NE 110 – Introduction to NDT & QA/QC

Overview of QA/QC;NDT & QA/QC Certification

Requirements

Prepared by:Chattanooga State Community

College

Definitions

• Quality Assurance: “All the planned and systematic activities implemented within the quality system, and demonstrated as needed, to provide adequate confidence that an entity will fulfill requirements for quality.”

• Quality Control: “Operational techniques and activities that are used to fulfill requirements for quality.”

Comparison of QA and QC

• QA - a program set up by management to develop procedures to follow to ensure that standards of quality are being met

• QC – involves the actual testing of products to uncover defects or to ensure a product meets design specifications

Key QA/QC Concepts

• Quality auditing – independent review• Metrology – “science of measurement”• Root cause analysis – identification of the original

reason for process nonconformance• Preventive/corrective actions – change enacted to

eliminate nonconformance• Continual improvement – on-going effort to improve

a process

QA/QC Concentrations

• Civil – Soil testing, inspection of structural steel or

concrete1st inspectors needed to support new

construction• Mechanical– Inspection of valves, pumps, piping systems,

hangers/supports, lubrication systems, etc.

QA/QC Concentrations Continued

• Electrical/I & C – Need basic understanding of electrical equipment

such as batteries, breakers, transformers, relays, motors, grounding systems, etc.

– Inspection of raceways, cable trays, wire terminations

• Receipt of equipment All QC personnel must be trained in methods of

documentation, reporting, and records management

American Society for Quality (ASQ)

• Offers 17 quality certifications • Web-site provides description and

education/experience requirements for:– CQI (Certified Quality Inspector)– CQE (Certified Quality Engineer)– CQA (Certified Quality Auditor)– CQT (Certified Quality Technician)– CQM/OE (Certified Manager of

Quality/Organizational Excellence)

Certified Quality Inspector

• Description: – performs laboratory procedures– inspects products– measures process performance– records data/prepares formal reports

• Requires two years OJT (with high school diploma or GED)

• Exam topics include:– Mathematics (20%)– Metrology (30%)– Inspection and test (30%)– Quality assurance (20%)

International Organization for Standardization (ISO)

• International standard-setting body composed of representatives from various national standards organizations

• Founded in 1947• Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland

International Organization for Standardization (ISO)

• ISO derived from the Greek word isos, meaning “equal” (pronounced the same in all languages)

• Members from 163 countries• ANSI is the US-representative to ISO• ISO standards voluntary agreements based on

consensus of international expert opinion

ISO Quality Management Standards

• Provide a model to follow in setting up and operating a management system

ISO 9000 Family

• An international consensus on good quality management practices

• ISO 9001:2008 – a set of standardized requirements for a quality management system against which organizations can be certified

• Outlines requirements for:– Control of documents/records– Internal audits– Control of nonconforming product/service– Corrective action/preventive action

• ISO 9712 – NDT Qualification and Certification of Personnel

ISO 9001 Criticisms

• Amount of money, time, and paperwork required for registration

• Certification does not guarantee products produced are any good (as long as manufacturing consistent and well-documented)

ANSI

• Founded in 1918 to enhance global competitiveness of U.S. businesses and U.S. quality of life by promoting and facilitating voluntary consensus standards

• Accredits procedures of standards-developing organizations

• More than 10,000 ANSI standards in publicationANSI History

ANSI Standards

• ANSI N45.2 series– QA program standards for design and construction of nuclear

power plants

• ANSI N45.2.6– Delineates the qualification requirements for persons who

perform inspections, examinations, and test to determine conformance of safety-related items to specific criteria

– Excludes NDT (covered by SNT-TC-1A)– Not applicable for purposes other than verifying conformance– Not applicable to personnel who perform technical

specification surveillance testing

ANSI 45.2.6 Qualification for Inspectors

• Levels I, II, and III (III is highest level)• Requires formal training, OJT, and the

satisfactory completion of a written exam– TVA’s NQAP (Nuclear Quality Assurance

Program) provides alternate qualification requirements

Level I/II Functions

• Level I technicians responsible for:– Recording of test data– Implementation of test procedures

• Level II technicians also responsible for:– Planning inspections, including test set-up– Evaluating validity and acceptability of test results– Reporting of test results– Supervision of lower level personnel– Qualification of lower level personnel

Level III Functions

• Level III technicians also responsible for:– Evaluating the adequacy of programs to train

and test inspection personnel– Qualification of same level personnel

ASNT

• American Society for Nondestructive Testing• “ASNT exists to create a safer world by promoting

the profession and technologies of nondestructive testing”

• Key Certification Standards:– SNT-TC-1A, “Personnel Qualification and Certification

in Nondestructive Testing” – ANSI/ASNT CP-189, “ASNT Standard for Qualification

and Certification of Nondestructive Testing Personnel”

NDT Certification

• Standards detail minimum training, education, and experience requirements

• Require employers to establish a procedure for certification of NDT personnel (called a “written practice”)

• Qualification vs. Certification• 6 Levels of Qualification (CP-189): Trainee, Level I,

Level II Limited, Level II, Level III, NDT Instructor

NDT Certification Requirements

• Level I or II certification usually provided by employer • For certification, individuals must pass:

– General written exam– Specific written exam addressing equipment,

procedures, techniques, codes, etc. for the organization– Practical exam (demonstration of test and recording of

results)• Level III certification requirements may require testing

by ASNT or ASME

ATA

• Air Transportation Association, a trade organization for U.S. airlines

• Founded in 1936• Two ATA documents serve as guidelines for the training

of inspection personnel– ATA Specification 105, Guidelines for Training and

Qualifying Personnel in Non-Destructive Testing Methods– ATA Specification 107, Visual Inspection Personnel

Training and Qualification Guide for FAR Part 121 Air Carriers

AIA

• Aerospace Industries Association, represents major manufacturers of commercial, military, and business aircraft and spacecraft

• Established in 1919• NAS 410, Certification & Qualification Of

Nondestructive Test Personnel – replaces MIL-STD-410E (military test standard)

• NAS 999, Nondestructive Inspection of Advanced Composite Structure