A stainless pipe job has a high probability of being a B31.3 project. It helps to have a general idea as to which standards you may encounter as well.
ASTM
A999/A999M specification for general requirements for alloy and stainless steel pipe
A312/312M Standard specification for seamless, welded, and heavily cold worked austenitic stainless steel pipes
A358/358M Standard specification for electric-fusion-welded austenitic chromium-nickel stainless steel pipe for High temperature service and general application
A370 Test methods and definitions for mechanical testing of steel products
A380 Standard practice for cleaning, descaling, and passivation of stainless steel parts, equipment, and systems.
E381 Methods of macroetch testing of testing steel bars, billets, blooms and forgings
A 182/182m Standard specification for forged or rolled alloy stainless steel pipe flanges, forged fittings, and valves for high temperature service
ANSI/ASME
B36.19 stainless steel pipe
B31.3 process piping (also understand all the b31 pressure series revolves around piping.)
There are many other related standards and codes, but the ones listed above will give you good starting point for finding the relevant specs for the specific project you are going to. Knowing their titles alone and of their existence is 3/4 of the battle, after that it's simply a matter of applying the same abilities it took to pass the CWI to begin with insofar as looking up the specific information you need. I also suggest you read the forum, there are reams of data on the various codes/standards and terminology for stainless that have been put forth on the forum. More recently was this thread:
http://www.aws.org/cgi-bin/mwf/topic_show.pl?tid=19598Make no mistake about this one, understanding the differences between passivation, pickling, and descaling is a must have knowledge for a stainless piping job as well as understanding what solution annealing is and why it's necessary for stainless.
After that it's simply a matter of digging in and learning. Passing the CWI exam is not the end of a long road, but rather the pass card to get you on the road. After that it's up to you and your desire to succeed. You will soon learn that everyday of your career from this point forward will be another day in school. That goes for all of us who look at it from a profession standpoint.
Regards,
Gerald