We fabricated a 14" diameter round section from 10mm plate for a customer. There was no requirement for RT on the longitudinal butt weld to be carried out in shop.
After our customer completed the site circumferential welding on the round section, third party was on site to perform RT on the circumferential weld.
As our longitudinal weld is right next to the circumferential weld, unfortunately a small line showed up on the RT film. This was intrepreted as lack of fusion on our longitudinal butt weld by the third party.
We are not denying there is a defect based on the RT report but what we would like to know from those with similar experiences are:
1. The scope of RT report from third party can include those welds that are "nearby" when their main task was on the site weld?
2. How much liability do we have now that customer is claiming rework?
Regards
Boon
You didn't cite a specific welding code, but D1.1 provides a remedy if that is the applicable code. You may wish to dig into the code that applies to your job to see if it has similar provisions.
AWS D1.1-2010 Clause 6.6.5 Nonspecified NDT Other than Visual. If NDT other than visual inspection is not specified in the original contract agreement but is subsequently requested by the Owner, the Contractor shall perform any requested testing or shall allow any testing to be performed in conformance with 6.14. The Owner shall be responsible for all associated costs including handling, surface preparation, NDT, and repair of discontinuities other than those described in 6.9, whichever is applicable, at rates mutually agreeable between the Owner and Contractor. However, if such testing should disclose an attempt to defraud or gross nonconformance to this code, repair work shall be done at the Contractor's expense.
The question arises, "Who requested RT?"
Did the TPI do it on his own without the Owner's authorization? If so, bill the TPI for all the work associated with completing the repair.
Did the Owner decide after the job started to initiate RT? If it isn't specified on the drawing or the project specifications, then clause 6.6.5 applies.
If the RT is specified by the drawing or the project specification your employer will have to swallow the cost of the repair.
I assume there was no intent to defraud the Owner, so any "defect" discovered does have to be repaired, but the Owner must pay for the associated costs as per clause 6.6.5.
Best regards -Al