Visual Inspection Procedure
Visual Inspection Procedure
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Document No.
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SUMMARY
1. PURPOSE .................................................................................................................................... 3
2. SCOPE ......................................................................................................................................... 3
3. APPLICABLE STANDARDS............................................................................................................ 3
4. PERSONNEL ................................................................................................................................ 4
5. EQUIPMENT ................................................................................................................................. 4
6. EXAMINATION TECHNIQUES ........................................................................................................ 4
6.1 DIRECT VISUAL EXAMINATION .......................................................................................................... 4
6.2 REMOTE VISUAL EXAMINATION ........................................................................................................ 5
7. SURFACE EXAMINATION CONDITIONS ........................................................................................ 5
8. SURFACE PREPARATION FOR WELDING ..................................................................................... 5
9. MAXIMUM MISALIGNMENT OF UNALIGNED SECTION ................................................................... 5
10. JOINT PREPARATION ............................................................................................................... 6
11. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS ...................................................................................................... 7
12. PROFILE DEFECTS .................................................................................................................. 8
12.1 UNDERCUTTING .......................................................................................................................... 8
12.2 OVERFLOW................................................................................................................................. 8
12.3 WELD REINFORCEMENT (CONVEXITY) ............................................................................................. 8
12.4 CONCAVITY................................................................................................................................. 8
13. STRUCTURAL DEFECTS .......................................................................................................... 8
13.1 POROSITY ................................................................................................................................... 8
13.2 LACK OF FUSION .......................................................................................................................... 8
13.3 LACK OF PENETRATION ................................................................................................................. 8
13.4 CRACKS ...................................................................................................................................... 8
13.5 ARC STRIKES ............................................................................................................................... 9
13.6 CLEANING .................................................................................................................................. 9
13.7 WELD SURFACES ......................................................................................................................... 9
14. REPORT................................................................................................................................... 9
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1. PURPOSE
The purpose of this procedure is to outline the operational method and relevant requirements for
conducting visual and dimensional examination of welds for structure, pressure vessels, piping, and
storage tanks.
2. SCOPE
The visual examination of welds covered by this procedure encompasses the following areas:
- Dimensional defects, including weld size, throat dimension, bevel angle, etc.
- Visual defects, such as distortions, buckling, warping, misalignment, improper
profiles, undercutting, etc.
- Structural discontinuities in welds, including external cracks, surface defects, etc.
3. APPLICABLE STANDARDS
Visual and dimensional examination of welds must adhere to the requirements of the
following applicable standards:
- ASME Section V
- ASME Section I
- ASME Section VIII, div. 1 and div. 2
- ASME/AISI B31.1 and B31.3
- API 650 and API 653.
- AWS D1.1
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4. PERSONNEL
qualified personnel to perform visual examinations shall have a sound knowledge of
welding and shall have a minimum of 2 years’ experience.
Personnel performing visual examinations shall have vision, with correction, if necessary, to
read a Jaeger Type No. 2 Standard Chart at a distance of not less than 300 mm (12 in.), and
be capable of distinguishing and differentiating contrast between colors used. Compliance
with this requirement shall be demonstrated annually.
QHSE manager, in his own decision, could decrease the above said requirements according
to the final product type and client requirements.
5. EQUIPMENT
Any optical equipment with a resolution equivalent to that of naked-eye observation can be
utilized.
Dimensions are measured using templates and standardized measuring instruments.
Various equipment, such as a flashlight, telescopic mirror, magnifying glass (minimum 10X),
may be employed to address specific conditions.
Note: Crater cracks, other than crater cracks, should be sized using liquid penetrant or
magnetic particle testing.
6. EXAMINATION TECHNIQUES
6.1 DIRECT VISUAL EXAMINATION
Direct visual examination is employed when it is possible to approach the eye within at least
24 inches of the surface to be examined at an angle of at least 30 degrees from that surface.
Mirrors can be used to enhance the viewing angle, and magnifying glasses may be used to aid
in the examination.
The surface to be examined should be illuminated, if necessary, by a flashlight or another
means to achieve a minimum of 1000 LUX for conventional examination.
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The examination area, as well as the weld surfaces, must be free from excessive rust, slag,
flux, welding splatter, paint scale, or any other foreign material that may obscure defects.
The weld surface is cleaned or conditioned, either by washing, grinding, stripping, or any
other method, ensuring that the results of past or future examinations are not affected.
The examination area L + 13mm or L is the maximum width of the weld.
The surfaces and/or sides to be welded must be uniform, smooth, and free from burrs, slag
from oxy-cutting, tears, cracks, or other defects that could affect the quality or strength of the
weld.
The welding surfaces must be free from scales, slag, dust, paint, grease, moisture, or other
foreign materials that could cause welding difficulties.
In addition to the welding surface, these requirements apply to adjacent surfaces located a
minimum of 5mm on each side of the welding surfaces.
The alignment of sections joined by butt welds is not acceptable when measured values exceed
those specified in Appendix 1 of this procedure.
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Butt Joint
The root opening and bevel angle specified on detailed drawings must not exceed the values in the
following table or as required by Project specification and client requirements.
Note: When drawings or procedures specify execution tolerances, those take precedence over those
listed in this procedure.
Fillet Welds
The minimum dimension of fillet welds must be as indicated on fabrication drawings. For piping,
the minimum dimension of fillet welds must be as shown in Figures 1 and 2 of Appendix 2 of this
procedure.
The spacing between two pieces joined by an angle weld must not exceed the following
values:
2mm for joints with a maximum length of 60cm.
4mm for joints longer than 60cm but not exceeding 3 meters.
3.5mm for joints longer than 3 meters.
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Note: If the spacing is equal to or greater than 1.6mm, the sides of the angle weld must be
increased by the value of the separation.
Lap Joints
The spacing between two pieces joined by a lap weld must not exceed 2mm. The use of shims
is prohibited unless specified by the drawings or approved by the client.
All surfaces and welds subject to visual examination are inspected to determine their surface
conditions, presence of discontinuities, or any other anomalies, as well as meeting client
requirements. The required examinations, including but not limited to, are as follows:
- Dimensional verification according to drawings and/or the requirements of this
procedure.
- Surface cleaning.
- Weld edge preparation.
- Assembly of weld edges, bevel angle, flatness, root opening, alignment, and transition
if applicable.
- Dimension of fillet welds, including spacing for socket welds.
- Profile defects, such as undercut, overflow, concavity, and convexity.
- Structural defects, such as lack of fusion, lack of penetration (if accessible), porosity,
and cracks.
- Surface conditions of welds.
- Cleaning of welds, slag, spatter, or other contaminants.
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12.1 UNDERCUTTING
The depth of undercutting must not exceed the values indicated in Appendix 3 of this
procedure.
12.2 OVERFLOW
Overflow/overlap of weld metal on the surface of the base metal is not permitted.
12.3 WELD REINFORCEMENT (CONVEXITY)
Measured values must not exceed those indicated in Tables 1 to 4 of Appendix 4 of this
procedure.
12.4 CONCAVITY
For butt joints, the total thickness of the weld must be equal to or greater than the thinnest
thickness of the materials being joined. For angle welds, the minimum throat dimension must
be met.
Note: If the depth of lack of penetration cannot be measured, it should be deemed unacceptable.
Tw is the nominal thickness of the thinnest wall.
13.4 CRACKS
None.
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Note: In case of doubt regarding the presence of structural defects, the examiner has the
prerogative to demand evaluation by another non-destructive testing method of their choice.
13.6 CLEANING
Welds and surrounding surfaces must be free of spatter, slag, or other impurities.
14. REPORT
The report must include, at a minimum, the following information:
- Client's name and address
- Contract or purchase order number (P.O.)
- Component numbers
- Sampling
- Procedure number and its revision index
- Tools and measuring instruments used
- Visual aids used (if applicable)
- Acceptance criteria
- Examination results
- Comments (if applicable)
- Date and signature of the examiner
The documentation includes all observations and dimensional verifications required by the reference
Code section.
The visual examination reports: QC-FR-02
The dimensional report: QC-FR-01
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APPENDIX 1
ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA FOR MISALIGNMENT
1. ASME Section I and ASME Section VIII, Div. 1 and Div. 2
The misalignment criteria for ASME Section I and ASME Section VIII, Div. 1 and Div. 2
shall be as follows:
The alignment of sections joined by butt welds is not acceptable when measured values
exceed those specified in the applicable sections of ASME Section I and ASME Section
VIII, Div. 1 and Div. 2.
NOMINAL THICKNESS OF BASE JOINT CATEGORIES
MATERIAL, (mm) A B, C et D
Less than 13mm incl. (1/4) t (1/4) t
13mm to 19mm incl. 3mm (1/4) t
20mm to 38mm incl. 3mm 5mm
39mm to 51mm incl. 3mm (1/8) t
More than 51mm (1/16) t or 10mm (1/8) t or 19mm
(whichever is smaller) (whichever is smaller)
2. ASME B31.1 and B31.3
Maximum misalignment: 1.6mm
3. API 650 and API 653
VERTICAL JOINT:
A) More than 16mm thickness = 10%, maximum 3.2mm
B) 16mm and below = 1.6mm max.
HORIZONTAL JOINT:
A) More than 16mm thickness = 20%, maximum 3.2mm
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APPENDIX 2
ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA FOR JOINT PREPARATION
FIGURE 1
MINIMUM DIMENSIONS REQUIRED FOR SOCKET WELD JOINTS
Tn = Nominal Pipe t= Nominal Pipe
Wall Thickness Wall Thickness
Cx (min) = 1.09 x Tn or
the wall thickness of Cx (min) = 1.25 x t
the fitting, but not less than
whichever is smaller. 1/8" (3mm).
B31.1 B31.3
FIGURE 2
APPENDIX 3
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ASME Section I, ASME Section VIII, Div. 1 and Div. 2, and ASME/ANSI B31.1
Normal Service:
A) Circular Welds = 1mm max. and Tw/4 max.
B) Longitudinal Welds = None
Severe Service: None
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APPENDIX 4
ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA FOR REINFORCEMENT
TABLE 1
ASME SECTION VIII, DIV. 1
Nominal Base Material RENFORCEMENT MAXIMUM,mm
Thickness, mm Circumferential Joint Other Welds
Less than 2.4mm 2.4 0.8
2.4 to 4.8mm incl.. 3.2 1.6
4.8 to 13mm incl. 4.0 2.4
13 to 25mm incl. 4.8 2.4
25 to 51mm incl. 5.0 3.2
51 to 76mm incl. 6.0 4.0
76 to 102mm incl. 6.0 6.0
102 àto127mm incl. 6.0 6.0
More than 127mm 8.0 8.0
TABLE 2
ASME SECTION VIII, DIV. 2
Nominal Base Material RENFORCEMENT MAXIMUM,mm
Thickness, mm Circumferential Joint Other Welds
2.5 < t 2.5 0.8
2.5 ≤ t < 5 2.5 1.5
5 ≤ t < 13 3.0 2.5
13 ≤ t < 25 4.0 2.5
25 ≤ t < 50 4.0 3.0
50 ≤ t < 76 4.0 4.0
76 ≤ t < 100 5.5 5.5
100 ≤ t < 125 6.0 6.0
t ≥ 125 8.0 8.0
TABLE 3
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ASME SECTION I
Nominal Base Material RENFORCEMENT MAXIMUM, mm
Thickness, Inch (mm) Circumferential Joint Other Welds
t ≤ 3.0 2.5 2.5
3.0 < t ≤ 5 3.0 2.5
5.0 < t ≤ 13 4.0 2.5
13 < t ≤ 25 5.0 2.5
25 < t ≤ 50 * 3.0
50 < t ≤ 75 * 4.0
75 < t ≤ 100 * 5.5
100 < t ≤ 125 * 6.0
t > 125 * 8.0
*The greater of 6mm or 1/8 times the weld width in mm.
TABLE 4
STEAM PIPING SYSTEM / ASME ANSI B31.1
REINFORCEMENT OF BUTT WELD JOINTS FOR CIRCUMFERENTIAL AND
LONGITUDINAL JOINTS
Maximum Reinforcement Based on Design
Nominal Base Material Thickness, Temperature
Inch (mm)
> 7500F 3500F à 7500F < 3500F
More than 1 to 2 (25.0 to 50.0) incl. 1/8 (3.0) 1/4 (6.0) 1/4 (6.0)
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Table 6.1
Visual Inspection Acceptance Criteria AWS D1.1
1) Crack Prohibition
X X
Any crack shall be unacceptable, regardless of size or location.
(2) Weld/Base Metal Fusion
Complete fusion shall exist between adjacent layers of weld metal X X
and between weld metal and base metal.
3) Crater Cross Section
All craters shall be filled to provide the specified weld size, except for X X
the ends of intermittent fillet welds outside of their effective length.
(4) Weld Profiles
X X
Weld profiles shall be in conformance with 5.23.
5) Time of Inspection
Visual inspection of welds in all steels may begin immediately after
the completed welds have cooled to ambient temperature.
X X
Acceptance criteria for ASTM A514, A517, and A709 Grade HPS
100W [HPS 690W] steels shall be based on visual inspection
performed not less than 48 hours after completion of the weld.
(6) Undersized Welds
The size of a fillet weld in any continuous weld may be less than the
specified nominal size (L) without correction
specified nominal weld size, in [mm] allowable decrease from L, in
[mm]
≤ 3/16 [5] ≤ 1/16 [2].0
X X
1/4 [6] ≤ 3/32 [2.5]
≥ 5/16 [8] ≤ 1/8 [3].00
In all cases, the undersize portion of the weld shall not exceed 10%
of the weld length.
On web-to-flange welds on girders, underrun shall be prohibited at
the ends for a length equal to twice the width of the flange.
(7) Undercut
(A) For material less than 1 in [25 mm] thick, undercut shall not
exceed 1/32 in [1 mm], X
with the following exception: undercut shall not exceed 1/16 in [2 mm]
for any accumulated length up to 2 in [50 mm] in any 12 in [300 mm].
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Note: An “X” indicates applicability for the connection type; a shaded area indicates non-
Applicability.