API 570 Piping Inspector Preparatory Course

MOCK EXAM — CLOSED BOOK

1. Which of the following are least likely to have corrosion under insulation (CUI)?

a. Areas subject to process spills, moisture, and/or acid vapors

b. Areas exposed to mist from cooling towers
c. Piping systems that operate above 250º F
d. Areas exposed to steam vents

2. Which of the following is typical deterioration that can take place on the external
surfaces of pipes?

a. CUI
b. Caustic embrittlement
c. Erosion
d. All of the above

3. Temporary repairs of locally thinned sections or circumferential linear defects

may be made on-stream by installing a properly designed and fabricated bolted
leak clamp. What would this activity be termed as?

a. Welding repair (on-stream)

b. Permanent repair
c. Non-welding repair (on-stream)
d. Hot tapping

4. Following inspection data is available for a piping circuit.

Minimum required thickness = 0.422 in

Actual thickness measured = 0.512 in
Long term corrosion rate = 0.018 in / year

Remaining life for this circuit will be

a. 5.0 years
b. 4.5 years
c. 6.0 years
d. Data is insufficient to calculate remaining life

5. Piping classifications (class 1, 2, 3) in API 570 will respectively mean,

a. Low, medium and high pressure pipes

b. High, medium, low pressure pipes
 c. Low, medium, high level of inspection to be performed
d. High, medium, low level of inspection to be performed

6. Inspection records contain the following information for a particular

thickness measurement location (TML) in a return bend:

Thickness Year
0.500 0
0.425 5
0.400 10

On the basis of the information above, the long-term corrosion rate for the location is:

a. 1 ½ mils per year

b. 5 mils per year
c. 10 mils per year
d. 100 mils per year

7. For thickness measurement of pipes NPS1 and smaller. NDT technique employed would
be:

a. Ultrasonic technique
b. Radiographic profile technique
c. Anyone is OK
d. None are OK

8. Identify one of the following alternatives that is suggested by API 570 to

determine the Maximum allowable Working Pressure for an unknown material

a.Assume the lowest grade material and lowest joint efficiency in the applicable
code and calculate the MAWP.
b.Do not risk doing the calculation
c.Contact and external design expert to calculate the MAWP.
d.Cut a portion of the piping and contact mechanical testing to determine the
Tensile Strength

9. Post weld heat treatment is carried out

a. To increase Hardness
b. To increase Tensile strength

c. To release locked-up stresses in the weld and improve ductility

d. None of the above

10. The external surfaces of vessels should be examined not only for corrosion but
also for

a. Leaks
b. Cracks
c. Buckles
d. All of the above
11. If probable corrosion rates can not be determined on-stream determinations shall
be made approximately

a. within 6 months of service

b. within 3 months of service
c. within 1 months of service
d. None of the above

12. Which of the following make pipe system most susceptible to CUI?

a. Painted pipes operating at 150º F

b. Insulated pipes operating at 150º F
c. Projections as penetrations in “a”
d. Projections as penetrations in “b”

13. In case of piping requiring PWHT Pressure test is conducted

a. Before PWHT
b. After PWHT and before painting
c. After PWHT and painting
d. Anytime is okay

14. Freeze damage can occur in case of which of the following fluids:

a. Water only
b. Oil only
c. Water and aqueous solutions
d. None of the above

15. Thickness monitoring during periodic measurements is taken at:

a. Same TMLS as used in previous inspection

b. New TMLS only
c. Either same or new are okay
d. Depends on opinion of inspector

16. For calculating MAWP of Piping Circuit which is put in service the wall
thickness used in computations is:

a. Actual thickness as determined by inspection.

b. Actual thickness minus the estimated corrosion loss before the date of
next inspection
c. Actual thickness minus twice the estimated corrosion loss before the date
of next inspection
d. None of the above
17. “Actively Engaged” as an authorized piping inspector means some minimum
time as percentage of most recent 3 years shall be spent on piping inspection.
This minimum period is:

a. 25%
b. 50%
c. 20%
d. 40%

18. Table 6-2 of API 570 standard gives extent of CUI inspection following the visual
inspection, which is applicable to:

a. Entire insulated area

b. Areas with damaged insulation
c. Suspect areas within susceptible temperature
d. b and c

19. As per API 570 for bolted flanged joints, bolts and nuts are considered as
acceptably engaged if the lack of complete engagement is:

a. Not more than two threads

b. Not more than one thread
c. Bolts and nuts are engaged at least 50% of threads in the nuts
d. Bolts shall completely extend through nuts

20. Basic construction code referred in API 570 is

a. ASME Sec. VIII DIV 1

b. ASME Sec. IX
c. ASME B 31.1
d. ASME B 31.3

21. A radiographic technique in which radiation passes through two walls and both
the walls are viewed on the same radiograph (double wall, double image –
ellipse) the limitation for the outside diameter is

a. 3 ½”
b. 2”
c. 4”
d. Any diameter possible

22. For a typical “injection point pipe circuit” starts upstream of injection point from a
distance of

a. 3 times pipe diameter or 12 inches which ever is greater

b. 2 times pipe diameter or 12 inches which ever is greater
c. Fixed 12 inches irrespective of pipe diameter
d. None of the above

23. After applying the developer the examiner checked four welds for surface defects
after following period, weld A – After 5 minute, weld B after 10 minutes, weld C
 was checked after 30 minutes and welds D after 65 minutes which of the welds
were checked wrongly

a.Weld A and B
b.Weld C and D
c.Weld D only
d.Weld A and D

24. For MT examination by Prod technique the spacing between prods shall be
between

a. 4 inch to 12 inch
b. 4 inch to 10 inch
c. 3 inch to 10 inch
d. 3 inch to 8 inch

25. API 570 was developed for the petroleum refining and chemical
process industries.

a) It shall be used for all piping systems.

b) It may be used, where practical, for any piping system.
c) It can be used, where necessary, for power piping.
d) It may not be used unless agreed to by all parties.

26. The __________ shall be responsible to the owner-user for determining

that the requirements of API 570 for inspection, examination, and
testing are met.

a) Piping Engineer
b) Inspector
c) Repair Organisation
d) Operating Personnel

27. Who is responsible for the overall control of piping system inspection
programs, inspection frequencies and maintenance of piping?

a) Authorised Piping Inspector

b) Owner-user
c) Jurisdiction
d) Contractor

28. What is the best thing to do with deadlegs that are no longer
in service ?

a) Ultrasoncally inspect often

b) Radiograph often
c) Inspect often
d) Remove them
29. Certain areas and types of piping systems are potentially more
susceptible to corrosion under insulation. Which of the items listed is
not susceptible to CUI ?

a) Areas exposed to mist over-spray from cooling water towers.

b) Carbon steel piping systems that normally operate in-service
above 250 degrees but are in intermittent service.
c) Deadlegs and attachments that protrude from insulated piping
and operate at a different temperature than the temperature of
the active line.
d) Carbon steel piping systems, operating between 250 degrees F
and 600 degrees F.

30. Erosion can be defined as :-

a) galvanic corrosion of a material where uniform losses occur

b) removal of surface material by action of numerous impacts of
solid or liquid particles
c) gradual loss of material by a corrosive medium acting uniformly
on the material surface
d) pitting on the surface of a material to the extent that a rough
uniform loss occurs

31. A combination of corrosion and erosion results in significantly greater

metal loss that can be expected from corrosion or erosion alone. This
type of loss occurs for a corrosive fluid at

a) high-velocity and high-turbulence areas

b) areas where condensation or exposure to wet hydrogen sulphide
or carbonates occur
c) surface-to-air interfaces f buried piping
d) areas where gradual loss of material occurs because of a
corrosive medium

32. Environmental cracking of austenite stainless steels is caused many

times by:

a) exposing areas to high-velocity and high-turbulence streams

b) excessive cyclic stresses that are often very low
c) exposure to chlorides from salt water, wash-up water, etc.
d) creep of the material by long time exposure to high temperature
and stress

33. If external or internal coatings or refractory liners on a piping circuit

are in good condition, what should an inspector do?

a) After inspection, remove the liner for UT chek

b) The entire liner should be removed for inspection
c) Selected portions of the liner should be removed for inspection
d) Liner need not be removed if it is found to be in sound condition
34. Where can fatigue cracking typically be first detected?

a) At points of low-stress intensification such as reinforced nozzles

b) At points of high-stress intensification such as branch
connections
c) At points where cyclic stresses are very low
d) At points where there are only bending or compressive stresses

35. Why is thickness measurement inspection performed ?

a) To satisfy jurisdictional requirements

b) To determine the internal condition and remaining thickness of
the piping components
c) To determine the external condition and amount of deposits
inside the piping
d) To satisfy heat transfer requirements of the piping

36. Who would normally report vibrating or swaying piping to engineering

or inspection personnel?

a) Operating personnel
b) Repair personnel
c) Jurisdictional personnel
d) Design personnel

37. The minimum thickness at each TML can be located by

a) electromagnetic techniques
b) ultrasonic scanning or profile radiography
c) hammer testing
d) MT and / or PT

38. TMLs can be eliminated for piping systems with the following
characteristics

a) Higher potential for creating a safety or environmental

emergency in the event of a leak.
b) Low potential for creating a safety or environmental emergency
in the event of a leak.
c) Extremely low potential for creating a safety of environmental
emergency in the event of a leak.
d) More complexity in terms of fittings, branches, deadlegs,
injection points, etc.

39. When pressure testing of piping systems are conducted, they shall be
performed in accordance with the requirements of:-

a) ASME B31.3
b) ASME B&PV Code, Section VIII
 c) SA B16.5
d) API 510

40. The preferred medium for a pressure test is __________

a) steam
b) air
c) water
d) hydrocarbon

41. If a non-toxic hydrocarbon (flammable) is used as the test medium, the

liquid flash point shall be at least __________ degrees F or greater

a) 95
b) 100
c) 110
d) 120

42. During a pressure test, where test pressure will exceed the set
pressure of the safety relieve valve or valves on a piping system, the
safety relief valve or valves should be __________ when carrying out the
test

a) altered by screwing down the adjusting screw

b) reset to exceed the test pressure
c) checked or tested
d) removed or blanked

43. Name a part of a piping system that thickness measurements are not
normally routinely taken

a) elbows
b) expansion loops
c) tees
d) valves

44. According to API 570, some welds in a piping system that has been
subjected to radiography according to ASME B31.3 :-

a) will meet random radiograph requirements and will perform

satisfactorily in-service without a hydrofest
b) will not meet random radiograph requirements, and will not
perform satisfactorily in-service even though hydrotested.
c) will meet random radiograph requirements, and will not perform
satisfactorily in-service after a hydrotest
d) will not meet random radiograph requirements, but will still
perform satisfactorily in-service after being hydrotested.
45. When an RBI assessment is used to increase or decrease inspection
intervals, the assessment shall be conducted on Class 1 systems at a
maximum interval of __________ years
a) 5
b) 10
c) 15
d) 3

46. Listed below are several examples of a CLASS 1 piping system. Which
one does not belong?

a) Anhydrous hydrogen chloride;

b) Hydrofluoric acid
c) Piping over or adjacent to water supply lines
d) Distillate and product lines to and from storage and loading

47. Class 3 piping is described as being in services

a) with the highest potential of resulting in an immediate

emergency if a leak occurs
b) that are flammable but do not significantly vaporise when they
leak and are not located in high-activity areas
c) that are flammable and slowly vaporize if leak occurs
d) that are not in classes 1 and 2.

48. Thickness measurement inspection on ciass 1 piping should be

scheduled based on the calculation of not more than

a) one half the remaining life determined from corrosion rates or

the maximum interval of 5 years whichever is shorter.
b) one half the remaining life determined from corrosion rates or 5
years
c) one fourth the remaining life determined from corrosion rates or
the maximum interval of 10 years whichever is shorter.
d) one quarter the remaining life determined from corrosion rates
or 5 years.

49. You have a new piping system that has just been installed. It is
completely new and no information exists to establish a corrosion rate.
Also, information is no available on a similar system. You decide to put
the system in service and NDT it later to determine the corrosion rate.
How long do you allow the system to stay in service before you take
your first thickness readings ?

a) 1 month
b) 3 months
c) 6 months
d) 12 months
50. The __________ shall maintain appropriate permanent and progressive
records of each piping system covered by API 570.

a) inspector
b) owner-user
c) jurisdiction
d) examiner

51. What type of defect, corrosion, pitting and / or discontinuity should not
be repaired by a full encirclement welded split sleeve ?

a) A longitudinal check
b) A circumferential crack
c) Pits that are one half through wall
d) General corrosion in the longitudinal direction.

52. The repair organisation responsible for welding shall maintain records
of welding procedures and welder performance qualifications. These
records shall be available to the inspector :-

a) at the end of the job

b) after the start of welding
c) following the start of welding
d) before the start of welding

53. Fillet welded patches (lap patches) shall be designed by

a) an engineer
b) the inspector
c) the piping engineer
d) the repair organization

54. How often should above-grade visual surveillance of a buried pipeline

right-of-way be made ?

a) Once a month
b) Approximately 6 month intervals
c) Once a year
d) Once every 3 months

55. Which of the inspection agencies listed below is NOT an Authorised

Inspection Agency as defined in API 570.

a) Jurisdictional inspection organisation

b) Owner-user inspection organisation
c) ASTM inspection organisation
d) Insurance agency inspection organisation

56. An examiner is a person who __________ the inspector

 a) supplants
b) assists
c) supervises
d) directs

57. A filmside penetrameter can be used for:

a. inaccessible welds (unable to hand place a source side penetrameter)

b. all welds
c. all castings at any time
d. an alternative to a source-side wire pentrameter

58. The accuracy of a piece of magnetizing equipment that is

equipped with an ammeter shall be verified :

a. Each year
b. Each two years
c. When possible
d. Every 6 months

59. Prior to examinations, each adjacent surface shall be cleaned

within at least _____" of the area to be PT examined.

a. 1
b. 1.5
c. 2
d. 3

60. When using a hydrophillic emulsifier versus a lipophilic emulsifier

additional step that must be taken is:

a. pre-flooding with emulisifier

b. pre-cleaning with solvent
c. pre-rinsing with water
d. pre-washing with detergent

61. When using an emulsifier, it is applied on the weld during the LPI
check.

a. Before final interpretation

b. Before applying the penetrant
c. After applying developer
d. None of above
62. All indications are to be evaluated in accordance with:

a. ASME VIII
b. ASME V
c. The referencing Code section
d. The written procedure
63. The scope of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel, Code, Section
V includes:

a. NDE acceptance criteria

b. How to perform NDE to achieve a desired result
c. Where to do NDE ( i.e. what welds to examine )
d. None of above.

64. Which NDE methods are considered "surface" methods?

a. PT
b. RT
c. MT
d. Both A & C above

65. Remaining life of pipe circuit is determined by:

a. Finding out total length of piping circuit

b. Finding out actual thickness, required thickness and corrosion
rate
c. Finding out original thickness and corrosion rate
d. Finding out the elapsed life of the pipe

66. What width of indication is required to demonstrate that a visual

examination procedure is adequate per ASME V?
a. 1/32"
b. 1/16"
c. 3/32"
d. None of the above

67. ASME B 16.5 does not cover:

a. Class 150 flanges

b. Class 300 flanged fittings
c. Butt welded pipe elbows
d. All of the above

68. When using radiographs to qualify welder, the acceptance

standards used are found in

A. ASME Section V
B. ASME Section IX
C. ASME Section VII
D. The referencing code

69. What is the number of guided bend tests required for

Performance Qualification in a 6G position?

A. 2
B. 4
 C. 6
D. 3

70. A welder qualified to weld in the 2G position on pipe would have

to be qualified in which of the additional positions to qualify for
all position groove welding on pipe?

A. 1G
B. 2G
C. 5G
D. 6G

71. As soon as possible after completing an inspection, the Inspector

should:

a. review the inspection records and schedule the next inspection

b. always require a hydrotest
c. sign all RT records
d. notify the Piping Engineer, so he can wake up and go
home

72. The zone for preheat shall extend:

a. at least ½” beyond each edge of the weld

b. at least 1” beyond each edge of the weld
c. over only the weld itself
d. at a minimum 2” each side of the weld

73. What is the minimum time that a leak test must be maintained (all
joints and connections shall be examined for leaks)?

a. 60 minutes
b. 45 minutes
c. 30 minutes
d. 10 minutes

74. What type of problem would you expect in piping containing

Amine?

a. dissolved oxygen cracking

b. stress corrosion cracking
c. galvanic corrosion
d. crevice corrosion

75. A pressure test for piping, in most cases is a:

a. leak test
b. Stress test
c. ductility test
d. Strength test
76. An example of service-specific and localised corrosion is :-

a) Corrosion under insulation in areas exposed to steam vents

b) Unanticipated acid or caustic carryover from processes into non-
alloyed piping
c) Corrosion in deadlegs
d) Corrosion of underground piping at soil-to-air interface where it
ingresses or egresses

77. Fatigue cracking of piping systems may result from

a) embrittlement of the metal due to it operating below its

transition temperature
b) erosion or corrosion / erosion that thin the piping where it cracks
c) excessive cyclic stresses that are often well below the static
yield strength of the material
d) environmental cracking caused by stress corrosion due to the
presence of caustic, amine, or other substance.

78. What are the preferred NDE methods for detecting fatigue cracking?

a) Eddy current testing ultrasonic A-scan testing, and / or possibly

hammer testing
b) Liquid penetrant testing, magnetic particle testing .
c) Visual testing, eddy current testing and / or possibly ultrasonic
testing
d) Acoustic emission testing, hydro-testing, and / or possibly
ultrasonic testing

79. Water and aqueous solutions in piping systems may freeze and cause
failure because of the

a) expansion of these materials;

b) contraction of these materials
c) construction of these materials
d) decrease of these materials

80. Where should special attention be placed when taking thickness

measurements of an elbow?

a) the outlet end;

b) the inlet end
c) the inside and outside radius
d) the sides

81. More TMLs should be selected for piping systems with any of the
following characteristics :-
 a) Low potential for creating a safety or environmental emergency
in the event of a leak
b) More complexity in terms of fittings, branches, deadlegs,
injection points, etc.
c) Relatively non-corrosive piping systems
d) Long, straight-run piping systems

82. What is usually the most accurate means for obtaining thickness
measurements on installed pipe larger than NPS 1 ?

a) MT
b) UT
c) PT
d) ET

83. When pressure testing of piping systems are conducted, they shall be
performed in accordance with the requirements of :-

a) ASME B31.3
b) ASME B&PV Code, Section VIII
c) SA B16.5
d) API 510

84. When a pressure test is not necessary or practical, what shall be

utilised in lieu of a pressure test?

a) NPS
b) Non-destructive examination
c) Vacuum visual examination
d) NBE

85. Deadlegs of a piping system are:

a) the upstream piping of control valve manifolds

b) supports attached to a pipeline that has no product in them
c) the upstream part of an orifice runs
d) sections that normally have no significant flow

86. API 578 gives rules for Alloy Verification for:

a. Carbon steel piping material for old or new piping

b. Alloy steel piping materials, for old or new piping
c. Carbon steel materials used for old piping only
d. Alloy steels used for old piping only

87. API 578 requires at least _________ electrodes to be PMI tested from
each box.
 a. one
b. two
c. minimum 10%
d. all

88. The __________ shall be responsible to the owner-user for determining

that the requirements of API 570 for inspection, examination, and
testing are met.

a) Piping Engineer
b) Inspector
c) Repair Organisation
d) Operating Personnel

89. An RBI assessment can be used to alter the inspection strategy

provided:

a) The degradation methods are identified

b) The RBI is fully documented.
c) A third party conducts the RBI
d) Both A and B above

90. Why should deadlegs in piping be inspected ?

a) API 570 mandates the inspection of deadlegs

b) Acid products and debris build up in deadlegs
c) The corrosion rate in deadlegs can vary significantly from
adjacent active piping.
d) Caustic products and debris build up in deadlegs.

91. What are the preferred NDE methods for detecting fatigue cracking?

a) Eddy current testing ultrasonic A-scan testing, and / or possibly

hammer testing
b) Liquid penetrant testing, magnetic particle testing.
c) Visual testing, eddy current testing and / or possibly ultrasonic
testing
d) Acoustic emission testing, hydro-testing, and / or possibly
ultrasonic testing.

92. You are reviewing a WPQ (QW-484) for a welder testing in the 6-G
position, on SA-53 grade B pipe (TS-60,000 psi). The test results
indicate the following :

No.1 Tensile developed 51,000 psi, broke in the weld

No.2 Tensile developed 56,900 psi, broke in base metal
No.1 Transverse root bend satisfactory
No.2 Transverse face bend satisfactory
 Will these tests qualify the welder?

A. Yes
B. No
C. Not enough information given
D. Tension test is acceptable but No.1 is unacceptable

93. When checking austentic materials for cracks using PT

methods only liquid penetrants:

a. with low or no nitrides should be used.

b. with low or no carbides should be used.
c. with high or medium chlorides should be used.
d. with low or no chlorides should be used.