NBIC R Stamp — National Board Repair Authorization

The National Board Inspection Code (NBIC) R Stamp authorizes an organization to perform repairs and alterations to boilers, pressure vessels, and pressure piping that were originally constructed to ASME codes. When in-service equipment needs repair due to corrosion, erosion, cracking, or damage — or when modifications are needed to accommodate process changes — the work must be performed by an R Stamp holder under the supervision of an Authorized Inspector.

What the R Stamp Covers

The R Stamp authorization allows Synergy Piping to perform:

• Repairs — Restoring pressure-retaining items to a safe and satisfactory operating condition. This includes weld repairs to vessels, piping, and boiler components that have experienced in-service degradation.
• Alterations — Physical changes to pressure-retaining items that were not part of the original design. Adding nozzles to existing vessels, rerouting piping, changing materials, or modifying pressure ratings all constitute alterations under the NBIC.
• Re-rating — Changing the design conditions (pressure, temperature) of existing equipment based on engineering evaluation and, when necessary, physical modifications.

The Repair Process

NBIC repairs and alterations follow a defined process:

• Engineering evaluation — Assess the condition, determine the cause of degradation, and develop a repair plan
• Repair procedure — Document the welding procedures, materials, NDE requirements, and testing that will be applied
• Authorized Inspector involvement — An AI reviews and approves the repair plan, witnesses hold-point inspections, and signs the R-1 or R-2 report form
• Documentation — Complete repair reports filed with the National Board, providing a permanent record of the work performed

Why Contractors Need an R Stamp Partner

During planned shutdowns and turnarounds, unexpected repairs often arise — a vessel inspection reveals corrosion, a pipe thickness survey finds thin spots, or a crack is discovered during NDE. Having a fabrication partner with R Stamp authorization means these repairs can proceed immediately with proper code compliance, rather than scrambling to find a qualified repair organization while the clock is ticking on your maintenance window.

Turnaround and Maintenance Support

Synergy Piping’s R Stamp authorization means we can support your turnaround and maintenance projects with code-compliant repair capabilities. When your shutdown scope expands to include pressure equipment repairs, we have the authorization, procedures, and experience to execute the work under Authorized Inspector oversight — keeping your project on schedule and your equipment in compliance.