255.245 - Repair or removal of defects

 

(a) Each weld that is unacceptable under section 255.241(c) must be removed or repaired. A weld must be removed if it has a crack that:

(1) is more than eight percent of the weld length or two inches (51 millimeters) in length whichever is less; or

(2) penetrates either the root or second bead.

(b) Each weld that is repaired must have the defect removed down to sound metal and the segment to be repaired must be preheated if conditions exist which would adversely affect the quality of the weld repair. After repair, the segment of the weld that was repaired must be inspected to ensure its acceptability. Repairs on pipelines to operate at 125 psig (862 kPa) or more must be nondestructively inspected and meet the standards in section 6 of API Standard 1104 (as described in Section 10.3 of this Title).

(c) If the repair is not acceptable, the weld must be removed.