EN 13480-5:2002 (E)

Issue 1 (2002-05)

start

random testing

welds
acceptable ?

yes

no

test 2 additional welds

yes

additional
welds
acceptable ?

no

test all welds of that group

repair tested welds with

unacceptable imperfections and
re-examine

welds
acceptable ?

yes
end

no

Figure 8.1-1 Flow diagram of additional testing required when imperfections have been revealed

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EN 13480-5:2002 (E)
Issue 6 (2006-03)

8.2 Circumferential butt, branch, fillet and seal welds

8.2.1

Amount of examination

The type of NDT required and its extent shall be determined in accordance with Table 8.2-1, taking into account the
piping category the piping is classified to.
The following additional conditions shall apply:
a)

For piping where creep or fatigue is the controlling factor in design, it shall be assigned to piping category III
for determining the extent of NDT, irrespective of PS and DN;

b)

For piping in material groups 1.1, 1.2, and 8.1, in piping classes I or II, volumetric testing shall be a minimum
of 10 % of circumferential butt and branch welds irrespective of PS and DN, if the piping is > DN 25 and
contains very toxic or extremely flammable fluids;

c)

Where the specified NDT level is 5 %, this shall apply to the first 100 welds made. Where no unacceptable
imperfections are identified in this sample, the level of testing may be reduced to an overall level of 2 %.
However, the minimum number of welds examined shall be 5. All other requirements given in 8.1.2 shall
apply;

d)

For the circumferential welds where the calculated stresses across the weld (as determined using
EN 13480-3) are below 70 % of the nominal design stress for the design conditions, the amount of testing may
be reduced by 50 % of the values given in Table 8.2-1;

e)

Piping for steam and superheated water (water at a pressure greater than 0,5 bar and at a temperature equal
to or greater than 110 C) shall be subject to the following NDT:

where PS DN 5 000, 100 % volumetric testing of butt and branch welds;

where PS DN 3 500, 25 % volumetric testing of butt and branch welds;

together with other testing specified in Table 8.2-1 for the combination of material, piping category and
thickness;
NOTE For piping operating at 100 C or more, at least 10 % of socket welds should be radiographed to confirm that an
adequate expansion gap has been achieved.

f)

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For the selection of the appropriate NDT method for volumetric testing, see Table 8.4-4.

EN 13480-5:2002 (E)
Issue 6 (2006-03)

Table 8.2-1 Extent of testing for circumferential, branch, fillet and seal welds
Material
group a

Piping Class

All
welds

Circumferential welds
Surface testing

VT
%

en b
mm

MT/PT c
%

II

100

II

100

III
I
II

100

III

30
> 30
30
> 30
30
> 30
30
> 30
30
> 30
30
> 30

5
10
5
10
5
10
10
25
25
25
100
100

10
10
10
10
25
25 d
25
25
25
25 d
100
100 d

Material group, see CR ISO 15608.

For the selection of the appropriate NDT-method for volumetric testing, see Table 8.4-4.

For ferritic materials preference shall be given to MT.

Additional testing for transverse defects from weld surface (see 8.4.4.2).

Only if PWHT has been carried out.

en b
mm

RT/UT
%

en
mm

MT/PT
%

en
mm

MT/PT
%
Nil

Nil

All

Nil

All

Nil

All

10

Socket/fillet
Seal welds
welds
Surface testing Surface testing

Volumetric testing

en MT/PT c Branch
Branch
diameter mm
diameter
%

III
1.3, 1.4
2.1, 2.2
4.1, 4.2
8.2, 8.3
9.1, 9.2, 9.3
10.1, 10.2
3.1, 3.2, 3.3
5.1, 5.2, 5.3
5.4, 6.1, 6.2,
6.3, 6.4, 7.1,
7.2, 11

Surface testing

I
1.1
1.2
8.1

Volumetric
testing
RT/UT
%

Branch welds

All
10

All e

> DN 100

> 15

All

10

10

10

Nil

All e

10

All e

10

All

25

All

25

10
> DN 100

All
25
All

> 15

25
All

100

25
All

100

10
All

100

100

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EN 13480-5:2002 (E)
Issue 1 (2002-05)

8.2.2

Dissimilar metal joints

The test methods and extent of testing for joints between ferritic and other materials (e.g. austenitic, nickel-based
alloys) shall be according to the highest material group which is applicable to the base materials.

8.3 Longitudinal welds

Longitudinal welds, except those in components made to material specifications acceptable to this European
Standard, shall be subject to the level of NDT appropriate to the joint coefficient required (see Table 8.3-1).
Table 8.3-1 Extent of NDT for longitudinal welds
Joint coefficient
Z

VT

MT or PT a

RT or UT b

z 0,7
0,7 < z 0,85
0,85 < z 1,0

100
100
100

0
10
100

%
0
10
100

a for ferritic materials preference shall be given to MT.

b see Table 8.4-3

8.4 NDT Methods

8.4.1

General

The NDT methods specified in the following clauses shall be performed in accordance with written NDT procedures,
and, where appropriate, with NDT instructions.
8.4.2

Acceptance criteria

The acceptance criteria for the NDT techniques shall follow the European Standards in Table 8.4-1. Requirements for
acceptance criteria for surface imperfections are given in Table 8.4-2 and additional requirements for acceptance
criteria for internal imperfections detected by RT are given in Table 8.4-3.
Table 8.4-1 NDT techniques, method, acceptance criteria
NDT Technique
(abbreviation)
Visual Examination (VT)
Radiographic Testing (RT)

Method

Acceptance Criteria

EN 970
EN 1435:1997, class B a b

Ultrasonic Testing (UT)

EN 1714:1998, class B b

Penetrant Testing (PT)

EN 571-1

Magnetic Particle Testing (MT)

EN 1290

Table 8.4-2
EN 12517:1998
Acceptance level 2 and additional
requirements of Table 8.4-3
EN 1712 :1997, c
Acceptance level 2 d
EN 1289 :1998,
Acceptance level 1
EN 1291 :1998,
Acceptance level 1

a However, the maximum area for single exposure shall correspond to the requirements of EN 1435:1997, class A.
b Class A for material group 1.1, 1.2, 8.1 when piping class is I or II.
c For the characterization of indications EN 1713 may be used.
d Acceptance level 3 for material group 1.1, 1.2, 8.1 when piping class is I or II.

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