The debate rages on in process safety circles as to how one can “pressure test” their piping that was installed using ASME B31 series of RAGAGEPs. It has always been “the rule” that we use the hydrostatic method UNLESS this method would cause a hazard or purity concern; however, as with most practices we have come to find this no longer “the rule” but rather “an option” and I beg to differ and the IFC and ASME tend to agree with me when it comes to existing piping. Why is this just now an issue with existing piping? Simply, businesses are just now getting around to ensuring their process “complies with recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices”. Yes, over 25 years later, PSM/RMP facilities are just getting around to “pressure testing” their piping and this “existing piping” has some special restrictions on how it can be “pressure tested”…