APEK 020

Draft: 2
FOR GUIDANCE ON AICIP EXAMS
APEK
Issued: 27/02/2013
FOR PE IN-SERVICE INSPECTORS
GUIDANCE NOTE
Pages: 3
Prepared for: AICIP, ACA, AIES, AINDT, APIA, CAAA Eng Aust, MA, NATA, OGF, SA, WTIA, Industry and Regulators

DRAFT

Scope
.1 This note has been prepared for prospective AICIP candidates and trainers to assist in improving the pass
rate and overall efficiency of AICIP exams.
.2 The note is circulated for the March 2013 examination to trainers, candidates and examiners.
.3 Comments for improvement would be welcome before issue to AICIP.

Competency Exams
.1 The general aim of AICIP exams is to determine if candidates have the competencies to perform in-service
inspection of PE to a level satisfactory to industry and are aware of their duties and responsibilities.
.2 The focus of each exam is mainly on what is expected in the Australian PE industry today rather than only
on learning of knowledge and skills.
.3 To be competent in a particular field or endeavour requires:
a) Knowledge - PE inspectors are required, for example, to have knowledge about:
The likely effect of heat (and cold) on the mechanical properties of CS.
Differences in the thermal expansion of CS and SS.
Likely failure model (damage mechanism) and likely location and cause of damage in PE.
etc, etc
Knowledge can be gained from a wide range of sources general education, trainers, books,
standards, peers, technical magazines, TV, WWW, own experience, home.
b) Skills - PE inspectors must be able to apply skills like reading instructions, extracting information from
Standards, drawings, interpreting P&IDs, UT thickness testing, diameter measurements, weld throat,
profile and undercut measurement etc, and communication skills.
c) Application of knowledge and skill - PE inspectors must be able to apply or combine knowledge and
skills to do a job well.
.4 For example, inspectors must apply their knowledge and skills to make run, repair and retire decisions.
These decisions require inspectors to make judgements based on, for example:
a) The type of equipment
b) Likelihood of failure, damage and mode i.e. leak, rupture, SCC, creep etc
c) Consequences of failure what are the PE contents, surroundings, people, environment etc
Candidates are reminded that the risk presented by PE to operators, the public, the environment, etc is
determined by considering both the likelihood and consequences of failure.
In the event of a run decision, it may be necessary to recommend operating conditions and/or monitoring
tasks for safe operation till the next scheduled inspection. It may also be necessary to recommend
modifications to the working environment, for example lighting, ventilation, access to controls and valves
etc.
.5 In the event of a repair decision, inspectors are generally expected to recommend appropriate repair
methods, NDT, hydrotest etc.
.6 The communication of recommendations to the PE owner to ensure the safety and integrity of PE is a
significant inspector responsibility. The recommendations must be positive and be expressed clearly in
English so the owner has a clear understanding of the actions he or she should take.

Examination Technique
.1 Skill Reading and Understanding
AICIP examinations provide the means to determine if candidates have the skill to read a question and to
respond with an answer that answers the question.
This skill is equivalent to an on the job skill, i.e. it is a test to see, for example, if an inspector is able to read
and understand a standard, to read and understand instructions to operate a thickness tester or to read
and understand PE operating, maintenance and inspection instructions.
.2 Common Candidate Errors
Often repeated errors are:
a) Candidates have not taken the time to read and understand the question.
b) In the rush to answer a question candidates answer the first part but forget or omit to answer the
second or third part.
Concerning the b) a question might ask the examinee to nominate the likely mechanism and cause of
deterioration of a specimen of PE and the recommendations you would make to the owner of the PE. It is
common for candidates to describe the likely mechanism and cause but forget or omit to describe the
recommendations they would make to the owner.

APEK - 020 - Draft 2

27/02/2013

Page 1 of 3

.3

.4

.5

.6

To reduce the risk of answering errors it is recommended that:

c) Questions are read twice
d) Action words are marked with a highlighter or are underlined.
Interpretation of Questions
People who sit AICIP exams come from a wide range of cultures. Consequently examiners are conscious
of the need to word examination questions so that people who have English as a second language can
understand them. Consequently questions may be phrased in a manner that is a little unusual. A guide to
key action words is given in Ref 1.
Examination errors
It should also be recognised that errors can occur when exam papers are prepared. Examiners are human.
Never-the-less errors and unusual circumstances are a fact of life. Therefore candidates should consider a
question that includes a mistake to be equivalent to a contingency they might have to handle on the job.
Candidates should have the skill to deal with a contingency and consequently should be able to handle an
error and make appropriate comment.
Time Management
When sitting exams candidates are expected to manage the time spent on answering questions. For
example for a three hour (180 minutes) exam in which the total number of marks is 100 the time spent
should be about 1.8 minutes, or roughly 2 minutes per mark.
Therefore an AICIP examination is partly a test of the candidates time management skill a similar skill
that is needed on the job. Many failures occur because all answers are not completed.
Answers
To avoid wasting time do not write out the question. Start straight into the answer after rereading the
question and marks the action words. Avoid writing long paragraphs. Use dot points and common
abbreviation (eg UTT, PE, MT, PT) where possible.
Attempt to answer all questions. If time is short jot down a few key words that you would have included in
your answer if you had time. Examiners usually get the message and give some marks.
Candidates cannot expect to know the answers to all the questions on specific equipment. In the event that
you do not know the answer to a question describe what you would do. For example you might advise that
you will ask an SISI, refer to a standard, ring the regulator etc. In other words this situation is analogous to
an on the job problem where outside help is requested to provide a solution. Be wary of this recourse
however because examiners are not likely to treat kindly candidates who overdo this cop out option.
Remember the AICIP exams, in addition to being a test of your skill to read and understand (the
questions), is also a test of your skill to communicate in writing (your answers).
Marks will not be lost for poor spelling or non-standard English provided the examiners can determine the
meaning or intent of your answer.

Features of All Papers

.1 All papers and questions relate to real problems or events that have occurred, almost all in Australia.
They do not relate to extremely rare events or highly special or particular cases.
.2 They largely relate to AS/NZS 3788 (Ref 2) but include other related cases such as human factors.
.3 The questions and level of answers has been fine-tuned to meet industry expectations for a person about
30 years i.e. has work and life experience and able to make reasonable and responsible judgment.
.4 The current low pass mark for Papers B & E are being investigated and then interpreted to help correct it.
st
(Note: Candidates would sit the exam for the 1 time or do not undertake a training course or have great
time limits for study generally appear to be at a disadvantage of about 4 marks for each of these factors.
While you may have much experience and feel confident, study of the main contents of AS/NZS 3788 is
important)

Exam papers for In-Service Inspectors

.1 Paper A
The pass rate for Paper A for the past two exams was about 75%.
Currently 25% of the paper A questions are multi-choice. In time, AICIP plan to make this exam accessible
on line, all the questions will be multi-choice and results will be made available within days.
.2 Paper B
Most candidates perform poorly when attempting this paper and the pass rate is about 20%. Candidates
should be aware that many questions are based on information provided in the Appendices of AS/NZS
3788 for inspection of specific PE equipment.
Two paper B questions which are similar to the following questions are often asked. Unfortunately
questions of this type are answered poorly.
a) A system of insulated piping operates at a temperature within the range where CUI is likely. How would
you go about inspecting the piping? What recommendations would you make to the owner?
b) A small company has about 30 small pressure vessels. The CEO of this company asks you, in your
capacity as an in-service inspector, to prepare brief documentation about in-service inspection of PE
which can be included in a section on inspection in the Companys total management system. What
issues should this documentation address?

APEK - 020 - Draft 2

27/02/2013

Page 2 of 3

.3 Paper E
Most candidates also perform poorly when attempting paper E and the pass rate is also about 20%.
AICIP have three sets of PE specimens that are circulated around the examination venues from time to
time and year to year. When examining these specimens Candidates should:
a) Attempt to envisage the circumstances. For example, is the specimen from a vacuum impregnation
vessel, from a low pressure air receiver or from a high pressure reaction vessel the contents of which
are lethal?
Is it new or old? If new, defects are likely to be a manufacturing or fabrication fault; if old defects or
damage are likely to have occurred while the PE was in service.
b) Briefly describe the specimen and identify the material (a magnet should part of an inspectors kit).
Include a sketch if requested.
Describe the main defects, damage, flaws or abnormalities, and nominate the mechanism(s), i.e.
whether corrosion, SCC, erosion, plastic deformation etc and the likely cause or causes. As to the
causes nominate those that are based on consideration of both the mechanisms(s) and the likely
circumstances.
c) In the case of cracks attempt to identify where initiation occurred, i.e. at a weld toe or a change of
section. For cracks having a tapered opening the largest length and largest width generally indicate
where the crack initiated.
Describe the location and orientation of cracks. If the cracks are associated with welds advise if the
cracks are transverse or longitudinal and if they are located in the weld metal or HAZ. All indicate
credible causes.
d) In the case of wastage caused by erosion, corrosion, abrasion, grinding, cavitation, impingement etc,
also consider the location and assess the significance. For example loss of 1 mm from the wall of a
vessel originally 3 mm thick is obviously more significant than loss of 1 mm from the wall of a vessel
originally 30 mm thick.
One question poorly answered relates to the hazards associated with piping connecting PE operating at
high pressure and PE operating at low pressure.
6

Feedback
Feedback between all parties is invaluable in improving overall AU PE Industry.
Questionnaires returned by candidates, investigators and examiners are all helping. This note is written
example. Keep it up.

Summary
.1 AICIP exams are unique in many ways and are primarily focussed on what you could be expected to do in
industries. They are not easy.
.2 Main recommendations are you must:
a) Study the main elements of AS/NZS 3788 and get feedback:
b) Read the question and then read again slowly marking the actions required.
c) Time-manage so that you answer all questions even those you are not sure about.

Acknowledgement
Thanks are due to all who have in some way contributed to this note especially AICIP examiners, candidates
and Roger Griffith and Bob Jensen.

References
st
.1 AWJ 1 Issue 2013
.2 AS/NZS 3788 2006 Pressure equipment In-service inspections

Newer Issues:
ANJ Note on WTIA exams

Circ: AICIP Examiners, Trainers

APEK - 020 - Draft 2

27/02/2013

Page 3 of 3