There is a difference between certifying something and inspecting it. I have no problem inspecting the visual appearance of a weld and documenting that it conforms to a visual acceptance criteria.
Look on ANY NDE contractors reader sheet, for that matter look at the certification statement on an R-1 form for a boiller or peressure vessel repair. They usually have a statment to the effect that they are not liable for failure.
What if you inspect a weld on a piece of structural steel.
A fillet weld for example, its the correct size, meets the visual acceptance criteria, and APPEARS to have been made with the correct wire. It fails. You may be questioned but there are quite a few other factors that come into play. Was it properly designed, was it maintained, was it used as designed, was it damaged after installation, etc..
Welding is only a small part of something being sound. I can inspect a weld on anything provided I have been given the tools and requirements to do that. When I provide documentation I am providing "Certification" however the scope of that certification can be very limited.
The Manufacturer of a pressure vessel assumes the whole responsibility for that vessel. Period. The insurance company backs them incase of a failure and thus takes a keen interest in making sure it is done correctly. Thus the stamping and certification system helps protect the end user in that fact that the fabricator has been reviewed to meet certain criteria and is reviewed and monitored by someone that has a great deal to loose should a failure occur (The insurance company) .
Its easier to get a 10000 PSI pressure vessel insured than it is to get flood insurance in my state.
You would need to find out exactly what they want you to do.
If they want you to "certify" that the final welds meet ASME sec VIII criteria, that could be done. However, if they want you to "certify" that all welding was performed according to the WPS, sec VIII, sec IX, etc, unless you have full confidense that it was, I wouldn't "certify" it.
DO NOT "certify" or "assure" or "agree" anything that you cannot fully prove....again, "to the best of your knowledge and beleif"...was done correctly.
I don't have a copy of the code,(nor do they,which makes me more suspicious).They thought since I was a CWI that I have every code in publication.
Add another $200-$300 (whatever the going rate for sec IX is) to the price of your services and order the book. If all you will be doing is writing, approving, whatever, for a WPS, you only need ASME sec IX.
I doubt they would pay it.I went to high school with some of these guys (welder,production manager,Mechanical Engineer),and they think I'm just going to do the good-ol-boy thing and give them something for nothing.There are only a handful of testing/NDT places around here,and those guys are a bit pricey.They think I'm trying to screw them,and I told them my reputation is at stake as well as my certification.I told them to call Hartford Steam and Boiler.
Good call, it sounds as if the "Good-ole-Boys" were trying to give you a "Good-ole-Screwin."
If it's the same shop I have in my mind, You've put it very lightly.
Ringo,
I am just south of you. those "pricey guys" you refer to are pricey for a reason. I know most of them.
If it is an unstamped vessel, then it cannot be certified. The manufacturer can state the vessel was built in accordance with whatever, but unless they are a code shop, with everything that goes along with being a code shop, the vessell cannot be certified by anyone for anything. JUst welding something together and having someone sign it off, doe not certify bipkis. Whoever is asking you to do this is thinking they can pass liability over to you, which they cant, for small $$.
I would tell these jokers to stick with welding trailers and leave pressure work to people who know what they are doing.
I agree with you on that (Pricey),as I work for them from time to time on a part time basis.I think that some of the small shops around here bid these jobs so cheap,that they don't think that NDE is going to cost that much (when they bid the job),but as we all know,its worth the money.
As an inspector, if I see something wrong(even if not paid to) I question it! I dont turn and let someone less experianced fall into a trap! If me, I would take the job,And in my report explain there was no WPS or PQR and be detailed about everything. write down that the welds were finished and and there was no way of knowing who,how or anything of the quality of welding on that patricular job.
In the end everyone wins. (except the corner cutters) you got paid to expose them. (unless they throw out your report, in which case you got paid anyway and still have no liability)!
Just my 2 cents!
THese are the type of jokers you spend 2 years in court to get a judgement and they go out of business and you dont get anything. Why buy trouble?
Lawyers are expensive and you can see up front what these jokers want.
They (the end customer)wants PQR's and WPS before they will even accept the final product.It would expose them,but I doubt if I would ever get paid.
Topic Welding Industry / Inspection & Qualification / Can a CWI certify an asme un-stamped pressure vessel
