Certifications in demand 1

[InspectorDonna]

Hi all...
I am an AWS CWI seeking to make myself more marketable. Does anyone have a suggestion on what certification or endorsement to pursue next?
I'm currently too far out on experience hours with regards to other NDE methods so those are out of the question right now. Since those will take a while, I'd like something else to add to my resume rather than have CWI only...

Thanks in advance!!
Donna

 

[stanweld]

If you will be inspect coatings on steel structures, piping, tanks, etc., recommend NACE certifications.

 

[stanweld]

One additional thought. If you are presently involved in weld inspection in petrochemical facilities, consider API-510 and API-570 inpector certs.

 

[Ron]

Consider ASNT nondestructive testing certifications, through Level III.

 

[abusementpark]

I would get certified for IBC chapter 17 special inspections, particularly masonry. Engineers are starting to enforce these requirements.

 

[Lion06]

abusement-

Engineers are starting to enforce these? I thought these were legally required? They are in our General Notes and Specs for every job and we hound the contractor (or whoever is responsible for hiring the SI) if we don't get them.

Many jurisdictions require a letter of "substantial completion" (I believe that is how it's referred to) in which the EOR has to sign a letter stating that the building was constructed as designed. The special inspection reports are a key part of the process, especially when it comes to rebar for concrete and masonry.

Do you guys require them? Have you always?

 

[abusementpark]

Engineers are starting to enforce these? I thought these were legally required? They are in our General Notes and Specs for every job and we hound the contractor (or whoever is responsible for hiring the SI) if we don't get them.

Many jurisdictions require a letter of "substantial completion" (I believe that is how it's referred to) in which the EOR has to sign a letter stating that the building was constructed as designed. The special inspection reports are a key part of the process, especially when it comes to rebar for concrete and masonry.

Do you guys require them? Have you always?

We require them. We have them clearly defined and referenced in our general notes. We did used to only have them referenced in our specifications.

In my area, engineers have been very slow to recognize and enforce these requirements. The building officials are completely clueless about these special inspections, among other parts of the code. I think most local engineers by now at least have the inspections listed on their drawings/specifications. I don't think many (if any) are holding anyone's feet to the fire to have them done on every job.

Lately, we have been pushing harder for them, however, there have been problems. There is sometimes resistance from the owner to pay a substantial increase in inspection costs. We had a owner (actually a state university) refuse to pay the costs of rebar special inspections on a 20 million dollar multi-story concrete project. Also, the contractors are apathetic and aren't going to halt construction just because the inspector isn't out there or isn't actually performing the full services required by the code. Finally, most of the testing agencies are unfamiliar/incompetent with regard to the special inspection requirements. The first time we really hounded a contractor about getting the masonry special inspections done, the testing agency had to bring in a guy from an office hours away because they didn't have anyone locally who was certified. Even recently when we pushed hard for the masonry inspections, the testing agency acknowledged they would do it and got someone in their office certified. Well, it turns out they thought it only entailed performing the material tests and "making sure they put steel in the cells" - nevermind whether or not it is in the right location with proper clearance, at the right spacing, the correct bar size, etc.

Admittedly, we are lenient on some of the visual inspection requirements on small projects that we know we can perform comprehensive structural observations.

 

[abusementpark]

Also, as far as the "letter of substantial completion", we have never been required to produce something like that. That's pretty unfair. What if you weren't hired to perform any construction administration services?

 

[MikeMech]

Familiarity with NAVSEA welding specs and WWT requirements are much in demand right now if you are interested in getting into the manufacturing side of things. You just have to read and understand NAVSEA -248 and supporting documents, all available for free online.

These documents are real page-turners, believe me...

 

[InspectorDonna]

Thank you all so much for the suggestions!