Had you read the post, you will have seen the code reference
"Weld as shown ASME B31.8 Fig. 1-6(e)."

Therefore, the code he's refering to is B31.8
In that code you have two levels of examination inspection:
<20% hoop stress
=> 20% hoop stress

Quote:
"The following minimum number of field butt welds
shall be selected on a random basis by the operating
company from each day’s construction for examination.
Each weld so selected shall be examined over its entire
circumference or else the equivalent length of welds
shall be examined if the operating company chooses to
examine only a part of the circumference of each. The
same minimum percentages shall be examined for double
ending at railhead or yard:
(1) 10% of welds in Location Class 1
(2) 15% of welds in Location Class 2
(3) 40% of welds in Location Class 3
(4) 75% of welds in Location Class 4
(5) 100% of the welds in compressor stations, and
at major or navigable river crossings, major highway
crossings, and railroad crossings, if practical, but in no
case less than 90%."

For volumetric examinations it refers back to API-1104

Maybe in your infinite consulting knowledge you can show me the requirement for RT on socket welds?
Speaking of socket welds, He mentioned a 3/8" socket coupling.
Another quote from 31.8
(e) When pipe size is less than NPS 6, or when the
construction project involves such a limited number of
welds that nondestructive inspection would be impractical,
and the pipe is intended to operate at hoop stress
levels of 40% or less of the specified minimum yield
strength, then provisions (b) and (c) above are not mandatory,
provided the welds are inspected visually and
approved by a qualified welding inspector."

He's no where near NPS 6 at a 3/8" socket. I seriously doubt a socket weld will be designed for greater than 40% or greater hoop stress.
Therefore the provisions for NDE don't apply to start with, and all it needs is a visual inspection.

Getting back to the RT of sockets, why someone does that is beyond me. Even at 100 percent inspection levels they still refer to "butt" welds.
Unless something has changed radically, Butt weld does not = socket weld.

I'll send you the bill.

Superflux,
the guy was very curtious, I think you need to back it down a little. It's not realy what you wrote (said) but how you wrote it (said). There seems to be a pretty strong bite to your words. I don't believe he is fishing for someone to write his report or do his job he is asking for info.
In the spirit of Christmas think about it. :)

Jim