Pressure part inspection companies - Asia

[athomas236]

Gentlemen,

I am involved in a project in South America that involves 3x360MWe coal fired conventional subcritical units located at two sites.

The pressure parts for the boiler and turbine islands will be designed and manufactured in accordance with ASME standards.

The contracts have been awarded to European companies who have sub-contracted the manufacture of the pressure parts to companies in Vietnam, Korea and China.

To provide reassurance about quality, we have been asked to identify those reputable inspection companies that can undertake pressure part inspections in these countries. These companies do not necessarily have to have inspection capability in all three countries.

Is anyone able to offer advise on suitable companies?

Best regards,

athomas236

 

[eyec]

i can provide some leads for you to explore
contact me at my website



Steven C
Senior Member
ThirdPartyInspections.com

 

[deckie1026]

ABS Consulting has representation in the countries you mentioned. ABSConsulting.com

 

[cmsvessel]

Every ASME certified manufactuere should have his own AIA who will inspect the pressure parts with ASME stapm. Why are you looking yourself for the inspection company?

 

[eyec]

reasons for wanting their own inspector for pressure parts;

1) China

2)

http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=219639&page=1

3) see # 1 and 2 above

4) having an experienced third party as a second set of eyes is like belts and suspenders

i have some trusted inspection agencies i have worked with over the years and will pass them on to athomas236 should he contact me

i joined this forum in order to gain the benefit of others giving back to the industy and as such i try to give back as well, that is why i made the offer - not for personal commercial gain

though not specific i even wrote a short FAQ about third party isnpections some time ago

http://www.eng-tips.com/faqs.cfm?fid=857

besides my wife works so i don't need to income

Steven C
Senior Member
ThirdPartyInspections.com

 

[metengr]

Every ASME certified manufactuere should have his own AIA who will inspect the pressure parts with ASME stapm. Why are you looking yourself for the inspection company?

Unless you have an Authorized Inspector that lives in the shop day to day to keep watch until the object is built, the above will never be done to a Users satisfaction. You need to review the responsibilities of the Authorized Inspector in the ASME B&PV Code. I absolutely agree with eyec regarding 3rd party inspections in Asia and other regions of the world including the US.

 

[Sharik]

I also agree with eyec. An AI is mostly concerned with the Code part of the equipment, the pressure retaining parts. They do not inspect non-pressure internals such as trays in towers, demister pads in separators, etc. Just because a vessel construction is certified by an AI doesn't mean the vessel will actually work as designed. It just means it probably won't blow up when put into the service it was designed for.

Third party inspections are essential for ensuring not only compliance to the Codes but compliance to the Owner's Specifications.

 

[cmsvessel]

Hi Guys,

Athomas236 mentioned about pressure parts only, so if you could not trust the AI who will sign off the paperwork I do not know whom else you can,beisdes most of the AIAs in China are big Western run companies. If Athomas236 wants sombody for progress/schedule control or as a second eyes on the manufactuere, then I also have third part inspection companies.

 

[athomas236]

Gentlemen,

Thank you all for your helpful advice and apologies for my lack of response.

The boilers and pipework will be in accordance with ASME codes but will not be stamped since this is not a requirement in the country where the plant will be located.

On one our other current projects, the main steam pipework was contracted to another major international company who had the pipework made in his own factory in Asia. When the pipes arrived at site there was lack of penetration to a depth of 3mm on many welds, on others there were welding rods sticking into the pipe bore and weld metal hanging into the pipe bore like stalagtites. The complicating factor was that the pipes were of P91 material. So relying on the contractor and his monitoring and the subcontractors is not always enough.

Even when there is an AIA, the scope of his work can be very limited consisting of witnessing the hydro test of the drum and a review of Qa documents.

Regards,

athomas236

 

[eyec]

athomas, monitoring in and of itself is not the Holy Grail. identifying and dictating "acceptance criteria" sets the table for any inspections.

hanging rod stubs and the likes you describe are not allowed in many Standards and NDE requirements for acceptable welds and could not have been followed. from your above description its sounds like the fox was allowed to watch the hen house.

Steven C
Senior Member
ThirdPartyInspections.com