Visual welding inspection requirements

[Boothy104]

Hi All,

The company I'm currently working for are manufacturing an accumulator vessel to ASME Section 3, NC.

I'm wondering if somebody can point me in the right direction, I'm looking to find out the qualification requirements for personnel visually inspecting welds on the above accumulator.

My train of thought is as below but I'm not totally convinced:

Section 3 NB - NB5000 Examination > NB-5521 Qualification - states shall be qualified in accordance with SNT-TC-1A.
NB-5111 > Refers me to Section 9 of ASME which again in the general requirements Article 1 says ASNT-TC-1A or ASNT CP-189.

So going form the above am I correct in assuming the visual inspectors on the job must be qualified in accordance with ASNT-TC-1A?

Look forward to hearing from some of you more experienced folk!

Thanks

 

[qcrobert]

Just Google SNT-TC-1A for guidelines for employers to establish in hour certification programs.

I would strongly recommend that you sub contract out the paper work (Written Practice, QA/QC Manual, etc) to a Level III NDE Service Consultant Company.

Robert

 

[Boothy104]

Thanks for that Robert.

Do you agree though that for an ASME Section 3 Class 2 Accumulator the training/qualification requirements would be to ASNT_TC-1A? Currently the inspectors are not trained at all. I just want to be clear before I recommend this practice.

Cheers

 

[JR97]

Boothy,

Yes and No. Visual Inspections required by NC-5000 require SNT-TC-1A certified inspectors. Inspections required by NC-4000 (reinforcement, offset etc) may be performed by the welder. Taking quick look at NC (I am more familiar with NB, NF, NG) only NC-5000 visual inspections are for brazed joints.

JR97

 

[gtaw]

ASNT SNT-TC-1A is a recommended practice with guidelines for qualifying and certifying NDE personnel. The guidelines can be modified to suit the employer's needs. Some employers take considerable liberty with their requirements for education, training, relevant experience, and examinations.

ASNT CP-189 is a standard that delineates the requirements for education, training, relevant work experience, and examinations. The individual tasked with administration of the program must be an ASNT certified Level III for the test methods administered.

The difference between the two is like your mom telling you your the best driver she knows (SNT-TC-1a) and the state DMV handing one their driver's license (ASNT Certified Level III).

But, having taken and passing the ASNT ACCP Level III for visual testing, it was totally inappropriate for someone that is tasked with inspecting welds. On the other hand, someone that holds an AWS CWI or SCWI is better positioned for inspecting welds. ASNT does recognize the CWI and SCWI as ACCP Level II visual inspectors.

Best regards - Al