PIPING INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

1) 10” SCH 60 & 10” SCH 160 PIPES HAVE SAME INTERNAL DIAMETER?

a) TRUE.

b) FALSE.

Ans: FALSE, AS OD IS CONSTANT AND WHEN SCHEDULE INCREASES THICKNESS INCREACES AND ID
DECREASES.

2) WRITE INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS/ CODE FOR THE FOLLOWING?

a) PRESSURE BOUNDARY BOLTED FLANGE JOINTS ASSEMBLY.

b) PROCESS PIPING

c) VALVE INSPECTION AND TESTING

d) MATERIALS

Ferrous Material Specifications

Nonferrous Material Specifications
Specifications for Welding Rods, Electrodes, and Filler Metals
Properties (Customary) & Properties (Metric)
Ans: a) ASME PCC 1
b) ASME B 31.3
c) API 598
d) MATERIALS - ASME SEC II
Ferrous Material Specifications - PART A
Nonferrous Material Specifications – PART B
Specifications for Welding Rods, Electrodes, and Filler Metals – PART C
Properties (Customary) & Properties (Metric) – PART D.

3) WRITE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ASTM A 312 TP 304 & ASTM A312 TP 316? WHICH IS SUPERIOR,
WHY?

Ans: ASTM A 312 TP 316 IS SUPERIOR THAN ASTM A 312 TP 304. 304 CONTAINS 18% CHROMIUM AND 8%
NICKEL, WHEREAS 316 CONTAINS 16% CHROMIUM, 10% NICKEL AND 2% MOLYBDENUM.
MOLYBDENUM IS ADDED TO HELP RESIST CORROSION TO CHLORIDES.(LIKE SEA WATER AND DE-
ICING SALTS)

4) WRITE THE NAMES OF ANY FOUR LOW ALLOY STEEL FITTINGS (ASTM)?

Ans: A182 F1 / F2 / F5 / F7 /F9 / F11 / F12 / F22

5) WHAT IS SRB TEST AND FOR WHAT PURPOSE?

Ans: SRB TEST IS THE TEST USED FOR FINDING THE COUNT OF SULFATE REDUCING BACTERIA. SRB
COUNT SHOULD BE 103/ ML OR LESS AS DETERMINED BY THE RAPID CHECK II METHOD OR ALTERNATIVE
TEST METHOD APPROVED BY SUPERVISOR,CTU/ME&CCD/CSD. For Hydro testing Requirements.
 6) WRITE ANY ASTM CODES FOR CS BOLTS AND NUTS?

Ans: ASTM A193 B7 / B7M FOR BOLTS & ASTM AI94 2H / 2HM FOR NUTS.

7) HOW DO WE CALCULATE THE TEST PRESSURE FOR A PIPING SYSTEM?

Ans: NOT LESS THAN 1.5 PERCENTAGE OF DESIGN PRESSUREOF THE PIPING SYSTEM.

8) CONVERT 1 BAR TO KG/CM2 AND PSI?

Ans: 1 BAR = 1KG/CM2 = 14.5038 PSI.

9) STUD BOLT PROJECTION AFTER BOLT TIGHTENING SHOULD BE? (REFER TO WHICH STANDARD).

a) ALL THREADS TO ENGAGE.

b) MIN. 3 THREADS ONSIDE NUT FACE.

c) MIN 3 THREADS INSIDE NUT FACE.

d) MIN 3 THREADS OUTSIDE NUT FACE.

Ans: FOR A MIN. ALL THREADS TO ENGAGE. (REFERS TO SAEP-351) (MIN OF 0 OR MORE THREAD
PROJECTION IS POSSIBLE)

10) EXPAND THE FOLLOWING STANDARDS?

a) ASTM

b) API

c) ASME

d) AWWA

Ans: a) ASTM – American Society For Testing Materials

b) API – American Petroleum Institute

c) ASME – American Society of Mechanical Engineers

d) AWWA – American Water Works Association
 11) WHICH TYPE OF NDT METHOD IS NORMALLY USED FOR CHECKING SOCKET WELDED JOINTS IN?

a) SS ________________ b) CS _____________________

Ans: FOR FINDING SURFACE DEFECTS IN SW, SS-PT AND CS-MPT.

FOR GAP CHECKING IN SW AND THREADED RT.

12) FLATTENING OF BENDS, MEASURED AS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE LARGEST AND THE
SMALLEST OUTSIDE DIAMETER AT ANY CROSS SECTION, SHALL NOT EXCEED _____% OF
NOMINAL PIPE DIA? (REFER TO WHICH STANDARD).

a) 3%

b) 5%

c) 8%

d) 10%

Ans: 5%

13) COMPRESSED FIBRE SHEET GASKET CAN BE USED IN RF FLANGE FACES FOR FLANGES IN NON-
HAZARDOUS FLUID FLOW SERVICES?

a) TRUE

b) FALSE

Ans: FALSE, AS SHEET GASKETS ARE COMMONLY USED IN FLAT FACE FLANGES.

14) WRITE ANY 4 TYPES OF VALVES AND IT’S FUNCTIONS?

Ans: GATE VALVE – ISOLATION.

GLOBE VALVE- REGULATION.

CHECK VALVE- NON RETURN.

DIAPHRAM VALVE / FOOT VALVE – SPECIAL PURPOSE.

15) IN WHICH ORIENTATION DOES THE INSTRUMENT OF ORIFICE FLANGE CONNECTED IN A PIPELINE
FOR GASEOUS SERVICES?

Ans: THE INSTRUMENT CONNECTION MUST BE UP AT AN ANGLE OF 45 or 30 DEGREES FOR GASEOUS

FLOW.( REFER TO STANDARD SAES-J-100)

16) FOR A 2” HEADER PIPE, ½” BRANCH CONNECTION IS NEEDED, WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING WILL
YOU PREFER?

a) SOCKOLET

b) EQUAL TEE

c) REDUCER TEE

d) BRANCH REINFORCED.
Ans: SOCKOLET IS PREFFERD.( REFER TO STANDARD SAES L-110 CHART 1)

17) SEALANT COMPOUNDS OR TEFLON TAPE TO BE REMOVED FROM PIPE THREADS PRIOR TO SEAL
WELDING OF THREADED JOINTS?

a) TRUE

b) FALSE

Ans: TRUE

18) AT WHICH LOCATION BE VENT HOLE TO BE PROVIDED ON HORIZONTAL DUMMY PIPE SUPPORT,
WHAT’S THE SIZE OF VENT HOLE?(REFER TO WHICH STANDARD).

Ans: NEAR THE RUN PIPE AT 6’O CLOCK POSITION , 6 MM VENT HOLE TO BE PROVIDED.(REFER TO
STANDARD SAES L 350 13.2)

19) WRITE DOWN THE FOLLOWING FROM LINECLASS 25CS2P?

a) 25 ____________ b) CS ______________

c) 2 ______________ d) P ________________

Ans: a) 25 -FLANGE RATING

b) CS-MATERIAL

c) 2-CORROSION ALLOWANCE

d) P-SERVICE

20) MAXIMUM DIAMETER SOCKET WELD JOINTS ALLOWED IN HAZARDOUS SERVICE? (REFER TO
WHICH STANDARD).

a) ½”

b) 1 ½”

c) 3”

d) 2”

Ans: 1 1/2”, Refer in SAES-L-110

21) Which API Specification governs valve hydrostatic test pressure?

Ans: API 598

22) What pressure tests are required for Gate Valve?

Ans: Shell Test, Closure or Seat Test and Back Seat Test for Gland/Stem Leak

23) What is the purpose of backseat test?

Ans: To identify the valve stem leak

24) Is it permissible to use a sealing compound for the installation of threaded joint?

Ans: Yes, Ex- Lock Tight

25) Of what does pipe inspection at the mill consist?

Ans: Heat Number, Material Grade, Physical Dimension, Chemical composition, Mechanical and NDT test
record and Tensile Test Record.

26) What is included in a dimensional inspection of a length pipe?

Ans: Pipe schedule, Length, Material specification, Pipe size, Ovality, dent.

27) What information should be stamped on a butt weld fitting?

Ans: Heat Number, Material Grade, Rating, Size, Schedule

28) What dimensions should be checked when inspecting a Flange raised face welding?

Ans: Horizontal, vertical, Rotational, combination, bolt offset hole

29) How should a socket weld flange be setup for welding to a Pipe?

Ans: Before Welding verify the required Gap is provided, 1.5mm to 3mm gap by Marking Method or Gap
ring.

30) Why are vent hole put in reinforcement pad?

Ans:For removing welding fumes and also Vent shall be used for the Pneumatic Leak Testing, Reinforcing pad
of welded branch connections shall be pneumatically leak tested with air at 1.75 bar through a minimum of
¼” (6mm) tapped vent hole/weep hole for venting and examined for leaks using a soap solution at a reduced
pressure of 0.2 to 0.35 bar. The 6mm tapped vent shall not be located in the crotch of the branch.

31) Where the Saudi Aramco Line Class Designators and Service Code are be found?
Ans: It is found in SAES-L-105 and Project Piping Material Specification for the individual Packages
followed by the International Standard B31.3.
32) Break down the line class 6” – CA-127-1CS3C
6” = Pipe Size
CA = Drawing No.
127 = Drawing No.
1CS3C = 1 – 150 Flange Rating,
CS – Carbon Steel (Base Material),
3 – Corrosion Allowance (4.8mm) &
C – Caustic
33) How do you verify that the correct piping material is used?
Ans: It can be identified through the following ways
1. Heat No. Traceability with MTC
2. With Material ASTM Specification
3. Color Coding system
4. Positive Material Identification
34) What is often overlooked during orifice flange fabrication?
Ans:
1. Orifice Tapping Hole orientation
2. Flow direction
3. Flush grinding after Welding
4. NDT after Flushing
5. Seal Welding of Orifice tapping with instrument connection
6. All parallel pipe lines with adjacent orifice fittings shall have a min spacing of 300 mm (12 in) between
flanges outside diameters if horizontal taps are required.

35) When a flange connects the pump or other equipment, is there any special tolerance involved?

Ans:- As per API-686 And SAES-L-350

For piping over 3-inch NPS and connected to machinery/equipment, flange alignment shall be within the
following limits unless piping analysis per SAES-L-120 shows that loads and moments are within the
manufacturer's limits for the machinery/equipment nozzle:
a) Vertical bolt hole offset: ± 2.4 mm
b) Horizontal bolt hole offset: ± 2.4 mm
c) Rotational offset: ± 2.4 mm
d) Flange face tilt across diameter: 0.025 mm per 25 mm (0.001 inch per inch) of flange outside
diameter up to a maximum of 0.672 mm (0.030 inch), and 0.254mm (0.010 inch) for all flanges
with an outside diameter less than 10 inches.
e) Flange face separation, gasket thickness: ± 1.6 mm
f) Combination of vertical, horizontal and rotational offset: ± 3.2 mm

36) What is required thread engagement for piping at Saudi Aramco and where can it be found?
The Minimum number of the engaged threads per nominal size is as follows.
1. For ½” and ¾” - 6 threads must be engaged
2. For 1” to 1 ½” - 7 threads must be engaged
3. For 2” to 3” - 8 threads must be engaged ,It is found in SAES-L-350
37) How can an inspector determine if cold spring exists visually on a flanged section of pipe?

Ans: It can be determined, if the pipe is stressed mechanically like Bending, Twisting or Pulling. And it is not
acceptable

38) What are the attachments in Test package?

Ans:
1. General Information Sheet
2. Test package flow chart
3. Test package table of contents
4. Test package diagram legend
5. Schematic package diagram and test manifold
6. Drawing summary report
7. Piping instrument (marked-up) diagram (P&IDs)
8. Piping spool diagram
9. Pretest punch list
10. Joint weld and NDT summary
11. Field valve test report
12. Bolt tightening and gasket verification report
13. Internal cleaning and flushing report
14. Visual inspection of orifice flange
15. Slope survey report
16. Reinforcement pad test report
17. Instrument removed check list
18. Test preparation check list
19. Water chemistry report
20. Calibration checklist – all certificates to be attached
21. Verify test equipment
22. Online check/control valve status
23. Safety instruction sheet
24. Blind control sheet
25. Pressure test report
26. Test package drain and lay-up report
27. Reinstatement.
39) What is hydrostatic and pneumatic pressure test?
Ans: Hydrostatic pressure test is a pressure test conducting using water or other approved liquid as the test
medium whereas pneumatic pressure test is a pressure test conducted air or other approved gas as the test
medium or in conjunction with liquid.
40) What we check in water analysis and its value for CS & SS?

Ans: In water analysis we check the PH value and chloride content, For CS PH value is 7.5± 5 and chloride
content is < 250ppm. For SS PH value is 7.5 ± 0.5 and chloride content is < 50ppm.

41) What are the different types of fluids in ASME, Explain?

Ans:
1. Category D fluid service:- nonflammable, non-toxic and non-damaging to human tissues, temperature
range is -29 degree Celsius to 186 degree Celsius.
2. Category M fluid service:- toxic and flammable
3. High pressure fluid service:- based on class 2500 rating for specified design temperature and material
group.
4. Normal fluid service:- not subjected to D,M or high pressure fluid service.

42) Why do we provide drip leg in steam line?

Ans:To remove condensate when there is a rise of same in the pipe along the flow direction. If drip leg is not
provided in steam line, the condensate which forms inside the pipe will result in water hammer effect causing
damage to the piping system.

43) What things are found in a Piping Isometric drawing?

Ans: Line Design conditions, references to drawings, materials of construction(Bill Of

Materials), continuations, orientation, piping and drawing details and notes, revision
control and approval status.

44) What is the color code for the material?( standard)

Ans: PFI ES 22( PIPING FABRICATION INSTITUTE)

45) Write inspection items during valves installation?

1. Valve type correct at location

2. Valve test certificate
3. Valve tag as per P&ID
4. Valve direction of flow as per P&ID
5. Gasket bolts as per isometric & type
6. Handle direction
7. Chain wheel installed
8. Valve flange face condition
46) Which information’s are included in an ITP?
Ans:
1. Process Description
2. Quality Control Requirements
3. Responsibilities
4. Applicable procedures
5. Acceptance criteria
6. Percentage of tests to be done (including increased inspection levels when performance
requirements are not met.)
7. Verifying documents and Quality Records
8. Review, Witness and Hold points

47) Define Hold Point?

Ans: Hold Point is defined as an inspection point beyond which an activity must not proceed
without the approval of a designated organization or authority

48) What is ISO 9001: 2008?

Ans: Quality management system

The organization shall establish, document, implement and maintain a quality management
system and continually improve its effectiveness in accordance with the requirements of
this International Standard.

49) What is NCR, CAR, DR?

 NCR: (Non Conformity report): A record reporting the variation from the specified
requirements.
 CAR: Corrective action report: A record reporting the action taken to eliminate the effect
and causes of an existing non –conformity, defect or other undesirable situation in order
to prevent recurrence.
 DR: Deviation report: A record of the concessions granted by client or owner to certain
deviation from project specification.

50) What do you mean by Witness Point Inspection?

An inspection point, defined in an appropriate document, beyond which an activity can proceed
after notifying the designated organization or authority.

51) What do you mean by Review Point?

A review point, defined in an appropriate document, is the point at which a work activity cannot
proceed without first ensuring the review and approval of applicable documents or personnel
qualifications by a designated organization or authority.
52) Quality Control Procedure (QCP)?

A QCP is a documented procedure detailing the processes necessary to complete a specific work
activity.

53) Inspection & Test Plan (ITP)?

Ans: An ITP is a document based on the detailed manufacturing, fabrication and construction
program and identify each process description. The ITP will set out related sequence of activities
to be inspected, examined and tested.

54) What is the difference between Pipe and Tube?

Ans: Pipe is identified by Nominal bore and thickness is defined by schedule, whereas Tube is
identified by OD

55) From which size onwards NB of pipe equals to OD of Pipe?

Ans: From size 14” and onwards NB=OD of Pipe

56) What is the difference between Machine bolt and Stud bolt?

Ans: Machine bolt has a head on one side but Stud bolt have Nuts on both sides.

57) What is soluble dam and for what purpose it is using in piping?

Ans: Soluble dam is a water soluble material used for restricting the purge gas within the pipe for welding
especially SS and Alloy materials.

58) What should the radius of Long radius elbow and short radius elbow?

Ans: Long Radius Elbow : 1.5 D (D is the diameter of the pipe)

Short Radius elbow :1D

59) Normally where do we use the following? -Concentric Reducer & Eccentric Reducer?

Ans: Concentric Reducer: Pump Discharge and vertical Pipe line etc.

Eccentric Reducer: Pump suction to avoid cavitation & to maintain elevation (BOP) in rack.

60) Can we use concentric reducer in pump suction? Explain?

Ans: No, air pockets may form if concentric reducer is used at pump suction, which results in cavitation,
and cause damage to pump. To avoid this use eccentric reducer with flat up side in pump suction.

61) What is the basic difference between Pipe specification A106 Gr.A / Gr.B/ Gr.C.?

Ans: Difference is due to the Carbon content.

% of carbon content in : -
I. ASTM A106 Gr. A – 0.25 %
II. ASTM A106 Gr. B – 0.30 %
III ASTM A106 Gr. C – 0.35 %.
62) What is the difference between pipe specification ASTM A312 TP 304 & ASTM A312 TP304L, ASTM A312
TP 316 & ASTM A312 TP 316L?

Ans: Difference is due to the Carbon content. The Letter “L” denotes lower percentage of carbon.
% of carbon content in : -

I. ASTM A312 TP 304 - 0.08 %

II. ASTM A312 TP 304L- 0.035%
III. ASTM A312 TP 316 - 0.08 %
IV. ASTM A312 TP 316L- 0.035%

63) What is the thumb rule to calculate spanner size for given bolt?

Ans: 1.5 X Diameter of Bolt

64) What is steam tracing? How do we decide the location of SSM and CRM?

Ans: Steam tracing is a process which is used to prevent a fluid passing through a process line from freezing
by keeping the temperature high enough for free flow of fluid and thus maintaining the pumpability.

SSM and CRM and generally located 38m max for open system and 24m for closed system when we use LP
steam up to 3.5 kg/sq cm. as a heating media.