Certs for Natural Gas line

admin

I am a Maintenance worker at a industral plant.  We have an old section of our factory that is getting torn down.  Our 6 inch nat gas line runs through there so we are you to have to move it during a shutdown.  My question is what would I need to be able to weld that gas line.  What sort of certifications?  Any input would be help full.  I just don't want to have them bring in a contractor to weld up 500 foot of 6 inch pipe when I could be up there doing it.  Matt
Reply:Well, I think it depends on the company.  I welded some gas line once years ago.  It was new construction, and for a subcontractor for Atlanta Gas light.  All I had to do was go in and take an in house test.  I passed, and they let me weld.  However I only welded a few times and moved on.  Later there was a gas line here that was nicked with a trencher, and had to have a sleave welded over it.  They wouldn't let me look at it hardly.  So I guess it depends on the company.  I would say call the company that owns the line, and ask them what they require.I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:pipe welding is broken down into two categories. for cross county pipelines the applicable code is API 1104. For piping inside a plant, the applicable code is ASME B31.1 or ASME B31.3 (Power(steam) or process). To certify to ASME you will need to test to ASME IX. IX has it's own requirements based on base metal and process. Let me know if you have more questions
Reply:I'm with Hammack. i used to work with Northern Natural Gas and have seen what can go wrong with scenarios like this. if you are running a 6" line into your facility, you are obviously not using just the regular 5-15 water-columns as in a house. you are talking major PSIG's here. sure, you can do it, but do you really want to be held accountable IF anything went wrong. i know with NNG, if our pipe was in the way of a construction project, we brought in a contractor to do it. i'm not sure who paid for it, but IMHO, it was worth it. think about it this way... would it be cheaper to have them pay to get you certified, pay you time and materials to weld it, then loose the money and time that you would otherwise been doing something else, OR, would it be quicker, easier, and cheaper to just bring in someone who does it for a living? it may also be a difference in weather or not the pipe is on your side, or the utility company's side of the point of transfer. usually it is the centerline of a valve or flanged connection.just my opinion.Later,Andy
Reply:I am guessing since you asked this question that you don't have any experience in pipe welding. If the company you work for can't define a procedure and certification for this then you would be better served by hiring a contractor that is qualified to do this type of work.
Reply:Originally Posted by aczellerI'm with Hammack. i used to work with Northern Natural Gas and have seen what can go wrong with scenarios like this. if you are running a 6" line into your facility, you are obviously not using just the regular 5-15 water-columns as in a house. you are talking major PSIG's here. sure, you can do it, but do you really want to be held accountable IF anything went wrong. i know with NNG, if our pipe was in the way of a construction project, we brought in a contractor to do it. i'm not sure who paid for it, but IMHO, it was worth it. think about it this way... would it be cheaper to have them pay to get you certified, pay you time and materials to weld it, then loose the money and time that you would otherwise been doing something else, OR, would it be quicker, easier, and cheaper to just bring in someone who does it for a living? it may also be a difference in weather or not the pipe is on your side, or the utility company's side of the point of transfer. usually it is the centerline of a valve or flanged connection.just my opinion.Later,Andy
Reply:old timer I do have a good bid time welding pipe but just never a gas line.  I have ran 24" stainless with hexane running through it... tons and tons of steam lines.  I feel good about myself welding the pipe but my company needs to have certs for insurance reasons.. I am sure...   The line is ours so I don't think the gas company has a lot to do with it.    Qaqc it will be a 6 inch sch 40 mild steel pipe.  Where would be the best place to start looking into this to bring it up to the boss man.  I figured it would help if I knew what I was talking about before I go in.  Thanks, Matt
Reply:All of the gas lines I have welded on required a Code 9 G6 test. It's the same test we took when I was building power plants. Every pipe welder on the job had to take it as well as the tig test on 2 inch. The codes qaqc gave you will be where you should start.  I used to build heat exchangers which are heated pressure vessels. The only test I had to take for mild steel was ASME Code 9 G6 on schedule 80 six inch. That covers you for all rods in all positions to 70,000 psi. I worked for years in the oilfield and that is the test you have to take to hire on with any of the code certified shops and they do everything from gas processing equipment to pipelines. That is probably your best place to start. The thing about the outside contractor is they will already know all of this and be insured for it.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:If it is your factory owned pipe you guys can have a contractor do it or your plant manager can have you do it in house but it will be done to code for your area.If it is a major city the plumbing inspector can give you the info you need.pro-level dumpster diver                                     Hobart 125EZ
Reply:john, the best place to start would be getting in touch with a local testing lab. Are you having any inspection/testing performed during your shutdown? Ask if they can certify you to ASME IX, if not some community colleges offer certification programs that you will not need to go to classes to take. As mentioned previously, you will want to take it in the 6G position. If you could give your location someone can probably recommend someplace that is local. Good luck.