Root gap for OD 44.5mm Boiler Hanger Tube

By Stevem1968 Date 12-30-2016 02:32

New to posting:

Looking for advice and guidance for the below issue:

My field engineers raised an NCR to our contractor of the boiler: Root gap 17.42 mm on a OD 44.5mm tube with a wall thickness of 7.62mm.

They have bridged across the gap and are now claiming that it complies with the ASME code they are stating the below.

Joint: Root Gap 3.2mm (Nonessential Variable) bevel angle: 37.5

As per ASME IX QW-202.3 & QW-451, build up can be up to 14.22mm.

The WPS states 3.2mm root gap.

By 803056

Date 12-30-2016 14:05

The contractor's welders are bound by the WPS. If the WPS limits the root to 3 mm, that is what must be used. If the WPS states the root opening is 3 mm +/- 8 mm. that is the acceptable range the welders must comply with.

If the root opening does not comply with the WPS, the inspector should generate a NCR. Boot the issue upstairs and have management address the problem and propose corrective action.

While the root opening (root gap) is a nonessential variable, all nonessential variable must be addressed by the WPS. The WPS can be revised, but the change does have to addressed by the WPS. The welders and field crew can not arbitrarily modify or ignore the nonessential variables.

Good luck - Al