EN 12732:2021

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-februar-2022
Nadomešča:
SIST EN 12732:2013+A1:2014
Infrastruktura za plin - Varjenje jeklenih cevovodov - Funkcionalne zahteve
Gas infrastructure - Welding steel pipework - Functional requirements
Gasinfrastruktur - Schweißen an Rohrleitungen aus Stahl - Funktionale Anforderungen
Infrastructures gazières - Soudage des tuyauteries en acier - Prescriptions fonctionnelles
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 12732:2021
ICS:
25.160.40 Varjeni spoji in vari Welded joints and welds
91.140.40 Sistemi za oskrbo s plinom Gas supply systems
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EN 12732
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
November 2021
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 25.160.40 Supersedes EN 12732:2013+A1:2014
English Version
Gas infrastructure - Welding steel pipework - Functional
requirements
Infrastructures gazières - Soudage des tuyauteries en Gasinfrastruktur - Schweißen an Rohrleitungen aus
acier - Prescriptions fonctionnelles Stahl - Funktionale Anforderungen
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 3 October 2021.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2021 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 12732:2021 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 5
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms and definitions . 8
4 General requirements . 11
4.1 General. 11
4.2 Quality system requirements . 13
4.3 Welding contractors . 15
4.4 Welding procedure requirements . 15
4.5 Welders. 16
4.6 Welding supervisory and coordination personnel . 17
4.7 Non destructive testing (NDT) . 17
4.8 Destructive testing (DT) . 17
5 Production welding . 17
5.1 General. 17
5.2 Working area . 17
5.3 Layout of weld joints . 17
5.4 Types of weld joints . 17
5.5 Joint preparation . 18
5.6 Preheating . 20
5.7 Tacking . 20
5.8 Welding . 20
5.9 Actions after welding . 21
5.10 Repair of weld defects . 21
5.11 Destructive testing of production welds for DP over 16 bar . 21
6 Attachment-, and in-service welding . 22
6.1 General. 22
6.2 Attachment of structural parts . 22
6.3 Attachment of cathodic protection connections . 22
6.4 Hot-tapping and other welding work on in-service pipelines . 22
7 Inspection of the weld joint . 23
7.1 General. 23
7.2 Scope of inspection . 23
7.3 Non-destructive testing, assessment levels and acceptance criteria . 25
7.4 Time of inspection . 25
7.5 Tie in welds for DP over 16 bar . 25
7.6 Recording of test results. 25
7.7 Requirements for records and documentation . 27
8 Metering, regulating and compressor stations . 28
Annex A (normative) Qualification of pipeline welders and operators of mechanized
welding equipment for steel pipelines . 29
A.1 General. 29
A.2 Additional requirements to EN ISO 9606-1:2017 and EN ISO 14732:2013 . 29
A.3 Additional requirements for operators of mechanized welding equipment . 30
Annex B (informative) Testing on lamination defects . 31
Annex C (informative) Time-of-flight diffraction technique (TOFD) . 32
C.1 General . 32
C.2 Additional and substitutional requirements to EN ISO 10863:2011 . 32
Annex D (normative) Critical aspects for hot-tap welding or welding on in-service pipelines . 41
D.1 General . 41
D.2 procedural requirements . 41
D.3 Supervision . 42
D.4 Safety precautions . 42
D.5 Welding consumables . 42
D.6 Welding procedure specification (WPS) . 43
D.7 Welding procedure qualification for in-service welding . 43
D.8 Qualification of the welder . 43
D.9 Weld preparation long seam . 43
D.10 Weld preparation circular seam . 43
D.11 Repairs . 44
D.12 Non-destructive testing . 44
D.13 Pressure test . 44
D.14 Documentation . 44
Annex E (normative) AUT examination of joints . 45
E.1 Extent of this annex . 45
E.2 General Requirements . 45
E.3 Field Inspection . 52
E.4 Adjustments of the AUT system . 54
E.5 Acceptance criteria tier 1 . 54
E.6 Acceptance criteria tier 2 . 56
Annex F (informative) Manual ultrasonic testing of weld joints for wall thickness between
approximately 6 mm and 8 mm . 60
F.1 General . 60
F.2 Setting of range . 60
F.3 Sensitivity adjustment when using the Distance Gain Size method . 60
Annex G (normative) EPRG acceptance criteria . 64
G.1 General . 64
G.2 EPRG defect acceptance levels and defect limits . 64
G.3 Requirements . 65
Annex H (normative) Visual acceptance criteria according to EN ISO 5817:2014 . 71
Annex I (normative) RT acceptance criteria according to EN ISO 10675 and
EN ISO 5817:2014 . 73
Annex J (normative) Alternative method and acceptance criteria for UT inspection . 75
J.1 Distance Gain Size method . 75
J.2 Comparative Element method. 75
J.3 General. 75
Annex K (informative) Brazing and stud welding of connections for cathodic protection
systems . 77
K.1 Joining techniques . 77
K.2 Procedure qualification . 77
K.3 Operation qualification . 78
K.4 Production joints . 78
Annex L (informative) Significant technical changes between this European Standard and
the previous edition . 79
Bibliography . 80

European foreword
This document (EN 12732:2021) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 234 “Gas
infrastructure”, the secretariat of which is held by DIN.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by May 2022, and conflicting national standards shall be
withdrawn at the latest by May 2022.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document supersedes EN 12732:2013+A1:2014.
This document has been prepared under a Standardization Request given to CEN by the European
Commission and the European Free Trade Association.
Annex L provides details of significant technical changes between this document and the previous
edition.
There is a complete suite of functional standards prepared by CEN/TC 234 “Gas infrastructure” to cover
all parts from the input of gas to the transmission system up to the inlet connection of the gas
appliances, whether for domestic, commercial or industrial purposes.
In preparing this document, a basic understanding of gas infrastructure by the user has been assumed.
Gas infrastructure is complex and the importance on safety of its construction and use has led to the
development of very detailed codes of practice and operating manuals in the member countries. These
detailed statements embrace recognized standards of gas engineering and the specific requirements
imposed by the legal structures of the member countries.
CEN/TC 234 will continue its work updating this standard to the latest developments at regular
intervals.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards body.
A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN website.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organisations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of
North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the
United Kingdom.
1 Scope
This document contains requirements for the production and testing of weld joints for the installation
and modification, including in-service welding, of onshore steel pipelines and pipework used in gas
infrastructure. This includes all pressure ranges and processed, non-toxic and non-corrosive natural gas
according to EN ISO 13686 and non-conventional gases such as (injected) biomethane and hydrogen,
where:
• the pipeline elements are made of unalloyed or low-alloyed carbon steel;
• the pipeline is not located within commercial or industrial premises as integral part of the industrial
process on those premises except for any pipelines and facilities delivering gas to such premises;
• the pipework is not located within households or industrial installations according to EN 1775 or
EN 15001;
• the design temperature of the system is between −40 °C up to and including 120 °C.
For injected biomethane or hydrogen a detailed technical evaluation of the functional requirements is
required, ensuring there are no other constituents or properties of the gases that can affect the integrity
of the pipeline.
This document is not applicable to welds produced prior to the publication of this document.
This document specifies common basic principles for gas infrastructure. Users of this document are
expected to be aware that there can exist more detailed national standards and/or codes of practice in
the CEN member countries.
This document is intended to be applied in association with these national standards and/or codes of
practice setting out the above-mentioned basic principles.
In the event of conflicts in terms of more restrictive requirements in national legislation/regulation
with the requirements of this document, the national legislation/regulation takes precedence as
illustrated in CEN/TR 13737 (all parts).
NOTE CEN/TR 13737 (all parts) contains:
• clarification of relevant legislation/regulations applicable in a country;
• if appropriate, more restrictive national requirements;
• national contact point for the latest information.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 1708-1, Welding - Basic welded joint details in steel - Part 1: Pressurized components
EN 10204, Metallic products - Types of inspection documents
EN ISO 636, Welding consumables - Rods, wires and deposits for tungsten inert gas welding of non-alloy
and fine-grain steels - Classification (ISO 636)
EN ISO 2560, Welding consumables - Covered electrodes for manual metal arc welding of non-alloy and
fine grain steels - Classification (ISO 2560)
EN ISO 3834-2, Quality requirements for fusion welding of metallic materials - Part 2: Comprehensive
quality requirements (ISO 3834-2)
EN ISO 5817, Welding - Fusion-welded joints in steel, nickel, titanium and their alloys (beam welding
excluded) - Quality levels for imperfections (ISO 5817)
EN ISO 6520-1, Welding and allied processes - Classification of geometric imperfections in metallic
materials - Part 1: Fusion welding (ISO 6520-1)
EN ISO 9606-1:2017, Qualification testing of welders - Fusion welding - Part 1: Steels (ISO 9606-1:2017)
EN ISO 9692-1, Welding and allied processes - Types of joint preparation - Part 1: Manual metal arc
welding, gas-shielded metal arc welding, gas welding, TIG welding and beam welding of steels (ISO 9692-
1)
EN ISO 9712, Non-destructive testing - Qualification and certification of NDT personnel (ISO 9712)
EN ISO 10675-1:2016, Non-destructive testing of welds - Acceptance levels for radiographic testing - Part
1: Steel, nickel, titanium and their alloys (ISO 10675-1:2016)
EN ISO 10863:2011, Non-destructive testing of welds - Ultrasonic testing - Use of time-of-flight diffraction
technique (TOFD) (ISO 10863:2011)
EN ISO 10893-8, Non-destructive testing of steel tubes - Part 8: Automated ultrasonic testing of seamless
and welded steel tubes for the detection of laminar imperfections (ISO 10893-8)
EN ISO 11666, Non-destructive testing of welds - Ultrasonic testing - Acceptance levels (ISO 11666)
EN ISO 13588, Non-destructive testing of welds - Ultrasonic testing - Use of automated phased array
technology (ISO 13588)
EN ISO 14171, Welding consumables - Solid wire electrodes, tubular cored electrodes and electrode/flux
combinations for submerged arc welding of non alloy and fine grain steels - Classification (ISO 14171)
EN ISO 14174, Welding consumables - Fluxes for submerged arc welding and electroslag welding -
Classification (ISO 14174)
EN ISO 14175, Welding consumables - Gases and gas mixtures for fusion welding and allied processes (ISO
14175)
EN ISO 14341, Welding consumables - Wire electrodes and weld deposits for gas shielded metal arc
welding of non alloy and fine grain steels - Classification (ISO 14341)
EN ISO 14732:2013, Welding personnel - Qualification testing of welding operators and weld setters for
mechanized and automatic welding of metallic materials (ISO 14732:2013)
EN ISO 15609-1, Specification and qualification of welding procedures for metallic materials - Welding
procedure specification - Part 1: Arc welding (ISO 15609-1)
EN ISO 15614-1, Specification and qualification of welding procedures for metallic materials - Welding
procedure test - Part 1: Arc and gas welding of steels and arc welding of nickel and nickel alloys (ISO
15614-1)
EN ISO 17636-1, Non-destructive testing of welds - Radiographic testing - Part 1: X- and gamma-ray
techniques with film (ISO 17636-1)
EN ISO 17636-2, Non-destructive testing of welds - Radiographic testing - Part 2: X- and gamma-ray
techniques with digital detectors (ISO 17636-2)
EN ISO 17637, Non-destructive testing of welds - Visual testing of fusion-welded joints (ISO 17637)
EN ISO 17638, Non-destructive testing of welds - Magnetic particle testing (ISO 17638)
EN ISO 17640, Non-destructive testing of welds - Ultrasonic testing - Techniques, testing levels, and
assessment (ISO 17640)
EN ISO 18275, Welding consumables - Covered electrodes for manual metal arc welding of high-strength
steels - Classification (ISO 18275)
EN ISO 19285, Non-destructive testing of welds - Phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT) - Acceptance
levels (ISO 19285)
EN ISO 20378, Welding consumables - Rods for gas welding of non-alloy and creep-resisting steels -
Classification (ISO 20378)
EN ISO 23279, Non-destructive testing of welds - Ultrasonic testing - Characterization of discontinuities in
welds (ISO 23279)
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
• IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
3.1
design pressure
DP
pressure on which design calculations are based
3.2
design temperature
DT
temperature on which the design calculations are based
3.3
round porosity
gas pore in a weld where the length is less as three times the width
3.4
elongated porosity
gas pore in a weld where the length is more than three times the width
3.5
gas
gaseous fuel which is in a gaseous state at a temperature of 15 °C under atmospheric pressure
(1,013 25 bar absolute)
3.6
gas infrastructure
all pipelines, stations and installations from the input of gas to the transmission system up to the inlet
connection of the gas appliances, whether for domestic, commercial or industrial purposes
3.7
gas compressor station
installation used for:
• transporting gas in pipelines;
• compressing gas from a pipeline to a gas storage facility or vice versa
Note 1 to entry: More than one of the above functions could be performed simultaneously or alternately.
3.8
gas distribution system
pipeline system including piping above and below ground and all other equipment necessary to deliver
the gas to the consumer
3.9
gas transmission
activity intended to convey gas from one place to another through pipelines in order to deliver gas to
distribution systems or to industrial consumers
3.10
hot pass
second pass for a cellulosic welded pipe girth weld
3.11
installation
equipment and facilities for the extraction, production, chemical treatment, measurement, control,
storage or off-take of the transported gas
3.12
national requirements
requirements following from applicable national legislation or national standards
3.13
onshore pipeline
buried and/or above ground pipeline including those sections laid in or across inland lakes or water
courses
3.14
pipeline
system of pipework with all associated equipment and stations up to the point of delivery
Note 1 to entry: This pipework is mainly below ground but also includes above ground parts.
3.15
pipeline components
elements from which a pipeline is constructed. The following are distinct pipeline elements: pipe
including cold-formed bends, fittings
Note 1 to entry: Reducers, tees, factory-made elbows and bends, flanges, caps, welding stubs, mechanical joints,
fabrications, manufactured from elements referred above.
Note 2 to entry: Manifolds, slug catchers, pig launching/receiving stations, metering and control runs, equipment.
Note 3 to entry: Valves, expansion joints, insulating joints, pressure regulators, pumps, compressors, dedicated
pressure vessels.
3.16
pipeline operator
private or public organisation authorised to design, construct, and/or operate and maintain the gas
infrastructure, i.e. gas transmission operators (TSO) and gas distribution operators (DSO)
3.17
pipework
assembly of pipes and fittings
3.18
pressure
gauge pressure of the fluid inside the system, measured in static conditions
3.19
root pass
first pass in a single sided pipe girth weld
3.20
station
plant or facility for the operation and/or processing of gas infrastructure
3.21
test pressure
TP
pressure to which a part of the gas infrastructure is subjected to, to ensure safe operation
Note 1 to entry: The test pressure can be different for the different parts of the infrastructure to be tested.
3.22
weld repair
process of repairing a defect that is discovered after the weld has been completed, by additional
welding
Note 1 to entry: The repair can involve complete removal of a cylinder of pipe or removal of a localized area by
grinding or other means followed by additional welding.
3.23
welder
person who holds and manipulates the electrode holder, welding torch or blow pipe by hand
3.24
weld operator
person who operates a mechanized welding system
3.25
welding procedure specification
WPS
document that has been qualified and provides the required variables of the welding procedure to
ensure repeatability during production welding
3.26
temper bead method
weld sequence where the heat-affected zone of the base material is softened as much as possible
3.27
hydrogen dissolved in metal, HDM
amount in ml of diffusible hydrogen in 100 mg of weld metal
4 General requirements
4.1 General
Table 1 assigns the application areas to quality requirement categories as a function of the design
pressure and pipe materials used.
When using this document the following shall be defined by the pipeline operator, the applicable
paragraph is given in brackets:
a) applicable quality requirement category. (scope);
b) applicable quality requirements as defined in Table 2 (4.2);
c) are there specific requirements on visual testing (VT) personnel, and/or qualification (4.2);
d) applicable welding qualification standards (4.2);
e) are all weld metal tensile tests required (4.4);
f) for category B and C, are batch certificates required for welding consumables, when required the
pipeline operator has to define the contents of the certificate (4.4.2);
g) for filler materials not in accordance with listed European standards, is batch qualification with
WPQR allowed (4.4.2);
h) if overmatching weld material is required (4.4.2);
i) if hot deformation for misalignment compensation is allowed for materials of R ≤ 360 MPa (6.2);
t 0,5
j) is the weld always to be covered after completion of welding (5.9);
k) for category D, requirements for repair welding procedures (5.10);
l) extent of NDT techniques (7.2);
m) choice of acceptance criteria (7.3);
n) if the data of NDT need to be delivered to the pipeline operator (7.7);
o) for in-service welds, method, extend and acceptance criteria (D.12).
Additional requirements can be specified when, for example:
• the strain on pipelines and systems;
• the materials;
• the line routing;
• the design or the welding technique;
• local regulations, are considered critical.
Table 1 — Allocation to quality requirement categories
Quality
requirement Area of activity applies to
category
≤ 5 bar
a
Materials used from group 1.1, 1.2 and 1.4 according to CEN ISO/TR 15608 Yield
strength of materials used, R ≤ 360 MPa
B
t 0,5
Examples of use: Mains and service pipes in gas distribution systems, pipework in
stations
> 5 bar ≤ 16 bar
a
Materials used from group 1.1, 1.2 and 1.4 according to CEN ISO/TR 15608 Yield
C strength of materials used, R ≤ 360 MPa
t 0,5
Examples of use: Pipelines including pipework in stations and gas distribution
systems
b
> 16 bar
Materials used from group 1, 2 and 3 according to CEN ISO/TR 15608
D
Examples of use: Pipelines including pipework in stations and gas transmission
systems
Key
R 0,5 is the specified minimum yield strength according to EN ISO 3183
t
NOTE 1 “Category A” for pipework up to and including 100 mbar, as mentioned in the previous version
EN 12732:2000, has been incorporated in the pressure range of “Category B” and has been deleted from this
table.
NOTE 2 Gas infrastructure with a MOP up to and including 16 bar is generally dedicated to gas distribution.
a
When the materials used are outside this range the operator shall review the applicability of the
requirements of this standard or apply Quality requirement category D.
b
Pipelines having hoop stresses at design pressure up to 30 % of specified minimum yield strength (R )
t 0,5
and operated at a pressure up to 24 bar can be allocated to quality requirement Category C by the pipeline
operator.
4.2 Quality system requirements
If required by the pipeline operator, a quality system shall be applied to pipeline welding. A set of
recommended quality requirements according to EN ISO 3834 (all parts) is provided in Table 2, which
specifies the requirements of EN ISO 3834 (all parts) for the different categories as defined in Table 1.
Table 2 — Recommended quality requirements
Quality requirement category in accordance
with Table 1
Requirement relating to:
B C D
Quality system according to:
•  EN ISO 3834-1 and EN ISO 3834-2 (complete) + • •
•  EN ISO 3834-1 and EN ISO 3834-3 (standard) + • •
•  EN ISO 3834-1 and EN ISO 3834-4 (elementary) • – –
Welding coordination personnel:
•  Personnel according to EN ISO 14731:2006
•  welding engineer + + •
•  welding technologist + • +b
•  welding specialist • • +b
•  welding practitioner as defined in IIW-IAB-
• + –
252-07
a
NDT
•  Independent NDT company accredited to
• • •
EN ISO/IEC 17020 or EN ISO/IEC 17025.
•  personnel performing NDT to EN ISO 9712 • • •
•  personnel performing Visual Testing; VT level 2,
+ + •
or qualification as welding practitioner or over.
Welding procedure specification (WPS):
•  According to EN ISO 15609-1 • • •
•  According to EN ISO 15609-2 (up to 100 mbar) • – –
Approval of welding procedures according to

one of the following standards:
•  EN ISO 15614-1 level 2 (welding procedure test) + • •
•  EN ISO 15610 (using approved welding
• – –
consumables)
•  EN ISO 15611 (previous experience) – – –
b
+ + –
•  EN ISO 15612 (standard welding procedures)
•  EN ISO 15613 (pre-production welding test) + + +
Key: • recommended + optional – not recommended
a
testing personal can be employed by either the pipeline operator, the contractor or the NDT company.
b
This can also be applicable in Category D for small projects or for materials with R ≤ 360 MPa.
t 0,5
4.3 Welding contractors
If required by the pipeline operator, contractors shall demonstrate their ability to perform the work.
Reference can be made to EN ISO 3834.
4.4 Welding procedure requirements
4.4.1 General
Welding procedures shall be qualified in accordance with the standards as specified by the pipeline
operator, for guidance see Table 2 recommended quality requirements. For welding process 311 the
maximum design pressure for which this process is allowed is 100 mbar.
The welding procedure specification shall be in accordance with EN ISO 15609-1 and be submitted to
the pipeline operator for approval prior to commencement of welding.
4.4.2 Welding consumables
Welding consumables shall be in accordance with:
• EN ISO 2560 and EN ISO 18275 for shielded metal arc welding (process no. 111);
• EN ISO 14341 and EN ISO 636 for gas metal arc welding (process nos. 135, 141);
• EN ISO 17632 for flux-cored arc welding (process nos. 114, 136);
• EN ISO 14175 for shielding gases;
• EN ISO 14171 for submerged arc welding (process no. 12X);
• EN ISO 14174 for fluxes for submerged arc welding (process no. 12X);
• EN ISO 20378 for autogenous welds (process no. 311).
The numbering of the processes given in brackets is in accordance with EN ISO 4063.
If the filler material to be used in production welding is not listed in these European Standards,
applicable measures shall be set by pipeline operator.
Batch testing of the filler materials can be required by the pipeline operator. In this case the certificates
shall be in accordance with EN 10204, type 3.1. The certificate shall at least contain the chemical
composition and the as welded mechanical properties.
For DP over 16 bar
Welding consumables shall be certified minimum as 3.1 according to EN 10204. The chemical
composition and mechanical tests as specified in the applicable standard for the welding consumable
shall be listed in the certificate.
The use of overmatched consumables is recommended. Weld metal overmatching can be a welding
procedure qualification requirement of the pipeline operator, for example when using the EPRG girth
defect acceptance criteria (Annex G). Unless otherwise agreed, matching weld metal for girth welds
shall be required.
The chemical composition of the deposited weld metal shall be compatible with the base metal, taking
into account any specific property requirements.
For wall thicknesses > 8 mm a lower strength consumable can be used for the root and hot pass.
After filler material has been removed from its original package, it shall be protected or stored in
accordance with the manufacturer's requirements, so that its characteristics or welding properties are
not affected.
4.4.3 Impact testing requirements
For DP over 16 bar
In addition to EN ISO 15614-1, charpy impact testing is required for weld and heat affected zone for a
wall thickness of 5 mm and over. When extracting the charpy impact specimens the thickness shall be
as large as possible. The test temperature is to be taken at the minimum design temperature of the
pipeline, unless otherwise specified by the pipeline operator.
The minimum required values are listed below:
a) steel grades with specified minimum yield strength less or equal to 360 MPa average: 27 joules (J),
individual: 20 J;
b) steel grades with specified minimum yield strength greater than 360 MPa average: 40 J, individual:
30 J;
c) if the EPRG weld defect acceptance rules are specified by the pipeline operator see Annex G:
average: 40 J, individual: 30 J;
d) for sub-size specimens the measured energy shall be converted to the full-size impact energy C (in
joules) using the formula:
8 mm××10 mm C
m
C=
A
m
where
C is the impact energy for the full-size specimen, in joules;
is the measured impact energy, in joules;
C
m
is the cross-section measured under the notch, in square millimetres.
A
m
If an all-weld-metal tensile test is specified, the test specimen and the tests shall be in accordance with
the appropriate European Standard. Yield strength shall be equal to or higher than the specified
minimum yield strength of the parent metal.
For welds made in pipes using a lower strength weld consumable in the root and with a deposited weld
metal thickness in the qualification test piece of 5 mm or less no separate impact tests are required.
When this separate testing, as required by EN ISO 15614-1 is not performed, the PQR has the following
limitations:
• the PQR is only used with the same sequence of processes;
• the maximum qualified thickness of the root layer is 1,5 the deposited weld metal thickness of the
weld process or filler material used for the root.
4.5 Welders
All welders shall be qualified in accordance with Annex A for the work they are required to undertake.
4.6 Welding supervisory and coordination personnel
If a quality system is required by the pipeline operator, the supervisory and the coordination personnel
should be qualified as indicated in Table 2.
Welding tasks and responsibilities for welding shall be clearly assigned to personnel with the
appropriate experience and technical knowledge. The supervisory and coordination personnel can be
employed by the operator or contractor.
The monitoring of welding work on site can be delegated from the welding coordinator in charge to a
welding engineer, welding specialist, welding technologist or a welding practitioner when listed as
recommended or optional for the categories as per Table 2.
4.7 Non destructive testing (NDT)
NDT Personnel performing testing in accordance with this document shall be qualified to an
appropriate level in accordance with EN ISO 9712 or equivalent in the relevant industrial sector. For
direct VT by welding practitioners and over they should be qualified to EN ISO 14731:2006. An
independent NDT company should be accredited to EN ISO/IEC 17020 or EN ISO/IEC 17025.
NOTE For digital radiography to EN ISO 17636-2 additional qualification can be required for technique and
personnel.
4.8 Destructive testing (DT)
The DT company should be accredited to EN ISO/IEC 17025.
5 Production welding
5.1 General
All welding shall comply with the approved welding procedure specifications.
5.2 Working area
The working space shall enable adequate access to the working area in order to provide a safe
environment and to allow satisfactory production and testing of a weld joint. If feasible, working pits or
bell holes should be constructed in the pipe trench. They should have a minimum free length of 3,0 m
(±0,1 m) at the weld area. The distance from pipe to bell hole bottom should be not less than 0,4 m
(±0,1 m) and from pipe to trench wall not less than 0,6 m (±0,1 m).
Bell holes shall be kept free of water during welding and welding related work.
5.3 Layout of weld joints
Weld joints, in particular tie-ins, shall be arranged and designed in a way suited to the planned welding
and testing technique. The placement of tie-in welds is particularly important.
5.4 Types of weld joints
5.4.1 General
Unless otherwise agreed, pipes and pipeline fittings shall be connected using butt-welded joints.
5.4.2 Weld fit-up
Weld fit-up shall be sufficient to ensure a good penetration of the joint. In ar
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