VISUAL INSPECTION

Aging equipment and plants have made global inspections of structural and pressure bearing components imperative. Despite great advances in nondestructive testing (NDT), experienced visual inspection is still one of the most powerful all-encompassing inspection tools. Its importance is underscored by the relatively recent development of international and regional testing and certification systems for inspectors of tanks, pressure vessels and piping systems (API 653, API 510, API 570, and In-Service Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspector Certificate of Competency).

IRISNDT's Visual Inspectors are seasoned personnel with knowledge rounded by years of plant NDT experience. IRISNDT's visual inspection personnel have:

• Developed reliability programs for aging piping in chemical processing plants.



• Developed (in conjunction with customer personnel) and classified "as-built" piping corrosion circuits for large new petrochemical plants.



• Managed and prepared shutdown inspections and inspection personnel after working at specific plant sites for extended periods. Our personnel's knowledge of process conditions and previous inspection history are fundamental for these services.



• Assisted in organizing customer equipment documentation. Our personnel are often responsible for determining the documentation required, updating customer equipment files, organizing inspection data, and performing RBI analysis to determine future inspection requirements.

Visual inspection services are provided in the petrochemical and refining industries on existing in-service equipment to assess ongoing equipment reliability. Inspections are also performed as a quality control and quality assurance function in the fabrication and manufacturing industries during fabrication of new equipment. Inspections can be performed on any material that is accessible visually.

Typical items inspected visually include pressure vessels, piping systems, structural steel, rotating equipment, storage tanks, conveyer systems, welding qualifications, cranes, and drilling rigs. The personnel performing the inspections are qualified to API 510 for pressure vessel inspection, API 570 for pressure piping inspection and API 653 for above ground storage tank inspection.

For in-service equipment inspection, knowledge of the equipment history is essential. Safety factors, such as confined space entry, may limit inspection capabilities or timing.

For newly manufactured or fabricated equipment, it is essential that proper pre-planning is done, and that job specifications are identified.

In some instances, IRISNDT personnel work at a customers' site for extended periods preparing for shutdowns. As well, they manage large projects and assist in organizing customer equipment documentation. For shutdown preparation, the visual inspector is often responsible for preparing the inspection packages based on the previous inspection history and the process conditions of the equipment. When managing larger projects, the IRISNDT team is responsible for determining the required documentation, updating customer equipment files, organizing inspection data and performing RBI analysis to determine future inspection requirements. These projects are often driven by regulatory requirements, so the IRISNDT team provides the necessary documentation to meet the specific regulatory requirements.

Visual inspections of in-service equipment are performed per customer specifications, and a final report is issued. For inspections of new equipment (source surveillance inspections and expediting), a progress report will be maintained and submitted to customer on an as-required basis, followed by a completed job package.

Visual inspections of in-service equipment are performed per customer specifications, and a final report is issued. For new equipment inspections progress reports are prepared as the project proceeds. The progress reports are followed by a complete job package.