Prior to authorization for alteration work, the inspector must consult with which party?

Prior to authorization for alteration work, the inspector must consult with which party?

• A. The owner.
• B. The piping engineer.
• C. The project manager.
• D. The inspector's supervisor.

Answer: (B)

The key idea is that changes to piping require an engineering review before they’re allowed. Before authorizing alteration work, the inspector must seek input from the piping engineer because only the engineer is equipped to evaluate the technical implications of changes—ensuring the modification meets design criteria, material compatibility, pressure and temperature limits, welding and fabrication requirements, and overall system integrity under API 570 and relevant codes. This engineering sign-off ensures the alteration won’t introduce new safety or reliability risks. The other roles are important for coordination and oversight, but they don’t provide the engineering assessment needed for alterations: the owner authorizes funding or ownership decisions, the project manager handles scope and timeline, and the supervisor provides supervision, not the technical authorization.

The key idea is that changes to piping require an engineering review before they’re allowed. Before authorizing alteration work, the inspector must seek input from the piping engineer because only the engineer is equipped to evaluate the technical implications of changes—ensuring the modification meets design criteria, material compatibility, pressure and temperature limits, welding and fabrication requirements, and overall system integrity under API 570 and relevant codes. This engineering sign-off ensures the alteration won’t introduce new safety or reliability risks.

The other roles are important for coordination and oversight, but they don’t provide the engineering assessment needed for alterations: the owner authorizes funding or ownership decisions, the project manager handles scope and timeline, and the supervisor provides supervision, not the technical authorization.