API RP 2X-2004 pdf free download

API RP 2X-2004 pdf free download.Recommended Practice for Ultrasonic and Magnetic Examination of Offshore Structural Fabrication and Guidelines for Qualification of Technicians.
5.1.3 The operator should require personnel to demon- strate proficiency by satisfactory performance in a pre-qual- ification examination. The examination should consist of both written and practical tests which have been developed by the agency’s NDE specialist, or an organization approved by the operator, and should incorporate the specific require- ments of the NDE procedure and the acceptance standards contained in Sections 7.10 and 8.8 as applicable. The exam- ination may also include a review of the candidates qualifi- cation and certification records with the Agency. 5.2 EXAMINATION PREREQUISITES Applicants for API RP 2X qualification to perform NDE for the Operator should possess at least the following qualifications: a. Certification in General Specific and Practical NDE to Level II as defined in 5.12 which is traceable to a nationally or internationally recognized certification program. b. Accumulation of experience in NDE of tubular members (as described in this RP) prior to examination as follows: 1. Ultrasonic—400 hours. 2. Magnetic particle—200 hours. c. Visual Acuity Test. All candidates for examination should be subjected to an eye examination or furnish proof of a recent examination by competent medical authority to prove a natural or corrected near vision acuity for reading J- 1 letters on Jaeger’s standard test chart at a distance of not less than 12 inches and a natural or corrected distance acuity of not less than 20/40. All personnel accepted for employment should be reexamined for visual acuity at least once a year and corrective measures employed to maintain acuity within the preceding stated limits.
The general part of the test should contain questions on fabrication and welding. The mathematics associated with the test procedures should be consistent with the require- ments of field calculations. Tests should contain multiple choice, true/false and essay questions, as well as problem exercises on flaw location and sizing. Examples of written UT test questions are included in Appendix A. (Note: the test questions are examples to be used as guidance and should not be extracted directly from Appendix A.) The written test is intended to further screen applicants for the practical examination. The minimum acceptable score on the written test should be 80 percent. 5.3.3 Practical Test The practical test determines the candidate’s ability to detect and evaluate weld discontinuities of interest. Demon- stration of such ability is the object of the qualification examination and should be considered of greater signifi- cance than all other requirements. The operator is responsible for having test coupons pre- pared that are of the type and number required to represent the details of actual structural fabrication. Suitable test pieces may be full mock-ups of tubular joints or flat plate connections which simulate typical cross sections. Three or four different test plates, 18 to 24 inches in length, with typ- ical joint configurations and a total of ten or more “defects” should provide an adequate test of ability. See Figure 1 for joint designs employed in past evaluation programs. The practical examination should also test the ability of NDE personnel to correctly complete the relevant paper- work associated with reporting procedures for NDE.
Test coupons may contain natural discontinuities or artificial reflectors consisting of non-metallic inserts in the weld deposit, slots or holes machined in the weld, or thin steel inserts fillet welded to bevel preparations to simulate incomplete fusion. See Figure 2 for details. Mock-up structures will generally con- tain sufficient natural discontinuities to test the candidate’s abil- ity; however, placement of additional artificial reflectors in critical areas may be desired to access any limitations of the candidate’s technique. See Appendix B for additional details on mock-up structure fabrication and evaluation. Test coupons to be employed in repetitive examinations should be fabricated to produce intentional reflectors and to minimize natural flaws. These test pieces should subse- quently be examined by an ultrasonic specialist to confirm the detectability of the implant and the absence of uninten- tional reflectors. The ultrasonic specialist should character- ize each reflector in the test plates into one of the categories defined herein. The characterization, size, and placement of the reflectors may then be discussed with the candidate follow- ing completion of the examination.