API SIFE flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Hold point

A designated inspection stage where work cannot proceed until the inspector or authorized representative has completed the required verification and recorded acceptance.

Witness point

A designated inspection stage that requires notification to the inspector before work proceeds; the activity may continue if the inspector does not attend, unless the contract states otherwise.

Inspection and Test Plan

A project document listing fabrication and inspection activities, acceptance criteria, responsible parties, and hold or witness points used to control quality surveillance.

Nonconformance report

A formal record describing a failure to meet a requirement, its location, evidence, disposition, and corrective action, used to track closure before equipment release.

Source inspection purpose

Verification at the vendor's fabrication site that materials, workmanship, testing, and documentation conform to the purchase order, approved drawings, and applicable code before shipment.

Pre-inspection meeting

A meeting before fabrication or inspection begins that confirms the inspection plan, notification rules, access, document formats, calibration, and communication responsibilities among vendor and inspector.

Surveillance level

The planned intensity of inspection and document review, selected from equipment criticality, fabrication complexity, vendor performance history, and contractual or code requirements.

PQR

Procedure Qualification Record: documented evidence of a test weld made to qualify a welding procedure, including essential variables, test results, and required mechanical examinations.

WPS

Welding Procedure Specification: a written, qualified instruction defining base metals, filler metals, preheat, electrical parameters, technique, and other variables needed to make production welds.

WPQ

Welder Performance Qualification: a record showing that a welder or welding operator produced test welds meeting the procedure and code requirements for the assigned joint configuration.

P-number

A code grouping of base metals with similar welding characteristics; it is an essential variable in procedure and performance qualification and reduces the number of separate qualifications.

Preheat

Application of heat to the base metal before welding to slow cooling, reduce hydrogen cracking risk, and meet code or procedure requirements for the material and thickness.

PWHT

Post-weld heat treatment: controlled heating and cooling after welding to reduce residual stress, temper hard zones, or meet code requirements based on material and thickness.

PMI

Positive Material Identification: nondestructive chemical analysis, often by X-ray fluorescence or optical emission, used to verify that alloy components match the specified material.

PT

Penetrant testing: a surface NDE method that applies a liquid penetrant and developer to reveal surface-breaking discontinuities in nonporous materials; it does not detect internal flaws.

MT

Magnetic particle testing: a surface and near-surface NDE method using magnetic fields and iron particles to reveal discontinuities in ferromagnetic materials; it is not effective in austenitic stainless steel.

RT

Radiographic testing: an internal NDE method using X-rays or gamma rays to produce images of density differences, revealing volumetric flaws such as porosity, inclusions, and lack of fusion.

UT

Ultrasonic testing: an internal NDE method using high-frequency sound waves to detect reflectors and measure thickness; flaw detection depends on sound beam orientation and surface condition.

Hydrostatic test

A pressure test using water or another liquid to verify pressure-boundary strength and leak tightness; test pressure and duration are set by the applicable code and approved procedure.

Pneumatic test

A pressure test using air or gas to verify pressure-boundary integrity; it stores more energy than a hydrostatic test and requires code-specified precautions, exclusion zones, and approval.

MAWP

Maximum Allowable Working Pressure: the highest internal or external pressure permitted at the design temperature for the equipment, established by the applicable code and reflected on the nameplate.

Tubesheet

A perforated plate in a heat exchanger that supports and separates tubes from shell-side and tube-side fluids; tube-to-tubesheet joints are critical pressure-boundary and leakage points.

Valve shell test

A pressure test of the valve pressure-containing shell, typically at a multiple of the rated pressure, to verify structural integrity and absence of external leakage.

Valve seat test

A test of valve closure tightness by applying pressure across the seat in the specified direction and checking allowable leakage; acceptance limits depend on valve type and code.

Flange rating

The maximum allowable pressure for a flange at a given temperature and material group, determined from the applicable standard such as ASME B16.5 or B16.47.

Nameplate

A permanent equipment tag showing identifying data such as manufacturer, serial number, code stamp, MAWP, design temperature, and year built for pressure equipment.

MDR

Manufacturer's Data Report: the code-required record that documents design, materials, fabrication, testing, and certification, and supports the equipment nameplate and code stamp.

Code edition

The specific edition and addenda of the governing code that the contract requires; approval is needed before using a later edition or alternative requirement.

Approved drawings

The controlled fabrication documents that define dimensions, materials, welds, tolerances, and inspection requirements; only current approved revisions are valid for inspection.

Release package

The final documentation set submitted before shipment, including material certificates, NDE and test reports, heat treatment records, drawings, and packing or preservation records.

NCR closure

Verification that a nonconformance has an approved disposition, required repairs or rework are complete, re-inspection has passed, and records are signed and filed.

Document control

A system ensuring that only current approved procedures, drawings, specifications, and reports are used, with revisions identified, distributed, and obsolete documents removed.