BODY OF KNOWLEDGE

API 1169 PIPELINE CONSTRUCTION INSPECTOR

Through September 2021 exams

API 1169 Pipeline Construction Inspectors must have a broad knowledge base relating to construction of new onshore
pipeline construction. This knowledge base, at a minimum, includes such topics as inspector responsibilities, personnel and
general pipeline safety, environmental and pollution control, and general pipeline construction inspection. The API 1169
Pipeline Construction Inspector Certification Examination is designed to determine if applicants have such knowledge.

Candidates will be given three hours to complete the 115-question examination (100 scored, 15 not scored) on a computer.
Questions for the examination are multiple-choice and personal reference materials are not permitted to be brought into the
computer testing centers. US and Canadian government-based reference materials will be provided to all the candidates
during the exam on their computer monitors. Candidates may choose to use either set of references to answer all questions.
Please note that the keyword search function (Ctrl + F) is not available during the exam. Review the Exam Tutorial provided
on API’s website for further information regarding the operation of the PDF viewer. Please see page two of the API 1169
Effectivity Sheet for a complete list of the documents that will be available during the exam.

Please note: This exam has been reviewed and approved by Canadian experts for use by the Canadian pipeline industry.
When a reference has a Canadian equivalent, (for example API 1104 and CSA Z662-19), candidate may choose to study
either the American or Canadian reference(s) with the assurance that exam questions will focus on areas where the technical
content overlaps.

Please note that API has chosen to use certain standards and codes as representative of best practices within the pipeline
industry. Local regulations may differ and it is the responsibility of the pipeline inspector to know and understand the
applicable rules and regulations for the area where the pipeline project is undertaken. For this reason, some questions may
only be answered using US OSHA regulations (29 CFR 1910 and 29 CFR 1926). These questions are clearly identified in the
exam and will say “according to OSHA” in order that applicants will know to use the OSHA regulations provided during the
exam to answer these questions.

To determine whether the applicants have sufficient knowledge of inspection practices and related topics, a minimum of one
question from each main category listed within this Body of Knowledge will be included on the API certification
examination. Only information covered in one of the referenced materials listed in this body of knowledge will be utilized for
the examination questions.

Page 1 of 7
 REFERENCE PUBLICATIONS
API 1169, Basic Inspection Requirements – New Pipeline Construction
Entire document is subject to testing

API 1110, Pressure Testing of Steel Pipelines –

Entire document is subject to testing with exception of the appendices

API Q1, Specification for Quality Programs

ATTN: Test questions will only be based on the following portions of the document:
Section 3 - Terms, Definitions and Abbreviations
Section 4 - Quality Management System Requirements
Section 5 - Product Realization

ANSI Z49.1, Safety in Welding, Cutting, and Allied Processes

(http://www.aws.org/standards/page/ansi-z491)
ATTN: Test questions will only be based on the following portions of the document:
Chapter 4 - Protection of Personnel and the General Area
Chapter 5 - Ventilation
Chapter 6 - Fire Prevention and Protection
Chapter 8 - Public Exhibitions and Demonstrations

CEPA Foundation/INGAA Foundation, A Practical Guide for Pipeline Construction Inspectors

(http://www.ingaa.org/Foundation/Foundation-Reports/29158.aspx)
Entire document is subject to testing

CGA (Common Ground Alliance) Best Practices

(http://commongroundalliance.com/programs/best-practices)
Entire document is subject to testing

INGAA, Construction Safety Guidelines

• Natural Gas Pipeline Crossing Guidelines (http://www.ingaa.org/File.aspx?id=20405)
Section II - Definitions
• CS-S-9 Pressure Testing (Hydrostatic/Pneumatic) Safety Guidelines (http://www.ingaa.org/File.aspx?id=18981)
Entire document is subject to testing

ISO 9000 Quality Management Systems – Fundamentals and Vocabulary

ATTN: Test questions will only be based upon the Definitions

API 1104, Welding of Pipeline and Related Facilities OR CSA Z662-19, Oil and Gas Pipeline Systems
ATTN: Test questions will only be based on the following portions (http://shop.csa.ca/)
of the document: ATTN: Test questions will only be based on the following portions of
Section 3 - Terms, Definitions, Acronyms, and the document:
Abbreviations Chapter 1 - Scope
Section 4 - Specifications Chapter 2 - Reference publications and definitions
Section 5 - Qualifications of Welding Procedures with Chapter 4 - Design
Filler Metal Additions Chapter 6 - Transportation, handling, and installation
Section 6 - Qualification of Welders Chapter 7 - Joining
Section 7 - Design and Preparation of a Joint for Chapter 8 - Pressure testing
Production Welding Chapter 9 - Corrosion control
Section 8 - Inspection and Testing of Production Welds Chapter 10 - Operating, maintenance, and upgrading
Section 9 - Acceptance Standards for NDT
Section 10 - Repair and Removal of Weld Defects
Section 11 - Procedures for Nondestructive Testing (NDT)

Page 2 of 7
ATTN: The below references on pages 3 and 4 will be available to applicants during the exam. Only those articles and
sections specifically listed will be available to applicants. For simplicity purposes, API has extracted all the necessary pages
of the below listed regulations (both US and Canadian) and made a pdf version available for downloading on our website.
Applicants are encouraged to use the pdf version.

US References Canadian Equivalents

49 CFR 192, Transportation of Natural and Other Gas by
Pipeline: Minimum Federal Safety Standards:
Subpart A – General
Article 7
Subpart E – Welding of Steel in Pipelines
Subpart G – General Construction Requirements for
Transmission Lines and Mains
Subpart J – Test Requirements
Article 505
Subpart L – Operations
Article 614
Subpart M – Maintenance
Article 707
49 CFR 195, Transportation of Hazardous Liquids by Pipeline
Subpart A – General
Articles 2 & 3
Subpart D – Construction
Subpart E – Pressure Testing
Articles 302 & 310
Subpart F – Operations and Maintenance
Article 410
Safety
29 CFR 1910, Occupational Safety and Health Standards Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (COHS) : (F)
Subpart H – Hazardous Materials (http://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/sor-86-304/index.html)
Article 119 Part III - Temporary Structures and Excavations
Subpart I – Personal Protective Equipment Part IV - Elevating Devices
The Subpart I (Excluding Article 140 and Subpart I Part X - Hazardous Substances
Appendices) Part XI - Confined Spaces
Subpart J – General Environmental Controls Part XII - Safety Material, Equipment, Devices and Clothing
Articles 145-147 (Excluding Article Appendices) Part XIV - Materials Handling
Subpart N – Materials Handling and Storage Part XV - Hazardous Occurrence Investigation, Recording and
Article 184 Reporting
29 CFR 1926, Safety and Health Regulations for Construction: Part XIX - Hazard Prevention Program
Subpart C – General Safety and Health Provisions
Subpart D – Occupational Health and Environmental Controls
Article 62 (Excluding Article Appendices)
Subpart E – Personal Protective and Life Saving Equipment
Article 102
Subpart F – Fire Protection and Prevention
Article 152
Subpart H – Materials Handling, Storage, Use and Disposal
Articles 250 and 251
Subpart L – Scaffolds
Article 451
Subpart M – Fall Protection
Articles 500-501
Subpart O – Motor Vehicles, Mechanized Equipment and
Marine Operations
Article 601
Subpart P – Excavations
The entirety of Subpart P, Including Appendices
Subpart U – Blasting and the Use of Explosives
Articles 902 & 914
Subpart CC – Cranes & Derricks in Construction
Article 1417

Page 3 of 7
49 CFR 172, Hazardous Materials Table, Special Provisions Transport Canada, Transportation of Dangerous Goods
Hazardous Materials Communication, Emergency Response Regulations: (F)
Information, Training Requirements, and Security Plans: Part 1.4 - Definitions
Subpart B – Table of Hazardous Materials and Special Part 2 - Classification (excluding appendices 1 and 3 through 5)
Provisions Part 4 - Dangerous Goods Safety Marks
Article 101: Purpose and use of Hazardous Part 6 - Training
Materials Table (Excluding Article Appendices)
Environmental
33 CFR 321, Permits for Dams and Dikes in Navigable Waters Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (S.C. 1999, c.33):
of the United States (F)
Entire document is subject to testing Section 3 - Definitions
Section 64 - Toxic Substances
40 CFR 300, National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Section 65 - Definition of virtual elimination
Sections 90-94 - Regulation of Toxic Substances
Contingency Plan:
Sections 95-99 - Release of Toxic Substance
Subpart A – Introduction
Subpart E – Hazardous Substance Response
Fisheries and Oceans, Land Development Guidelines for the
Protection of Aquatic Habitat:
Section 3- Erosion and Sediment Control and Site Development Practices

Canada Water Act (R.S.C., 1985, c.C-11): (F)

Part II - Water Quality Management

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission: Office of Energy Canadian Energy Pipeline Association (CEPA), Pipeline
Projects Associated Watercourse Crossings, 4th Edition, November 2012
Wetland and Waterbody Construction and Mitigation (http://www.cepa.com/wp-
Procedures, May 2013. content/uploads/2014/01/FourthEdition_WatercourseCrossingManual_Nov201
(http://www.ferc.gov/industries/gas/enviro/procedures.pdf) 2.pdf)
Entire document is subject to testing Entire document is subject to testing with the exception of Section
2.2: Provincial and Territorial Jurisdictions
Upland Erosion Control, Revegetation, and Maintenance
Plan, May 2013.
(http://www.ferc.gov/industries/gas/enviro/plan.pdf)
Entire document is subject to testing

Migratory Bird Permits (50 CFR 21): Migratory Bird Convention Act, 1994 (S.C. 1994, c.22): (F)
Subpart B – General Requirements and Exceptions Section 4 – Purpose
Section 5 – Prohibitions
Section 6 – Administration
Section 12 – Regulations

33 USC Chapter 9: Protection of Navigable Waters and of Navigation Protection Act (R.S.C.,1985, c. N-22) (F)
Harbor and River Improvements Generally Section 2 – Definitions
Subchapter I – In General Sections 3-14 – Works
Articles 401,403, 403a, 404 & 407 Sections 21-26 – Deposit and Dewatering

Species at Risk Act (S.C. 2002, c. 29) (F)

Endangered 16 U.S.C. Sections 2 – Definitions
Species Act of Chapter 35 Sections 32- 36 – General Prohibitions
1973* Endangered Section 37 – Preparation – endangered or threatened species
Species* Section 38 – Commitments to be considered
Section 3 Definitions Section 1532 Section 39 – Cooperation with others
Determination of Sections 56-64 – Protection of Critical Habitat
Section 4 endangered species and Section 1533
threatened species
Section 7 Interagency Cooperation Section 1536
Section 9 Prohibited Acts Section 1538 Canadian documents with (F) listed next to their titles indicates that the
Section 10 Exceptions Section 1539 document is provided in both English and French during the exam. Please note
Section 12 Endangered Plants Section 1541 that not all documents have French translations.
* The Endangered Species Act and 16 U.S.C. Chapter 35 Endangered Species are interchangeable

Page 4 of 7
 Attention: All examination questions are based on the materials listed above.
The ASME Documents below are recommended for general knowledge but not required for the exam. All exam-
related information contained within ASME documents can also be found in API RP 1169 and CEPA/INGAA’s
Practical Guide for Pipeline Construction Inspectors

ASME B31.4, Pipeline Transportation Systems for Liquids and Slurries

ATTN: Test questions will only be based on the following portions of the document:
Chapter I - Scope and Definitions
Chapter II - Design
Chapter III - Materials
Chapter V - Construction, Welding, and Assembly
Chapter VI - Inspection and Testing
ASME B31.8, Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping Systems
ATTN: Test questions will only be based on the following portions of the document:
General Provisions and Definitions
Chapter I - Materials and Equipment
Chapter II - Welding
Chapter III - Piping System Components and Fabrication Details
Chapter IV - Design, Installation and Testing
Chapter VI - Corrosion Control

Page 5 of 7
EXAMINATION CONTENT BASED ON SPECIFIC AREAS OF KNOWLEDGE AND PROFICIENCIES

The inspector should be knowledgeable of general inspection responsibilities, requirements and expectations for pipeline
construction that enable him/her to effectively carry out their duties. The following is a list of topics that an applicant should
be familiar with and expect to be tested during the API 1169 Pipeline Construction Inspection exam:

1. Pipeline Construction Inspection/Management Knowledge Areas

o Quality assurance (records, measurement, documentation)

o Safety (basic site safety, roles and responsibilities)
o Environmental (permits, SWPPP, BMP’s, etc.)
o Training and Qualifications

2. Front-end Construction

o Survey & Staking

o Line Locating
o ROW Clearing/Grading
− Alignment sheets (e.g., extra workspace, PI locations, special conditions)
− Specifications (e.g., width, right of way, grubbing, topsoil segregation)
− Permits (e.g., road crossing, road access, railroad, encroachment)
− Special landowner requirements (e.g., line list)
− Written and/or electronic reporting

3. Installation Construction

o Stringing
− Materials identification (e.g., pipe grade, wall thickness, coating, heat and pipe number)
− Materials defects / condition
− Handling requirements (e.g., lifting, loading and unloading, equipment, stacking, securing)
− Pipe tally / pipe placement (e.g., placed per alignment drawings, seam locations)
− Specifications (e.g., minimum equipment requirements)
− Written electronic reporting (e.g., stringing distances and skips, number of joints)
o Bending
− Pipe ovality and wrinkles (e.g., CFR192)
− Proper bending equipment (e.g., liners, mandrels, shoes, angle measurement)
− Specifications (e.g., bending requirements, tangents, maximum angles, seam alignments, coating or
metal damage)
− Written electronic reporting (e.g., bend location, as built)
o Welding/NDE
− Specifications, qualified procedures, qualified personnel, documentation, material/consumable control,
testing (equipment and products)
o Trenching
o Crossings/Drills
− Specifications, clearances, type of bores, voids, crossing agreements/permits, cased vs. uncased
crossings, pipe condition
o Coating
− Specifications, qualified procedures, qualified personnel, documentation, material/consumable control,
testing (equipment and products)
o Padding/Lowering in
− Proper equipment (e.g., lifting, cradles, slings)
− Specifications (e.g., spacing, location in ditch, depth, ditch preparation, sandbag placement, benching)
− Lifting plans (e.g., boom spacing, lift height, boom size, number of booms)

Page 6 of 7
 − Written / electronic Reporting (e.g., amount, damage, holiday detection)
o Tie-ins
− Specifications (e.g., alignment, OQ)
− Written / electronic reporting (e.g., location, amount)
− Material identification (e.g., pipe number, heat number, cutoff length)
− Material Placement (e.g., transition, pipe support)

4. Back-end Construction

o Cathodic Protection
− Alignment sheets (e.g., location, type, length)
− Specifications (e.g., connection, wire size, anode ground beds, size, length, location)
− Written / electronic reporting (e.g., location, amount, as-builts, type)
o As-built Survey
− Redline drawings, alignment sheets showing final as built conditions, dimensions, and characteristics
of the pipeline (e.g., weld maps/logs, NDE maps/logs, PI/POT locations, depth of cover, test leads,
material and coating information)
o Backfill
− Proper equipment (e.g., type, padding requirements, rock shield, erosion control, weights)
− Padding pipe (e.g., depth, material size, compaction, foam)
− Specifications (e.g., padding amount, material size, bench spacing, compaction, crown)
− Written / electronic reporting (e.g., quantity and location)
− Buoyancy control (e.g., types, installation, spacing, documentation)
o ROW Clean-up/ Restoration
− Alignment sheets (e.g., special conditions, mile marker placement, re-vegetation, bank stabilization)
− Landowner requirements (e.g., damages, special conditions, fences, restoration)
− Equipment (e.g., LGP, decompaction, seeding)
o Hydrostatic Testing
− Horizontal drilling process, drilling fluids, drill path/profile, geotechnical studies, pull force, radius of
curvature, entry/exit points, entry/exit angles)
− Testing, gauge plate inspections, deformation
o Pigging (Cleaning/Drying)

5. Post-Construction

o Line List close out

o Final completion assessment/Punch out
o Turn over to Operations

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