Qualification and Certification in NDE - ndt.net · NDT • Non destructive testing is the...

Qualification and Certificationin NDE

Roots and the way of EN 473 / ISO 9712

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

NDT

• Non destructive testing is the examination of materials and components without changing or destroying their usefulness

• NDT plays a crucial role in everyday life and is necessary to assure safety and reliability

• Typical examples are found in aircraft, motorvehicles, pipelines, bridges, trains, power stations, refineries and oil platforms which are all inspected using NDT


NDT Personnel

• Knowledge and experience of the NDT-Personnel are the main keys for good NDT-Results

• Since more than 80 years these people are specially trained

• The first trainings where simple “on-the-job” trainings


NDT Personnel

• Later on, a classroom training was added and finished with an examination

• The next step was a recommendation for the Certification of NDT-Personnel, first published in the USA 1967


Examination

Training Eye Test Experience Authorization


Certification by employer

• First certificates were given by theemployer

• He was responsible for training, examination, certification, for storing thefiles …

• This had to be described in a WrittenPractice


Certification by employer

Problems:• The certification is different from company

to company• Every customer is checking the system

with review and approval (multiple cost)• Some employers misuse the flexibility


Central Certification

• Beginning 1974 National NDT-Societies all over the world started to offer a Central Certification

• After an examination by an independent examiner, an independent certification body is giving the certificates



• The certificates are widely accepted• The qualification is cost efficient• There is no difference from one employer

to another



• The good acceptance of the central certification led forward to internationally recognized programs

• Between 1987 and 1993 CEN and ISO developed the standards EN 473 and ISO 9712



• After some years of experience both organizations improved and revised the documents

• They added a training syllabus and requirements for training organizations


Requirements of EN 473

Experience

TrainingExamination

Certification


Level of competence

Three levels of competence are defined:• Level 1 - the basic operator

• Level 2 – the advanced operator

• Level 3 – the supervisor


Level 1

May be authorized to:• a) set up NDT equipment,• b) perform the tests,• c) record and classify the results of the

tests in terms of written criteria,• d) report the results


Level 2

• Set up and verify equipment settings,• perform and supervise tests,• interpret and evaluate results according

to applicable standards, codes or specifications,

• prepare written NDT instructions • organize and report the results.


Level 3

• Assume full responsibility for a test facility or examination centre and staff,

• establish and validate NDT instructions and procedures,

• designate the particular test methods, procedures and NDT instructions to be used,

• carry out and supervise all level 1 and level 2 duties.


Requirements

• Requirements for experience, training and examination differ from Level to Level

• They also depend on the NDT method


Experience in MonthsMethod Level 1 Level 2

Ultrasonic 3 9

Magnetic Particle

1 3

PenetrantTesting

1 3


Pre - Education for Level 3Experience

(months)

at least three years accredited inscience or engineering college or university programme

12

technical school orat least two years of engineering or science study at an accredited college or university

24

No degree 48


Training

• In Level 1 and 2 a formal training is required

• The training has to be accepted by the certification body

• The time requirements are depending on the NDT-method

• UT1: 40 hours; UT2: 80 hours …


Training

• For Level 3 preparation for examination may be achieved in different ways: – By attending training courses, conferences or

seminars, – alternatively by studying books, periodicals

and other specialized printed materials.


Examination

• Prior to examination, every candidate has to fulfill the requirements for training and experience

• Then he is able to apply for the examination, performed under the control of the certification body


Examination Level 1 and 2

Examination with three parts:• General Written(90 Min)

Knowledge of basic principles• Specific Written (90 Min)

Knowledge of procedures, codes and instructions

• Practical hands on (120 min):Performing tests on different objects with real defects


Training and examinationLevel 3


Demand of EN 473:

• 5.3.3.2 Level 3 personnel have demonstrated,...

• b) sufficient practical knowledge …, to select NDT-methods, establish NDT techniques ...

• c) a general familiarity with other NDT methods


Our solution:

Modular

Upgrade

Level 2practical

PracticalKnowledge

„How to Test“

Level 3Basic

General OverviewMaterials/processesMethod principles

Advantages/Problems Method selection

Level 3Main Method

High LevelKnowledgein everysingle Method

Level 3 KnowledgeLevel 3 Knowledge

Examination Examination Examination


Level 3 Examination

1. A practical examination for the test method (4 hours)

2. A written examination (6 parts) for the general overview (8 hours)

3. A written examination (3 parts) for the deep knowledge of the single method (8 hours)

• Examination 1 and 3 must be passed for every method, in witch he wants to become a level 3 person


Certification

• After a person has fulfilled every requirement for experience, training and examination – he can apply for certification

• The Certification Body is checking it and granting certificates


Certification

Wallet card

Certificate A4Limited validation


Validation

• The validation period starts, if every requirement for certification is fulfilled, normally with the day of the last examination

• A certificate according to EN 473 is valid for a maximum of 5 years


Validation

• After 5 years the certificate can be renewed, if there is evidence of continuous work, stated by the employer

• After another 5 years, it can be recertified, but only by examination


Certification of

Personnel

Organizing ExaminationsImplementing a

QM System

Tasks of theCertification

BodyCatalog of questions

Supervising and training of ExaminersDocumentation


Summary

• Central Certification of NDT Personnel is a common way in Europe

• The Standard EN 473 in second edition is describing such a system

• More than 100.000 certificates show the big acceptance on the market


Digital RadiologyThe first course on Imaging NDE, before: RadioscopyLevel 1 & 2, each 4 daysSpecial Topics:- Imaging systems, check of image quality, optimisation- Images of welding and casting defects- Exercises- Filtering and noise reduction (Level 2)- Automatic and interactive defect recognition (Level 2)


Qualification and Certification

beyond the Standards?


Many companies need

Senior Experts for multiple NDT-methods:

Level 3

with two or more

main methods

+ =


ExaminationExamination

Materials/processes

25 Questions

EN 473

20Questions

4 selectedNDT-methods

60 Questions

Examination 1

240 min.

SNT-TC1A

20 Questions

All 10NDT-

methods

20 Questions

Examination 2

80 min.

NDT-Manage-

ment

20 Questions

Exam. 3

40 min.

ExaminationExamination


Summary of new Level 3 quality initiative

Examination I

+ Examination II

+ Examination III

= NDT-Select®

+ 2 Main Method Examinations

= NDT-Master®


Some Data aboutDGZfP

(German Society for Non-Destructive testing)


The DGZfPEducation and Training Ltd.

• Since more than 70 years, training of testing personnelis one of the main tasks of the DGZfP which has nowa long tradition and is performed with great conscious.

• Since 1956, more than 35,000 inspectors have been trained.

• The DGZfP offers a comprehensive training program in six regional training centers and several authorized training locations.

• This network makes the DGZfP to one of the largest training organizations for NDT personnel in Europe.



Training Centers

Quality

• Costumer satisfaction is our goal• Our training organization fulfills the

requirements of ISO 9001:2000• The training content is controlled by

a governing board of NDT-experts from industry, institutes and suppliers


Formal Reasons

“A quality management system designed to satisfy ISO 9001 : 2000 would be considered to satisfy these guidelines.”


Benefit for the Organisation

• Talking about qualitybrings the idea of customer satisfaction in every mind

• It is changing the behavior of our colleagues


Benefit for the Organisation

• A certified quality system attracts costumers

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Benefit

• Continuous optimization of the work

• Procedures and documentations as Backup


Benefit for employees

• Involvement and Influence

• Information

• Continuous education


Benefit for customersMarket

• Fulfillment of requirements

• Public statement that quality is important

Company

Thank you for your attention!


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