Study guide for 2013 API 570 exams – 179 questions

1. Pressure applied inside a pipe creates stress in the pipe wall. These stresses are
highest on which weld orientation?

Longitudinal weld

2. Per B31.3, how much RT is conducted on circumferential welds of a pipe in normal

service?

10%

3. For welded pipe, the normal thickness of under-tolerance is?

.010 or 10 mils

4. The corrosiveness of soils can be determined by measuring the soils:

Resistivity

5. When qualifying a weld procedure the essential variables must:

Be recorded on both the WPS & PQR

6. In severe refinery services which type of pipe is normally used?

Seamless pipe

7. A pipe has a thickness designation of "40S". What does the "S" mean?

Stainless steel

8. Generally socket-welded pipe is not used for nominal pipe sizes above:

2 inches

9. A propane piping system should be classified as?

Class 1

10. According to ASME/ANSI B16.5 flanges from plate materials can only be used for:

Blind flanges

11. Preheat should never be substituted for PWHT if:

The PWHT was used to prevent environmental cracking.

12. During welding, non-essential variables:

Must be recorded only on the WPS and must be followed by the welder.

13. During a hydro-test, all joints should be:

Left un-insulated

14. ASME/ANSI B16.5 requires flanges to be:

Marked with the class rating.

15. Graphitization of carbon steels begins to occur when metal temperatures exceed:

800°F

16. During pipe fabrication who has overall responsibility for compliance with the
code?

The owner/user

17. Who has the responsibility to determine the extent of PMI (Positive Material
Identification) performed?

The owner/user

18. An in-service process pipe should be classified as Class 1 when the % of H2S
exceeds:

3%

19. A welder becomes unqualified when he has not welded in:

6 months

20. A PQR test coupon with a shell thickness of "T" can generally be used to qualify a
wall thickness on the WPS up to.

2T

21. A pressure test is always required:

Whenever the authorized inspector believes one is necessary

22. When can radiography not be used to qualify a welder?

When using the GMAW process with the short circuit mode
23. Generally, raised face flanges should have a surface finish of:

125-250 micro-inches

24. During a direct visual exam of a pipe weld, the minimum light intensity should be:

100 foot candles

25. Describe the 3G welding test position.

Vertical groove Weld

26. Seal welding pipe threads:

May be used to prevent leaks

27. Liquid thermal relief valves should be set at a pressure not higher than:

120 %

28. When fabricating pipe, unknown materials:

Should never be used (except for door stops)

29. The material verification program specified by API 578 covers:

Only pressure containing components.

30. What is the interval for thickness measurements on a class 1 piping system?

Lesser of 5 years or half-life of the pipe

31. According to B31.3, a welder's qualification records from a previous employer can:

Be accepted if the inspector approves

32. When welding together piping components of different thicknesses, the thicker
part should be trimmed with a:

30 degree taper.

33. When performing soil-to air inspections on uncoated lines, it is recommended to

excavate the soil:

6-12 inches.

34. When performing preheat prior to welding or PWHT, the preheat zone and/or
PWHT must extend how far beyond the edge of the weld?

1 inch
35. Flange bolts are unacceptable if the bolt threads do not extend:

Inside the nut within 1 thread of the nut face

36. Carbon steel materials are most likely to be incorrectly substituted in:

A chrome steel piping system.

37. Per B31.3 how much of the fabrication should be visually examined for a pipe in
severe cyclic service:

100 %

38. When calibrating a UT instrument, that has a delay line with single element unit,
use:

At least 2 test blocks with thicknesses near the max and min to be examined.

39. During pipe repairs, which welding discontinuity is always unacceptable?

Cracks and Inadequate fusion

40. What do you call a groove in the parent metal at the toe of a weld?

Undercut

41. The RT procedure used for a pipe repair must conform to the requirements of:

ASME Section V

42. What is the minimum holding time for all pressure tests on piping?

10 mins

43. When a relief device or valve is removed for repair, the inspector should:

Inspect the inside of the inlet and outlet piping where the valve was removed.

44. Thickness measurements are suggested at pipe fittings since:

Directional changes generally create increased turbulence and corrosion.

45. Flange leaks in certain fluids can cause:

Bolts to crack and corrode

46. Heat Tracing could cause cracking in carbon steel piping which is in:

Caustic service
47. Excessive repairs to pump bearings may be a result of:

Thermal growth

48. Loose or broken anchor bolts at pipe supports are most easily detected by:

Hammer testing

49. A pneumatic pressure test is to be conducted on a Normal Service piping system.

During pipe erection, how many of the joint assemblies should be examined?

100 %

50. During a pipe repair, preheat is substituted for the required PWHT. What is the
minimum preheat temperature.

300°

51. Minimum time an examiner should be in a darkened area prior to using a black
light when performing MT & PT exam

5 min

52. The corrosion rate for newly installed piping systems or for changes in service must
be established. API 570 provides three methods of determination probable corrosion
rates for these conditions.

API 570 paragraph 7.1.2

53. Minimum duration of hydro test to evaluation integrity of a buried pipe

8hr

54. Maximum time before obtaining thickness readings when corrosion rate on new
pipe is not known (no other data available)

3 months

55. Maximum time that a welder maintains qualifications for a welding process without
using that process

6 months

56. Suggested interval for above-grade visual surveillance of buried pipe

6 months

57. Maximum interval for a visual examiner's eye check

1 year
58. Length of time before an API 570 inspector must recertify

6 years

59. Maximum thickness Inspection interval for injection point

Lesser 3 years or Half life

60. Maximum External Inspection interval for Class 1 & 2 Piping

5 years

61. Suggested interval - Close interval Potential Survey of buried pipe w/ poor CP

5 years

62. Suggested interval for evaluation of soil corrosivity of buried pipe w/o CP

5 years

63. Corrosion rates on existing piping systems shall be calculated on either a short-
term or a long-term basis. How is the short-term corrosion rate calculated?

Readings from the two most recent inspections shall be used. API 570 paragraph 7.1.3

64. Maximum inspection interval for clean/non fouling service PRD's

10 years

65. Maximum external inspection interval for Class 3 piping

10 years

66. Maximum thickness Inspection interval for Class 2 & 3 piping:

The lesser of 10 years or half-life of the pipe.

67. When should temporary pipe repairs be replaced?

Next opportunity

68. When shall temporary leak sealing devices be removed and pipe repaired?

Next turnaround

69. When performing a visual exam, the minimum angle of eye to part

30°
70. Hole size that must be visible in RT when using Hole-type IQI

2T

71. Maximum allowed thickness on a WPS based on the plate thickness (T) of a PQR
coupon

2T

72. Minimum light intensity when performing VT, MT, or PT exam

100 foot-candles

73. Lead letter used during RT to check for backscatter

74. Lead letter used during RT to indicate a film-side IQI

75. Two primary gamma ray radiation sources

Iridium & Cobalt

76. Two most common CS pipe materials

A 53 & A 106

77. Maximum stress allowed during a pressure test

90% of SMYS (Specified Minimum Yield Strength)

78. pH of hydro test water needed to reduce likelihood of MIC

>10

79. Maximum allowed SMYS (Specified Minimum Yield Strength) for pipe if fillet welded
patch is installed

40,000 psi

80. Typical external corrosion rate for dry rural environment

<1 mpy

81. Code to follow when performing an internal inspection on pipe

API 510
82. Code for PMI (positive material identification)

API 578

83. Code for FFS (Fitness for Service)

API 579

84. Code for RBI (Risk Based Inspection)

API 580

85. Code for Valve Inspection and testing

API 598

86. Code for Cathodic Protection

API 651

87. Code for Welding on In-Service equipment containing flammables (hot tapping)

API 2201

88. Code for NDE procedures guidelines

ASME Section V

89. Design code for fabrication of piping relief devices

ASME section VIII

90. Code for Welder qualification

ASME Section IX

91. Code for Weld procedure qualification

ASME Section IX

92. NDE personnel qualification

ASNT SNT-TC-1A

93. Materials subject to temper-embrittlement

Low Alloy Chromes

94. Materials subject to chloride stress corrosion cracking

300 series Stainless Steel

95. Which material must use low chloride hydro test water & must be died after hydro
test?

300 series Stainless Steel

96. What material is subject to polytheonic acid stress corrosion cracking?

Sensitized 300 SS

97. Materials where preheat can be substituted for PWHT

P1 & P3

98. Mill tolerance of seamless pipe

"-12.5%"

99. Corrosion rates on existing piping systems shall be calculated on either a short-
term or a long-term basis. How is the long-term corrosion rate calculated?

Wall thicknesses from the most recent and initial (or nominal) inspections shall
be used. API 570 paragraph 7.1.1

100. What does the "L" mean in Austenitic SS, like 304 L?

Low Carbon

101. What does the "H" mean in Austenitic SS, like 316 H?

High Carbon

102. The following is not a Ferritic Steel

300 series Stainless Steel

103. Low alloy steels can contain up to how much chrome?

9%

104. The following is an Austenitic SS

316 series Stainless Steel

105. The following is a Ferritic SS

405 series Stainless Steel

106. The following is a martensitic SS

410 series Stainless Steel

107. Nickel alloys are what % nickel?

30%

108. True or False - A Brittle Fracture grows very rapidly with minimum deformation
prior to failure.

True

109. Which material is least affected by Brittle Fracture?

300 series Stainless Steel

110. Resistance to Brittle Fracture is called:

Toughness

111. What increases the likelihood of brittle fracture?

Large grain size & thicker materials

112. What test is used to determine a material’s toughness?

Charpy Impact Test

113. Most Brittle Fractures occur:

Below the impact transition temperature

114. ASME Section VIII had few limitations concerning Brittle Fracture prior to:

1987

115. A 4" thick 5 chrome vessel operates at 1200 psig and 900°F. When is the vessel
lest likely to fail from Brittle Fracture?

During normal operation

116. Most brittle fractures appear as:

Cleavage
117. The calculations for maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP) for known
materials shall be as provided for in ASME B31.3 or the code to which the piping was
designed and fabricated (applicable code). What information is not required to be
available and comply with the principles of the applicable code?

The name of the original manufacturer API 570, Paragraph 7.2

118. When the MAWP is recalculated for piping systems of unknown materials, what
information is used?

The lowest grade material and joint efficiency in the applicable code.
API 570, Paragraph 7.2

119. When recalculating MAWP of piping systems for continued use, what thickness is
used?

The actual thicknesses determined by inspection minus twice the estimated

corrosion loss before the date of the next inspection. API 570, Paragraph 7.2

120. Limits of soil to air area distance in air away from interface

6 inches

121. Distance to dig when inspecting for soil to air corrosion

6-12 inches

122. What is the limit of soil to air area distance in soil away from interface?

12 inches

123. Minimum length of buried pipe to expose when excavating for inspection

6-8 feet

124. Minimum downstream limit of injection point circuit

Lesser of 1st directional change +25 feet or 2nd directional change

125. Change of an identical item, owing to corrosion + MAWP increased for the whole
system is called?

Repair and re-rating

126. True or False - The minimum required pipe wall thickness, or retirement
thickness, is based solely on pressure.

False API 570 paragraph 7.3

127. Which dimension stays the same regardless of the wall schedule thickness?

Outside Diameter

128. ASME code for valves

B16.34

129. Preferred inspection method for injection points

RT and/or UT

130. Important requirement of Material verification program

Documented Roles and responsibilities

131. PMI stands for

Positive Material Identification

132. % of Material examination for high risk piping system with likely material mix-up.

100%

133. What are the most common material non-conformances with serious
consequences?

Low Alloy steel pipe replaced by Carbon steel pipe

134. Piping most involved in material mix-up

Bypass piping, small diameter (≤2NPS) piping, valves and bolts.

135. Material most susceptible to brittle fracture

Ferritics CS & Low Alloy SS

136. Effect of T on Soil corrosion rate

Corrosion Increases with Increase in T

137. What indicates internal CO2 corrosion

Smooth grooving of pipe wall

138. Material with highest resistance to sulfidation

18/8 SS
139. Two main types of Environmental cracking:

Caustic stress corrosion cracking and Caustic embrittlement

140. Modes of GMAW (Gas metal arc weld):

Globular, short circuit, and spray transfer.

141. Welding process where filler rod is added by hand:

GTAW (Gas tungsten arc welding)

142. Advantage of GTAW (Gas tungsten arc welding):

Best control of weld pooling

143. Welding process which can be automated:

SAW (Submerged arc welding)

144. Welding process with no creation of slag:

GMAW (Gas Metal Arc Welding) and GTAW (Gas Tungsten Arc Welding)

145. Flux type for low hydrogen use with SAW (Submerged arc welding):

Agglomerated

146. Electrode for SMAW (Shielded metal arc weld) for low hydrogen application:

Basic

147. What type of weld for flush insert patches can be used in corroded areas?

Penetration groove weld

148. To evaluate the effects of fire damage, FFS evaluation should be performed in
accordance with:

API 579, section 11

149. What should be done when unexpected movement of a piping system is observed?

The inspector should discuss these observations with the piping engineer and
evaluate the need for conducting a piping stress analysis.
API 570, Paragraph 7.5
150. What considerations do fillet welded patches require?

Weld joint efficiency & Crevice corrosion

151. Who approves Welding procedures qualified by others?

The Inspector

152. If there is no conformation to ASME IX filler metal must be approved by...

Owner/User

153. PQR using a S number qualifies...

Both S-number and P-number Materials

154. What welding process cannot be qualified by radiography?

GMAW (short circuit mode)

155. Maximum flange size covered by B16.5

NPS 24

156. Piping stress analysis can identify the most highly stresses components in a piping
system and predict thermal movement. Where can this information be used to
enhance the inspection effort?

To concentrate inspections at locations prone to fatigue and/or creep damage

API 570, Paragraph 7.5

157. Guides, added to control vibration, must be checked to insure they do not:

Restrict thermal expansion API 570, Paragraph 7.5

158. What type of records is the owner/user required to maintain according to API
570?

Permanent and progressive records API 570, Paragraph 7.6.1

159. Where should wall thickness on dead legs be monitored by the inspector?

This inspection should include both the stagnant end and the connection to an
active line API 574, 7.4.3

160. In a hot tapping system, the high point area may corrode. Why is that?

Corrosion may take place at the high point area of deadlegs in hot piping
systems due to convective currents set up in deadleg. API 574, 7.4.3
161. Corrosion under insulation (CUI) is a serious problem. What should be done to
determine the possibility of this condition existing?

Inspect the integrity of the insulation system for conditions that could lead to
CUI. API 574, 7.4.4

162. What are the most common forms of corrosion under insulation?

Localized corrosion of carbon steel and chloride stress corrosion cracking of

austenitic stainless steels. API 574, 7.4.4

163. Corrosion under insulation is very aggressive where operating temperatures cause
frequent condensation and re-evaporation of moisture. For carbon steel piping systems,
what operating temperature range would be considered most susceptible?

Between 10°F and 350°F API 574, 7.4.4.1(e)

164. Carbon steel piping that operates above what temperature intermittently should
be inspected for CUI?

350°F API 574, 7.4.4.1(f)

165. What operating temperature range would be considered most susceptible to

chloride stress corrosion cracking in austenitic stainless steel piping?

Between 120°F and 400°F API 574, 7.4.4.1 (h)

166. API 574 discusses other areas of possible moisture ingress that may be causes by
the actual inspection of the piping systems. Where would these areas be?

Locations where insulation plugs were removed to permit piping thickness

measurements API 574, 7.4.4.2

167. Buried piping, without adequate cathodic protection should be included in

scheduled external inspections. What area is to be inspected during these scheduled
external inspections?

The soil-to-air interface shall be included in the external inspection schedule.

API 574, 7.4.5

168. When is it necessary to inspect for corrosion beneath the surface before resealing
the joint?

If the buried piping system is over 10 years old, and the caulking or seal at the
interface has deteriorated. API 574, 7.4.5
169. Mixed grades of carbon steel piping in hot corrosive oil service are susceptible to
service specific and localized corrosion above what temperature and oil sulfur
content?

450°F or higher and sulfur content in the oil greater than 0.5% by weight.
API 574, 7.4.6.2(j)

170. The removal of surface material by the action of numerous individual impacts of
solid or liquid particles is a definition of:

Erosion API 574, 7.4.7

171. A combination of corrosion and erosion results in greater metal loss than would
be expected by either corrosion or erosion alone. What three areas should be
inspected for this type of deterioration?

Downstream of control valves, downstream of pump discharges, and

downstream of orifices. API 574, 7.4.7 (a)(b)(c)

172. When making repairs and alterations to piping systems covered by API 570, what
standards must be followed?

ASME B31.3 or the Code to which the piping system was built. API 570, 8.1.1

173. Who must authorize any repair or alteration work, prior to commencement of the
work?

The inspector API 570, 8.1.2

174. With regard to alteration work, who must the inspector consult with prior to
giving authorization?

The piping engineering API 570, 8.1.2

175. Can the inspector give prior general authorization for limited or routine repair
activities?

Yes, provided the inspector is satisfied with the competency of the repair
organization. API 570, 8.1.2

176. Who must approve all proposed methods of design, execution, materials, welding
procedures, examination, and testing?

The inspector or the piping engineer API 570, 8.1.3

177. Whose approval for on-stream welding is required?

The owner/user API 570, 8.1.3

178. In order to determine the cause and provide corrective action, welding repairs of
cracks that occurred in-service should not be attempted without consultation with:

The piping engineer API 570, 8.1.3

179. What are the restrictions to repairing longitudinal cracks with the full
encirclement or box enclosure method?

The piping engineer must determine the crack will not propagate from under
the sleeve. API 570, 8.1.4.1