QUALITY CONTROL MANUAL MEO-1 Rev.

#2
MEO IMPLEMENTING PROCEDURES DATE: 23/9/2005
NDT Level III, Dr. M.R.El-Koussy Page 1-18

API NDT Procedure

RADIOGRAPGHIC EXAMINATION PROCEDURE

( MEO-RT- 1)

REVISION No / Date Prepared by Approved by Reviewed by

0 Name M. Raafat El-Koussy
20-7-2002 Signature

1 Name M. Raafat El-Koussy

10-1-2004 Signature
2 Name M. Raafat El-Koussy
23-9-2005 Signature
3 Name M. Raafat El-Koussy
01-01-2007 Signature
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Table of Contents

Title
1.0 Scope
2.0 References
3.0 Precautions for Personnel Safety
4.0 Personnel
5.0 Technique
5.1 Time of Examination
5.2 Surface preparation
5.3 Radiation source
5.4 Film Identification
5.5 Image Quality Indicator
5.6 Geometrical Unsharpened
5.7 Intensifying screens
5.8 Radiographic Film
5.9 Backscatter Radiation check
5.10 Location Markers
5.11 Film Processing
5.12 Film Viewing Interpretation
6.0 Densitometer
7.0 Acceptance Standards
8.0 Records
9.0 Attachments – Exhibit 1.
Tables T- 233.1, T-233.2, T-276 and Figures A-210-1,
A210-2 of Article 2, Section V, ASME Code for Boilers and
Pressure Vessels
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RADIOGRAPGHIC EXAMINATION PROCEDURES

MEO- RT-1

1.0 SCOPE
1.1 This document provides the procedure to be used for
radiographic examination of steel welds Thickness range of the
base metal from 5 to 50.8 mm.
1.2 This document shall be used as a procedure by MEO NDE
personnel or radiographic interpretation and may be used as an
examination procedure by subcontractor NDE personnel.

2.0 REFERENCES
2.1 API 1104: 1999
2.2 ASNT– SNT – TC – IA, Ed. 2001 & Ed. 1996 with Add. 1998
2.3 ASME Boilers and Pressure Vessels Code, Section V, article
2, edition 2004

3.0 PRECAUTIONS FOR PERSONNEL SAFETY

3.1 MEO radiographer shall be responsible for compliance with
national, state, local, and company regulations governing safety
in the operation of x-ray and gamma ray equipment.

4.0 PERSONNEL
4.1 MEO personnel interpreting radiographs to this procedure shall
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be qualified and have current certifications as and NDE Level II

or III in accordance with the MEO Procedure for control and
Administration of NDT Personnel Training, Qualification and
Certification (MEO-PC-1) developed from guidelines provided
by the American Society for Nondestructive Testing
Recommended Practice SNT-TC-1A, 2001 edition. (Also meets
Ed. 1996 with Add. 1998)
MEO personnel conducting site exposure shall be qualified NDE
Level I or II.
4.2 Only personnel certified as NDE Level II and III shall perform
final evaluations.

5.0 TECHNIQUE
Radiographic techniques given in Fig. A -210-1 and A210-2
Of ASME Boilers and Pressure Vessels Code, Section V,
article 2, edition 2004, shall be used for pipes (Attached).
The following conditions apply for pipes and plates
5.1 Time of Examination
5.1.1 Code Radiographic examination shall normally be performed
prior to final post weld heat treatment (PWHT). When required
by the Client, RT may be performed after PWHT.

5.2 Surface Preparation

5.2.1 Surfaces of welds to be examined need be prepared only to the
extent necessary to assure that the resulting radiographic image
due to any surface irregularities cannot mask or be confused with
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the image of any discontinuity. Butt welds may be flush with the
surface of the base metal or may have reinforcement not to
exceed that specified in the references code.

5.3 Radiation Sources

5.3.1 X-ray machines (up to 300 kV) or isotopes (Iridium 192) may be
used. Where Iridium 192 is to be used to radiograph thickness
less than 0.75 inches, the procedure shall be proved satisfactory
to the NDE Level III by actual demonstration of the ability to
resolve the essential wire of the image quality indicator (IQI) on
the minimum metal thickness to be radiographed.

5.4 Film Identification

5.4.1 Each radiograph shall be identified by the use of lead numbers,
letters, and/or by an identification printer. The Identification
image shall not appear in the area of interest. The identification
system shall be traceable to:
a) Contract
b) Component or vessel identification
c) Weld or weld seam and part number
d) Date of radiograph
e) Position markers

f) MEO symbol or Name

g) The manufacturer’s symbol or name
The identification system does not necessarily require that the
information appear as radiographic images.
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5.4.2 In cases where an error has inadvertently been made in the

identification appearing on the radiograph, the MEO Level II or
III shall verify that the radiograph represents the actual part
radiographed. At the option of the Level II or III, the weld may
be reshot or the film reidentified with a very self-adhesive
corrections tape or equivalent and the reidentification noted and
initialed by the Level II or III on the interpretation report.
Position markers shall always appear as radiographic image.
5.4.3 When tracer shots required for random or spot radiography, in
addition to the information required in 5.4.1, the rejected weld
number followed by the letter T or R will be included as part of
the required film identification.
5.4.4 The density shall be within 2 to 4 for gamma-rays and within 1.8
to 4 for x-rays.

5.5 Image Quality Indicator (IQI)

5.5.1 Standard IQI shall be wire type according to table 7 of API 1104
Pipe wall or weld Essential wire ASTM Set Letter
thickness, mm diameter, mm
0-6.4 0.2 A
> 6.4 -9.5 0.25 A or B
> 9.5 –12.7 0.33 B
> 12.7 – 19.1 0.41 B
> 19.1 –25.4 0.51 B
> 25.4 – 50.8 0.64 B
5.5.2 IQI(s) of other national or international standards may be used
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provided the IQI essential wire diameter is equal to or less than

the required standard IQI essential wire.
5.5.3 For welds with reinforcement, IQI thickness is based on the
nominal single wall thickness plus the I.D. and O.D. weld
reinforcement, not to exceed the maximum permitted by the
referencing Code Section. Backing rings or strips are not to be
considered as part of the thickness in IQI selection. The actual
measurement of the weld reinforcement is not required.
For welds without reinforcement the thickness on which the IQI
is based is the nominal single wall thickness. Backing rings or
strips are not to be considered as part of the weld thickness in
IQI selection.
5.5.4 The IQI(s) shall be placed on the source side of the part being
examined, except where inaccessibility prevents hand placing the
IQI on the source side; it shall be placed on the film side in
contact with the part being examined. A lead letter F shall be
placed adjacent to or on the IQI, but shall not mask the essential
hole or wire.
5.5.5 If radiographic density through the weld varies from that through
the body of the IQI by more than –15% or +30%, one IQI
representative of the lightest area and another representative of
the darkest area shall be used. Both must be within the density
range permitted by paragraph 5.12.5. The intervening densities
on the radiograph shall be considered as having acceptable
density provided the required quality level appears on both
IQI(s).
5.6 Geometrical Unsharpness
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5.6.1 The geometrical unsharpness shall not exceed 0.02 inch

(0.5 mm) for thickness of less than or equal to 50.8 mm.
5.6.2 The final acceptance of the exposure geometry shall be based on
the ability to see the prescribed penetrameter image and the
essential wire diameter

5.6.3 Geometric unsharpness, Ug is determined by the equation:

Ug = f d/D
Ug = Geometric unsharpness
f = Source size in inches, the maximum projected dimension
of the radiating source (or effective focal spot). The
manufacture’s certification of the source size shall be
used for this dimension and are acceptable as source size
verification.
D = Distance in inches from the source of radiation to the
source side of the weld being examined.
d = Distance in inches from the source side of the weld to the
film.
D and d shall be measured to the approximate center of the
area of interest.

5.7 Intensifying Screens

5.7.1 Lead intensifying screens shall be used. Front lead
intensifying screens for x-ray with voltage 125 kV or above
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shall be a minimum of 0.0005 inch thick and for gamma ray it

should be a minimum of 0.005 inch thick Iridium 192. For
both x-ray and gamma ray, the back intensifying screen should
be a minimum of 0.005 inch thick.
5.8 Radiographic Film
Radiographs shall be made using industrial radiographic film.
Films equivalent to Kodak AA and AX or Agfa D4 and D7
shall be used.
5.8.1 Radiographic film shall be either extra fine grain or fine grain.
5.9 Backscatter Radiation Check
5.9.1 As a check on backscattered radiation, a lead symbol B, with
minimum dimensions of ½ inch in height and 1/16 inch in
thickness, shall be attached to the back of each film holder
during exposure. If a light image of the B appears on the
radiograph, the radiograph shall be considered unacceptable.
A dark image of the B on a lighter background is not cause for
rejection of the radiograph.
5.10 Location Markers
5.10.1 Location markers shall be used to ensure complete coverage
and shall appear as radiographic images on the film. The
location markers shall be placed on the part, not on the film
holder/cassette. The first location shall be identified with an O.
Location markers should not be closer than ¼ inch to the weld.
Number belts may be used.
5.10.2 The location markers shall consist of lead numbers between ¼
and ½ inches in height. A starting point shall be selected for
each weld being radiographed. The starting point and direction
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of numbering shall be identified by marking zero (which

corresponds to the zero of location marker) and an arrow
(representing the numbering direction) on the outside surface
(source side) of the base metal in a manner allowing accurate
traceability of the starting point for at least the period of
required film retention.
5.10.2.1 When permanent marking is prohibited or impractical,
temporarily mark the O and arrow. This temporary marking
shall be maintained until the area being examined is
acceptable.
5.10.2.2 A clear, accurate sketch of the temporary marking shall be
prepared to allow traceability of the radiographs to the part or
weld. This sketch shall be filed with the radiographs.
5.10.3 If the image of the weld will not be readily apparent on the
radiograph (due to the weld having been ground flush, for
instance), arrows or Vs shall be placed approximately ¼ inch
from the weld toe opposite the film location numbers.
5.11 Film Processing
5.11.1 Film shall be processed to comply with ASTM E-94, and shall
comply with the manufacturer’s recommendations concerning
chemicals, processing techniques, and times.

5.12 Film Viewing/Interpretation

5.12.1 The viewer must provide light of sufficient intensity to
illuminate the area of interest without glare, diffuse the light
evenly over the viewing area, and have a rheostat control for
the light source. Masks shall be available to prevent any
extraneous light when viewing radiographs smaller than the
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viewing port.
5.12.2 Subdued lighting, rather than total darkness, is preferable in
the viewing room illumination must be so arranged that there
is no reflection from the surface of the film under
examination. Light from around the outer edge of the
radiograph or coming from low density portions of the
radiograph shall not interfere with the interpretation.
5.12.3 Radiography shall be performed with a technique of sufficient
sensitivity to display the IQI image and the specified hole or
wire which are essential indications of the image quality of the
radiograph. The radiograph shall also display the identifying
numbers and letters.
5.12.4 The film density through the hole IQI and the weld shall be a
minimum of 1.8 for exposures made with X-Rays and for
with Gamma – Rays with a maximum density of 4.0 for both.
A calibrated densitometer or a step wedge comparison film
shall be used for judging film density (see section 6).
5.12.5 Composite (double film) viewing is not permitted except with
the specifically approval of the Level III. In these cases the
minimum density for each film shall be 1.3.

5.12.6 All radiographs shall be free from mechanical, chemical, or

other blemishes to the extent that they do not mask and are not
confused with the image of any discontinuity in the area of
interest of the object radiographed. Each exposed film shall
have interleafing paper between films when submitted for
review.
5.12.7 All radiographs shall be evaluated and reviewed; reports shall
be prepared for final acceptance of films and welds.
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Subcontractors shall evaluate film quality, and provide

preliminary weld interpretation if requested.
5.12.8 The results of examinations shall be recorded on a review
form provided by MEO to the client.

6.0 Densitometer
6.1 A densitometer or a step wedge comparison film shall be used
for judging film density. The densitometer readings shall be
calibrated by comparison with a calibrated step wedge film or
X-ray film step tablet traceable to a national standard.
6.2 The density steps closest to 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 on the
national standard step tablet or step wedge calibration film
shall be read. The Densitometer shall be calibrated every 90
days during use.
6.3 The densitometer is acceptable if the density readings do not
vary by more than plus or minus 0.05 from the actual density
stated on the national standard step tablet or step wedge
calibration film.
6.4 Periodic calibration verification checks shall be performed as
described in 6.1 at the beginning of each shift and after 8
hours of continuous use.

7.0 ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA

Acceptance criteria shall be in accordance with the of API
1104

8.0 RECORDS
8.1 MEO or its subcontractor shall submit a film quality
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interpretation report with all radiographs to the designated

individual. As a minimum it shall include:
 Date, Job number and the name or logo of the
radiographer’s company.
 Weld Identification number.
 The governing code.
 Radiation source, type, strength and the
Radiographer’s name and certification level.
 Film brand and designation plus type of processing
 Number of film per cassette
 Film quality evaluation (density, IQI, essential
hole/slit or wire diameter visibility, film quality
 Weld interpretation.
8.2 The following information shall either be provided either or on
the report noted in paragraph 8.1 or on separate sheet:
 Shooting sketch showing the geometric arrangement
of source, weld, film, IQI and location markers.
 Shim Thickness, if any.
 Source-to-source side of weld distance.
 Source side of weld-to-film distance.
 Effective source size or focal spot size dimensions
 Calculated geometric unsharpness
 Material type and weld thickness

8.3 The information required in paragraphs 8.1 and 8.2 shall

accompany each set of radiographs submitted. Reference to a
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standard setup is acceptable if descriptions of this standard

setup are readily available and they comply with the
requirements of this procedure.
8.4 Records of radiographic examination shall be maintained with
permanent job records when required by Code. Copies of the
certification records for personnel performing examinations,
plus the examination procedures used shall become part of
retained job documentation.
8.5 A copy of the certification records for NDE Level I and II
personnel shall be maintained in the project files.
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9.0-ATTACHMENTS
Exhibit 1
Project………………………
Contract No. …………………..

RADIOGRAPHIC EXAMINATION REPORT

MEO
(RADIOGRAPHIC INTERPRETAION)
DATE:
COVERING SPECIFICATION: NDE PROCEDURE:
DWG: PIPE DIAMETER: PLATE THICKNESS:
JOINT TYPE: REINFORCEMENT DIMENSION: .
MATERIAL: RADIATION SOURCE:
FOCAL SIZE:
DISTANCE FROM FILM TO SOURCE SIDE OF OBJECT :
MINIMUM SOURCE TO OBJECT DISTANCE :
EXPOSURE TIME:
FILM SIZE: FILM TYPE:
SHIM MATERIAL: SHIM THICKNESS:
FILM PROCESSING: AUTOMATIC [ ] INTENSIFYING SCREEN: FRONT: BACK:
MANUAL [ ] FILM MANUFACTURE:
FILM DESIGNATION: DENSITY:
IQI LOCATION: PENETRMETE DESIGNATION:
DOUBLE WALL EXPOSURE SINGLE WALL VIEWING (for pipes):
SINGLE WALL EXPOSURE SINGLE WALL VIEWING (for pipes):
DOUBLE WALL EXPOSURE DOUBLE WALL VIEWING (for pipes):
NUMBER OF EXPOSURES:
NUMBER OF FILMS IN THE HOLDER: 1
UG. FACTOR: RADIOGRAPHER:

Interpreted by MEO Company Engineer

(Manufacturer) (Consultant)
Name and Level
SIGNATGURE
DATE
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