Inspection Of Vendor Supplied ASME Code Vessels
Inspection Of Vendor Supplied ASME Code Vessels
(OP)
I was recently given the task of moving all our ASME Code vessel work to outside suppliers. This has enabled us to save a lot of money as ASME code work was a small part of our business. However, now we are starting to receive numerous ASME vessels into one of our facilities and there is no QC system set up for inspection. Does anyone have any examples of reliable and accurate ASME checklists that they use to determine if a vessel is accebtable or needs to be rejected. Not being very familiar with the things I should be looking for has made this exercise of making a company QC checklist very difficult. And since our old QC manger has left, it makes it even more difficult to tap the resources I need to make a quality QC form everyone can follow when a vessel comes in the door.





RE: Inspection Of Vendor Supplied ASME Code Vessels
If you want to make sure all the rules are followed you should inspect at the vendor site throughout the fabrication process.
RE: Inspection Of Vendor Supplied ASME Code Vessels
RE: Inspection Of Vendor Supplied ASME Code Vessels
Your original QC Manual should state all visual and NDE requirements.
Are the AFC dwgs not being followed?
As the "middle man" of receiving these pressure vessels, you should be periodically be checking the subcontractor's work and eventually doing a final inspection/acceptance at their fab shop.
Back to the checklist, simply inspect for weld quality as per acceptance criteria outlined in Section VIII and perform dimensional verification from AFC dwgs.
RE: Inspection Of Vendor Supplied ASME Code Vessels
Need a better approval process for drawings.
The vendor's AI does generally look at every detail. He survails the shop, reviews WPS & PQR, welder continuity, reviews calcs (not check), review drawings, visually examines welds, review x-rays and NDE reports, revies PWHT report & chart, witnesses hydro and signs data report.
He does not do a thorough inspection.
RE: Inspection Of Vendor Supplied ASME Code Vessels
RE: Inspection Of Vendor Supplied ASME Code Vessels
If you have specification requirements above Code, how will you know that they will be followed without vendor surveillance? The AI will not inspect to assure compliance therewith.
We once had a vessel that hasd been accepted by the AI (State of California) and the City inspector assigned to inspect by the client (City of Los Angeles). When I walked in the shop, I immediately observed a stainless steel nozzle with the longitudinal seam welded with carbon steel filler metal. Needless to say, I rejected the vessel on the spot. When the shop supervision told me that it was acceptable, I asked them to provide their qualified WPS for the weld. They did not have one. I further pointed to our contract specification's requirement that the filler metal essentially match the chemistry of the base metal. They complied with the requirement to correct that nonconformance and all other nonconformances that were subsequently found on closer inspection.
RE: Inspection Of Vendor Supplied ASME Code Vessels
1.) One of the holes drilled in the cone of the vessel for solimar pads, was drilled thru the weld seam. not sure why did this, even common sense says not do this. The vendor admitted the mistake and we are happy with their agreement on this and the steps they have taken to make sure this wont happen again. We could not get the solimar pads to seal and were not going to make the corrections ourselves (i.e. grinding the welds, etc., etc.)
2.) There was a non-code compliant head-to-shell misalignment in two places. The misalignment at one location was just over 1/8". There also appreared to be poor alignment at another location.
Thanks for everyones help on this, your replys were very helpful.