Fisher Welding, Inc.

VISUAL EXAMINATION PROCEDURE

PROCEDURE: VT-01
SCOPE:
THIS PROCEDURE COVERS QUALIFICATION OF
PERSONNEL FOR AND THE VISUAL EXAMINATION OF
WELDS, PER THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE ASME CODE
B31.1
Contents:

Section A: Personnel Qualification

Section B: Visual Examination Procedure

Prepared and Approved By: _____________________________

(QC Manager)

REVISION: 0
DATE:
05/24/2012
Page 1 of 8

SECTION A:
PERSONNEL QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
All personnel performing Visual Examinations to comply with the requirements
of the ASME Code B31.1 standard will be qualified as follows:
1. Shall have received instruction in the fundamentals of the NonDestructive Examination Method...Visual Examination.
2. Have a minimum of 8 hours on the job training and have two years weld
inspection experience in order to assure familiarization with the
appearance and interpretation of weld defects.
3. Prior to being designated a Visual Examiner, the individual will receive
and eye examination by a qualified individual, to at least Jeager J-2 or
an equivalent test.
4. Prior to being qualified as a Visual Examiner, the individual must receive
a passing grade (minimum 70%) on an oral or written examination
consisting of 10 questions on Visual Examination methods,
appearances, and interpretation of indications of weld defects. A visual
examination performance test shall also be conducted on either a
standard test specimen or actual weldment.
5. Upon completion of all of the above, the individual will be certified in
writing that he/she is a qualified Visual Examiner, by the Quality Control
Supervisor or company President.
6. As an alternative to the above requirements, the individual may be
qualified as an AWS CWI Certified Inspector.
PERSONNEL RE-QUALIFICATION:
Re-qualification will be required when there is specific reason to question the
ability of the individual to perform Visual Examination, when an individual has
not performed the procedure or received an eye examination within the last 12
months, or where there are substantial changes in Visual Examination
procedure.

Page 2 of 8

CERTIFICATION OF VISUAL EXAMINERS

(Sample to be placed on Company Letterhead)
Date:
RE: CERTIFICATION OF VISUAL EXAMINER
To whom it May Concern:
Please be advised that as of this date, Mr./Ms.________________ has been
instructed, tested and received a passing grade as a Visual Examiner to
comply with ASME B31.1 standards and as outlined in the Seaway Mechanical
Procedure for The Qualification of Visual Examiners", VT-01.
I hereby certify that Mr./Ms.________________ is qualified to perform all
functions of the designated Visual Examiner.
Signed:________________________
QC Manager

Page 3 of 8

QUALIFICATION OF VISUAL EXAMINER ANSI/ASME

B31.1
(Reference Section V & B31.1)
TEST QUESTIONS:
1.

Is undercut greater than 1/32" acceptable?

2.

Are cracks 1/8" in length acceptable?

3.

When performing direct visual examination does the Code allow you to
look at the weld at an angle less than 30 degrees?

4.

How do you determine if sufficient lighting is provided for visual

examination?

5.

What is the maximum reinforcement allowed for a 6" schedule 80 girth

weld or pipe weld for temperatures greater than 750 degrees F.?

6.

Is lack of fusion acceptable?

7.

The size of a fillet weld is:

A.) The theoretical throat
B.) The height of the weld leg
C.) None of the above

8.

On a girth weld when is concavity acceptable?

9.

On socket welds what is the minimum distance between the end of the
pipe and the shoulder of the socket?

10.

Are welds with course ripples, grooves, overlaps, abrupt ridges and
valleys acceptable?

PASSING GRADE: [

] 70% MIN.

Examiners Name:______________________________
Date:

Page 4 of 8
SECTION B:

PROCEDURE FOR VISUAL EXAMINATION

OF WELDS PER THE ASME CODE B31.1
(References: ASME Codes Section V & B31.1)
REQUIREMENTS:
1. All personnel performing visual weld examination are to be currently
qualified as outlined in this procedure, Section A.
2. All completed welds in pipe and piping components will be capable of
complying with the acceptance criteria and table 1-1 of this procedure; or
with the limitations on imperfections specified in the material specification
under which the piping or component was furnished.
3. The weld surfaces will be left un-insulated, cleaned and prepared
sufficiently to allow for meaningful examination and interpretation.
4. The visual examiner will initial and date the appropriate documents
(Traveler, Fabrication Drawings, etc.) to indicate acceptance of each weld
joint to the criteria outlined herein.
5. In all cases where a weld does not meet the criteria listed, or is
questionable, the visual examiner will immediately notify the quality control
engineer or inspector. Nonconformance reports and/or corrective action
plans will be developed by the quality control engineer/inspector, with
approval by an authorized inspector, when required.

DIRECT VISUAL EXAMINATION METHOD:

1. A strong direct light source, such as a flashlight or droplight, a
minimum of 100 ft. candles is to be used at all times when performing
direct visual examination to ensure proper illumination of the weld
surface and surrounding area. This must be verified by a calibrated
light meter once and documented.

2. All completed welds in pipe and piping components will be capable of

complying with the acceptance criteria and table 1-1 of this procedure; or
with the limitations on imperfections specified in the material specification
under which the piping or component was furnished. Page 5 of 8

3. The weld surfaces will be left un-insulated, cleaned and prepared

sufficiently to allow for meaningful examination and interpretation.
4. The visual examiner will initial and date the appropriate documents (ASME
Traveler, Fabrication Drawings, etc.) to indicate acceptance of each weld
joint to the criteria outlined herein.
5. In all cases where a weld does not meet the criteria listed, or is
questionable, the visual examiner will immediately notify the quality control
engineer or inspector. Nonconformance reports and/or corrective action
plans will be developed by the quality control engineer/inspector, with
approval by an authorized inspector, when required.

REMOTE VISUAL EXAMINATION:

1. In cases where it is not possible to inspect the weld with the direct
method, the visual examiner shall use the remote means available to
him/her. Remote visual inspection is defined as examination performed
at angles less than 30 degrees or further than 24 from the weld surface,
or with the use of other instruments/tools.
2. A strong direct light source, verified by a calibrated light meter, such as a
flashlight or droplight, is to be used to the greatest extent possible when
performing remote visual examination to provide illumination of the weld
surface and surrounding area.
3. If a weld outside direct or remote visual examination ranges is suspect, a
borescope is available for use under the direction of the quality control
engineer or inspector.
4. If a weld is inaccessible for examination by remote means, visual
examination is not required. In this case, inaccessible will be noted in
place of the examiners initials and date on the appropriate documents.

Page 6 of 8

ACCEPTANCE STANDARDS
The following indications are unacceptable:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)

Cracks external weld surface

Undercut on the surface exceeding 1/32 deep
Lack of fusion on surface
Incomplete penetration only when internal surface is readily available
Porosity in weld surface
Slag inclusion
Weld reinforcement greater than shown in Table 1-1.
TABLE 1-1

MAXIMUM THICKNESS OF REINFORCEMENT FOR BUTT WELDS

Thickness of Base Metal
Over
Up to & Incl.
--1/8
3/16
1/2"
1
2*

1/8
3/16
1/2"
1
2
---

Maximum Reinforcement For Design Temp.

>750 Deg F
350-750 Deg <350 Deg F
F
1/16
3/32
3/16
1/16
1/8
3/16
1/16
5/32
3/16
3/32
3/16
3/16
1/8
1/4"
1/4"
5/32
**
**

**1/4 or the width of the weld in inches multiplied by .125

whichever is greater.

*Notes regarding reinforcement:

1) For double welded butt joints, these limitations apply separately to both
the external and internal weld surfaces.
2) For single welded butt joints, the limits shown here apply to the
external weld surface only.
3) The thickness of weld reinforcement is based on the thinner of the two
materials being joined.
4) Excess weld reinforcement may be removed if necessary.

Page 7 of 8

Figure 1-A:
Direct Visual Limits

24 Max
30 deg.

Note: The fusion line on both sides of the weld should be

clearly visible to the Inspector.

Page 8 of 8