Who can inspect welds per B31.3 1

[ustaweld]

I was asked the question, can the welder inspect his own welds as the inspector. Though it is taken for granted the answer is no (the fox guarding the hen house). I could not find anything to defend it.

The question: Can a welder, if he also designated as the owner inspector, inspect his own welds (visually, RT, PT,etc.)? If not, where is it written?

 

[doct9960]

Check the owner's quality plan.

 

[ndeguy]

ustaweld

Read B31.3. paras. 340 Inspection and 341 Examination for an explanation of the terminology. Your query seems to refer more to para 341 Examination. para 342 details Examination Personnel requirements and gives SNT-TC-1A as a guideline.

The welder SHOULD always be the first examiner. Nothing should be released ready for inspection until s/he is satisfied of the visual quality of their own work. Theoretically, provided the welder meets the contractual personnel certification requirements then there is no reason why s/he should not examine and evaluate her/his own work. This would more likely be for surface inspection only - visual, liquid penetrant and magnetic particle. For the volumetric examinations - radiography and ultrasonics - it seems highly unlikely that this would occur.

Purely my opinion of course.



Nigel Armstrong
Lloyds Register
Independent Verification Body Surveyor

 

[Mr168]

342.2 Specific Requirement

For in-process examination, the examinations shall be
performed by personnel other than those performing
the production work.