Date: 05.

2024 Section: 3-03

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NDT SERVICES
STANDARD WORKING PROCEDURES Visual Testing

1. Scope

1.1 This procedure describes the visual examination that may be performed
on any number of items or components such as structural welds, tools,
threaded connections, castings, forgings or other machined parts.

1.2 This procedure may be applied to the standard practices set forth in TH Hill’s
DS-1 Volume 3 latest edition.
1.3 This procedure may also be applied to the requirements set forth in AWS
D1.1 structural weld inspection for both tubular and non-tubular inspection
as well as API 6A requirements.

2. Referenced Documents

2.1 TH Hill DS-1 Volume 3 – Drill Stem Inspection, latest edition

2.2 AWS D1.1 – Structural Welding Code-Steel, latest edition

2.3 ASME Section V, Article 9 – Visual Inspection, latest edition

2.4 API 6A/ ISO 10423 – Specification for Wellhead and Christmas Tree
Equipment, latest edition

2.5 ASNT SNT-TC-1A – Recommended Practice for the Qualification and

Certification of NDT Personnel, latest edition

2.6 If contract requirements specify reference documents other than the

latest edition Frontline Testing and Inspection’s Management will ensure
that all details of this procedure still comply. In the event that non-
compliance is found this procedure shall be revised or a project specific
procedure shall be written.
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STANDARD WORKING PROCEDURES Visual Testing

3. Personnel Qualification

3.1 Personnel performing inspections to this procedure shall be qualified and

certified in accordance with ASNT SNT-TC-1A latest edition and Frontline
Testing and Inspection’s procedure for the qualification and certification of
personnel.

3.2 Only those personnel, certified Level II or higher in the method being
employed, are allowed to perform inspections in accordance with this
procedure.
3.3 For weld inspection, current AWS CWI certification meets the personnel
qualification requirements of this procedure.

4. Techniques
4.1 Direct inspection

When direct inspection is employed it shall be performed when access is

sufficient to place the eye within
24” of the surface to be examined and at an angle not less than 30° to the
surface to be examined.
Mirrors shall be used, when deemed necessary to improve the angle
of vision, and aids such as a magnifying lens may be used to assist
examinations.
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STANDARD WORKING PROCEDURES Visual Testing

4.2 Remote inspection

When conducting remote inspection the use of visual aids such as

telescopes, bore scopes, fiber scopes, cameras, or other suitable
instruments shall be used. Such systems shall have a resolution capability
at least equivalent to that obtainable by direct visual observation.

5. Equipment Requirements

5.1 The following is a list of standard required equipment for direct visual
inspection.

5.1.1 6” long, 1/64” graduated, rule

5.1.2 Flash light or other adequate light source

5.1.3 Rags, scrapper or other suitable cleaning apparatus as applicable

5.1.4 Mirror

5.1.5 Dial calipers (if applicable)

5.1.6 Pit gauge (if applicable)

5.1.7 Thread gauge (if applicable)

5.1.8 Fillet weld gauges or other suitable and applicable weld gauge

5.1.9 Light meter (only if not in obviously acceptable light, i.e. sunlight)

5.2 The following is a list of standard required equipment for remote visual
inspection. The owner’s manual shall be followed for proper use of any
scopes, if employed.

5.2.1 Telescope (if applicable)

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STANDARD WORKING PROCEDURES Visual Testing

5.2.2 Bore scope (if applicable)

5.2.3 Fiber scope (if applicable)

5.2.4 Camera (if applicable)

5.2.5 Flashlight or other adequate light source

5.2.6 Light meter (only if not in obviously acceptable light, i.e. sunlight)

5.3 Minimum light level

At the inspection surface, the minimum light level shall be at least 1000
Lux (100 foot-candles). A light meter shall be used that is within its re-
calibration interval.
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STANDARD WORKING PROCEDURES Visual Testing

5.3.1 In the event inspection is to be performed in under obviously

acceptable lighting then the employment of the light meter may not be
necessary. Sunlight and/or most typical 60watt incandescent light bulbs
will put out enough illumination so as to exceed 1000lux (100 foot-
candles).
5.3.2 Artificial light may be used anytime it is deemed necessary by the NDT
Level II. Flashlights, drop lights or any other similar form of light may be
used.
5.4 Cleaning equipment, as deemed necessary, shall be used. This may be rags,
solvents, buffers, wire brushes or scrappers.

5.5 Calibration requirements for testing and inspection equipment shall be as

deemed in Frontline Testing and Inspection’s Quality Management System.
Of the equipment listed in this procedure, the following shall be calibrated
or have calibration verification performed every 6 months.

5.5.1 Light meter

5.5.2 Scopes

5.5.3 Thread gauges

5.5.4 Pit gauge

5.5.5 Dial calipers

5.6 The following gauges shall be certified and have supporting

documentation of such certification by the manufacturer.

5.6.1 Fillet weld/ weld gauges

6. Preparation

6.1 It shall be determined that the light source is adequate to produce the
desired luminance across the entire area or weld surface to be inspected.
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6.2 Parts, areas, welds or threads shall be cleaned to the degree that all dirt,
paint, scale, weld spatter, grease, oil, slag or any other foreign debris is
removed so as to allow for a complete visual inspection. Surfaces being
prepared for inspection shall include all areas of interest as well as 1” of the
adjacent area of the part or weld.

6.3 If sand blasting or other more extreme means of cleaning is required

the client will be notified and arrangements made.

7. Process
7.1 Direct Visual Inspection

7.1.1 Surfaces to be inspected shall include 1” of the adjacent surface.

7.1.1.1 For weld inspection this is to include 1” of the adjacent

parent material measured from either toe of the weld so as
to include the HAZ.

7.1.1.2 For threaded connections, unless otherwise specified, the entire

connection shall be inspected including 1” of the adjacent
material measured from the shoulder or final thread, depending
on thread type.

7.1.2 Mirrors may be used as needed.

7.1.3 The entire area of interest shall be visually inspected including the
1” of the adjacent areas. The governing code shall be referenced for
specific details of what to look for.

7.1.4 The applicable gauges shall be used to determine dimensions of

anomalies if any.

7.1.5 Articulation of the light, mirror or any other device being employed to
assist in the inspection shall be made to avoid shadows.
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STANDARD WORKING PROCEDURES Visual Testing

7.2 Remote Visual Inspection

7.2.1 If employing any type of bore scope or fiber scope you must
determine the level of magnification, if any, prior to starting the
inspection.
7.2.2 The inspector shall be thoroughly familiar with the standard operation
of the scope as specified in the owner’s manual.

7.2.3 Surfaces to be inspected shall include 1” of the adjacent surface.

7.2.3.1 For weld inspection this is to include 1” of the adjacent

parent material measured from either toe of the weld so as to
include the HAZ.

7.2.3.2 For threaded connections unless otherwise specified the entire

connection shall be inspected including 1” of the adjacent material
measured from the shoulder or final thread depending on thread type.

7.2.4 The entire area of interest shall be visually inspected including

1” of the adjacent areas. The governing code shall be referenced for
specific details of what to look for.

7.2.5 The applicable gauges shall be used to determine dimensions of

anomalies if any.

7.2.6 Articulation of the light, mirror or any other device being employed to
assist in the inspection shall be made to avoid shadows.

8. Evaluation and Acceptance Criteria

8.1 All discontinuities found shall be evaluated in accordance with the

applicable code or specification as dictated by the client. In most all
instances, cracks are prohibited and shall be brought to the attention of
the client or client representative immediately.
8.2 Definitions applicable to weld inspection
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8.2.1 Lack of Penetration – Failure of the filler metal and base metal or
the base metal alone if no filler metal is used, to fuse integrally at the
root of the weld to the depth required in the WPS
8.2.2 Lack of Fusion – Failure to fuse together adjacent layers of weld metal
or weld metal and base metal

8.2.3 Undercut – Melting away of the side wall of a welding groove at

the edge of a layer or bead or a reduction in the base metal thickness at
the fusion line

8.2.4 Visible Porosity – Gas pockets or voids free of any solid material;
pores may be individual, clustered and/ or aligned/ linear

8.2.5 Overlap – Condition in which the weld metal protrudes beyond the
boundary dictated by the WPS;
normally seen at the weld toe
8.2.6 Linear discontinuities – May be cracks or non-fusion; may be found
anywhere in the area of interest

8.2.7 Under-fill – Depression on the face of the weld surface extending

below the surface of the adjacent base metal

8.2.8 Improper weld size – Excessive or insufficient width of weld surface

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STANDARD WORKING PROCEDURES Visual Testing

8.2.9 Concave weld and Convex weld –

8.2.10 Arc strike – Discontinuity left on surface of base metal where the arc-
welding electrode has momentarily touched the base metal
8.3 Weld Appearance

8.3.1 Uniformity of weld ripple, variation in width of surface layer,

depressions, reinforcement height
8.3.2 Spatter – Metal particles expelled during welding which are attached to but
do not form a part of either the weld or parent metal

8.3.3 Crater – Depression at the termination of a bead or in the weld pool

beneath the electrode
8.3.4 Profile – Contour of a fillet weld face

8.3.5 Misalignment – Failure to properly align abutting parts to be joined by

butt welds

8.3.6 Excessive reinforcement – Weld metal in excess of the quantity required

to fill a joint
8.4 The client is ultimately responsible for dictating the applicable acceptance criteria.
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9. Reporting

9.1 All rejected findings shall be reported to the client or client representative
immediately.
9.2 Frontline Testing and Inspection personnel will produce a report at the
end of each job with the following minimum information.
9.2.1 Name of inspector (printed and signed)

9.2.2 Certification level and method of inspector

9.2.3 Date of inspection

9.2.4 Location of inspection

9.2.5 Description and traceability of test specimens

9.2.6 Results of inspection (acceptable or rejected) including applicable

tolerances

9.2.7 Inspection procedure number including revision level

9.2.8 Acceptance criteria including revision level

9.2.9 Test equipment serial number and calibration due date (if applicable)

9.2.10 Light intensity

9.2.11 Customer name

9.2.12 Customer project name, if applicable

9.2.13 Customer PO or job number, if applicable

9.2.14 Drawing number and revision, if applicable

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9.2.15 Inspection report number

9.2.16 Client representative name and date (if applicable)