I would like to learn how to fit up a 12 on 12 branch, just for the knowledge
By stanantonio
Date 11-05-2010 03:58
Shannon I can help you with that. Its not hard once you figure out how to do it. Hey dont I know you. Is this the Shannon (if I have the name to the person I rember correct) that has a shop there in Williston ND?
There is so much info in how to prepare a branch test and how to go about welding it out its not funny.
By stanantonio
Date 11-05-2010 06:58
Not sure if you remeber me. But Shannon but I am the guy that my wife was a pipeline welder up there as well. Back in 2008.
By stanantonio
Date 11-05-2010 06:59
I stopped and talked to you a few times there at your shop in williston
yes sir I remember you, are you working up here?
By stanantonio
Date 11-05-2010 21:09
No trying to stay out of north dakota these days. Workin in texas for the winter.
I hardly know anything for sure but I would think that the branch would be a fair test for welding 3 way tees and stopper fittings on pipe. I recently qualified with a gas company that required doing the 12inch branch and butt weld (6G) twice. Once with 5P+, then again with 5P+ root and 7018 hot and cap. Their procedure is that all 3 way Tees and Stoppers will be welded with 7018. The good news is that they only re qualify once a year. Another gas company's procedure is 5P+ for everything. Their butt weld is 5G. Re qualify every 6 months.
Weaver, the Pipe Fitters Blue Book shows a lay out for a branch fitting. Also if you search on this forum there should be a fair amount of info how to prepare and weld the branch test. Once you lay out and get a good 12 on 12 branch fit, I would suggest you make a pattern. Some Gas company's will have a pattern you can use but not always. It is possible they could require you to lay it out from scratch too I think.
Floyd
Gas company I work for tests under two standards. DOT appendix "C": 2-1" butt welds, a 3/4 on 2" to simulate a service tee, and a 6" butt. Qualifies to weld up to 6" and <100psig MAOP. Or API 1104: 12 on 12 branch, 12" butt 5g, and 4 on 12 5g 7018. This allows any size and pressure except on a pressure vessel which requires ASME IX. All of these tests require visual, bend or tensil tests depending on which one. Sounds like each company is a little differant in their requirements. I wonder why they don't standardize since they're all regulated by DOT?
stanantonio,
A 4" coupon will qualify you from 2" to 12" OD.
Groupings as per API 1104 Clause 6.2.2 are
1 OD less than 2.375"
2 OD from 2.375" through 12.750" OD
3 OD greater than 12.750"
Qualify in one group and you are qualified for all sizes in that group,
It does seem strange that a 12" coupon will qualify you down to 2".
Regards,
Shane
A full endurance test is the 5G, branch and sleeve test with LH where liquid id moving through the coupon. That is a test.
On pipelines the tie in welders are the ones that have to do the branch. For field welders working on pipelines, welders have to qualify on the branch because they may be required to do welds other than butt welds.
Back to the o-lets. A butt weld test does not qualify a welder for o-lets. And if you have to put one on the side or bottom of pipe, the 5G and 6G does not replicate the weld or position this weld is being done in.
And as a inspector and a former welder, when you see a welder do a branch and butt in less than 6 hours, and pass, the test you know you are seeing a craftsman. To me learning how to lay out and fit a branch is a mark of a tradesman. The fact one would never install one on a live line any more is beside the point. In addition to the out of position welding it test the welders ability to cut and fit. I am not telling anyone that has welded in the patch something new, but if you are 50 miles from town, it is good to know the welder you have on your job can do more than butt welds.
I have had welders bellyache about companies that require the welders to qualify on a open root 7018. Why do that when a tig root and HP with a LH fill is a 'better"weld.
Case in point. Fourth of July. Cracked weld on compressor bottle on a sour gas compressor. In a compressor shed with the wind blowing through the shed. If the welder did not have the skills to make the open root LH weld, the gas company would be down for days if not weeks to get the bottle out, send it to a shop for welding and return and re-install. Instead six hours later the compressor is up and running.
What gets me is most welders have the skills to make a open root LH weld and a branch weld. As a inspector and company rep, when a welder rolls up on a job site, I want to know the welder can do what needs to be done and has proven his skills and abilities to provide the services I need.
If the test was not given, how would I know the welder has the skills or abilities.
Ask the welder?
If you ever get into inspection and test, oh four or five welders, you will find out some are better than others and while a welder will never lie, some will miss-represent the truth. That is why welders get tested. And on any day a good welder can bust a test and a lousy welder can pass one.
That is why welders get tested. And on any day a good welder can bust a test and a lousy welder can pass one.
I will agree with that 100%. have seen it more than once. I never liked taking tests, passed them ok but haven't tested in so long would be so nervous you would have a hard time driving a pin up my azz with a jackhammer but would come up to warp speed in production in short order.
A full endurance test is the 5G, branch and sleeve test with LH where liquid id moving through the coupon. That is a test
I took a "sleeve" test about 2 years ago. It was an Arkansas bellhole with water running thru it and LH rods. Pulled 32 straps out of it, I was sweating that one a little :)
dbigk, How many welders over your years have "claimed" to never busted a test????? I personally STILL bust and have as many busts as years of welding!!!!! I know at least a 1/2 dozen I have met in the Marcellus patch that claim they NEVER busted a test. ( I say B.S., but I'm not going to make any enemies over it!!!!) Pittsburgh home of the STEELERS and PENS!!!!
I have never kept count of the number who have claimed to have never busted, but I have only had one that could still make the claim after they tested.
Anyone who has chased pipelines for a year or more bust at least one. If they have not, they have not tested much or telling a lie. And it is a matter of numbers. If you are testing 2 times a month, the law of averages will catch up with you. Again, a great welder can bust a test and a lousy welder can pass one on any given day.
That is a touture test not endurance lol have took it many times for hot taps and wouldn't let us cut straps with torch
Yeah, I had to use a circular metal cutting saw (skill saw) to cut mine. That was the worst part of the test.
