Inspection

 Non-intrusive, and very effective when performed by a competent and experienced inspector. Visual inspection, also considered a conventional NDT method, can be pivotal in determining the overall observational quality of a weld, product or component and can often readily identify the presence of unduly and/or unacceptable discontinuities. Visual inspection may often identify the need for further additional inspections or examinations via Nondestructive, Mechanical or Metallurgical means to determine overall product quality and conformance.  

 As an owner of pressure equipment, it is an Occupational Health and Safety legislative requirement to ensure that your pressure equipment is maintained and in a safe condition for continued service.  In order to keep your employees and the general public safe and limit any potential damage to property and the environment, it is important to reduce, control or eliminate the risks associated with the nominated pressure equipment.  In addition, all pressure equipment with Hazard Levels A, B or C must be, or have their design registered with WorkSafe Victoria.

All of the above considered, it is also paramount to identify any detrimental conditions and detect any potential premature failures to minimise additional costs in production downtime and/or operational interruptions. All pressure equipment and safety relief devices are required to have maintenance and inspection records documented and  in accordance with AS 3788 Section 8, and periodic inspections performed in accordance with AS 3788 Table 4.1 for the relative pressure equipment type.  

Product storage tanks are required to be inspected in accordance with the nominated Specifications, Standards and Legislation, particularly for the storage of Flammable and/or Combustible materials. AS 1940 outlines the minimum requirements for acceptable safety requirements for storage facilities, operating procedures, emergency planning and fire protection.  It provides technical guidance to assist with the storage, handling and inspection intervals for Class 3 dangerous goods as described in the ADG code, in addition to the storage and handling of combustible liquids.

In Australia, the design and construction of tanks for the storage of flammable and combustible liquids is required to be in accordance with AS 1692 (Categories 1 through 6 inclusive). Category 6 tanks and required to be constructed in accordance with API 650, API 620 or BS 2654 for which must have required periodic inspections performed at intervals of and in accordance with the requirements of API 653.  

 Fabrication inspections are compromised of documentation review, process (during manufacture) inspections as well as the final inspection that should be performed on completion of a fabricated component or vessel. It includes the visual inspection of materials, joint fit-ups, welds, metrological assessment for conformance to drawings and tolerances, and verification of traceability certificates, weld and welder documentation and any other required inspection or testing documentation in accordance with the manufacturing, inspection/testing and welding standards or product specifications. The fabrication inspection process usually requires verification within quality control documentation, often in the form of Inspection and Test Plans and its relevant sign off (generally at hold points), and/or a Manufacturers Data Report and compliance certificates. Typical incorporated standards within the Australian system are AS 4458, AS 4100, AS 1210 and its associated standards, AS/NZS 1554 (relevant parts) for design and manufacture, AS 4037 and AS/NZS 1554 for Inspection, Testing and welding Requirements as well as a variety of other standards. The Class or Tier of the component/s being fabricated will often dictate the level of Quality, Inspection and Test requirements needed to satisfy the nominated criterion. 

 A branch off closely related to traditional visual inspection, Welding Inspection is often required to be performed by a qualified or certified Welding Inspector or Supervisor in accordance with AS 1796, AS 2214 or similar International Institute of Welding certification systems, or other suitable industry experience and qualifications accepted by the principal. Generally unappreciated, the level of knowledge, expertise and experience required understand the finer points of welding technology and practical application are more extensive than given credit. Welding Inspection should always be perform by competent and trained personnel with a suitable understanding of the welding process and governing welding and fabrication standards.