It wasn’t too long ago that I walked onto a refinery job site that Precision Pipe was supply equipment to. At this site I saw an interesting event about to transpire. A welder who was not associated with our company was getting ready to light a torch next to a vessel we had just delivered the day before. It appeared to me that he intended to cut into the vessel. Surprised to be seeing this, I quickly made my way over to him to see what he was doing. He informed me that the construction manager (from a well respected and large engineering firm) instructed him to make a modification to the pressure vessel as a solution to a piping problem. I asked him to stand by for a second so that we could discuss with plant manger the implications his modifications might have.
The welder became rather irritated with me and informed me he had his directions and he intended to follow them. For those of you that are unfamiliar with the ASME code, let me explain the implications of this kind of modification in the ASME code world. First, if the welder had actually brought his torch to the shell of the vessel he would have undone the ASME certification on that vessel. In other words the vessel would have no longer been a certified ASME pressure vessel and the customer would have wasted several thousands of dollars on that pressure vessel. As the manufacturer I would have been required to remove the name plate from that vessel the moment I saw the flame come into contact with it. Second, that vessel would have no longer been acceptable to use on the job site as it was being implemented at a refinery in an ASME mandatory site and State. Lastly, Precision would have likely had to of retaken possession of that vessel, repair it according to ASME standards, re-certify and qualify the vessel as meeting the ASME code. The vessel would have also required a second name plate identifying it as an “R” or “Repaired” pressure vessel.
The reality of the situation was, the construction manager was under immense pressure to complete the project and at that point he was willing to cut corners. What he didn’t anticipate was getting caught in a major blunder which would have added greater delays and expense to his project. Anything worth doing is worth doing right and this is especially true for engineered products like ASME vessels. Knowing what the proper proceeders are for welding and modifying an ASME pressure vessel is imperative. In this situation, the only way to modify the vessel is following the ASME code by using a qualified ASME shop with an “R” stamp. Any welding or cutting on an ASME pressure vessel must be performed by a qualified shop that is in good standing with the National Board. The pressure vessel will have to be reinspected by a third party authorized inspector and may need to have X-ray and hydrostatic testing to keep the ASME certification and name plate.
As an ASME qualified shop we encourage anyone to use us or another code shop as a resource to answer any question you may have on qualifications, modifications, and inspection of ASME pressure vessels, Heat Exchanger, or Boiler’s. We would rather take a few minutes to understand and explain what your options are according to the code then risk an accident or injury . In addition, if we can simply answer your question this a a free service we offer to any prospective customer. If you are a plant manager and you are unsure if you can use any certified welder? Give us a call and we can walk you though what it takes to maintain your ASME certifications. If you have an ASME pressure vessel, Heat Exchanger, or Boiler that needs work or an addition of a nozzle or coupling. Call us we can tell you what you must do to add the new components in a safe and code qualified manner.
As it turns out I was able to get the welder to wait a minute. Explaining to him the consequences of his modification calmed him down long enough to bring in the decision makers. The plant manager, the construction manager (having tucked his tail between his legs), and I all discussed the changes that were necessary and it was ultimately decided a ‘T’ in the process piping was the most effective work around for the problem. Having an ASME specialist onsite that day saved thousands of dollars, countless hours, and potentially the integrity of the plants operational safety in the future. Don’t be shy to email or call us or any other ASME qualified shop to discuss your project or equipment with ASME name plates. Your local rig welder or fabrication
shop may be good, they may be able, they may even have a piece of paper that say’s they are certified to make a weld. However, it is imperative you at least speak with a shop that is ASME qualified before you make any welds on a certified ASME pressure vessel.
Precision Pipe and Vessel 