Support Reinforcement Pad leak test

Hi 887,

It is fairly common to leak test support RF pads because any heat input into metal through welding can cause hairline cracks. Whether or not you do leak testing every time depends on risk factors such as what product is conveyed, does it pose any flammability, health or environmental hazard, what are the financial or operational consequences of a leak, etc. Usually the piping specification will specify the need for the test, but a risk assesment exercise with a full design team will provide the correct answer.

You are right. B31 3 only ask for a vent hole for the reinforcements. Review your Project specifications, and read ASME VIII Ug 37 (g), possible can help you. regards

As a common good practice, for reinforcing pads for any pressure part like reinforcing pads for nozzles used in pressure vessel and piping connections, the designer shall furnish the pad with a threaded vent hole(s) 1/4" dia., and the fabricator shall proceed a pneumatic leak test by 1 bar or 15 psi.

For pads of support connections (looks like saddle plate in between the pipe and its support, or saddle plate in between the shell vessel and its saddle support), the designer have to furnish the pad with vent hole(s), but I think no need to proceed a pneumatic leak test, because the fillet weld around the support plate can be selected to be intermittent not continuous for certain cases.

Don't forget that if a repad is in more than one piece, each piece must be tested externally AND internally at the nozzle with air/soap. Good idea to plug the NPT hole with grease or caulking. However, grease may be a problem when you come tonpsinting the area. Doc