1. NE 110 – Introduction to NDT & QA/QC
Overview of QA/QC;
NDT & QA/QC Certification Requirements
Prepared by:
Chattanooga State Community College

2. Definitions
Quality Assurance: “All the planned and systematic activities implemented within the quality system, and demonstrated as needed, to provide adequate confidence that an entity will fulfill requirements for quality.”
Quality Control: “Operational techniques and activities that are used to fulfill requirements for quality.”

3. Comparison of QA and QC
QA - a program set up by management to develop procedures to follow to ensure that standards of quality are being met
QC – involves the actual testing of products to uncover defects or to ensure a product meets design specifications

4. Key QA/QC Concepts Quality auditing – independent review
Metrology – “science of measurement”
Root cause analysis – identification of the original reason for process nonconformance
Preventive/corrective actions – change enacted to eliminate nonconformance
Continual improvement – on-going effort to improve a process

5. QA/QC Concentrations Civil Mechanical
Soil testing, inspection of structural steel or concrete
1st inspectors needed to support new construction
Mechanical
Inspection of valves, pumps, piping systems, hangers/supports, lubrication systems, etc.

6. QA/QC Concentrations Continued
Electrical/I & C
Need basic understanding of electrical equipment such as batteries, breakers, transformers, relays, motors, grounding systems, etc.
Inspection of raceways, cable trays, wire terminations
Receipt of equipment
All QC personnel must be trained in methods of documentation, reporting, and records management

7. American Society for Quality (ASQ)
Offers 17 quality certifications
Web-site provides description and education/experience requirements for:
CQI (Certified Quality Inspector)
CQE (Certified Quality Engineer)
CQA (Certified Quality Auditor)
CQT (Certified Quality Technician)
CQM/OE (Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence)

8. Certified Quality Inspector
Description:
performs laboratory procedures
inspects products
measures process performance
records data/prepares formal reports
Requires two years OJT (with high school diploma or GED)
Exam topics include:
Mathematics (20%)
Metrology (30%)
Inspection and test (30%)
Quality assurance (20%)

9. International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
International standard-setting body composed of representatives from various national standards organizations
Founded in 1947
Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland

10. International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
ISO derived from the Greek word isos, meaning “equal” (pronounced the same in all languages)
Members from 163 countries
ANSI is the US-representative to ISO
ISO standards voluntary agreements based on consensus of international expert opinion

11. ISO Quality Management Standards
Provide a model to follow in setting up and operating a management system

12. ISO 9000 Family
An international consensus on good quality management practices
ISO 9001:2008 – a set of standardized requirements for a quality management system against which organizations can be certified
Outlines requirements for:
Control of documents/records
Internal audits
Control of nonconforming product/service
Corrective action/preventive action
ISO 9712 – NDT Qualification and Certification of Personnel

13. ISO 9001 Criticisms
Amount of money, time, and paperwork required for registration
Certification does not guarantee products produced are any good (as long as manufacturing consistent and well-documented)

14. ANSI
Founded in 1918 to enhance global competitiveness of U.S. businesses and U.S. quality of life by promoting and facilitating voluntary consensus standards
Accredits procedures of standards-developing organizations
More than 10,000 ANSI standards in publication
ANSI History

15. ANSI Standards ANSI N45.2 series ANSI N45.2.6
QA program standards for design and construction of nuclear power plants
ANSI N45.2.6
Delineates the qualification requirements for persons who perform inspections, examinations, and test to determine conformance of safety-related items to specific criteria
Excludes NDT (covered by SNT-TC-1A)
Not applicable for purposes other than verifying conformance
Not applicable to personnel who perform technical specification surveillance testing

16. ANSI 45.2.6 Qualification for Inspectors
Levels I, II, and III (III is highest level)
Requires formal training, OJT, and the satisfactory completion of a written exam
TVA’s NQAP (Nuclear Quality Assurance Program) provides alternate qualification requirements

17. Level I/II Functions Level I technicians responsible for:
Recording of test data
Implementation of test procedures
Level II technicians also responsible for:
Planning inspections, including test set-up
Evaluating validity and acceptability of test results
Reporting of test results
Supervision of lower level personnel
Qualification of lower level personnel

18. Level III Functions Level III technicians also responsible for:
Evaluating the adequacy of programs to train and test inspection personnel
Qualification of same level personnel

19. ASNT American Society for Nondestructive Testing
“ASNT exists to create a safer world by promoting the profession and technologies of nondestructive testing”
Key Certification Standards:
SNT-TC-1A, “Personnel Qualification and Certification in Nondestructive Testing”
ANSI/ASNT CP-189, “ASNT Standard for Qualification and Certification of Nondestructive Testing Personnel”

20. NDT Certification
Standards detail minimum training, education, and experience requirements
Require employers to establish a procedure for certification of NDT personnel (called a “written practice”)
Qualification vs. Certification
6 Levels of Qualification (CP-189): Trainee, Level I, Level II Limited, Level II, Level III, NDT Instructor

21. NDT Certification Requirements
Level I or II certification usually provided by employer
For certification, individuals must pass:
General written exam
Specific written exam addressing equipment, procedures, techniques, codes, etc. for the organization
Practical exam (demonstration of test and recording of results)
Level III certification requirements may require testing by ASNT or ASME

22. ATA
Air Transportation Association, a trade organization for U.S. airlines
Founded in 1936
Two ATA documents serve as guidelines for the training of inspection personnel
ATA Specification 105, Guidelines for Training and Qualifying Personnel in Non-Destructive Testing Methods
ATA Specification 107, Visual Inspection Personnel Training and Qualification Guide for FAR Part 121 Air Carriers

23. AIA
Aerospace Industries Association, represents major manufacturers of commercial, military, and business aircraft and spacecraft
Established in 1919
NAS 410, Certification & Qualification Of Nondestructive Test Personnel – replaces MIL-STD-410E (military test standard)
NAS 999, Nondestructive Inspection of Advanced Composite Structure