TO TEST OR NOT TO TEST: A COMPARISON OF THE PRESSURE TESTING REQUIREMENTS BETWEEN ASME B31.3 AND ASME SECTION VIII, DIVISION 1

摘要

Are you still hitting the welded joints of pressure vessels with a hammer during hydrostatic testing? If yes, then you're due for a refresher on the pressure testing requirements of ASME Section VIII Division 1 since this requirement was for pressure vessels back in the mid 1940's. This article will help you by highlighting the main requirements of, and differences between, the hydrostatic test for new pressure vessels fabricated according to ASME Section VIII, Division 1 and the hydrostatic leak test for new piping systems made under ASME B31.3. Since it is the most popular way to test a pressure vessel or piping system, the focus of this article will be on the hydrostatic test, article UG-99 of Section VIII Division 1 (2013 Edition), and the hydrostatic leak test, paragraphs 345 & 345.4 of B31.3 (2012 Edition). Please refer to these Codes and their interpretations for the complete requirements. Moreover, verification with the local jurisdiction is essential to ensure that their requirements are not stricter than those of the Codes.