VISUAL EXAMINATION PROCEDURE

VISUAL EXAMINATION PROCEDURE

0 First Issue Santanu Saha

Prepared By NDT
Rev Date Revision Details Approved( QCM )
Level III
 VISUAL EXAMINATION PROCEDURE

Index

1. Scope

2. Reference documents

3. Qualification of Visual Testing Personnel

4. Equipment & Calibration

5. Inspection method and lighting

6. Sequence of inspection

7. Surface finish and extent of inspection

8. Application

9. Reports and documentation

10. Acceptance criteria

11. Appendix – 1: measuring apparatus

12. Attachments 1 & 2: Acceptance criteria.

1.0 Scope
 VISUAL EXAMINATION PROCEDURE

1.1 This procedure gives minimum requirements to perform Direct Visual

Inspection on all types of welds and components as required by the governing
document whenever such type of inspection is applicable by contract Specification

1.2 Extent of visual inspection shall be as per governing document

2.0 Reference Documents

Current editions of the following references shall be applicable.

2.1 ASME B 31.1: Power Piping, 2007 edition, Addenda 2008.
2.2 ASME Sec VIII Div 2: 2007 Edition, Addenda 2009
2.3 ASME Sec I: Power Boilers: 2007 edition, Addenda 2009.
2.4 ASME Sec V: 2007 edition, Addenda 2009.

3.0 Qualification of Visual Testing Personnel

3.1 Personnel who perform Visual examination of welds shall be qualified and
certified for the method in accordance with the following:

3.1.1 Instruction/training of at least 12 hours in the fundamentals of the

Visual examination method.

3.1.2 On-the-job training to familiarize the VT personnel with the appearance and
interpretation of indications of weld defects. The length of time for such training
shall be at least 8 hours in addition to the training mentioned in 3.1.1, to assure
adequate assimilation of the knowledge required.

3.1.3 An eye examination performed at least once each year to determine optical
capability of NDE personnel to perform the required examinations.

3.1.4 Upon completion of 3.1.1 and 3.1.2 above, the NDE personnel shall be given a
written examination and performance examination by QICL to determine if the
NDE personnel are qualified to perform the required examinations and
interpretation of results. The passing grade for the examination shall be at least
80%. The complete examination shall be divided in to three parts namely General,
Specific and Practical (performance examination). The candidate must obtain at
least 70% marks in each examination with no less than 80% in aggregate.

3.1.5 Certified NDE personnel whose work has not included performance of a specific
examination method for a period of 1 year or more shall be recertified by
successfully completing the examination of 3.1.4 above and also passing the visual
examination of 3.1.3 above. Substantial changes in procedures or equipment shall
require recertification of the NDE personnel.
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3.2 Alternately, personnel Qualified to AWS QC 1; Standard for Qualification

and Certification of Welding Inspection or ‘SNT-TC-1A’, Recommended Practice
for qualification and certification of NDT personnel may be used for Visual
examination of welds.

4.0 Equipment & Calibration

4.1 An array of devices are available for viewing measuring etc. whenever such
a device is deemed necessary by contractual requirements or Specification, any
device requiring calibration shall be calibrated accordingly and documented

5.0 Inspection Method & Lighting

5.1 Inspection Method

Visual inspection shall be performed without magnification unless specifically

required by the governing document. When magnification is required, evaluation
and acceptance shall be based upon comparison with a reference standard where
both magnified and unmagnified appearance can be determined

5.2 Direct Visual Examination

Direct visual examination may usually be made when access is sufficient to place
the eye within 24 in (600mm) of the surface to be examined and at an 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
examinations. The specific part, component, vessel, or section thereof, under
immediate examination, shall be illuminated, if necessary with flashlight or other
auxiliary lighting, to attain a minimum of 100 foot candles (1000 lux) at the
examination surface/site.

5.3 Remote Visual Examination

In some cases, remote visual examination may have to be substituted for direct
examination. Remote visual examination may use visual aids such as mirrors,
telescopes, boroscopes, fiber optics, cameras or other suitable instruments. Such
systems shall have a resolution capability at least equivalent to that obtainable by
direct visual observation and prior approval by authorized inspector Records
Weld inspection results shall be recorded when required, and maintained as
required by the governing document or contract specifications
6.0 Sequence of Inspection

6.1 Visual Inspection shall be performed prior, during and after the completion of
weldment.
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6.2 Visual Inspection should be performed prior to any other Inspection, if the
Inspector has reason to doubt the quality of the item as weldments. The
inspector may require additional Inspection.

6.3 Visual inspection shall be done after PWHT (if any) and shall be done prior to any
other NDE.

7.0 Surface Finish & Extent of Inspection

7.1 Surface Finish

Unless otherwise specified, acceptance inspection shall be performed on an item

in the final surface condition and final heat-treated condition. Surfaces to be
inspected shall be free from, paint, scale, slag, and adhering or embedded sand or
other extraneous materials. With the exception of undercuts, which are within
specification allowances the contour of welds, shall blend smoothly and
gradually into the base metal. Weld surface irregularities shall be removed to the
extent that they do not interfere with the inspection. Penning shot, sand, grit, and
vapor blasting shall not be performed on surfaces, which are to be liquid penetrant
inspected unless specifically approved by the Authorized Inspector.

7.2 Area of Interest

The area of inspection for welds shall include as a minimum, the area one inch on
either side of the expected weld width. The area of inspection of other items shall
be as specified in the governing document.

8.0 Application

a) At fit-up for:
1. Joint clearances
2. Alignment

b) Prior to welding for

1. Weld and preparation, dimensions and surface finish.
2. Clearance dimensions of backing strips, Backing rings, sockets consumable
inserts.
3. Verification of correct type of material.
4. Verification of cleanliness requirements.
5. Placements of reference lines for socket welds.

c) Condition of tack welds, in accordance with requirements of the specific weld

type.
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d) During welding
1. For compliance to proper Welding procedure.

e) After welding for

1. Contour and finish of outside surface.
2. Contour and finish of inside surface when accessible.
3. Size of legs and throat thickness of fillet welds.
4. Degree of undercutting.
5. Evidence of mishandling, from center punch or other impression marking
or excessive grinding.

9.0 Reports & Documentation

9.1 Visual Inspection Report shall include the following as minimum

1. Client Name / Symbol
2. Date
3. Job No
4. Item No. / Weld ID
5. Drawing No
6. Status e.g.:- As received, before welding, after welding, before painting etc.
7. Name and Signature
8. Observation
9. Disposition – Accept / Reject
10. Remarks - e.g. Subjected to NDE, PWHT, Blasting, painting etc.

10.0 Acceptance Criteria

10.1 Acceptance
Acceptance standards shall be as required by the governing documents.
Discontinuities shall be classified in accordance with applicable acceptance
standards. Refer attachment 1 acceptance criteria as per ASME B 31.1 and
attachment 2 as per ASME Sec VIII Div 2.

APPENDIX I

MEASURING APPARATUS & PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

 VISUAL EXAMINATION PROCEDURE

ATTRIBUTE TOOLS

Wall thickness
Vernier Calliper, Micrometer
Bevel Angles Bevel Protractor, Bridge Cam
Gauge
Outside Diameter
Vernier Calliper, Tape
Inside Diameter
Vernier Calliper, Tape
Reinforcement
Bridge Cam Gauge
Undercut
Bridge Cam Gauge
Fillet Legs or Throat Thickness Bridge Cam Gauge, Weld Fillet
Gauge

ATTACHMENT 1
ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA – VISUAL EXAMINATION
ASME B31.1: 2007, Addenda 2008
Acceptance Standards. The following indications are unacceptable:

a. Cracks – external surface

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b. Undercut on surface which is greater than 1/32 in. deep

c. Weld reinforcement greater than specified in Table I
d. Lack of fusion on surface
e. Incomplete penetration (applies only when inside surface is readily accessible)
f. Any other linear indications greater than 3/16 in long
g. Surface porosity with rounded indications having dimensions greater than 3/16 in.
or four or more rounded indications separated by 1/16 in. or less edge to edge in
any direction. Rounded indications which, are circular or elliptical with their length
less than three times their width.

TABLE I
REINFORCEMENT OF GIRTH & LONGITUDINAL BUTT WELDS

Thickness of Base Metal, in. (mm) Maximum Thickness of Reinforcement for

Design Temperature
> 750º F 350ºF – 750ºF < 350º F
(400º C) (175ºC – (175º C)
400ºC)
in. mm in. mm in. mm
Upto 1/8 (3.0), incl 1/16 2.0 3/32 2.5 3/16 5.0
Over 1/8 to 3/16 (3.0 to 5.0), incl 1/16 2.0 1/8 3.0 3/16 5.0
Over 3/16 to 1/2 (5.0 to 13.0), incl 1/16 2.0 5/32 4.0 3/16 5.0
Over 1/2 to 1 (13.0 to 25.0), incl 3/32 2.5 3/16 5.0 3/16 5.0
Over 1 to 2 (25.0 to 50.0), incle 1/8 3.0 1/4 6.0 1/4 6.0
Over 2 (50.0) 5/32 4.0 The greater of 1/4 (6mm) or
1/8 times the width of the
weld in inches (mm)
General notes:
a. For double welded butt joints, this limitation on reinforcement given above
shall apply separately to both inside & outside surfaces of the joint.
b. For single welded butt joints, the reinforcement limits given above shall
apply to the outside surface of the joint only.
c. The thickness of weld reinforcement shall be based on the thickness of the
thinner of the materials being joined.
d. The weld reinforcement thickness shall be determined from the higher of the
abutting surfaces involved.
e. Weld reinforcement may be removed if so desired.

ATTACHMENT 2

ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA – VISUAL EXAMINATION

ASME SEC VIII DIV 2: 2007; ADDENDA 2009

Acceptance Criteria:
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Welds that are observed to have indications exceeding the criteria given in Table 7.6 are
unacceptable. Unacceptable indications shall be removed or reduced to an indication of
acceptable size. Whenever an indication is removed by chipping or grinding and
subsequent repair by welding is not required, the area shall be blended into the
surrounding surface so as to avoid notches, crevices, or corners.
Weld seams that will be hidden in the final vessel configuration shall be visually
examined for workmanship prior to final assembly.
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