Re: Reinforcement Pad Weep hole

From: <Christopher>
Date: Wed Oct 06 2004 - 11:03:00 EDT

On Oct 6, 2004, at 4:55 AM, harihara.v ramanan wrote:

> Weep holes are provided in nozzle reinforcement pads
> of branch connections in piping and nozzles in
> pressure vessels, tanks and heat exchangers to vent
> out the gases during welding.

Actually they're used to give notice of leaks, which might take place during hydrotests. There's no way gas can be trapped inside during welding. It is permissible to plug the holes after hydrotesting with caulk or some other non-structural material. I can't cite chapter and verse, but I recall that provisions for such a weep hole were in Section VIII Div 1 of the ASME Code, including plugging the hole. I don't recall that such holes were mandatory, but they seem like a good idea. You're not allowed to weld on a Code vessel after hydrotest, so for Div 1 at least seal welding the weep hole won't go. If the vessel is used out doors, it makes sense to keep moisture out of the space between the pad and the vessel wall by caulking and painting over the caulk. Autobody filler (Bondo) is probably as good a material as any on=ther for this purpose, especially if you're going to paint the vessel candy apple red. ;->

Christopher Wright P.E. |"They couldn't hit an elephant at <a href="/group/PipingDesign/post?postID=znWHFXetA4oj6MB0VQwjhiNmWUFJvUm3nUWPboz3deU7TenWrEXWjDbPbsrCnb5kOfvk-4sq7XbLqZF_ILQ">chrisw@skypoint.com</a> | this distance" (last words of Gen.

...................................| John Sedgwick, Spotsylvania 1864)

<a href="http://www.skypoint.com/~chrisw/">http://www.skypoint.com/~chrisw/</a> Received on Wed Oct 06 11:03:00 2004