VACUUM BOX TESTING

WRITTEN PROCEDURE REV. 0/2011

ASME “V” ARTICLE-10 APPENDIX II/API “650”

Issued Approved
Eng. Hussien M. Sukar Eng. Maher A. Ameri
API 653 Authorized Inspector NDT Inspector Level III

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Content:

1. Scope.

2. Standards, Regulation, & Related Documents.

3. General Requirements.

4. Written Procedure / Instruction Requirements.

5. Indications evaluation and judgment.

6. Reporting & Recording.

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1. Scope
This procedure is providing process for performing bubble Test using vacuum Box
technique for the purpose of detecting the through-thickness leaks in:-
A. Lap welds of tanks bottom plates and roof (if applicable).
B. Tank shell to annular plates fillet weld.
C. Butt welds (if requested by the client).

2. Standards , Regulation, & Related Documents

2.1. Standards, Regulation, Related Documents
A. ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel code, section V- Nondestructive
Examination, Edition 2007.
B. American Petroleum Institute API 650 Welded Steel Tanks for Oil Storage.

2.2. Other Documents

Other documents may be used in accordance with requirements of the costumer
shall be mentioned in the fabrication and testing procedures.

3. General Requirements
3.1. Vacuum Box testing shall be performed in accordance with a Written Procedure
prepared by Level II technician and approved by a Level III technician.
3.2. Performing Visual Examination (VT) to the weld under consideration prior to
the vacuum box testing.
3.3. Verifying the Vacuum box seals and glass/clear transparent plastic window
condition.
3.4. Verifying the vacuum pump, gages and its associated connections and hoses.
3.5. Verifying dryness of the surface to be tested.
3.6. Verifying the intimate contact between the vacuum box seals and the test
surface.
3.7. Verifying that no bubbling or blowing from the vacuum box seals during the
vacuum application.

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4. Written Procedure / Instruction Requirements

4.1. Personnel Qualification

A. Technician performing the vacuum box test shall have at least three
(3) years’ experience in the vacuum testing field.
B. Technician shall be required to demonstrate his capability to perform
the vacuum box test prior to the test.
C. Operator shall pass the near vision acuity test using Jaeger type II
chart. This test certificate shall be renewed each 12 months.

4.2. Equipment’s
A. Vacuum box dimension shall be at least (750) mm/30 in. long and
(150) mm/6.0 in. width.
B. Vacuum pump shall be adequate to establish a partial vacuum
pressure of (21-60) KPa inside the box. Certain test pressure value
shall be specified by the customer.
C. For very small or fine leaks a partial pressure of (56) KPa shall be
used.

4.3. Test Technique

Technique shall be used in this procedure is Through Thickness Bubble
Emission (TTBE) due to application of partial vacuum pressure of (21-
60) KPa inside the box volume. Test certain pressure value shall be
specified by the customer.

4.4. Test Coverage

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 A. Test shall include a weld length plus (25) mm distance from both
sides of the weld to be tested.
B. An overlap of at least (30%) of the vacuum box length shall be
maintained between each successive vacuum box shots.

4.5. Calibration

A. Calibration of Gages
 Vacuum gages shall be calibrated each (12) months. Tagging
showing the calibration expiry date shall be maintained on the
gage body.
 Gage size shall be in range of (1.5 – 2) of the test pressure.
 Gage shall be mounted very close to the Vacuum box body that
can be seen easily by the operator during the vacuum duration.

B. Calibration of the process

 A lap weld containing at least two (2) artificial through
thickness defects that can cause continuous bubble formation
during the vacuum application shall be used for the process
calibration. Defects spacing shall be at least (100) mm.
 The lap weld shall be having at least (1000) mm long and (8)
mm size.
 The vacuum box shall be capable to pick up the two (2) through
thickness leaks during the specified partial vacuum pressure
application.

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4.6. Test Performance
The following steps shall be performed prior to, during and after
the test:-
A. Weld to be tested and at least (50) mm distance on both sides of
the weld shall be entirely clean and free of any paints, rust, weld
slag and debris, or any other contaminants that may mask of the
leaks.
B. Surfaces to be tested shall be dry with temperature of (4-52) °C.
For temperatures out of the range, the test procedure shall be Re-
Qualified.
C. Illumination Intensity shall not be less than (100) ft. cd, (1000)
LUX over the point under examination.
D. (VT) to the surfaces to be examined shall be performed prior to
the Soap solution application.

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 E. The bubble forming (soap solution) shall be applied to the test
surface prior to placement of the vacuum box by one of the
following methods:-
 Brushing.
 Pouring.
 Spraying.
 Flowing
F. Vacuum box shall be placed on the surface covered by the bubble
forming solution directly after the solution application. In no case
the time between the solution application and the box placing
shall exceed (60) seconds. If the time between the bubble forming
solution application and the vacuum box placement exceeds (60)
seconds, Application of the bubble forming solution shall be
reconfirmed.
G. Partial pressure to be used for testing shall be (21-35) KPa.
H. Time required for establishing and maintaining the partial
vacuum shall be (10-30) seconds as a holding time. Vacuum
pressure gage shall read the value of the pressure specified in the
purchase order during the holding time.
I. Digital camera or other recording device may be used for
recording the leaks bubbling for marking the leak location.

5. Indications evaluation and judgment

A. Any indication shows continuous formation of the bubbles during the

vacuum application shall be considered unacceptable.
B. Indication having the above mentioned features shall be marked for
removing completely.
C. Repair procedure of the defective part shall be governed in accordance with
the referencing code specified in the purchase order.

6. Reporting & Recording

A. The attached template format shall be used for reporting the vacuum test
performance.
B. Photos or other records may be attached with the test report.

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