B31.1 Recordable UT, how do you conform?

[JAYDEE23]

I am looking for some input as to how the section below is met. There is lack of experienec in my office with UT and we are trying to define a solid method of conforming to this. What types of files are used to satisfy? Video?(expensive and hard to find) Snap shots of defects and locations?(a play on manual?). Any insight is greatly appreciated.


Per B31.1 2010

136.4.6 Ultrasonic Examination.

(A.1) The equipment used to perform the examination
shall be capable of recording the UT data to facilitate
the analysis by a third party and for the repeatability
of subsequent examinations, should they be required.
Where physical obstructions prevent the use of systems
capable of recording the UT data, manual UT may be
used with the approval of the Owner.

 

[stanweld]

Phased array and TOFD UT systems provide digital recording and storage of information. There are other systems that also provide for digital recording and storage of information.

 

[JAYDEE23]

I understand this but what records are kept...Video? Are snap shots of the defects satisfactory? I want to satisfy the code here not a customer.

 

[stanweld]

The digitally recorded info is all that is required to be kept. The purpose of the requirement is to insure that the information obtained during the examination can be reviewed by another entity/individuals other than the examiner who conducted the test.

 

[JAYDEE23]

What is the format of the records.Videos or Snapshots?

 

[stanweld]

All the information recorded must be available for the third party reviewer. A snapshot of only recorded defects is insufficient.

 

[JAYDEE23]

Thank you. Currently we are planning to jig the transducers and rotate the pipe to record. If i seem completely ignorant of UT its because i am. We will see how it goes. We will be checking our results against an xray of the same weld. Like i said we are new to this. Looking for any resources and guidance that might help us..We are working with a local NDE house but this "recorded" results thing is new to all apparently..I know the code has required it for many years...

 

[stanweld]

I would advise that you only subcontract the NDE work to a service provider who is fully knowlegable in the use of these systems; has provided similar services for others; and has a number of the required calibration blocks per ASME V, Article 4. They should also be able to provide you with course instruction in its use and interpretation of the results. Because of the large volume of data stored when many welds are examined, I would advise storage on an external hard drive (not a cheap one), as a minimum.