Key Skills and Knowledge Areas Flashcards

What type of weld joint is most commonly used when joining two pipes end-to-end in a high-pressure steam system?

Answer: Butt weld

Butt welds are preferred for high-pressure piping because they provide full penetration and maximum joint strength.

Which tool is used to verify that a pipe flange face is perfectly flat before assembly?

Answer: Straight edge and feeler gauge

A straight edge and feeler gauge are used together to detect any high or low spots on a flange face.

When installing expansion loops in a steam piping system, what is the primary purpose?

Answer: To allow for thermal expansion and contraction

Expansion loops absorb the dimensional changes in pipe length caused by heating and cooling cycles.

A steamfitter discovers a threaded fitting is leaking at a joint. What is the correct first step before re-making the joint?

Answer: De-pressurize and drain the system

Safety requires the system to be de-pressurized and drained before any threaded joint is disassembled or repaired.

Which piping material is NOT acceptable for use in high-pressure steam service above 250 psi?

Answer: Cast iron

Cast iron is brittle and cannot safely handle the thermal cycling and pressure demands of high-pressure steam service.

What does the term 'pipe schedule' refer to?

Answer: The wall thickness of a pipe relative to its nominal diameter

Pipe schedule is a standardized designation that defines wall thickness; higher schedule numbers indicate thicker walls.

When reading an isometric drawing, what do the small 'tick' marks on a pipe run typically indicate?

Answer: Weld locations

Tick marks on isometric pipe drawings are used to indicate the location of field welds.