API 1169 Pipeline Construction Inspector Practice Exam
**Question 1.** Which document defines the minimum requirements for weld procedure qualification
for pipeline construction?
A) API 1104
B) API 1169
C) API 1110
D) OSHA 1926.750
**Answer:** A
**Explanation:** API 1104, “Welding of Pipelines and Related Facilities,” contains the specific criteria
for welding procedure qualifications, welder performance qualifications, and related welding
requirements.
**Question 2.** In a job‑hazard analysis (JHA) for trench excavation, which of the following controls is
the most effective for preventing a cave‑in?
A) Providing a spotter for equipment operators
B) Using a trench box (shield) or sloping the sides
C) Wearing hard hats on site
D) Posting warning signs around the trench
**Answer:** B
**Explanation:** Proper sloping, shoring, or shielding directly addresses the primary cause of trench
cave‑ins and is required by OSHA 1926.650.
**Question 3.** When reviewing the Inspection and Test Plan (ITP), the inspector should verify that
which item is included for each weld?
A) The name of the pipe fabricator
B) The specific welding consumables to be used
C) The required nondestructive examination (NDE) method and acceptance criteria
D) The contractor’s insurance certificate
, API 1169 Pipeline Construction Inspector Practice Exam
**Answer:** C
**Explanation:** The ITP must list the NDE method (e.g., RT, UT) and the acceptance criteria for each
weld to ensure compliance with API 1104.
**Question 4.** A pipe segment arrives with an ovality of 2 % over the nominal diameter. According to
typical API 1169 guidance, this condition is:
A) Acceptable if the pipe is coated
B) Non‑conforming and must be rejected
C) Acceptable if the ovality is measured at the ends only
D) Acceptable if the pipe is later straightened on‑site
**Answer:** B
**Explanation:** Ovality greater than 1 % is generally considered a defect that can affect fit‑up and
stress distribution; it must be rejected or repaired.
**Question 5.** Which of the following best describes the inspector’s authority when he observes
non‑conforming pipe coating during field application?
A) He may issue a written notice but must allow work to continue until the end of the shift
B) He can stop work immediately until the defect is corrected
C) He can only recommend corrective action to the contractor’s QC manager
D) He must wait for a formal non‑conformance report from the owner
**Answer:** B
**Explanation:** API 1169 gives the inspector authority to stop work when a safety or quality issue is
observed, including coating defects.
**Question 6.** During staking, the inspector verifies that the bell‑hole depth is 24 in. The contract
drawing specifies a minimum cover of 30 in. What action should the inspector take?
A) Accept the stake because the bell‑hole depth is close enough
, API 1169 Pipeline Construction Inspector Practice Exam
B) Issue a non‑conformance and require the contractor to deepen the trench
C) Request a waiver from the owner’s engineer
D) Adjust the stake to a shallower depth to meet the cover requirement
**Answer:** B
**Explanation:** The cover requirement is a safety and corrosion control criterion; the trench must be
deepened to meet the 30 in. minimum.
**Question 7.** Which of the following is a primary purpose of a holiday detector during coating
inspection?
A) Measuring coating thickness
B) Detecting pinholes, holidays, or discontinuities in the coating film
C) Determining the surface profile before coating
D) Verifying the cure temperature of the coating
**Answer:** B
**Explanation:** A holiday detector (or spark tester) is used to locate coating defects such as pinholes
that could permit corrosion.
**Question 8.** In a horizontal directional drilling (HDD) operation, what is the most critical parameter
to monitor during the pull‑back phase?
A) The diameter of the drilling fluid pump
B) The tension on the reamer string and pipe stress
C) The ambient temperature of the site
D) The color of the drill pipe coating
**Answer:** B
**Explanation:** Excessive tension can cause pipe deformation or failure; monitoring tension ensures
the pipe is not overstressed during pull‑back.
, API 1169 Pipeline Construction Inspector Practice Exam
**Question 9.** Which API standard governs pressure testing of liquid pipelines?
A) API 1104
B) API 1110
C) API 1169
D) API 6D
**Answer:** B
**Explanation:** API Recommended Practice 1110 provides the requirements for hydrostatic pressure
testing of liquid pipelines.
**Question 10.** When inspecting a welding joint, the inspector finds a 2 mm undercut on the root
face. According to API 1104, this condition is:
A) Acceptable if it is less than 5 mm wide
B) A rejection defect that must be repaired
C) Acceptable if the weld passes radiographic inspection
D) Acceptable if the undercut is on a non‑critical pipe section
**Answer:** B
**Explanation:** Undercut reduces the effective throat of the weld and is a non‑conforming condition
that must be repaired.
**Question 11.** The contractor proposes to use a cold‑bend radius of 12 times the pipe outside
diameter for a 24‑in. pipe. The specification calls for a minimum bend radius of 15 times OD. What
should the inspector do?
A) Approve the bend because it saves time
B) Require the contractor to increase the bend radius to meet the specification
C) Allow the bend if the pipe is later heat‑treated
D) Accept the bend if a visual inspection shows no cracks
**Answer:** B
**Question 1.** Which document defines the minimum requirements for weld procedure qualification
for pipeline construction?
A) API 1104
B) API 1169
C) API 1110
D) OSHA 1926.750
**Answer:** A
**Explanation:** API 1104, “Welding of Pipelines and Related Facilities,” contains the specific criteria
for welding procedure qualifications, welder performance qualifications, and related welding
requirements.
**Question 2.** In a job‑hazard analysis (JHA) for trench excavation, which of the following controls is
the most effective for preventing a cave‑in?
A) Providing a spotter for equipment operators
B) Using a trench box (shield) or sloping the sides
C) Wearing hard hats on site
D) Posting warning signs around the trench
**Answer:** B
**Explanation:** Proper sloping, shoring, or shielding directly addresses the primary cause of trench
cave‑ins and is required by OSHA 1926.650.
**Question 3.** When reviewing the Inspection and Test Plan (ITP), the inspector should verify that
which item is included for each weld?
A) The name of the pipe fabricator
B) The specific welding consumables to be used
C) The required nondestructive examination (NDE) method and acceptance criteria
D) The contractor’s insurance certificate
, API 1169 Pipeline Construction Inspector Practice Exam
**Answer:** C
**Explanation:** The ITP must list the NDE method (e.g., RT, UT) and the acceptance criteria for each
weld to ensure compliance with API 1104.
**Question 4.** A pipe segment arrives with an ovality of 2 % over the nominal diameter. According to
typical API 1169 guidance, this condition is:
A) Acceptable if the pipe is coated
B) Non‑conforming and must be rejected
C) Acceptable if the ovality is measured at the ends only
D) Acceptable if the pipe is later straightened on‑site
**Answer:** B
**Explanation:** Ovality greater than 1 % is generally considered a defect that can affect fit‑up and
stress distribution; it must be rejected or repaired.
**Question 5.** Which of the following best describes the inspector’s authority when he observes
non‑conforming pipe coating during field application?
A) He may issue a written notice but must allow work to continue until the end of the shift
B) He can stop work immediately until the defect is corrected
C) He can only recommend corrective action to the contractor’s QC manager
D) He must wait for a formal non‑conformance report from the owner
**Answer:** B
**Explanation:** API 1169 gives the inspector authority to stop work when a safety or quality issue is
observed, including coating defects.
**Question 6.** During staking, the inspector verifies that the bell‑hole depth is 24 in. The contract
drawing specifies a minimum cover of 30 in. What action should the inspector take?
A) Accept the stake because the bell‑hole depth is close enough
, API 1169 Pipeline Construction Inspector Practice Exam
B) Issue a non‑conformance and require the contractor to deepen the trench
C) Request a waiver from the owner’s engineer
D) Adjust the stake to a shallower depth to meet the cover requirement
**Answer:** B
**Explanation:** The cover requirement is a safety and corrosion control criterion; the trench must be
deepened to meet the 30 in. minimum.
**Question 7.** Which of the following is a primary purpose of a holiday detector during coating
inspection?
A) Measuring coating thickness
B) Detecting pinholes, holidays, or discontinuities in the coating film
C) Determining the surface profile before coating
D) Verifying the cure temperature of the coating
**Answer:** B
**Explanation:** A holiday detector (or spark tester) is used to locate coating defects such as pinholes
that could permit corrosion.
**Question 8.** In a horizontal directional drilling (HDD) operation, what is the most critical parameter
to monitor during the pull‑back phase?
A) The diameter of the drilling fluid pump
B) The tension on the reamer string and pipe stress
C) The ambient temperature of the site
D) The color of the drill pipe coating
**Answer:** B
**Explanation:** Excessive tension can cause pipe deformation or failure; monitoring tension ensures
the pipe is not overstressed during pull‑back.
, API 1169 Pipeline Construction Inspector Practice Exam
**Question 9.** Which API standard governs pressure testing of liquid pipelines?
A) API 1104
B) API 1110
C) API 1169
D) API 6D
**Answer:** B
**Explanation:** API Recommended Practice 1110 provides the requirements for hydrostatic pressure
testing of liquid pipelines.
**Question 10.** When inspecting a welding joint, the inspector finds a 2 mm undercut on the root
face. According to API 1104, this condition is:
A) Acceptable if it is less than 5 mm wide
B) A rejection defect that must be repaired
C) Acceptable if the weld passes radiographic inspection
D) Acceptable if the undercut is on a non‑critical pipe section
**Answer:** B
**Explanation:** Undercut reduces the effective throat of the weld and is a non‑conforming condition
that must be repaired.
**Question 11.** The contractor proposes to use a cold‑bend radius of 12 times the pipe outside
diameter for a 24‑in. pipe. The specification calls for a minimum bend radius of 15 times OD. What
should the inspector do?
A) Approve the bend because it saves time
B) Require the contractor to increase the bend radius to meet the specification
C) Allow the bend if the pipe is later heat‑treated
D) Accept the bend if a visual inspection shows no cracks
**Answer:** B
