SAES-W-017 PDF – Welding Requirements for API Tanks

This article is about SAES-W-017 which is about Welding Requirements for API Tanks and download SAES-W-017 PDF for Welding and piping engineers, supervisors and project managers, Welding QCs, QC Supervisors. This is saudi aramco standard of Welding Engineering based on international codes and standards and useful for piping and welding engineering knowledge to get job as engineers, QC Supervisors and QC managers, Engineering managers and technicians.

SAES-W-017 PDF Download

SAES-W-017

Welding Requirements for API Tanks

The SAES-W-017 standard provides welding, heat treatment, nondestructive testing (NDT), and hardness testing requirements for the fabrication, installation, repair, and modification of tanks designed and constructed according to API STD 650 and API STD 620, as well as for tanks repaired according to API STD 653. These requirements supplement the provisions of the API codes and ASME SEC IX.

It is important to note that for materials other than P-No. 1 or P-No. 8 and for API STD 620 Appendix Q tanks, the application must be reviewed by the Consulting Services Department (CSD) to determine if additional requirements need to be specified.

Additional requirements may be specified in Scopes of Work, Drawings, or other Instructions or Specifications that are relevant to specific work items.

Whenever the standard refers to the Consulting Services Department (CSD), it should be understood as referring to the CSD Welding Specialist or a representative designated by CSD.

Any mention of “approval” should be interpreted as requiring written approval.

This entire standard can be attached to and made a part of purchase orders.

It’s worth noting that this standard is generally not retroactively applied to the maintenance and repair of existing facilities, unless there are concerns related to safety, environmental protection, health, or security.

General about SAES-W-017 PDF Download

In accordance with the SAES-W-017 standard, the following requirements apply:

4.1 All welding details on drawings shall use the standard symbols specified in AWS A2.4 “Standard Symbols for Welding, Brazing, and Nondestructive Examination.” Alternatively, pictorials of joints indicating all relevant dimensions may be used if approved by the Consulting Services Department (CSD).

4.2 All specifications and documents shall adhere to the terminology and definitions provided in AWS A3.0M/A3.0 “Standard Welding Terms and Definitions Including Terms for Adhesive Bonding, Brazing, Soldering, Thermal Cutting, and Thermal Spraying.”

4.3 These requirements are applicable to all subcontractors or sub-vendors involved in activities within the scope of this standard. They must comply with the specified welding, heat treatment, nondestructive testing, and hardness testing requirements outlined in SAES-W-017.

Welding Requirements for API Tanks

According to the SAES-W-017 standard, the following welding processes are approved for use with the specified restrictions and requirements:

5.1 Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW).

5.2 Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW).

• Autogenous GTAW (without filler metal) is not accepted; filler metal must be added.
• For tanks made of P-No. 8 material (except for internal piping or heater coils on tanks made from P-No. 1 materials), all manual GTAW must use a high frequency or Lift-Arc start and post-purge gas flow for the torch.
  5.2.3 GTAW process must be used for all passes for butt welds in nozzles less than 25.4 mm nominal diameter.
  5.2.4 GTAW process must be used for the root pass of butt welds without backing in nozzles of size NPS 50.8 mm or less.
  5.2.5 GTAW process must be used for the root pass of single-sided groove welds without backing made with stainless steel or nickel-based consumables.
  5.3 Submerged Arc Welding (SAW).
  5.4 Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW).
• The short-circuiting (dip) mode is not permitted, except for structural attachments to the outside surface of the tank shell (including seal welds) and tacking that will be completely removed.
• The modified short circuit mode of GMAW is only allowed for root pass welding.
  5.5 Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW).
• FCAW process is not permitted for the root pass on full penetration, groove joints without backing (or back welding) that are welded from one side only (backing may be used if it is removed after welding).
• Self-shielded FCAW is only allowed if approved by CSD. Supplementary testing may be required.
  5.6 Thermit Welding using a copper alloy is permitted for attaching electrical grounding or cathodic protection cables to structural members. It should not be used directly on the tank shell or on stainless steel materials.
  5.6 Stud Welding is permitted for attaching insulation fasteners.
  5.7 Electrogas (EG) and Electroslag (ESW) welding processes may be used with the approval of CSD and may require additional testing based on the application.

These approved welding processes should be followed in accordance with the specified restrictions and requirements outlined in the SAES-W-017 standard.

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