Lightweight Testing Tools Suited for Bolted Pipework The company’s new line of aluminum in-line weld test tools are lightweight, self centering, self adjusting, and feature double block and bleed isolation. Their main application is for branch-line pipework, where they can isolate the line completely, create a vapor barrier for hot work, or localize a line for flange weld testing. The tools are available for sale or rental in a range of sizes to accommodate all variations of nominal pipe size, wall thickness, and flange configuration. 30 Inspection Trends / April 2013 Common pipe diameters up to 14 in. are standard and sizes up to 36 in. are available on request. Hydratight www.hydratight.com 3D Touch Probe Useful for Single Point Measurements The T-POINT CS, an all-in-one tracking camera, hand-held scanner, and touch probe, is useful for single point measurements on edges and ruled geometries even in deep, difficult-toreach measuring positions. The portable coordinate measuring system uses conventional, commonly available, measuring probes. Featured are trigger buttons in multiple positions, an additional function button, and status LEDs. Steinbichler Vision Systems, Inc. www.steinbichler.com (734) 927-1540 Print and Product Showcase — continued from page 13 The Answer Is The welders must be qualified by the contractor as well. ASME Section XI has a provision that allows the contractors who are members of an association to qualify welders as a joint effort. The welders so qualified can go from one participating contractor to another without having to be requalified each time. However, there is a condition attached; each participating contractor must have a representative present when the welder is being tested and each contractor must “accept” the test sample and the test results. It is my understanding of the requirement that the contractor’s representative must be an employee who is authorized to act in that capacity. In other words, it is not acceptable for the contractor to send the welder to a thirdparty testing agency to be qualified and certified unless the contractor has an employee present to supervise, examine, and accept the welder’s test coupon. Once again, the requirements of Section IX are modified when the owner invokes B31.3 and specifies High Pressure Fluid Service. Once again, the construction code says the contractor must qualify and certify the welder. The welder who participated in the qualification program previously described is not acceptable for High Pressure Fluid Service. In summary, ASME always requires the use of qualified welding procedures and welders. ASME sometimes permits the use of SWPSs purchased from AWS. ASME may permit the welders to be qualified by others, as in the case described where all the participating contractors are present when the welders are tested. ASME B31.3 for High Pressure Fluid Service takes an exception to the use of SWPs. My answers to your three questions are as follows: 1. No, the contractors cannot share the WPS submitted by one of the contractors. Quoting from B31.3; K328.2.2 Procedures Qualification by Others, “Qualification of welding procedures by others is not permitted.” 2. No, for the same reason as above. 3. No, each contractor must qualify and certify the welders they employ. Quoting from B31.3; K328.2.3 Performance Qualification by Others, “Welding performance qualification by others is not permitted.” —continued from page 27 Inspection Trends encourages question and answer submissions. Please mail to the editor at mjohnsen@aws.org. KENNETH ERICKSON is manager of quality at National Inspection & Consultants, Inc., Ft. Myers, Fla. He is an AWS Senior Certified Welding Inspector, an ASNT National NDT Level III Inspector in four methods, and provides expert witness review and analysis for legal considerations. ALBERT J. MOORE JR. is vice president, Marion Testing & Inspection, Canton, Conn. He is an AWS Senior Certified Welding Inspector and an ASNT ACCP NDT Level III. He is also a member of the AWS Certification Committee and the Committee on Methods of Inspection of Welds.
Inspection Trends | April 2013
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