QC Manual Being Auditable

[Clank688]

I've always heard that everything needs to be auditable in a ASME/National Board QC program, but I can't find anything in Code actually saying that. NB-57 2.0 (b) does, but that's not Code required, just a guide. Does anyone know where I can look for that, and if it exists (or is it just people reading into Code)?

This question is coming from a theoretical situation where pipe material has the spec & grade identified physically on the material per UG-77 (not using a coded marking or a heat map). The Manufacturer is required to identify this material per UG-90(b)(3). Do they need to document that identification somehow, maybe initialing for the fit-up inspection or writing "SA-106B" on the heat map, to have documentation that they did their inspection?

Appendix 10 doesn't go into this detail, it just says MTRs are required for pressure bearing plate. Another example would be QC Manuals requiring the Engineering Manager to initial/date the drawing, or something similar, to document his review/acceptance, and Code doesn't specifically say that's necessary, either.

Thanks in advance!

 

[EdStainless]

There are lots of resources.

https://www.asme.org/getmedia/6f25ca95-b8c1-43fe-9a7f-5016e009fd1f/qps-checklist-general-industry.pdf

Downloadable Resources

This page contains a list of general downloads notices and general downloads forms for ASME Boiler codes.

www.asme.org

Quality Control System

The 1960s was a time of rapid growth for the nuclear power industry. In 1963, a new ASME Code section, Section III, was published to cover construction of

asmedigitalcollection.asme.org

https://www.asme.org/wwwasmeorg/media/resourcefiles/shop/certification & accreditation/bpv-certification/bpv-certification_form_checklist-accreditation.pdf

All procedures need to be documented.
All employee training documents must demonstrate proficiency (not just sitting in a class)
Traceability and identification of all materials.
You must be doing internal audits.
And about 200 other points.

 

[Clank688]

Thanks! Some of those aren't within the scope of the "U" or "R" certificates, to my knowledge (which I didn't point out). Good point on the certification/accreditation checklist, I didn't think to look at that. This is stemming from auditors calling out material control controls. Basically, they're saying that for non-plate materials, the Manufacturer still needs to document that they've verified the material meets the spec and grade needed, even though there aren't records retention requirements for that material. The crux of their argument is that everything must be auditable, which I've heard forever. Now I'm trying to find it in writing, though.

This is what I've been able to dig up:

CA-1, 2.2.2:

A written description of the quality management system shall be provided in a quality management system manual that establishes the responsibilities, authority, and controls for the system and identifies the documents and procedures the organization will use to provide an item and/or service that conforms to the applicable standard.



NB-57 2.0(b):

The Quality System Manual must establish how the Applicant intends to satisfy all applicable Code requirements and defines who in the organization is responsible for initiating and monitoring these controls and requirements, and how they are documented.



QAI-1 7-2(a):

The Inspector shall verify that the manual addresses the essential controls for each basic quality element specified by the governing standard.



NB-57 and CA-1 are the things that actually say everything must be auditable, but NB-57 isn't actually required by Code. QAI-1 is too vague to support the argument. CA-1, I think, is pretty solid on the point, though. That would work for the "U" certificate, but not the "R".

 

[weldstan]

I have gone through over a 2 dozen Joint Review audits of our Quality Manuals from the first required ASME audit after 1974 for U, S, PP and R stamps to when I retired in 2015. And I was instrumental in writing all of the Quality Manuals for multiple Stamp holders.

 

[weldstan]

I forgot to mention that there are plenty of resources mentioned above to enable the writing of the company's Qualty System Manual. The manual should reflect your company's operation as it pertains to the Stamps sought.