Training and Certification B31.G, Modified B31.G And ...rstreng.com/documents/POLICY_1.pdf · Training: This training meets the minimum requirements in course outline/content and

RSTRENG Training and Technical Certification Rev. 11-14-14

Training and Certification

B31.G, Modified B31.G

And RSTRENG

(Understanding and Use) Level 1, 2 and 3


Table of Contents

Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 3

Employers ..................................................................................................................................................... 3

Program Outline ............................................................................................................................................ 3

Definitions ..................................................................................................................................................... 4

Remaining Strength of Corroded Pipe Assessment ...................................................................................... 7

Remaining Strength of Corroded Pipe Program ........................................................................................... 8

Written Examination ..................................................................................................................................... 8

Practical Examination .................................................................................................................................... 9

Supplemental and Training Recommendations ............................................................................................ 9

Certification................................................................................................................................................. 10

Confidentiality ............................................................................................................................................. 10

Passing Scores ............................................................................................................................................. 10

Retests......................................................................................................................................................... 10

Activity History Requirement ...................................................................................................................... 10

Recertification Requirements ..................................................................................................................... 10

Ethics ........................................................................................................................................................... 11

Unauthorized Use and Practice .................................................................................................................. 11

Web Site for Information (www.technicaltoolboxes.com) ......................................................................... 11

Contact Information .................................................................................................................................... 11

Appendix A .................................................................................................................................................. 12


Introduction

The B31.G, Modified B31.G and RSTRENG programs consist of training and testing for those individuals seeking technical certification as Pipeline Integrity Inspectors, Technicians and Engineers for corrosion and related defects. B31.G, Modified B31.G and RSTRENG will be referred as to RSTRENG throughout this procedure. The RSTRENG program will provide for a portable, individual certification, independent of employer or organization. The use of standardized examinations will contribute to the assurance of a uniform level of RSTRENG technical competence that will benefit the individual for industry. However, company specific training is available due to the various integrity procedures, interaction rules and operating conditions. This program will provide value to the certificate holders and to industry through these qualification procedures. Certified individuals who are employed in companies that utilize NACE, ASNT, ASME and API Standard Practices will also be eligible for subject to the provisions in that operator’s written practice.

It is important that the competent person (individual) study this and related documents carefully to realize the extent of corrosion, pipeline and defect knowledge that will be necessary to satisfactorily complete the examinations and receive the RSTRENG training and certification. The training recommendations or requirements should be viewed as minimum recommendations and the individual should be aware that related training, although it may conform to other recognized standards, may not be sufficient to pass these examinations.

Employers A valid certificate will be issued by Technical Toolboxes to the competent person. It shall be considered as evidence that the individual has met the requirements for technical and practical certification in accordance with this program. The employer shall include appropriate documentation of the individual's certification record.

Program Outline

The RSTRENG certification program covers assessment and analysis.

Level One (1) certification is the initial certification.

Level Two (2) requires a minimum of 3 years of experience and a second written test with analysis and problem solving.

Level 3 requires a minimum of 5 years of experience with complete understanding of basic corrosion/metallurgical/operational understanding, ASME/API 579 defect


assessment. A paper suitable for publication of a case history or project is required.

Definitions

3D Laser and Structured Light (3D-SL): These 3D tools are portable systems for measuring and

analyzing corrosion metal loss and mechanical damage on pipes, vessels and fittings.

Anode: The electrode of an electrochemical cell at which oxidation occurs. Electrons flow away

from the anode in the external circuit. Corrosion usually occurs and metal ions enter the solution

at the anode.

B31.G A criterion to evaluate corroded pipe for removal or repair or for leaving it in service if the metal loss is within safe size limits as defined in the B31G criterion. Modified B31.G: A criterion to evaluate corroded pipe that is less conservative than the existing B31G criterion. It will permit metal loss anomalies of greater size to remain in service at the current maximum operating pressure. Cathode: The electrode of an electrochemical cell at which reduction is the principal reaction.

Electrons flow toward the cathode in the external circuit.

Coating: A liquid, liquefiable, or mastic composition that, after application to a surface, is

converted into a solid protective, decorative, or functional adherent film.

Certification: The successful completion of the 3D Structured Light written and practical qualification requirements.

Competent Individual: A person who has successfully completed a written and practical examination will be required to provide documented proof of existing supervised training before being allowed to retest.

Corrosion: The deterioration of a material, usually a metal, that results from a reaction with its

environment.

General Examination: An examination that tests the theory and practical applications that are common to 3D Structured Light.

Instruction: A detailed sequence of steps to be followed to apply an NDE method of inspection.

Corrosion Assessment Techniques:

Level 1 assessments shall be limited to components with one-sided widespread pitting

damage designed to a recognized code or standard using an equation that specifically


relates pressure to a required wall thickness. The only load considered is internal

pressure.

Level 2 assessments can be used to evaluate components that do not meet Level 1

assessment criteria. The Level 2 Assessment procedures are used to evaluate all four

categories of pitting: widespread pitting, localized pitting, pitting within a locally thin area,

and a locally thin area in a region of widespread pitting.

The Level 2 Assessment rules provide a better estimate of the structural integrity of a

component because a measure of the actual damage parameter, the pit-couple, is directly

used in the assessment. The Level 2 assessment should be used when the pitting damage

occurs on both sides of the component. Level 3 assessments can be used to evaluate

components that are not covered by, or do not pass a Level 1 or Level 2 Assessment.

Level 3 Assessment procedures are intended to evaluate more complex regions of pitting,

loading conditions, and/or components with details where only limited design rules are

provided in the original construction.

Interaction Rules: According ASME B31.41 there are two type of Interaction Rules.

Type I Interaction- If the circumferential separation distance, C, is greater than or equal to 6 times

the wall thickness required for design, the areas A1 and A2 should be evaluated as separate

anomalies. If the circumferential separation distance is less than six times the wall thickness, the

composite area (A1 + A2 − A3) and the overall length, L, should be used. See figure 1 below.

Figure 1

(2) Type II Interaction If the axial separation distance, L3, is greater than or equal to1 in. (25.4

mm), the areas A1 and A2 should be evaluated as separate anomalies. If the axial separation

distance is less than 1 in. (25.4 mm), area A1 plus A2 should be used and the length, L, should be

taken as L1 + L2 + L3. See figure 2 below.

1 ASME - Two Park Avenue New York, NY 10016-5990


Figure 2

Mechanical Damage is a type of anomaly in a pipe cause by the application of an external force.

Mechanical damage can include denting, coating removal, metal removal, metal movement, cold

working of the underlying metal, and residual stresses, any one of which can be detrimental.

Operator Qualification (OQ) is a regulated covered task on a pipeline facility identified by a pipeline operator that is performed on that facility, is an operation or maintenance task, is a regulatory requirement and affects the operation or integrity of the pipeline.

Period of Inactivity: A period of time in which the certified person has not practiced the duties

corresponding to the 3D structured assessment and analysis. A continuous period equaling one

year during the three year (3) period of certification.

Passing Score: The competent individual must score a minimum of 80% on the written and 100%

on the practical examination.

RSTRENG: A criterion to evaluate corroded pipe that can be used with detailed measurements of the metal loss and successive trial calculations to predict a minimum failure pressure for an area of metal loss based upon its "effective* area. Sound Engineering Practices: Reasoning exhibited or based on thorough knowledge and

experience, logically valid, and having technically correct premises that demonstrate good

judgment or sense in the application of science.

Structure: Tanks, piping, and associated equipment that may/may not be under the influence of

a cathodic protection system.

Training: This training meets the minimum requirements in course outline/content and hours. It may be obtained through an independent provider or be employer based.


Remaining Strength of Corroded Pipe Assessment (See Appendix A for

PRCI Guidance Document) Focused on understanding and recognizing pipe defects

o Why Pipelines Fail

Flaw growth versus stresses

o Locate & Define Coating Holidays and Pipe Defects

o Excavations

o Site Analysis and Documentation

o Corrosion Mapping Tools

o Identify & Classify Indications

o Prioritization of Indications

o Analyze and Report Results (Post Assessment)

o Mitigation and Repair

Technologies Used for Assessing Pipeline Defect

o Types of Corrosion Measurements

o ASME/API 579 FFS-1 (Level 1, 2 and 3)

o Pit Gage Measurements

o Industry Desires

o Analysis Approach

o Examples of Structure Light Measurements

o Summary

o Demonstration

Evaluation the Remaining Strength of Corroded Pipe

o B31.G, Modified B31.G and RSTRENG

o References in DOT 192.485c, 195.585 & 195.587

o B31.G, Modified B31.G and RSTRENG Background

o Finding and Measuring the Corrosion

Gridding

o Assessing Corrosion

Level 1 and Level 2 Evaluations

ASME B31G, Modified MAOP & RSTRENG

Interaction Rules

Limitations

Calculations

Updating Existing Project Files

Opening New Project Files

o Mitigation


Remaining Strength of Corroded Pipe Program

Remaining Strength of Corroded Pipe (RSTRENG) is a software program based on calculations and industry procedures. It was developed by Pipeline Research Council International (PRCI) under a project called PR-3-805 “A Modified Criterion for Evaluation the Remaining Strength of Corroded Pipe”. The software program consists:

Site Input o Pipe Attributes o Dig Location o Spacing of Increments o Pit Depth or Remaining Wall o Design Factor i.e. Class Location

Field data o Input manually o Upload (Paste) from Excel

Analysis – B31G, Modified B31.G or RSTRENG o Maximum Safe Pressure o Burst Pressure o Safety Factor o Graph with Effective Area

Reporting Function 1. PDF or Word Document of Graphs and Data

Written Examination – Level 1

Sample questions for Level 1 certification consists of the following: (Written test requires a 100%

pass rate)

1. Two areas of metal-loss are considered to interact if the spatial distance

between them is equal to or less than 3t axially or 6t circumferentially?

a. True

b. False

2. Verification of pipe wall thickness is not required when using the manual Pit

Gauge?

a. True

b. False

3. What is the percentage for corrosion allowance using RSTRENG?

a. 0%


b. 5%

c. 10%

d. 20%

Practical Examination

A Level 1 practical examination consists of the following corrosion defects to be analyzed (A 100%

pass rate) is required):

Corrosion assessment on multiple pitting using B31.G, Modified B31.G and RSTRENG

analysis with report.

o 6 inch axial length pitting

o 1 inch axial length pitting

Corrosion assessment using multiple types of interaction rules

o Relative (3t and 3t)

o Fixed (1 inch and 1 inch)

o Hybrid (3t and 1 inch)

A Level 2 written/practical examination consists of the following:

Assess internal and or external corrosion that interact with each other using ASME/API

579, ASME B31.G, Modified B31.8 and RSTRENG analysis with Report

Make recommendation with a mitigation strategy.

A Level 3 written/practical examination consist of the following:

Assess a pipeline or facility project with a multiple defect problem

Produce a report with recommendations for repair

Write a paper for publication on the process of how the corrosion defects were assessed

Supplemental and Training Recommendations

Training for RSTRENG includes 8 hours as outlined above. Supplemental training includes the

following:

ASME B31.G, Modified B31.G and RSTRENG (Technical Toolboxes Software Program)

ASME B31.3 Hazardous Liquid

ASME B31.8 Gas

NACE SP0205 Coating and corrosion analysis

API/ASME 579 FFS 1


Certification (Level 1, 2 and 3)

A Level 1, 2 or 3 certificate will be issued by Technical Toolboxes to the applicants who have successfully completed the practical and written examination requirements. The certificate shall state the name of the individual and attest to the fact that this person is technically competent to understand, assess and produces reports with recommendations.

Confidentiality

Technical Toolboxes will release the examination scores only to the applicant or to a person designated in writing by that applicant.

Passing Scores

A minimum passing score of 100% is required for the written and 100% for the practical portion of the examinations.

Retests

Persons failing one or more parts of the examinations may retest on just those parts. If the person fails the second retest, then he/she becomes ineligible to retest for one calendar year, hence this individual shall be considered as a new applicant.

Activity History Requirement

After achieving a RSTRENG certification, individuals will be required to complete and maintain

history of their activities. This will be provided to their employer at the time of renewal to

demonstrate continued activity in the area certified. The responsibility for their activity solely

with the certificate holder. If this is information is found fraudulent, certification may be revoked.

Recertification Requirements

Recertification will be required on a three (3) interval. Requirements will include the following:

History of continued activity to your employer.

History (Hours) of study and review of the latest RSTRENG webinars, instructional videos

and documents provided by Technical Toolboxes and to your employer.


Provide corrosion reports with defects which may include an Excel Spreadsheet, Report

and Findings to your employer for internal review and approval.

Provide Technical Toolboxes documentation that the above requirements have been met.

Ethics Certified persons using this program are responsible for reviewing appropriate health, safety, environmental, employer and regulatory documents and for determining their applicability in relation to this standard prior to its use. This RSTRENG certification program may or may not address all potential health and safety issues or environmental hazards associated with the use of this equipment, and/or operations detailed or referred to within this standard. Prior to using this certification program, users are responsible for establishing appropriate health, safety, and environmental protection practices, in consultation with appropriate regulatory authorities (OSHA, DOT, PHMSA etc.) , industry standards and company procedures as required.

Unauthorized Use and Practice

Conduct violations of any part of this standard as outlined by this program and related to the person’s occupation including any violation of the by this program and related to the person’s Code of Ethics contained in this program, shall constitute an unauthorized practice subject to the imposition of sanctions which may include revocation practice based on his or her certification.

Web Site for Information (www.technicaltoolboxes.com)

Application for Training and Certification User Support

PHMSA Updates

RSTRENG Alert Notices

Contact Information

Technical Toolboxes (Certification Group)

3801 Kirby Drive

Houston, TX 77098

Phone 713 630-0505/ Fax 713 630-0560

http://www.technicaltoolboxes.com/


Appendix A

A Modified Criterion for Evaluating the Remaining Strength of Corroded Pipe

(Contract PR-3-805)

Documents

Training and Certification B31.G, Modified B31.G And ...rstreng.com/documents/POLICY_1.pdf · Training: This training meets the minimum requirements in course outline/content and