API Standard 104: "Welding of Pipelines and Related Facilities" 

API Standard 1104 is a welding code developed by the American Petroleum Institute (API). It provides the standards for welding pipelines and related facilities used in the oil and gas industry. This standard is widely used for ensuring the safety, quality, and reliability of welds in pipeline construction and maintenance.

What It Covers:

API 1104 outlines the essential requirements for:

• Qualifying welding procedures (how the welding will be done)

• Qualifying welders and welding operators (ensuring they are skilled enough)

• Inspecting and testing welds (to detect flaws or defects)

• Accepting or rejecting weld quality based on clear criteria

These requirements help ensure that pipelines are safe, leak-free, and capable of withstanding pressure and environmental stresses.

Who Uses API 1104?

This standard is used by:

• Pipeline welders

• Oil and gas companies

• Construction contractors

• Pipeline inspectors

• Welding engineers

They use it during the construction, repair, or alteration of pipelines, both above and below ground.

Key Features:

1. Welding Procedure Specification (WPS) – A written plan describing how the weld will be made.

2. Procedure Qualification Record (PQR) – Evidence that the WPS produces acceptable welds.

3. Welder Qualification – Testing welders to make sure they can follow the procedure correctly.

4. Inspection Requirements – Methods like visual inspection, X-ray, or ultrasonic testing.

5. Acceptance Criteria – Clear rules to decide whether a weld passes or fails.

Purpose of API 1104:

The main goal of this standard is to make sure that pipeline welds are strong, consistent, and safe for transporting oil, gas, and other materials over long distances. Poor welds can lead to leaks, environmental damage, and safety hazards, which this code helps to prevent.

In Summary:

• API 1104 is essential for welding pipelines in the oil and gas industry.

• It ensures welds are done by qualified people using proven procedures.

• It is used to protect people, the environment, and infrastructure by ensuring weld quality and safety.