CASE

CASES OF ASME BOILER AND PRESSURE VESSEL CODE

2469-1

Approval Date: October 21, 2009 Code Cases will remain available for use until annulled by the applicable Standards Committee.

(10)

Case 2469-1 Pneumatic Testing Section IV Inquiry: Under what conditions may heating boilers manufactured and stamped in accordance with Section IV be tested pneumatically in lieu of the hydrostatic test required in HG-510(c)? Reply: It is the opinion of the Committee that pneumatic testing may be substituted for the hydrostatic test required in HG-510(c), provided the following requirements are met: (a) The water volume of the boiler shall be less than 70 gals (265 l). (b) Maximum material thickness of any component part shall not exceed 12 in. (12.7 mm). No components of the pressure vessel that will be subject to pneumatic testing may be constructed of cast iron. (c) The MAWP shall not be greater than 160 psi (1 100 kPa). (d) The boiler shall be externally cleaned to prevent air bubble adherence while being tested to prevent leaks from being masked.

(e) The pneumatic test shall be conducted with the boiler submerged in water. Minimum water temperature shall be 60F (16C). The upper most portion of the boiler, as oriented in the test tank, shall be a minimum of 6 in. (150 mm) below the surface of the water. (f) The required test pressure shall be greater of 38 psi (262 kPa) or 114 times the MAWP. (g) The pressure in the boiler shall be gradually increased to not more than one-half of the required test pressure. Thereafter, the pressure shall be increased in steps of approximately one-tenth of the required test pressure until the required test pressure has been reached. (h) A hold time of 5 min shall be maintained on the boiler at the required test pressure. Thorough visual inspection is not required during this stage. The pressure shall then be reduced to its maximum MAWP and maintained at this pressure while a thorough visual inspection for leakage is made with the boiler submerged under water. (i) The boiler shall meet all other requirements of Section IV. (j) This Code Case number shall be shown on the Manufacturers Data Report.

The Committees function is to establish rules of safety, relating only to pressure integrity, governing the construction of boilers, pressure vessels, transport tanks and nuclear components, and inservice inspection for pressure integrity of nuclear components and transport tanks, and to interpret these rules when questions arise regarding their intent. This Code does not address other safety issues relating to the construction of boilers, pressure vessels, transport tanks and nuclear components, and the inservice inspection of nuclear components and transport tanks. The user of the Code should refer to other pertinent codes, standards, laws, regulations or other relevant documents.

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