Tie-In and Golden Weld

Golden Welds • In

pipeline and piping networks, the joints which you are not capable to carry out the hydrostatic test shall be tested by any other means like full RT, … etc. Those joints are generally referred as Golden Joints. These joints may come especially making tie-in's of for two hydro test of sections. •

o, we ha!e to compensate hydrostatic hydrostatic test by any additional "#T as follows$

%ption &$ Root &( #)T, *!ery layer of weld with &( #)T, +inal run &( #)T and & ( T. %ption $ Root &( #)T and & ( RT • I

think that there is no specific code for olden /oint but most of the companies0workshops companies0workshops are follow to perform a olden 1eld, with &( "#T in lieu of hydro test. • 1e

can refer ASME 31.4, and it permits a 2wai!er2 of a hydrostatic test on tie-in welds between two sections of piping, that the weld has already undergone &( "#T 3see )ara. )ara. 456.&.4 7b8 Testing Testing Tie-ins, 9:* ;5&.4 - *d. <=. Tie-In and Golden Weld

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Having been recently involved deeply in this subject, let me give you the long version - bear with me - all pipelines, fowlines and risers abricated in accordance accordance with API 11! "all welds on API 11! pipelines, fowlines and risers must be 1# radiographed or ultrasonically ultrasonically tested$, must be hydrotested in accordance with API 111 "maybe other codes depending on your location$, which in turn reer to A%&' ()1*! or )1*+* A%&' )1*! permits a waiver o a hydrotest on tie-in. welds between two sections o piping that have been previously tested in accordance with the code provided that the weld has undergone 1# /0 "see %ection !)2*1*! "b$ esting ie ins, A%&' ()1*! 33 'dition$* /ow, i you are tal4ing about plant piping, very similar* similar* All piping abricated in accordance with A%&' ()1*) must be hydrotested in accordance with A%&' ()1* he latest edition o ()1*) permits the same waiver o a hydrotest as )1*! on ie-in. welds between two sections o piping that have been previously tested in accordance with the code* A%&' ()1*) only re5uires 6# random radiography "or 7$ on piping in /ormal 8luid %ervice. "which means hydrocarbon service up to 36 fange rating$  9ou  9ou didn:t as4, but will throwi throwi n that API ;P1!', only recommends recommends 1# radiography on class 16 to <lb A/%I rated fanges, 3# on = to 16lb A/%I rated fanges and 1# on 36 and above* &ost companies will have a procedure to perorm a golden weld, but at the end o the day it:s what we always reerred to as a >nal tie-in and basically you do a 1# ; or 7 /0 on the weld in lieu o pressure testing it*