scope:

This recommended practice covers the basic requirements and their associated references needed to perform inspection activities safely and effectively during onshore pipeline construction. This recommended practice provides the details related to the role of the operator's pipeline construction inspector ("Inspector"), in terms of monitoring and inspection requirements throughout the lifecycle of the pipeline construction process. This document is written to address general inspection duties. Areas of specialty inspection are noted and are beyond the scope of this document (in-line inspection and anomaly evaluation are not included in this document's scope). This includes basic knowledge of, and where to find, detailed information related to each facet of pipeline construction inspection activities.

The scope of this document is limited to gas and liquid pipeline construction. Specifically, content is focused on those items that are relevant to the role of an Inspector as it relates to best practices within the industry in the United States and Canada. This document provides Inspectors with background and context, beyond existing regulation, regarding best practices in the industry. Whereas the content is organized in a manner consistent with construction of new facilities, where relevant, the content can also be applied to construction associated with existing facilities (e.g. maintenance-related activities).

Users of this document include pipeline Owner Companies and those individuals either engaged in pipeline construction inspection or seeking to become certified inspectors. Pipeline Owner Companies and pipeline inspection service companies may also use this document to develop their inspection processes and responsibilities for inspectors, as well as to develop and enhance their inspector training programs.