Can we do painting prior to hydrotest?

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Satish Hingalkar

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Sep 29, 2010, 2:25:00 PM9/29/10
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Dear Members,
 
Our contractor has raised a design change request for painting prior to hydrotest.As per COMPANY specification,painting to be carried out after successfull complection of hydrotest,but contractor wants to do painting before hydrotest,can we accept this deviation? if  we want to accept the deviation,what criteria to be follow??
 
Our design conditions are 105 barg hydrotest pressure and design temp.85 deg.c,NDT is 10% MT & 10% RT.
 
Waiting for reply.Pl.respond ASAP.
 
Regards,
Satish

Bathula Raghuram (Mumbai - PIPING)

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Sep 29, 2010, 11:27:38 PM9/29/10
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You have not specified the type of component, fluid and design code.

ASME code for both vessels and piping have this provision. Sec VIII div 1 allows except for lethal service (UG 99) and B31.3 allows except for sensitive leak testing (345.3.1)

Bathula Raghuram (Mumbai - PIPING)

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Sep 30, 2010, 5:33:40 AM9/30/10
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Interesting, and you have a valid point but nothing is proven, until then just go with the flow (tried and tested methods). No Inspector would be happy but bound to accept as per code.  remember your company specification prohibits it and you are intended to accept, hence code reference is given, Masking of any discontinuity by thin layer of paint, may be yes perhaps may be not. If you refer the paragraphs of these codes which will give a cautionary statement at the end “painting/coating may mask the leak”.

Normally weld joints are left open and rest of the area is painted before hydro.

In my opinion 105 bar is too high for a layer of paint to with stand, or you may allow only blasting and priming before hydro and final coating after hydro. If I remember correctly only Australian code AS1210 prohibits it.

 

From: Satish Hingalkar [mailto:shing...@gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, September 30, 2010 12:49 PM
To: Bathula Raghuram (Mumbai - PIPING)
Subject: Re: [MW:7283] Can we do painting prior to hydrotest?

 

Hi,

 

Thanks for prompt reply

Piping system of having pipe rack near about 4 KM,service-Nitrogen,Code ASME B31.3

 

As u said,ASME B 31.3 allows,but my query is that whether painting will affect the joint leak detection normally found in hydrotest??

 

As per my knowledge,Painting has ability to penetrate and plug/ seal off small pin holes which are normally detected in hydro test.      After curing, paint can withstand pressure in small pin holes that can obstruct the leaks. But during operation, paint can be decomposed and start leaking,please comment.

 

Regards,

Satish

franci...@indiatimes.com

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Sep 30, 2010, 6:05:25 AM9/30/10
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Dear All,
In the modern fast track projects these deviations are common , You can accept the deviation provided you extend the hold time for min 4 hrs for joints not seen or painted with chart recorder and accounting any pressure variation with tempt,

This is practiced in most of the offshore projects. However for onshore /subsea pipeline hold period is 24hrs and pressure variations vs tempt accounted.
Francis Lobo
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Satish Hingalkar

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Sep 30, 2010, 6:47:21 AM9/30/10
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Hi,
 
Thanks a lot, i search in ASME B31.3 below bold sentence,but i couldn't find,can u please help me for this.,where it is exactly so that i can decline this deviation.
 
Please help me if possible uregently because my PM pressuring me to reply that will be appreciated.
 
Waiting for reply.
 
Regards,
Satish

narasimha murthy

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Sep 30, 2010, 1:08:49 PM9/30/10
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Dear Mr.Satish
 
You may give a go ahead by considerably increasing the holding time, could be double the time specified by the spec while you also consider other factors of safety and design.
 
Regards
 
J.N.Murthy
Engg.QA/QC.

César Alexis Viteri Pérez

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Sep 30, 2010, 10:37:01 AM9/30/10
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Dear Satish,
 
I dont thing that any paint could resist a hoop stress than steel, the only issue regarding paint and hidrotest that i can find is curing time (if paint is internal).
 
Hope to be helpful.
 
Alexis
 

Date: Thu, 30 Sep 2010 14:47:21 +0400
Subject: Re: [MW:7287] Can we do painting prior to hydrotest?
From: shing...@gmail.com
To: material...@googlegroups.com

Suresh

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Sep 30, 2010, 12:32:17 PM9/30/10
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Satish ,
 
What code you followed ?
 
If you followed ASME 31.3 , you MAY be  full painted as per paint spcification before hydrotest . So it is matter of betweenContractor and Client agreement .
 
If contractor wish to do , he can ......but contractor need get a permission from client .
 
Suresh
 
91 92  92 905 905

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Thanks  & Best Regards,

Suresh

Mobile No: 91-92 92 905 905

ms viswanathan

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Sep 30, 2010, 8:13:29 AM9/30/10
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Hai,
     Please refer B 31.3 - 345.3.1 preparation for leak test

--- On Thu, 9/30/10, Satish Hingalkar <shing...@gmail.com> wrote:

Arunachalam A

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Sep 30, 2010, 8:10:16 AM9/30/10
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FYI:
From time to time, questions are asked regarding painting or coating of a pressure vessel or even a pressure retaining item prior to hydrotesting.

I was forwarded this interesting article that was published in Materials Evaluation, September, 1993. The article is titled " Don't Paint Before Hydrostatic Testing" and is authored by Jon Batey.

To summarize, the author explains how the various construction codes and in-service repair codes like the NBIC are either silent or briefly mention caution on the issue of painting or coating before hydrostatic testing.

Several tests were actually conducted on a 4” Schedule 40 carbon steel pipe that was internally pressurized with specific hold times at 1100 (30 min), 2000 (10 min) and 2400 psig (5 min). The pressure was increased in 100 psig increments. The various coating systems that were evaluated consisted of;

- vinyl finish over inorganic zinc primer
- vinyl finish over vinyl primer
- epoxy finish or epoxy primer

The pipe section was pre-dilled with twelve, small diameter thru holes (0.0135" and 0.020") to simulate weld or fabrication defects.

The results of the pressure tests revealed some interesting results;

- in a test pressure range of 325 psi to 1125 psi, the vinyl coating systems failed. At the onset of failure, the vinyl coating locally disbonded into a blister that ruptured.

- the epoxy system adhered and did not disbond even at 2425 psig pressure.

So, you may want to think twice during fabrication of pressure retaining items to coat after hydrostatic testing to make it easier for your AI.
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Satish Hingalkar

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Oct 1, 2010, 2:10:00 AM10/1/10
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Dear all members,
 
Thanks for reply on my query.
 
As suggested by you guys, i can say to contractor to go ahead for painting before hydrotest by holding more time upto all visiual check of joints.I have one more concern as:As per company specification, we are doing 10%MT & 10%RT that is OK or we have increase the % of MT & RT.
 
Please respond.
 
Regards,
Satish

GOSWAMI Pradip -THERMAL

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Oct 1, 2010, 1:13:53 PM10/1/10
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Satish,

 

ASTM has a standard, E-1003, for hydrotest, which clearly specifies that “New systems should be tested prior to painting, where practical”.

 

The responses posted by Mr Arunachalam cites several discussions and replies on the same issue. I’ve also attached the gist of the article by J.E.Batey, which was published in, ASNT journal materials evaluation.

 

If you look at ASME Sec-VIII,DIV-1,UG-99,(see below):-

 

(k) Vessels, except for those in lethal service, may be painted or otherwise coated either internally or externally, and may be lined internally, prior to the pressure test. However, the user is cautioned that such painting /coating /lining may mask leaks that would otherwise have been detected during the pressure test. The above sentence  implies “do it at your risk and be ready for the consequences”. ASME as a code have to be fabricator friendly, but for Lethal Services failures due to suggested  wrong practices would mean liability. However at the same time fabricator have to exercise  judgement and good engineering practice.

 

Depending on the type of paints used, paints will have tendency to mask defects or hinder meaningful inspection. If the vessel or piping is subject to PWHT, any defect noted during hydrotest, would call for repair and re-stress relieve, the time and money spent on rework may out-weigh your initial gain.

 

Generally in North American utilities (Nuclear) painting before hydro test is not an accepted practice. The same guidelines are followed by large oil Companies also. An extract from such a specification :-

 

·         Hydrostatic pressure testing shall be performed prior to the application of paint or other protective coatings to the welds and heat affected zones, unless otherwise approved by the Principal.

 

I would say, given a choice painting shall always be done after hydro test. If the project is a rush and time is a constraint, painting of piping or vessel may be done, leaving welds and at least 2 “ on each side as unpainted during hydrotest, which would be painted following hydrotest.

 

Thanks.

 

Pradip Goswami,P.Eng.

Welding & Metallurgical Engineer/Specialist

Email-pgoswami@sympatico.ca,

pgos...@quickclic.net

 

 

 

From: material...@googlegroups.com [mailto:material...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Satish Hingalkar
Sent: Friday, October 01, 2010 2:10 AM
To: material...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [MW:7300] Can we do painting prior to hydrotest?

 

Dear all members,

 

Thanks for reply on my query.

 

As suggested by you guys, i can say to contractor to go ahead for painting before hydrotest by holding more time up to all visual check of joints. I have one more concern as: As per company specification, we are doing 10%MT & 10%RT that is OK or we have increase the % of MT & RT.

 

Please respond.

 

Regards,

Satish

 

On Thu, Sep 30, 2010 at 2:05 PM, <franci...@indiatimes.com> wrote:

 

Dear All,


In the modern fast track projects these deviations are common , You can accept the deviation provided you extend the hold time for min 4 hrs for joints not seen or painted with chart recorder and accounting any pressure variation with tempt,

This is practiced in most of the offshore projects. However for onshore /subsea pipeline hold period is 24hrs and pressure variations vs. tempt accounted.
Francis Lobo


----- Original Message -----
From: Bathula Raghuram (Mumbai - PIPING)
To: 'material...@googlegroups.com'
Sent: Thu, 30 Sep 2010 15:03:40 +0530 (IST)
Subject: RE: [MW:7285] Can we do painting prior to hydrotest?

Interesting, and you have a valid point but nothing is proven, until then just go with the flow (tried and tested methods). No Inspector would be happy but bound to accept as per code.  remember your company specification prohibits it and you are intended to accept, hence code reference is given, Masking of any discontinuity by thin layer of paint, may be yes perhaps may be not. If you refer the paragraphs of these codes which will give a cautionary statement at the end “painting/coating may mask the leak”. Normally weld joints are left open and rest of the area is painted before hydro. In my opinion 105 bar is too high for a layer of paint to with stand, or you may allow only blasting and priming before hydro and final coating after hydro. If I remember correctly only Australian code AS1210 prohibits it.  

From: Satish Hingalkar [mailto:shing...@gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, September 30, 2010 12:49 PM
To: Bathula Raghuram (Mumbai - PIPING)
Subject: Re: [MW:7283] Can we do painting prior to hydrotest?

 

Hi,

Thanks for prompt reply

Piping system of having pipe rack near about 4 KM,service-Nitrogen,Code ASME B31.3

As u said,ASME B 31.3 allows, but my query is that whether painting will affect the joint leak detection normally found in hydro test??

As per my knowledge, Painting has ability to penetrate and plug/ seal off small pin holes which are normally detected in hydro test.      After curing, paint can withstand pressure in small pin holes that can obstruct the leaks. But during operation, paint can be decomposed and start leaking, please comment.

Regards,

Satish

On Thu, Sep 30, 2010 at 7:27 AM, Bathula Raghuram (Mumbai - PIPING) <R.Ba...@ticb.com> wrote:

You have not specified the type of component, fluid and design code. ASME code for both vessels and piping have this provision. Sec VIII div 1 allows except for lethal service (UG 99) and B31.3 allows except for sensitive leak testing (345.3.1)

 From: material...@googlegroups.com [mailto:material...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Satish Hingalkar
Sent: Wednesday, September 29, 2010 11:55 PM
To: Materials & Welding
Subject: [MW:7276] Can we do painting prior to hydrotest?

 Dear Members,

 Our contractor has raised a design change request for painting prior to hydrotest.As per COMPANY specification, painting to be carried out after successful completion of hydrotest,but contractor wants to do painting before hydrotest,can we accept this deviation? if  we want to accept the deviation, what criteria to be follow??

 Our design conditions are 105 barg hydrotest pressure and design temp.85 deg.c,NDT is 10% MT & 10% RT.

 Waiting for reply. Pl.respond ASAP.

Regards,

Satish

 

 






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The views expressed/exchnaged in this group are members personel views and meant for educational purposes only, Users must take their own decisions w.r.t. applicable code/standard/contract documents.

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Arunachalam A.pdf
Worried about leaks Don't paint before hydrotesting.pdf

franci...@indiatimes.com

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Oct 1, 2010, 2:04:19 PM10/1/10
to material...@googlegroups.com
Pl note the following for correct understanding -
- Extended hold period is irrespective of completion of all visual inspection of system during hydrotest which is  the min requirement of standard .
- Hydrotest is a proof test and whereas NDT is soundness of the weld joint. Hence extend of NDT is not be linked to Hydrotest requirements

franci...@indiatimes.com

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Oct 3, 2010, 2:00:42 AM10/3/10
to material...@googlegroups.com
Dear Friends ,
Query was regarding piping system of 4 km in Pipe rack  not for pressure vessels . In India also painitng  prior to pressure testing is genrally not a practice  for shop fabrication specially  in case of pressure vessels. 


 ----- Original Message -----
From: GOSWAMI Pradip -THERMAL
To: material...@googlegroups.com

Suresh

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Oct 3, 2010, 9:52:26 AM10/3/10
to material...@googlegroups.com
Dear Satish ,
 
You need not be increase NDT requirement in terms of % basis .just go ahead for painting .
 
Suresh

Arunachalam A

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Jun 21, 2011, 7:09:08 AM6/21/11
to material...@googlegroups.com
Arunachalam.A,
Abu Dhabi Gas Industries Ltd,
P.O.Box # 50124
Abu Dhabi, UAE

Arunachalam A.pdf
Worried about leaks Don't paint before hydrotesting.pdf

César Alexis Viteri Pérez

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Jun 21, 2011, 8:38:07 AM6/21/11
to Material Welding
Dear Satish,
 
Some important issue to consider beside painting, is blasting, the blasting operation should be done beofre pressure testing, but according to my experience is not practical.
The paper referred by Arunachalam states that some pinholes filled by expoxic coating can allow high pressures and of course can mask some imperfections in material tested.
 
However, if paint after pressure testis not practical, then E-1003, BPVC, etc allow you to do it after painting.

Best Regards
 

Date: Tue, 21 Jun 2011 15:09:08 +0400
Subject: Fwd: [MW:11411] Can we do painting prior to hydrotest?
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