Chapter 4API 574 4.1 Introduction This chapter of the book is about learning to become familiar with the layout and contents of API 574. It is a code that is strongly linked to API 570 and, in some areas, contains some of the same information that appears in API 570. We saw in the previous chapter how this linking of codes is a feature of the API/ASME approach to plant inspection (and the API certification exams). API 574 is divided into twelve sections (sections 1 to 12) and one single-page appendix. The body of the text (i.e. sections 1 to 12) contains a large number of tables and figures, mainly sketches of piping components, interspersed with a few tables about pipe schedule wall thicknesses, etc. The API 570 examination body of knowledge requires candidates to have knowledge of effectively all of the twelve sections. Hence API 574 is seen as a ‘general piping knowledge’ part of the API 570 certification syllabus. Fortunately, understanding the twelve sections is not as difficult as it first appears. In layout, API 574 is a heavily unbalanced code; i.e. a few sections (particularly section 10 covering inspection procedures) are quite long, up to fifteen pages, while most of them (sections 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11 and 12) are each only about one page long. In practice, sections 1, 2 and 3 are little more than preliminaries to the code and don’t contain much new information. The only way to approach API 574 is from a section-bysection viewpoint, to build a general understanding of its content. The best way of doing this is by reading important sections of the document and then attempting questions on the content. WPASME100609 29 Downloaded From: http://ebooks.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ on 04/16/2015 Te not draw them.2 API 574 section 4: piping components Here are some of the important parts of API 574 section 4: .3 API 574 familiarization questions Look up the answers to these questions to help you become familiar with API 574.1. XXX and XXXX & Q3. . API 574 section 4. which dimension stays the same. You need to be able to recognize them. extra strong and double extra strong & (b) Normal. How pipe sizes and wall thicknesses are defined.Quick Guide to API 570 4. In section 4. There are no drawing questions in the API exam. strong and extra strong & (c) Standard. 4. API 574 section 4. The different types of valves in section 4. .5. The flanges and fittings in figures 9 and 10.1: general What is an alternative system for defining pipe wall thicknesses? (a) Standard.1: general For NPS 12 pipe. look at table 1. Q1.1: general Pipe wall thicknesses are designated as pipe schedules in what sizes of pipe? (a) Up to 18 in & (b) Up to 24 in & (c) Up to 36 in & (d) Up to 48 in & Q2. regardless of the wall schedule thickness? (a) The inside diameter (ID) & (b) The outside diameter (OD) & (c) The mean wall diameter & (d) None of these.org/ on 04/16/2015 Te .3. they all vary with schedule thickness & WPASME100609 30 Downloaded From: http://ebooks. API 574 section 4. table 1-A (for stainless steel pipe) and table 3 on tolerances (situated near the back of the code).asme.asmedigitalcollection. strong and extra strong & (d) XX.1. These are important as they are covered by many of the data tables in ASME B16.1.1. 1. Thickness measurements: section 10. The 14 areas/locations of degradation listed in section 6.3. WPASME100609 31 Downloaded From: http://ebooks.34 & (d) ASME VIII & Q5.1.1 about the inspection of injection points.2. paying particular attention to the following topics: . API 574 table 3: ferritic pipe tolerances What is the normal acceptable thickness under-tolerance on wall thickness for A106 plain carbon steel pipe up to NPS 48? (a) 0. Radiographic inspection: section 10.5 & (c) ASME B16. Then look at these important topics in API 574 section 10: .2.2. API 574 section 4.asme.3. . The content of figure 21 in the code which shows TMLs marked up on a piping circuit diagram and section 6.125 in & (b) 10 % of nominal wall thickness & (c) 12. Concentrate on the explanations of the limitations of UT measurement techniques .org/ on 04/16/2015 Te .1: valves Which ASME standard covers the pressure/temperature ratings of valve bodies? (a) ASME B31.API 574 Q4. Note how twelve of them are repeats from a similar list in API 570.5 % of nominal wall thickness & (d) 15 % of nominal wall thickness & 4.4 Corrosion monitoring and inspection Read through API 574 section 6. calculations and record keeping relating to piping inspection. Section 6.asmedigitalcollection. .3.3 & (b) ASME B16. This gives a brief summary of the types of RT techniques that can be useful in piping inspection.2. The use of corrosion circuits to help manage the inspections.1 gives various parameters that can be considered when identifying corrosion circuits. 3 of API 574 but do not appear in the similar table 5-3 in API 570? (a) Injection points and deadlegs & (b) CUI and soil–air interfaces & (c) Fatigue cracking and creep cracking & (d) Corrosion at pipe supports and dew-point corrosion & WPASME100609 32 Downloaded From: http://ebooks.5 API 574 (sections 6 and 10) familiarization questions Try these questions to help you become familiar with these sections Q1. as they share equal responsibility for pipe failures & Q2. API 574 section 6.1: piping circuits A piping ‘corrosion circuit’ comprises sections of piping of similar design and which: (a) Are at the same temperature & (b) Are at the same temperature and pressure & (c) Are exposed to conditions of similar corrosivity & (d) Appear on the same process and instrumentation diagram (P&ID) & Q3.1.3: inspection for specific types of corrosion and cracking Which two damage mechanisms are listed in section 6. API 574 section 6.asmedigitalcollection. 4.asme.org/ on 04/16/2015 Te .3. API 574 section 10.Quick Guide to API 570 .2.2: corrosion monitoring of process piping The API 574 view on what constitutes a good pipework monitoring programme is based heavily on? (a) Monitoring pipework wall thickness & (b) Monitoring fluid velocities to prevent erosion & (c) Monitoring vibration using sensors & (d) All of the above. This explains the reason for pressure testing and some of its limitations.2. Pressure tests: section 10. org/ on 04/16/2015 Te . the recommended downstream limit of the IPC is: (a) The first change in flow direction past the injection point & (b) The second change in flow direction past the injection point & (c) The third change in flow direction past the injection point & (d) 25 feet past the second change in flow direction past the injection point & Q5.3 only & (c) ASME B16. further increasing the pressure & WPASME100609 33 Downloaded From: http://ebooks.3.2. API 574 section 10.5 only & (d) All of the above & Q7.3: pressure testing What is the main reason why it is necessary to bleed all of the air out before a hydraulic pressure test of a pipework system? (a) Air absorbs water and so reduces the test pressure & (b) For safety reasons & (c) Air causes shock loadings and so an unsteady pressure gauge reading & (d) Air heats up as it is compressed. guidelines on pressure testing are found in? (a) API 570 only & (b) ASME B31. API 574 section 6. API 574 section 10.asmedigitalcollection.API 574 Q4.1: injection points When designating an injection point circuit (IPC) for the purposes of inspection.1: injection points The preferred method of inspecting injection points is? (a) Dye penetrant and/or magnetic particle testing (b) Dye penetrant and/or ultrasonic testing (c) Ultrasonic testing (d) Radiographic testing and hammer testing & & & & Q6. API 574 section 6.2.3: pressure testing As well as API 574.3.asme. 2.2.3: pressure testing Which material would not be suitable for testing with water containing chlorides (salts)? (a) Ferritic plain carbon steels & (b) High carbon steels & (c) Austenitic stainless steels & (d) Low-pressure steam pipes & Q9.2. API 574 section 10.3: pressure testing Which particular failure mechanism must be guarded against when doing a ‘full pneumatic test’? (a) Hydrogen failure & (b) Creep rupture & (c) Ductile fracture & (d) Brittle fracture & Q10.org/ on 04/16/2015 Te . API 574 section 10.3: pressure testing A test at low pressure (10 % MAWP) using air or nitrogen and a soap solution is known as? (a) A hydraulic test & (b) A hydrostatic test & (c) A leak test & (d) A full pneumatic test & WPASME100609 34 Downloaded From: http://ebooks.asmedigitalcollection.asme.Quick Guide to API 570 Q8. API 574 section 10.