API INSPECTION 1

[angel14]

I would like to know which certifications an inspector must have to be able to inspect piping and pressure vessel on a petrochemical site ?

Thanks in advance

 

[GregLamberson]

angel14:

For plain old vanilla inspection (not issuing certifications or stamping), it is up to the client. There are numerous piping related disciplines - fabrication/fit up, pipe welding, structural welding, NDT, coating, hydrotesting, etc.

Generally they will want inspectors who are the best qualified and have recognized certifications for the discipline they are inspecting, but there are no hard fast rules. For example, on NDT you will normally want an inspector that is at least a level II.

Complexity of the project and processes will also be a driver.


Greg Lamberson, BS, MBA
Consultant - Upstream Energy
Website:

http://www.oil-gas-consulting.com

 

[dcasto]

Same as GregL, if you are a contractor, the owner would most likely see an API certificate (risk based, fitness for use, vessel, ect). Welding inspection may insist on AWS certification. Cathodic protection and corrosion would be NACE.

These certification don't come cheap either.

 

[JoeTank]

API-510 certification for pressure vessels.
API-570 certification for piping.
API-653 certification for storage tanks.

Joe Tank

 

[SJones]

CSWIP Plant Inspector Level 2

http://www.cswip.com/categories/plant_inspection.jsp

Steve Jones
Materials & Corrosion Engineer

http://www.pdo.co.om/pdoweb/

 

[ndeguy]

To quote Jimi Hendrix "Are you experienced?", Angel14. In the job ads I have seen potential employers ask for 5 - 10 years prior plant inspection experience also. Not many are prepared to take on a rookie with a certificate, if API allow such a thing. Its theusual conundrum, how do you get the experience without a certificate, how do you get the certifiacte without the experience?

With an ageing infrastructure (technicians, as well as plant) the experienced guys must be pretty thinly spread.

Nigel Armstrong
Karachaganak Petroleum
Kazakhstan

 

[MikeL3]

Angel,

Your question is one that has and is generating significant discusssion throughout the industry. The objectives of the inspections will determine the skill levels required by the inspection staff. It has been my experience that a combination of education, training and experience in terms of inspector attributes are critical.

Inspectors are much like medical professionals, in that some are more capable in certain areas than others and that the inspection manager must organize the staff to attain the mission goals by effective employment of the staff attributes.

I would also recommend that API certified inspectors be considered for the on-stream effort as well as the AWS CWI for new fabrication, with an intermixing of method NDE training and certification throught the ranks of the inspectors.

I hope this helps.