ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code

SECTION V

INTERPRETATIONS
Volume 46

The Interpretations to the Code will be issued twice a year (July and December) up to the
publication of the 2001 Edition of the Code. The Interpretations for each individual Section are
published separately and are part of the update service to that Section; Interpretations of Section
III, Divisions 1 and 2, are part of the update service to Section III, Subsection NCA.

Interpretations Volumes 36 through 41 were included with the update service to the 1995 Edition
of the Code; Volume 42 is the first Interpretations volume to be included with the update service
to the 1998 Edition.

Section Vol. 42 Vol. 43 Vol. 44 Vol. 45 Vol. 46 Vol. 47

I 7/98 12/98 7/99 12/99 …

I-A 7/98 … 7/99 12/99 7/00
II-B … … … … 7/00
II-C … … … … …
II-D … … … … …
III-NCA 7/98 12/98 7/99 12/99 7/00
III-3 … … … … …
IV 7/98 12/98 7/99 12/99 7/00
V 7/98 12/98 7/99 … 7/00
VI … … … … …
VII … … … … …
VIII-1 7/98 12/98 7/99 12/99 7/00
VIII-2 7/98 12/98 7/99 12/99 7/00
VIII-3 … 12/98 … … …
IX 7/98 12/98 7/99 12/99 7/00
X … … … … …
XI 7/98 12/98 7/99 12/99 7/00

Copyright © 2000
THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS
All Rights Reserved
 INTERPRETATIONS

NO. 46 — SECTION V
Replies to Technical Inquiries
July 1, 1999 through December 31, 1999

FOREWORD

General Information

This publication includes all written interpretations issued between the indicated dates by the ASME
Staff on behalf of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Committee in response to inquiries concerning
interpretations of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. A contents is also included which lists
subjects specific to the interpretations covered in the individual volume.
These interpretations are taken verbatim from the original letters, except for a few typographical
and editorial corrections made for the purpose of improved clarity. In some instances, a review of the
interpretation revealed a need for corrections of a technical nature. In these cases, a revised interpretation
is presented bearing the original Interpretation Number with the suffix R and the original file number
with an asterisk. Following these revised interpretations, new interpretations and revisions to them
issued during the indicated dates are assigned Interpretation Numbers in chronological order. Interpretations
applying to more than one Code Section appear with the interpretations for each affected Section.
ASME procedures provide for reconsideration of these interpretations when or if additional information
is available which the inquirer believes might affect the interpretation. Further, persons aggrieved by
an interpretation may appeal to the cognizant ASME committee or subcommittee As stated in the
Statement of Policy in the Code documents, ASME does not "approve," "certify," "rate," or "endorse"
any item, construction, proprietary device, or activity.
An interpretation applies either to the Edition and Addenda in effect on the date of issuance of the
interpretation or the Edition and Addenda stated in the interpretation. Subsequent revisions to the Code
may supersede the interpretation.
For detailed instructions on preparation of technical inquiries to the ASME Boiler and Pressure
Vessel Committee, refer to Appendix B.

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 SECTION V
Subject Interpretation File No.
Article 2, Radiographic Examination and T-150, Procedure …………………….…...... V-98-08 BC98-495
Article 2, Radiographic Examination and T-262, Step Wedge Film and Densitometer … V-98-10 BC98-516
Figure T-542.2.1, Basic Calibration Block ……………………………………..…….. V-98-11 BC99-234
T-542.6, Welds in Wrought and Cast Ferritic Product Forms, Excluding Pipe …..…….. V-98-09 BC99-055

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Section V — Interpretations No. 46 V-98-08, V-98-09

Interpretation: V-98-08

Subject: Article 2, Radiographic Examination and T-150, Procedure (1998 Edition)

Date Issued: April 7, 1999

File: BC98-495

Question: Do the provisions of Article 1, paragraph T-150(a) for special configurations permit
deviation from mandatory radiographic density requirements of Article 2?

Reply: No.

Note: This Interpretation was inadvertently omitted from Volume 45.

Interpretation: V-98-09

Subject: T-542.6, Welds in Wrought and Cast Ferritic Product Forms, Excluding Pipe (1998
Edition)

Date Issued: April 7, 1999

File: BC99-055

Question (1): Does the basic calibration block described in T-542.6.1.1 require both side-drilled
holes and notches for angle-beam calibration as described in Article 4, Appendix B?

Reply (1): Yes.

Question (2): Does T-542.6 prohibit angle-beam calibration for sound paths greater than ½ v-path?

Reply (2): No.

Note: This Interpretation was inadvertently omitted from Volume 45.

177
V-98-10, V-98-11 Section V — Interpretations No. 46

Interpretation: V-98-10

Subject: Article 2, Radiographic Examination and T-262, Step Wedge Film and Densitometer
(1995 Edition)

Date Issued: June 29, 1999

File: BC98-516

Question (1): Does Article 2 address the validity period of calibrated step wedge film?

Reply (1): No.

Question (2): Does Article 2 address periodic verification of calibrated densitorneters?

Reply (2): No.

Question (3): Does Article 2, T-262 permit the use of a step wedge comparison film for verification
of densitometer calibration?

Reply (3): No.

Question (4): Does Article 2, T-262 address validity duration requirement for a calibrated step
wedge film or a step wedge comparison film?

Reply (4): No.

Question (5): Does Article 2, T-262 address the requirement that a calibrated step wedge film be
readily available if a valid step wedge comparison film is used to measure the density of production
radiographs?

Reply (5): No.

Note: This Interpretation was inadvertently omitted from Volume 45.

Section V - Interpretations No. 46

Interpretation: V-98-11

Subject: Figure T-542.2.1, Basic Calibration Block (1995 Edition)

Date Issued: June 29, 1999

File: BC99-234

Question: Does Fig. T-542.2.1 require calibration blocks to be a minimum of 6 in. wide?

Reply: Yes.

Note: This Interpretation was inadvertently omitted from Volume 45.

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