASME B31.3 primarily address?

a. Safety protocols for piping systems
b. Design and construction of piping systems
c. Inspection and maintenance of piping systems
d. Environmental impact of piping systems

3. Which of the following is NOT an authorized inspection agency?

a. The inspection organization of the jurisdiction in which the piping system is
used
b. An insurance company licensed to write insurance for piping systems
c. An independent inspection organization employed by the piping system
manufacturer
d. An owner or user of piping systems who maintains an inspection organization
for activities relating only to his equipment

4. What is defined as corrosion under insulation (CUI)?

a. Rusting of the outer surface of piping
b. Corrosion including stress corrosion cracking under insulation
c. Erosion due to fluid flow inside the pipe
d. Corrosion due to external environmental conditions

5. What is the maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP) of a piping system?

a. The highest pressure the piping system can handle during an emergency
b. The maximum internal pressure permitted for continued operation at the
most severe condition expected during service
c. The pressure at which the piping system was originally tested
d. The pressure at which the piping system normally operates
6. Which term refers to a point in the repair or alteration process where work cannot
proceed until inspection is performed?
a. Injection point
b. Indication
c. Hold point
d. Design point

7. What does NDE stand for in the context of piping systems?

a. Nominal Diameter Examination
b. Nondestructive Examination
c. Normal Design Evaluation
d. Non-Destructive Evaluation

8. Who is an examiner in the context of piping inspections?

a. A person qualified to evaluate the results of NDE in accordance with API 570
b. A person assisting the inspector by performing specific NDE on piping system
components
c. An authorized piping inspector
d. An owner or user of piping systems who maintains an inspection organization

9. What does the term 'deadlegs' refer to in a piping system?

a. Sections of piping with significant flow
b. Components of a piping system that normally have no significant flow
c. Piping sections with high fluid velocity
d. Sections of piping that are redundant and not in use

10. Which of the following is NOT a function of primary process piping?

a. Being valved off without significantly affecting unit operability
b. Conveying fluids in normal, active service
c. Supporting secondary process piping
d. Significantly affecting unit operability if valved off

11. Who is authorized to make repairs in accordance with API 570?

a. Any individual with a general engineering degree
b. An individual authorized by and acceptable to the jurisdiction
c. Only certified welding inspectors
 d. Any construction worker

12. What does rerating involve according to API 570?

a. A complete replacement of the piping system
b. A change in the design temperature or the maximum allowable working
pressure
c. Only an increase in the maximum allowable working pressure
d. A change in the external coating of the piping system

13. What is considered small-bore piping (SBP) in API 570?

a. Piping that is greater than NPS 2
b. Piping that is less than or equal to NPS 2
c. Piping that is less than NPS 4
d. Piping that is greater than NPS 1

14. What is the typical range for the soil-to-air interface where external corrosion may
occur?
a. From 6 inches above to 12 inches below the soil surface
b. From 6 inches below to 12 inches above the soil surface
c. From 12 inches above to 6 inches below the soil surface
d. From 12 inches below to 6 inches above the soil surface

15. What are temporary repairs in the context of API 570?

a. Repairs that restore integrity permanently
b. Repairs made to continue safe operation until permanent repairs are
scheduled
c. Repairs that are made without inspection
d. Repairs that are only applicable to non-critical piping systems

16. According to API 570, who is responsible for developing and implementing the piping
inspection systems and procedures?
a. The piping engineer
b. The repair organization
c. The owner/user organization
d. The authorized piping inspector

17. Who must authorize and approve inspection and test results in an owner/user
organization according to API 570?
 a. Any staff member
b. The authorized piping inspector
c. Only external contractors
d. The maintenance team

18. What is the function of an API-authorized piping inspector during inspections,

repairs, or alterations of piping systems?
a. Supervising welding operations
b. Determining that the requirements of API 570 on inspection, examination,
and testing are met
c. Designing new piping systems
d. Conducting financial audits

19. What should a risk-based inspection (RBI) assessment include according to API 570?
a. Only the likelihood of failure
b. Only the consequence of failure
c. A systematic evaluation of both the likelihood and consequence of failure
d. Only the historical data of previous inspections

20. Before conducting an inspection, what safety precaution is mentioned in API 570?
a. Inspectors must review the API 574 section
b. Procedures for segregating piping systems and installing blanks (blinds)
c. Inspectors must only wear protective equipment
d. Inspection personnel must complete a financial audit

21. What is the recommended upstream limit for an injection point circuit during
inspection?
a. 6 inches or two pipe diameters upstream of the injection point, whichever is
greater
b. 12 inches or three pipe diameters upstream of the injection point, whichever
is greater
c. 18 inches or four pipe diameters upstream of the injection point, whichever is
greater
d. 24 inches or five pipe diameters upstream of the injection point, whichever is
greater

22. What is the preferred method for inspecting injection points?

a. Radiography and/or ultrasonics
b. Visual inspection only
 c. Magnetic particle testing
d. Dye penetrant testing
23. Which type of piping system is particularly aggressive for corrosion under insulation
(CUI)?
a. Carbon steel piping systems operating between 25°F-250°F (-4°C-120°C)
b. Stainless steel piping systems operating between 100°F-200°F (38°C-93°C)
c. Aluminum piping systems operating below 50°F (10°C)
d. Copper piping systems operating above 300°F (149°C)

24. Which area is more susceptible to corrosion under insulation (CUI)?

a. Areas exposed to rain and water leaks
b. Areas exposed to direct sunlight
c. Areas exposed to high wind speeds
d. Areas with low ambient temperatures

25. What type of corrosion occurs at high-velocity and high-turbulence areas?

a. Pitting corrosion
b. Galvanic corrosion
c. Erosion/corrosion
d. Crevice corrosion

26. Which inspection method is recommended for identifying localized

corrosion/erosion?
a. Ultrasonic scanning, radiographic profile, or eddy current
b. Visual inspection only
c. Magnetic particle testing
d. Dye penetrant testing

27. Which locations are common for corrosion under insulation (CUI) to occur?
a. Penetrations or breaches in the insulation jacketing systems
b. Areas of piping with no insulation
c. Piping located in arid climates
d. Piping systems with excellent insulation

28. What action should be taken if significant corrosion is noted at the soil-to-air
interface?
a. Perform thickness measurements and possibly excavation
b. Ignore and monitor during the next inspection
c. Paint over the corroded area
 d. Replace the entire piping system

29. What should be done with deadlegs that serve no further process purpose?
a. Leave them as they are
b. Remove them
c. Paint them for protection
d. Insulate them further

30. Which type of piping system is susceptible to chloride stress corrosion cracking?
a. Austenitic stainless steel piping systems operating between 150°F-400°F
(65°C-204°C)
b. Carbon steel piping systems operating below 50°F (10°C)
c. Copper piping systems operating above 300°F (149°C)
d. Aluminum piping systems operating between 200°F-300°F (93°C-149°C)

31. What is a primary cause of chloride SCC in austenitic stainless steels?

a. Exposure to polythionic acid
b. Exposure to caustic substances
c. Exposure to moisture and chlorides
d. Exposure to high temperatures

32. Which of the following NDE methods is used to detect fatigue cracking?
a. Liquid-penetrant testing (PT)
b. Ultrasonic testing (UT)
c. Radiographic testing
d. Acoustic emission testing

33. What is a common consequence of freeze damage in piping systems?

a. Hydrogen blistering
b. Embrittlement
c. Expansion and failure due to frozen fluids
d. Sensitization of metals

34. What type of environmental cracking can be caused by exposure to wet hydrogen
sulfide?
a. Polythionic acid SCC
b. Caustic SCC
c. Hydrogen blistering and hydrogen-induced cracking (HIC)
d. Amine SCC
35. Which method is NOT typically used for detecting creep cracking?
a. Magnetic-particle testing
b. Liquid-penetrant testing
c. Ultrasonic testing
d. Internal visual inspection

36. What type of inspection is generally NOT performed on piping systems?

a. Thickness measurement inspection
b. Internal visual inspection
c. External visual inspection
d. Vibrating piping inspection

37. Which of the following conditions can lead to brittle fracture in piping systems?
a. High temperatures
b. Low temperatures
c. Cyclic stress
d. Exposure to caustic substances

38. What should be checked during an external visual inspection of a piping system?
a. Internal corrosion
b. Thickness of internal linings
c. Condition of insulation systems
d. Internal stress levels

39. What is a typical inspection method for detecting separation and bulging of
refractory linings?
a. Radiographic testing
b. Visual inspection
c. Acoustic emission testing
d. Liquid-penetrant testing

40. Which environmental factor accelerates creep cracking in piping systems?

a. Low temperatures
b. Cyclic stress
c. Low humidity
d. Constant static load
41. What should operating personnel report to engineering or inspection personnel for
assessment?
a. Routine maintenance activities
b. Vibrating or swaying piping
c. Installation of new equipment
d. Daily operational logs

42. What types of testing should be considered at junctions where vibrating piping
systems are restrained?
a. Radiographic testing
b. Ultrasonic testing
c. Magnetic-particle testing or liquid-penetrant testing
d. Acoustic emission testing

43. What inspections can be scheduled as appropriate or necessary for piping systems?
a. Periodic use of radiography and thermography
b. Visual inspections only
c. Leak detection through manual methods
d. Inspection for new installations

44. What is the main purpose of Thickness Measurement Locations (TMLs)?

a. To monitor the color of the piping system
b. To measure the thickness of the insulation
c. To inspect specific areas along the piping circuit for thickness measurements
d. To determine the length of the piping system

45. What should be considered when selecting TMLs?

a. The potential for localized corrosion and service-specific corrosion
b. The color of the piping system
c. The type of insulation used
d. The temperature of the surroundings

46. What should be done if a piping system has a high potential for corrosion?
a. Reduce the number of TMLs
b. Increase the frequency of thickness measurements
c. Eliminate TMLs
d. Ignore the corrosion potential
47. Which method is usually the most accurate for obtaining thickness measurements on
installed pipe larger than NPS 1?
a. Radiographic profile techniques
b. Ultrasonic thickness measuring instruments
c. Visual inspection
d. Magnetic-particle testing

48. What factors can contribute to reduced accuracy of ultrasonic measurements?

a. Proper instrument calibration
b. Smooth surface of the piping
c. Subsurface material flaws
d. Clean external surface

49. What should be the test fluid for pressure tests under normal conditions?
a. Air
b. Water
c. Oil
d. Steam

50. What precaution should be taken when a pressure test is maintained for a period of
time and the test fluid is subject to thermal expansion?
a. Avoid using any test fluid
b. Maintain the same pressure throughout the test
c. Take precautions to avoid excessive pressure
d. Use only pneumatic pressure tests

51. During a pressure test, if the test pressure will exceed the set pressure of the safety
valve, what should be done with the safety relief valves?
a. Leave them as they are
b. Increase the load on the valve spring
c. Remove or blank them
d. Turn the adjusting screw to add additional load

52. When valves are dismantled for servicing and repair, what should the shop be
attentive to?
a. The color of the valve
b. Any unusual corrosion patterns or thinning
 c. The age of the valve
d. The size of the valve
53. What should be done with appurtenances like gage glasses, pressure gages, and
rupture disks that cannot withstand the test pressure?
a. Leave them in place
b. Remove or blank them
c. Increase their pressure tolerance
d. Ignore them

54. Which method is not recommended for holding down the valve disk during a
pressure test?
a. Using a suitably designed test clamp
b. Removing the valve
c. Blanking the valve
d. Turning the adjusting screw to add additional load

55. If block valves are used to isolate a piping system for a pressure test, what must be
ensured?
a. The valves are new
b. The seat pressure does not exceed permissible limits
c. The valves are painted
d. The valves are open

56. After a pressure test is completed, what should be done with the pressure relief
devices and other appurtenances?
a. They should be discarded
b. They should be left in their test configuration
c. They should be reinstalled or reactivated
d. They should be tested again

57. What should be done if a piping system component fails due to incorrect material
substitution?
a. Ignore it
b. Replace only the failed component
c. Consider further verification of existing piping materials
d. Increase the system pressure

58. How should critical check valves be inspected to ensure they stop flow reversals?
a. By external visual inspection only
 b. By ensuring the flapper is free to move without excessive looseness
c. By checking the valve color
d. By checking the manufacturing date

59. What should be checked during the inspection of flanged joints?

a. The size of the flanges
b. The temperature of the flanges
c. Evidence of leakage such as stains, deposits, or drips
d. The age of the flanges

60. When conducting an inspection of welds in-service, what should be done if

imperfections are detected?
a. Ignore them
b. Immediately replace the welds
c. Use further inspection with radiography and/or ultrasonics
d. Lower the operating pressure

61. What is the purpose of categorizing process piping systems into different classes?
a. To increase the cost of inspection
b. To focus extra inspection efforts on systems with the highest potential
consequences
c. To reduce the number of inspections required
d. To simplify the classification process

62. Which of the following is an example of Class 1 piping?

a. On-site hydrocarbons that will slowly vaporize during release
b. Anhydrous hydrogen chloride
c. Distillate and product lines to and from storage and loading
d. On-site strong acids and caustics

63. What is included in Class 2 piping services?

a. Flammable services that may auto-refrigerate
b. Hydrogen, fuel gas, and natural gas
c. On-site hydrocarbons that will not significantly vaporize during release
d. Piping over or adjacent to water

64. Which class includes services that are flammable but do not significantly vaporize
when they leak and are not located in high-activity areas?
a. Class 1
 b. Class 2
c. Class 3
d. Class 4

65. What criteria should be used to establish and maintain the interval between piping
inspections?
a. Corrosion rate and remaining life calculations
b. Piping service classification
c. Applicable jurisdictional requirements
d. All of the above

66. According to the document, external visual inspections, including inspections for
corrosion under insulation (CUI), should be conducted at what intervals?
a. Daily
b. Monthly
c. Maximum intervals listed in Table 6-1
d. Annually

67. What should be considered when establishing various inspection intervals for piping
systems?
a. General corrosion
b. Localized corrosion
c. Environmental cracking
d. All of the above

68. What is required if the inspection of damaged or suspect areas locates significant
CUI?
a. Stop all operations immediately
b. Inspect up to 100 percent of the circuit
c. Increase the interval between inspections
d. Replace the entire piping system

69. Which of the following piping systems need not be included for the NDE inspection
recommended in Table 6-2 if they have a remaining life of over 10 years or are
adequately protected against external corrosion?
a. Piping systems insulated effectively to preclude the entrance of moisture
b. Hydrogen sulfide (greater than 3 percent weight) in a gaseous stream
c. Pressurized services that may rapidly vaporize during release
d. On-site hydrocarbons that will slowly vaporize during release
70. What factor should be considered when selecting Threaded-Connections for
inspection?
a. Only those that can be ultrasonically tested
b. Only those that can be radiographed during scheduled inspections
c. Only those that can be visually inspected
d. Only those that are part of primary systems

71. What is one of the potential causes of fatigue damage in threaded connections?
a. High pressure
b. Corrosion
c. Magnitude and frequency of vibration
d. Temperature changes

72. Which class of piping has the recommended maximum inspection interval of 5 years
for both thickness measurements and visual external inspection?
a. Class 1
b. Class 2
c. Class 3
d. Injection points

73. What is the recommended follow-up examination with NDE or insulation removal at
areas with damaged insulation for Class 1 piping after visual inspection?
a. 25%
b. 50%
c. 75%
d. 10%

74. How is the remaining life of a piping system calculated?

a. tactual - tminimum
b. tminimum - corrosion rate
c. tactual - corrosion rate
d. tminimum / corrosion rate

75. Which method can be used to determine the probable corrosion rate for newly
installed piping systems if no comparable data is available?
a. Owner/user’s experience
b. Data from published sources
 c. Corrosion monitoring devices
d. All of the above
76. How should the short-term corrosion rate of piping circuits be calculated?
a. tlast - tinitial
b. tinitial - tlast
c. tprevious - tlast
d. tlast / tprevious

77. What is the estimated corrosion loss by the date of the next inspection if the
observed corrosion rate is 0.01 in./yr and the next inspection is planned in 5 years?
a. 0.05 in.
b. 0.07 in.
c. 0.10 in.
d. 0.12 in.

78. If the MAWP calculation shows 450 psig for a planned inspection in 7 years, what
should be done?
a. Extend the inspection interval
b. Maintain the inspection interval
c. Reduce the inspection interval or renew the piping before the seventh year
d. Increase the operating pressure

79. What code is referenced for calculating the Maximum Allowable Working Pressure
(MAWP)?
a. ASME B31.1
b. ASME B31.3
c. API 570
d. API 650

80. What should be considered when determining the minimum required pipe wall
thickness?
a. Pressure and temperature considerations
b. Pressure, mechanical, and structural considerations
c. Only pressure considerations
d. Only mechanical considerations

81. How should locally thinned areas be evaluated according to the provided text?
a. Using visual inspection
b. Using finite element analysis or ASME B31G
 c. By replacing the entire pipe section
d. By applying a temporary patch
82. What is a key requirement for authorizing alteration work on a piping system?
a. Only the piping engineer’s approval is needed
b. The inspector must authorize the work
c. No authorization is needed for minor alterations
d. The repair organization can authorize itself

83. What is required for welding repairs of cracks that occurred in service?
a. Immediate welding without consultation
b. Prior consultation with the piping engineer
c. Approval from any available inspector
d. Application of a temporary repair patch

84. How should significant increases in corrosion rates be handled?

a. Ignored until the next inspection cycle
b. Reported to the owner/user for appropriate action
c. Managed with temporary repairs only
d. Addressed by reducing the operating pressure

85. What must be included in the records of each piping system according to API 570?
a. Only inspection intervals and inspection results
b. Pertinent data, inspection intervals, and testing results
c. Maintenance costs and inspection intervals
d. Only documents related to repairs and alterations

86. What should be done when unexpected movement of a piping system is observed?
a. Continue operation without concern
b. Immediately replace the affected pipe section
c. Discuss observations with the piping engineer and consider a stress analysis
d. Increase the frequency of visual inspections

87. Under what condition can temporary repairs remain in place for a longer period?
a. If approved and documented by the piping engineer
b. If the repair organization deems it safe
c. If the inspector provides a verbal approval
d. If the repair is not causing any immediate issues
88. What must be done before making permanent repairs to a corroded area in piping?
a. Prepare a welding groove and fill it with weld metal
b. Apply a bolted leak clamp
c. Perform a visual inspection only
d. Use a temporary patch until the next maintenance cycle

89. What is essential for temporary on-stream repairs of locally thinned sections?
a. Welding a new section over the thinned area
b. Installing a properly designed bolted leak clamp
c. Using a temporary adhesive patch
d. Reducing the operating pressure by half

90. What should be done in accordance with the principles of ASME B31.3 during repair
and alteration welding?
a. Ignore the welding procedures
b. Conduct welding without any inspection
c. Perform all welding in accordance with the code to which the piping system
was built
d. Use unqualified welders for repairs

91. What is the minimum preheat temperature recommended for making welding
repairs according to the applicable code?
a. 150°F (65°C)
b. 200°F (93°C)
c. 300°F (150°C)
d. 400°F (204°C)

92. What is required after welding is completed if practical and deemed necessary by the
inspector?
a. Visual inspection only
b. Pressure test
c. No testing required
d. Aesthetic evaluation

93. Which of the following must be maintained while welding to ensure safety?
a. Preheat of at least 200°F (93°C)
b. A 100% visual inspection
c. Preheat of 300°F (150°C) or higher
d. No specific temperature requirements
94. What must be done if rerating a piping system by changing the temperature rating or
the MAWP?
a. No calculations are needed
b. Current inspection records must verify the piping system is satisfactory
c. Rerating can be done without inspector approval
d. All components must be replaced regardless of their condition

95. What type of survey can be performed to locate active corrosion points on buried
piping?
a. Above-grade visual surveillance
b. Close-interval potential survey
c. General maintenance survey
d. Aesthetic survey

96. What is the purpose of a pipe coating holiday survey?

a. To evaluate the aesthetic appearance of the pipe
b. To locate coating defects on buried coated pipes
c. To assess the temperature rating of the pipe
d. To verify the pressure of the piping system

97. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a requirement for welding procedures
and welder qualifications?
a. Qualified in accordance with ASME B31.3
b. Maintained records of welding procedures
c. Subject to random inspections
d. Available to the inspector prior to the start of welding

98. What is the purpose of determining coating effectiveness and the rate of coating
deterioration?
a. To enhance the aesthetic appearance of pipelines
b. To predict corrosion activity and forecast coating replacement
c. To increase the length of pipelines
d. To determine the cost of materials

99. Which method is recommended for measuring soil resistivity according to ASTM
G57?
a. Single-Pin Method
 b. Wenner Four-Pin Method
c. Two-Pin Method
d. Three-Pin Method

100. How often should the owner/user survey surface conditions on and adjacent to each
pipeline path?
a. Annually
b. Monthly
c. Every 6 months
d. Every 3 years

101. What should be done if a leak is detected during a leak test?

a. Ignore the leak
b. Visually inspect the piping externally and/or inspect internally to find the leak
c. Increase the pressure in the system
d. Wait for the next scheduled inspection

102. According to Table 9-1, what is the inspection interval for buried piping with a soil
resistivity of less than 2,000 ohm-cm?
a. 5 years
b. 10 years
c. 15 years
d. 20 years

103. Which criteria must be met for coating repairs on buried piping?
a. The coating must be bright in color
b. The coating must be easy to apply
c. The coating must have sufficient adhesion, ductility, and strength
d. The coating must be waterproof only

104. What is required when performing welded repairs on buried piping?

a. The repairs should be made in accordance with Section 8.2
b. The repairs can be done without any guidelines
c. Only temporary fixes are allowed
d. The repairs should be visually inspected only

105. How should the location of temporary clamps be recorded?

a. It can be noted verbally
b. It should be logged in the inspection record and marked on the surface
c. No records are needed
d. It should be recorded only when a major inspection occurs
 ANSWERS
1. d 27. a 53. b
2. b 28. a 54. d
3. c 29. b 55. b
4. b 30. a 56. c
5. b 31. c 57. c
6. c 32. d 58. b
7. b 33. c 59. c
8. a 34. c 60. c
9. b 35. a 61. b
10. d 36. d 62. b
11. b 37. b 63. c
12. b 38. c 64. c
13. b 39. b 65. d
14. a 40. d 66. c
15. b 41. b 67. d
16. c 42. c 68. b
17. b 43. a 69. a
18. b 44. c 70. d
19. c 45. a 71. c
20. b 46. b 72. b
21. a 47. b 73. c
22. a 48. c 74. c
23. a 49. b 75. d
24. a 50. c 76. c
25. c 51. c 77. c
26. a 52. b 78. c
79. b 81. b 83. b
80. b 82. b 84. b
85. b
86. c
87. a
88. a
89. b
90. c
91. b
92. b
93. c
94. b
95. b
96. b
97. c
98. b
99. b
100. a
101. b
102. a
103. c
104. a
105. b