EJ Guide: Periodic In-service Inspection

[ EJ GUIDE ]

Periodic In-service Inspection & System Operation

Periodic In-service Inspection

WARNING: Extreme care must be exercised while inspecting any pressurized system or component.

Immediately after placing the system in operation, a visual inspection shall be conducted to insure that the thermal expansion is being absorbed by the expansion joints in the manner for which they were designed. The bellows shall be inspected for evidence of unanticipated vibration. A program of periodic inspection shall be planned by the system designer and conducted throughout the operating life of the system. The frequency of these inspections will be determined by the service and environmental conditions involved. These inspections should include the items noted previously as well as an examination for signs of external corrosion, loosening of threaded fasteners and deterioration of anchors, guides and other hardware.

It must be understood that this inspection program, without any other backup information, cannot give evidence of damage due to fatigue, stress corrosion or general internal corrosion. These can be the cause of sudden failures and generally occur without any visible or audible warning.

Where the critical nature of the system warrants, it may be necessary to devise means for minimizing the probability of this type failure, including periodic preventative replacement of critical system components. Where any inspection reveals evidence of malfunction, damage or deterioration, this shall be reviewed by competent design authority for resolution.

System Operation

A record shall be maintained of any changes in system operating conditions (i.e. pressure, temperature, thermal cycling, water treatment) and piping modifications. Any such change shall be reviewed by competent design authority to determine its effect on the performance of the anchor, guides and expansion joints.

EJ Guide

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U.S. Bellows, Inc. Designed and Fabricated 50 Universal Expansion Joints for an Air Force Base in New Mexico (Ref#91376-A1, EA) 11/14/2007
U.S. Bellows, Inc. fabricated 50 expansion joints from 304L stainless steel. The expansion joints were 6" and 8" sizes. The 6" expansion joints are 24" face to face and the 8" expansion joints are 26" face to face. All of the expansion joints are fabricated with liners that are also made with 304L stainless steel. The design temperature was 200°F and the design pressure was 200 PSIG. The expansion joints were dye-penetrant tested and hydro tested at 300 PSIG. U.S. Bellows, Inc. provides 100% customer satisfaction in terms of quality and delivery.