Practical Notes in Standards for Technical Inspectors (AWS, ASME, API, …)

Practical Notes in Standards for Technical Inspectors (AWS, ASME, API, etc.)

The Practical Notes in Standards for Technical Inspectors (AWS, ASME, API, etc.) Course is designed to provide technical inspectors with a solid understanding of the most commonly used industry standards, such as those from the American Welding Society (AWS), American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), and American Petroleum Institute (API). This course focuses on practical application and interpretation of these standards in real-world inspection scenarios. Participants will learn to apply the principles of various codes to ensure the quality, safety, and compliance of industrial equipment, structures, and facilities.

Course Overview:

The course aims to familiarize technical inspectors with the key standards in welding, pressure vessels, pipelines, and other industrial sectors. It emphasizes the practical aspects of these standards, helping inspectors understand how to apply them in inspection, fabrication, and construction processes.

Objectives of the Course:

• Gain a thorough understanding of key standards such as AWS, ASME, and API, and their role in technical inspections.
• Learn how to apply these standards in practical inspection scenarios, including welding inspections, pressure vessel construction, pipeline integrity checks, and more.
• Understand the key differences between these standards and how to select the appropriate one for different types of projects.
• Develop the ability to interpret code requirements and ensure compliance with safety, quality, and design specifications.
• Acquire hands-on knowledge of inspection techniques, testing methods, and acceptance criteria as specified in these standards.

Key Standards Covered in the Course:

1- American Welding Society (AWS) Standards:

• AWS D1.1 – Structural Welding Code – Steel: The most widely used welding standard for structural steel, which covers the welding of steel structures such as buildings and bridges.
• AWS D1.5 – Bridge Welding Code: Standards for the welding of bridges and similar structures.
• AWS A2.4 – Welding Symbols: Learning how to interpret and apply welding symbols used in technical drawings and design documents.
• AWS B2.1 – Welding Procedure and Performance Qualification: Standards for qualifying welding procedures and personnel to ensure consistency and quality in welding operations.

Practical Notes:

• Understand welding process control and inspect for proper joint preparation, fit-up, and cleanliness.
• Learn how to conduct visual inspections of welds for common defects like cracks, porosity, and incomplete fusion.
• Gain proficiency in the application of non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques to inspect welds based on AWS standards.

2- American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Standards:

• ASME Section VIII: Covers the construction and inspection of pressure vessels, including design, materials, fabrication, testing, and inspection.
• ASME Section IX: Provides guidelines for welding procedure qualifications (WPS/PQR) and welder performance qualifications.
• ASME B31.3: Process piping code, focused on the inspection and maintenance of piping systems used in process plants.

Practical Notes:

• Learn to inspect pressure vessels for compliance with design requirements, including material verification and weld quality.
• Understand how to inspect weld procedure qualifications and ensure that welders meet the required qualifications.
• Gain practical knowledge of hydrostatic testing and other mechanical testing techniques for pressure vessels.

3- American Petroleum Institute (API) Standards:

• API 650 – Welded Tanks for Oil Storage: Covers the design, construction, and inspection of large, welded storage tanks used in oil and gas industries.
• API 653 – Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration, and Reconstruction: Provides guidelines for inspecting and maintaining existing storage tanks to ensure safety and integrity.
• API 1104 – Welding of Pipelines and Related Facilities: The standard for welding pipelines in the oil and gas industry, covering welding procedures, qualifications, and inspection criteria.

Practical Notes:

• Inspect oil storage tanks for compliance with design and construction standards, focusing on tank materials, welding procedures, and post-construction inspections.
• Learn to apply NDT methods such as radiographic testing (RT) and ultrasonic testing (UT) for pipeline inspections.
• Understand the acceptance criteria for pipelines, including allowable defects, and the process for repairing defective welds.

Key Topics Covered in the Course:

1- Overview of Industry Standards:

• Understanding the differences and applications of AWS, ASME, and API standards.
• Introduction to the structure and content of key standards and how they are applied across different industries.
• The importance of compliance with industry standards for safety, quality control, and regulatory approval.

2- Welding Inspection:

• Welding process control: Monitoring welding operations for compliance with procedure specifications and standards.
• Welding defect identification: Common welding defects, such as cracks, porosity, undercut, and incomplete fusion.
• Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) methods: Practical use of visual inspection, ultrasonic testing (UT), radiographic testing (RT), magnetic particle testing (MT), and liquid penetrant testing (PT).

3- Pressure Vessel Inspection (ASME Section VIII):

• Inspection of design and fabrication requirements for pressure vessels, including material selection and fabrication methods.
• Understanding the critical aspects of weld quality and integrity for pressure vessels.
• Pressure testing: Hydrostatic and pneumatic testing methods for verifying vessel strength and leak-proofing.

4- Pipeline Inspection (API 1104):

• Pipeline welding and inspection: Monitoring and inspecting pipeline welds for compliance with API 1104 standards.
• Practical methods for evaluating pipeline weld quality, including the use of NDT methods such as ultrasonic and radiographic testing.
• Understanding the acceptance criteria and procedures for repairing defective pipeline welds.

5- Storage Tank Inspection (API 650 and API 653):

• Inspecting the welding and construction of storage tanks used in oil, gas, and petrochemical facilities.
• Tank integrity testing: Using ultrasonic thickness testing (UTT) and magnetic flux leakage (MFL) to inspect the structural integrity of tanks.
• Inspection of repairs and alterations: Guidelines for maintaining and repairing existing tanks, including welding repairs and corrosion control.

6- Practical Application of Standards in Inspection:

• How to apply the knowledge of standards in real-world inspection scenarios.
• Case studies of inspection projects, illustrating the practical challenges inspectors face when ensuring compliance with AWS, ASME, and API standards.
• Documentation and record-keeping requirements for inspection activities.

Target Audience:

• Technical Inspectors: Inspectors responsible for ensuring compliance with industry standards during construction, fabrication, and maintenance activities.
• Welding Inspectors: Individuals responsible for inspecting welded joints and ensuring they meet the required standards.
• NDT Technicians: Technicians performing non-destructive testing on welds and structural components.
• Quality Control Personnel: Individuals involved in maintaining quality standards for welded structures, pipelines, and pressure vessels.
• Welding Engineers and Supervisors: Professionals overseeing welding operations in industries such as oil & gas, construction, and power generation.

Certification:

Participants who successfully complete the course typically receive a certificate of completion. This certification demonstrates that they have acquired the knowledge and skills needed to apply key standards such as AWS, ASME, and API in practical inspection scenarios.