1.1This practice provides guidelines for continuous monitoring of acoustic emission (AE) from metal pressure boundaries in industrial systems during operation. Examples are pressure vessels, piping, and other system components which serve to contain system pressure. Pressure boundaries other than metal, such as composites, are specifically not covered by this document.

1.2The functions of AE monitoring are to detect, locate, and characterize AE sources to provide data to evaluate their significance relative to pressure boundary integrity. These sources are those activated during system operation, that is, no special stimulus is applied to produce AE. Other methods of nondestructive testing (NDT) may be used, when the pressure boundary is accessible, to further evaluate or substantiate the significance of detected AE sources.

1.3Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standards.

1.4This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific precautionary statements, see Section 6.

1.5This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.