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VISUAL EXAMINATION PROCEDURE

Reviewed and Accepted By

Third Party

01 07/02/2022 NDE level III HORS QC Manager Client Rep.

Authorized for
Rev. Date Reviewed & Approved By Accepted By
Implementation
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INDEX

1.0 Scope

2.0 Purpose

3.0 References

4.0 Definitions

5.0 Responsibilities

6.0 Procedure

7.0 Attachments
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1. SCOPE:

1.1. This procedure is to cover methods to be employed for the visual examination of
welds and areas to detect discontinuities open to the surface, to determine surface
conditions, alignment of mating surface, or evidence of leaking, in system
components.

2. PURPOSE:

2.1. This procedure is to specify the minimum requirements for visual examination that
shall be performed, as necessary, during the fabrication and erection of
components to provide verification that the design and WPS requirements are
being met. In addition this procedure shall be performed to verify that all
completed welds in components comply with the acceptance standards Applicable
by the Client
3. REFERENCES:

3.1 ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code Section V – Non Destructive Examination, Edition
2021.
3.2 ASME B31.1, Power Piping, Edition 2020, for acceptance criteria.
3.3 ASME B31.3, Process Piping Edition 2020 for acceptance criteria.
3.4 ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code Section I Edition 2021, for acceptance criteria.
3.5 API 1104 Code applicable edition
3.6 National Board Inspection Code, NBIC, Edition 2021.
3.7 HORAS -QC1, Standard for AWS Certification of Welding Inspectors.
3.8 HORAS Written Practice (Training, Qualification & Certification for NDE Personnel).
3.9 Client Specification Requirements for acceptance criteria.

4. DEFINITIONS:

4.1. X2 or X5 Magnification power of lens.

5. RESPONSIBILITIES:

5.1. The NDE Examiner shall be responsible for conducting and reporting the results of
examination in accordance with acceptance standards Applicable by the Client
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6. PROCEDURE:

6.1. Personnel Qualifications:

6.1.1. All personnel that perform visual examination of power piping to B31.1
welds shall be qualified and certified in compliance with the followings
requirements:

6.1.1.1. Four (4) hours instruction in the fundamentals of visual welding

inspection methods.

6.1.1.2. Each Operator shall have an eye examination performed each

year to determine optical capability to perform the required
examinations. Operators shall be at least capable of reading
Jaeger No. 1, with or without correction, and capable of
distinguishing contrast between colors.

6.1.1.3. On the job training for 2 days (4 hours each day) to familiarize
the Operator with the appearance and interpretation of
indications of weld defects.

6.1.1.4. Upon completion of the above, the Operator shall be given a

written examination of 15 questions and a performance
examination to determine if they are qualified to perform the
required examinations and interpretation of results.

6.1.1.5. An oral examination may be given in place of the written one

consisting of the same number of predetermined questions as
the written examination and the answers documented by the
Quality Control Manager or the Company Level III.

6.1.1.6. Visual examination personnel who have not performed power

piping inspections for a period of one year or more shall be
reexamined as required by the above and also pass the eye
examination and be recertified prior to performing any weld
inspections.

6.1.2. The following may be used as alternatives to the proceeding program, as

applicable:
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6.1.2.1. All personnel involved in Visual Examinations shall be qualified and

certified in accordance with the requirements of written practice No.
Alex.Welding Service – aw -WP-01 (Written Practice (Training,
Qualification & Certification for NDE Personnel). Interpretation,
evaluation and reporting of examination results shall be done by a
minimum certified level II VT examiner.

6.1.2.2. As alternative, visual examination personnel certified to AWS -QC1

as Certified Welding Inspectors (CWI’s) may be employed in visual
examination according to this procedure.

6.1.3. When the written practice is revised, the certification of NDE personnel
remains valid to the requirements of the previous revision until the expiry date
of the personnel qualification certificate; then, recertification to the
requirements of the new revision is required.

6.1.4. The certification of personnel shall be checked by the Quality Control Manager
prior to work commencement.

6.1.5. Personnel shall have an annual vision test to assure natural or corrected near
distance acuity such that they are capable of reading standard J-1 letters on
standard Jaeger test type charts for near vision. Equivalent near vision tests are
acceptable.

6.2. Equipment:

May include one or combinations of the following tools:

6.2.1. Steel Rule 150 mm and/or 300 mm.

6.2.2. Weld Gauges (different types as appropriate).
6.2.3. Magnifying lens (x 2 to x 5)
6.2.4. Inspection mirrors (different sizes)
6.2.5. Suitable lighting
6.2.6. Crayons and markers (temporary and permanent)
6.2.7. Light meter capable of measuring visible light intensity in lux / foot candles
(f.c.). The light meter shall meet the calibration requirement of T-952 of ASME
Code Section V.
6.2.8. Temperature indicating devices (thermocouples, thermometers, crayons, etc.)
6.2.9. Callipers or Micrometers.
6.2.10. Straight edge and / or Protractor
6.2.11. Depth gauges
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6.3. Surface Condition:

6.3.1. Generally satisfactory results may be obtained when the surface of the part is in
the as-welded, or as-rolled condition. Surface preparation by grinding,
machining, or other methods may be necessary where surface irregularities
could mask the interpretation. The surface shall be dry and free of all dirt,
grease, lint, scale, welding flux and spatter, oil, or other extraneous matter that
could interfere with the examination.

6.4. Preparation:

6.4.1. Preparation may include degreasing, removal of scale, weld ripples, spatter,
grinding or chipping marks, etc. that may interfere with the interpretation.

6.4.2. Cleaning may be accomplished using detergents, organic solvents, descaling

solutions, paint removers, sand or grit blasting methods.

6.5. Extent of Examination

6.5.1 In accordance with the applicable inspection and test plan of the component.

6.6 General Examination Method:

6.6.1 Direct visual examination shall usually be made when access is sufficient to
place the eye within 24 in. (600 mm) of the surface to be examined and at angle
not less than 30 deg. to the surface to be examined. Mirrors may be used to
improve the angle of vision, and aids such as a magnifying lens may be used to
assist examination. Illumination (natural or supplemental white light) for the
specific part, component, vessel, or section being examined is required.

6.6.2 The minimum light level shall be 100 foot-candles (1076 lux). The light source,
technique used, and light level verification is required to be demonstrated one
time, documented, and maintained on file.

6.6.3 In some cases, remote visual examination may have to be substituted for direct
examination. Remote visual examination may use visual aids such as mirrors,
fiberoptics, cameras, or other suitable instruments. Such systems shall have a
resolution capability at least equivalent to that obtainable by direct visual
observation.
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6.7 Weld Examination Method:

6.7.1 All welds shall be subject to 100 % visual examination.

6.7.2 Visual examination of weld shall include general condition of surface being
examined including excessive grinding, arc strikes, spatters, cracks, melt
through, scratches, weld reinforcement (thickness, undercutting), weld
appearance, high low, alignment of jointed parts and shape of weld capping.

6.7.3 The surface condition of weld shall be suitable for proper interpretation of
other required non-destructive test of the welds.

6.7.4 The weld surface shall be regular and shall blend smoothly into adjacent base
material. Incomplete or insufficient size of weld shall be repaired.

6.7.5 Any crack on the surface requires an additional surface examination with
liquid penetrant along the entire weld. Each crack shall be repaired and the
weld examined again.

6.7.6 Butt welds shall have complete penetration.

6.7.7 The surface of the weld may be left "as welded" provided they are sufficiently
free from coarse ripples, grooves, overlaps, abrupt ridges, and valley to avoid
stress raisers.

6.7.8 Indications such as group of pores, porosity, or worm holes require grinding /
welding repair, as appropriate.

6.7.9 Fillet welds shall be regularly blend with adjacent surfaces and the legs shall be
in accordance with specified tolerated dimensions.

6.7.10 Fillet weld surface shall be free from coarse ripples or grooves, and shall merge
smoothly with the surfaces joined.

6.8 Evaluation:

6.8.1 All examinations shall be evaluated in terms of the acceptance standards

(Paragraph 6.9)

6.8.2 An examination checklist shall be used to plan visual examinations and to verify
that the required visual observations were performed.
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6.9 Acceptance Criteria:

6.9.1 Acceptance standards specified in (A) below or with the limitations on

imperfections specified in the material specification under which the pipe or
component was furnished

(A) Acceptance Standards. The following indications are unacceptable:

(A.1) cracks — external surface.

(A.2) undercut on surface which is greater than 1⁄32 in. (1.0 mm) deep.
(A.3) weld reinforcement greater than specified in Table 127.4.2.
(A.4) lack of fusion on surface.
(A.5) incomplete penetration (applies only when inside surface is readily accessible).
(A.6) any other linear indications greater than 3⁄16 in. (5.0 mm) long.
(A.7) surface porosity with rounded indications having dimensions greater than
3⁄16 in. (5.0 mm) or four or more rounded indications separated by 1⁄16 in.
(2.0 mm) or less edge to edge in any direction. Rounded indications are
indications which are circular or elliptical with their length less than three
times their width.
(A.8) The internal misalignment of piping ends to be joined shall not exceed 2 mm.
(A.9) Lock of penetration (examined of the root from inside) is not acceptable
when joint design require a full penetration.
(A.10) Weld profiles shall have a smooth and regular transition to the parent metal.

6.10 Documentation:
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6.10.1 Each examination shall be reported together with evaluation and where
necessary diagrammatic sketches shall be made to show the location of defects.

6.10.2 As a minimum, the report shall give the following information:

❑ Job No.
❑ Product Serial No.
❑ Drawing / line number.
❑ Item or weld reference.
❑ Evaluation
❑ Date of examination.
❑ Welders’ mark, number or identity.
❑ Equipment and technique.
❑ Operator’s name and qualification level.
❑ Other information as required such as observations, dimensional checks
… etc.

7 ATTACHMENTS:

7.1 VT inspection Report .