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Saep 1143
Saep 1143
1 Scope............................................................. 2
2 References..................................................... 2
3 Precautions for Personnel Safety.................. 3
4 General Requirements................................... 4
5 Equipment and Materials............................... 5
6 Examination................................................... 7
7 Radiographic Exposure Requirements.......... 8
8 Radiographic Film Interpretation.................. 13
9 Film Viewing................................................. 14
10 Final Interpretation of Radiographs............. 14
11 Documentation............................................. 14
1 Scope
1.2 This Engineering Procedure applies to Saudi Aramco NDT personnel and to
contract personnel seconded to Saudi Aramco on an In-Kingdom Inspection
Contract conducting radiographic examination on behalf of Saudi Aramco.
2 References
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Document Responsibility: Non-destructive Testing SAEP-1143
Issue Date: 30 September 1998
Next Planned Update: 1 August 2000 Radiographic Examination
German Standard
DIN 54 109 Image Quality of Radiographs
Unless otherwise noted, the referenced codes and standards shall be the latest edition.
3.1 The materials and/or equipment used during radiographic examination shall be
utilized in such a manner as to insure compliance with the SAEP-1141 and GI-
0150.003.
3.3 All personnel performing radiography for Saudi Aramco or on Saudi Aramco
property or concessionaire areas shall have passed the Radiation Safety
examination administered by the Saudi Aramco Loss Prevention Department
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Document Responsibility: Non-destructive Testing SAEP-1143
Issue Date: 30 September 1998
Next Planned Update: 1 August 2000 Radiographic Examination
4 General Requirements
4.1 All radiography shall be performed in accordance with this procedure. Where
radiographic techniques, not covered by this procedure, are developed, the
technique shall be submitted to a Saudi Aramco Inspection Department
recognized NDT RT Level III for approval prior to implementation.
4.3.1 The weld ripples or weld surface irregularities on both the inside
(where accessible) and outside shall be removed by any suitable
process to such a degree that any such irregularities appearing on the
resulting radiographic image do not mask nor are confused with the
image of any discontinuity.
4.3.2 Welds shall be visually examined and found acceptable prior to release
for radiography.
4.3.3 If the weld is ground flush, markers, such as arrows or V's, pointing
toward the centerline of the weld shall be placed on both sides of the
weld approximately 0.6 mm (.25 inch) away from the toe of the weld.
At least two sets of arrows or V's shall appear on the film; one set near
each end of the interpreted area of the film.
A lead letter "B" with minimum dimensions of 13mm (0.5 inch) in height and
1.5mm (0.0625 inch) in thickness shall be attached to the back of each film
holder during each exposure to determine if backscatter radiation is exposing the
film.
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Document Responsibility: Non-destructive Testing SAEP-1143
Issue Date: 30 September 1998
Next Planned Update: 1 August 2000 Radiographic Examination
4.5 When the time of the examination is not specifically stated in the referenced
code or project specification, final radiography for acceptance of the
weld/material shall be performed after final post weld heat treatment.
5.2 Film
5.2.3 Unexposed film shall be stored on its side or end and protected from
the effects of light, pressure, excessive humidity, damaging fumes,
vapors, or penetrating radiation. Film of which the expiration date has
been exceeded shall not be used.
5.3.2 For radiography using gamma ray sources, lead screens shall be used.
The minimum thickness of the front lead screen shall be 0.13 mm
(0.005 inch) for Ir-192 and Se-75 and 0.25 mm (0.010 inch) for Co-60
or the linear accelerator.
5.3.3 Lead screens which are an integral part of "ready pack" (i.e., Pb
contact pack) film are acceptable.
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Document Responsibility: Non-destructive Testing SAEP-1143
Issue Date: 30 September 1998
Next Planned Update: 1 August 2000 Radiographic Examination
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Document Responsibility: Non-destructive Testing SAEP-1143
Issue Date: 30 September 1998
Next Planned Update: 1 August 2000 Radiographic Examination
5.4.3 IQIs shall be selected from either the same alloy material group or
grade as identified in ASTM E747 or from an alloy material group or
grade with less radiation absorption than the material being
radiographed.
5.5.2 Radiographic viewers shall meet the minimum requirements set forth
in ISO 5580 - 85 and shall provide a variable light source for the
essential designated wire to be visible for the specified density range.
5.5.3 Light coming from the outer edges of the radiograph or through low
density portions of the radiograph shall not interfere with
interpretation.
5.5.4 Densitometers shall be used to measure the density of the film. The
densitometer shall be calibrated annually in accordance with ASTM
E1079. Performance shall be verified before each use with a density
film strip traceable to a national standard.
6 Examination
6.1 A single wall exposure technique shall be used for radiography whenever
practical. When it is not practical to use a single wall technique, a double wall
technique shall be used. (See Table 4 for Technique and Exposure
Requirements)
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Document Responsibility: Non-destructive Testing SAEP-1143
Issue Date: 30 September 1998
Next Planned Update: 1 August 2000 Radiographic Examination
Notes:
1. Techniques other than those described in Table 7 may be used with the approval of the Saudi Aramco
Inspection Department, NDT Unit, Dhahran.
2. If the minimum number of exposures, shown above, are not adequate to demonstrate the required
coverage, additional exposures shall be made as specified by the certified Saudi Aramco film interpreter.
6.2 Single Wall Exposure - Single Wall Viewing (SWE/SWV) Technique - the
radiation passes through only one wall of the weld (material), which is viewed
on the radiograph for acceptance. (Figure 1)
6.4.1 Only a source side penetrameter shall be used for the double wall
viewing technique.
6.4.2 For the elliptical DWE/DWV technique the radiation beam shall be
offset from the plane of the weld at an angle sufficient to separate the
images of the source side and film side portions of the weld so that
there is no overlap of the areas to be interpreted. The elliptical
technique requires at least 2 exposures 90? to each other for each weld
to be radiographed to achieve complete coverage.
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Document Responsibility: Non-destructive Testing SAEP-1143
Issue Date: 30 September 1998
Next Planned Update: 1 August 2000 Radiographic Examination
7.1.1 The voltage for examinations with x-ray tubes shall be selected to
insure that the required wire is visible on the radiograph.
7.1.2 Gamma Radiation of Ir-192, Se-75 and Co-60 may be used for any
material thickness provided the radiographic technique used
demonstrates that the required radiographic sensitivity has been
obtained. Use of Co-60 is only permitted when the thickness of the
material exceeds the practical limits of Ir-192 or Se-75.
Ug = Ft/D (1)
Ug = Geometrical Unsharpness
D = (Ft/Ug) + t (2)
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Document Responsibility: Non-destructive Testing SAEP-1143
Issue Date: 30 September 1998
Next Planned Update: 1 August 2000 Radiographic Examination
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Document Responsibility: Non-destructive Testing SAEP-1143
Issue Date: 30 September 1998
Next Planned Update: 1 August 2000 Radiographic Examination
Table - 6
NUMBER SPACING
Nominal Pipe Size Spacing
Over 3½ inches through 8 inches 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart
Over 8 inch through 20 inches 4 inches (10 cm) apart
7.3.2 When using a DWE/DWV technique for pipe or tube welds 3.5 inch
NPS or less in diameter, the first exposure shall be identified with a
lead letter "A" and the second exposure shall be identified with a lead
letter "B" (and "C" for third exposure, superimposed). Location
markers shall not intrude into the area of interest.
7.3.5 For pipe or tube welds greater than 3.5 inch NPS, a number belt shall
be used. The number belt shall consist of lead numbers between 6 mm
(0.25 inch) and 12 mm (0.5 inch) in height.
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Document Responsibility: Non-destructive Testing SAEP-1143
Issue Date: 30 September 1998
Next Planned Update: 1 August 2000 Radiographic Examination
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Document Responsibility: Non-destructive Testing SAEP-1143
Issue Date: 30 September 1998
Next Planned Update: 1 August 2000 Radiographic Examination
7.6.1 Source side penetrameter(s) shall be used at all times unless placement
of the penetrameter(s) on the source side of the object is not possible.
7.6.2 When film side penetrameters are used, the penetrameters shall be in
contact with the part being examined. A lead letter "F", as least as high
as the penetrameter identification numbers, shall be placed adjacent to
or on each penetrameter and shall not interfere with the penetrameter
or be in an area of interest.
7.6.6 For pip ing 3.5 inch NPS and less, when using the DWE/SWV
technique, only that portion of the weld adjacent to the film, when the
penetrameter is placed on the film side of the object, may be viewed
for acceptance for the radiographic technique.
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Document Responsibility: Non-destructive Testing SAEP-1143
Issue Date: 30 September 1998
Next Planned Update: 1 August 2000 Radiographic Examination
8.1 All radiographs shall be free from mechanical, chemical, or other blemishes to
the extent that they do not mask and are not confused with the image of any
discontinuity in the area of interest. Such blemishes include, but are not limited
to; fogging, processing defects such as streaks, watermarks, or chemical stains,
scratches, finger marks, crimps, dirt, static marks, smudges, or false indications
due to defective screens.
8.2 One sheet of film shall be used for each exposure. If an area of interest contains
an artifact a second exposure shall be made.
8.3 Radiographic Film Density - For Gamma radiography the minimum density
shall be 2.0. For X-radiography, the minimum density shall be no less than 1.8.
Radiographic film density through the area of interest or adjacent to the
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Document Responsibility: Non-destructive Testing SAEP-1143
Issue Date: 30 September 1998
Next Planned Update: 1 August 2000 Radiographic Examination
designated wire type penetrameter shall be no greater than 4.0 for radiographs
produced by Gamma Rays or X-rays.
8.4.1 Radiographic density anywhere through the area of interest shall not
vary more than -15% and +30% from the measured density next to the
designation wire of the penetrameter. If density variation exceeds the
permissible -15% and +30% range, additional penetrameters shall be
used for each exceptional area or areas and the area of interest re-
radiographed.
8.5 IQI Sensitivity - Acceptance of the radiograph for sensitivity is based on ability
of the radiograph to display the required wire on the penetrameter, viewed
across the weld, and the penetrameter identifying numbers and letters.
Radiographs not meeting this requirement shall be re-radiographed.
8.6 Back Scatter Radiation - Radiographic film displaying a light image of the letter
"B" on a darker background shall be cause for rejection of the radiograph. A
dark image of the letter "B" on a lighter background shall be considered
acceptable.
9 Film Viewing
9.1 Film shall be viewed in an area with subdued lighting as required by paragraph
5.5.1.
9.2 Personnel interpreting radiographs shall allow 3 minutes in any darkened area
for their eyes to adjust if coming into the darkened area from normal room light
and at least 5 minutes if coming in from full sunlight.
9.3 Composite viewing of double film exposure is not permitted unless approved in
writing by an Inspection Department approved NDT RT Level III.
9.4 Each exposed film shall be properly stored to prevent damage to the film.
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Document Responsibility: Non-destructive Testing SAEP-1143
Issue Date: 30 September 1998
Next Planned Update: 1 August 2000 Radiographic Examination
10.1 The radiographs shall be examined and interpreted for film quality and for
discontinuities by personnel certified to perform RTFI by Saudi ARAMCO.
10.2 The film interpreter shall record on a review form (Attachment 1) accompanying
the radiographs, the type of defects present on each radiograph and the area(s)
rejected.
11 Documentation
11.1 Radiography reports shall be issued using Saudi Aramco form 4719-A-ENG
"Radiography Request & Report Sheet" (Attachment 1). As a minimum, the
report shall include:
11.1.4 The radiographic interpreter's full name and Saudi Aramco badge
number.
11.2 The following information shall either be provided on each film jacket or on the
final report noted above.
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Document Responsibility: Non-destructive Testing SAEP-1143
Issue Date: 30 September 1998
Next Planned Update: 1 August 2000 Radiographic Examination
11.3 Final disposition of the radiographs and records shall be in accordance with the
following.
Revision Summary
30 July, 1997 New SAEP.
30 September, 1998 Minor revision to delete Section 10 and renumbered previous Sections 11 & 12 to
Sections 10 & 11 respectively.
Incorporate Appendix I to the main document.
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Document Responsibility: Non-destructive Testing SAEP-1143
Issue Date: 30 September 1998
Next Planned Update: 1 August 2000 Radiographic Examination
Note:
The above sketches are standard techniques. Other exposure arrangements may be made provide the Saudi Aramco
Inspection Department, NDT Unit, approves them.
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Document Responsibility: Non-destructive Testing SAEP-1143
Issue Date: 30 September 1998
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Note:
The above sketches are standard techniques. Other exposure arrangements may be made with documented Saudi Aramco
Inspection Department NDT RT Level III approval.
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Document Responsibility: Non-destructive Testing SAEP-1143
Issue Date: 30 September 1998
Next Planned Update: 1 August 2000 Radiographic Examination
Note:
The above sketches are standard techniques. Other exposure arrangements may be made with documented Saudi Aramco
Inspection Department NDT RT Level III approval.
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Issue Date: 30 September 1998
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Document Responsibility: Non-destructive Testing SAEP-1143
Issue Date: 30 September 1998
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The following tables are provided as a guide only. Code or contract governs.
1. ASME SEC I, Paragraph PW-51, ASME SEC VIII D1, ASME B31.1, Paragraph
136.4.5, API STD 650
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Document Responsibility: Non-destructive Testing SAEP-1143
Issue Date: 30 September 1998
Next Planned Update: 1 August 2000 Radiographic Examination
2. ASME B31.3
2.1 The type of weld joints and service conditions shall be considered to
determine the method of NDE required. Table 2-1 is to be used with all
notes and is included with this SAEP for radiographic film
interpretation..
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Document Responsibility: Non-destructive Testing SAEP-1143
Issue Date: 30 September 1998
Next Planned Update: 1 August 2000 Radiographic Examination
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Notes:
(1) Criteria given are for required examination. More stringent criteria may be specified in the engineering design. See also
paragraphs. 341.5 and 341.5.3 of ASME/ANSI B31.3
(2) Longitudinal groove weld includes straight and spiral seam. Criteria are not intended to apply to welds made in accordance
with a standard listed in Table A-I or Table 326.1 of ASME B31.1.
(3) Fillet weld includes socket and seal welds, and attachment for slip-on flanges and branch reinforcement.
(4) Branch connection weld includes pressure containing welds in branches and fabricated laps.
(5) These imperfections are evaluated only for welds 5 mm (3/16 in.) in nominal thickness.
(6) Where two limiting values are separated by "and", the lesser of the values determines acceptance. Where two sets of
values are separated by "or", the larger value is acceptable.
(7) Tightly butted unfused root faces are unacceptable.
(8) For groove welds, height is the lesser of the measurements made from the surfaces of the adjacent components. For fillet
welds, height is measured from the theoretical throat, Fig. 328.5.2A, of ASME/ANSI B31.3 internal protrusion does not
apply.
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Document Responsibility: Non-destructive Testing SAEP-1143
Issue Date: 30 September 1998
Next Planned Update: 1 August 2000 Radiographic Examination
Table 3-1 is applicable in determining the size and type of discontinuities when
viewing radiographs for final acceptance in accordance with API STD 1104,
ASME/ANSI B31.4, Paragraph 434.8.5, and ASME/ANSI B31.8.
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Document Responsibility: Non-destructive Testing SAEP-1143
Issue Date: 30 September 1998
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Document Responsibility: Non-destructive Testing SAEP-1143
Issue Date: 30 September 1998
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4. AWS D1.1
Table 4-1 (AWS D1.1 Paragraph 8.15.3.2) and figure 4-1 together
establish the rejection criteria for radiographic indications of statically
loaded structures. Discontinuities exceeding the following limitations
shall be unacceptable. (E = weld size; T = material thickness)
Table 4-1 - Rejection Criteria for Statically Loaded Structures, AWS D1.1 Para 8.15.3.2
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Document Responsibility: Non-destructive Testing SAEP-1143
Issue Date: 30 September 1998
Next Planned Update: 1 August 2000 Radiographic Examination
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Document Responsibility: Non-destructive Testing SAEP-1143
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