The Authorized Inspector's Responsibility for Dimensional Inspection

1 of 6

http://www.nationalboard.org/Index.aspx?pageID=164&ID=223

Home

General Meeting

NB Members

Authorized Inspection Agencies

Owner-User Inspection Organizations

Create Account

Review Team Leaders

Login

Test Lab

30/12/2016 21:13

The Authorized Inspector's Responsibility for Dimensional Inspection

2 of 6

Email

http://www.nationalboard.org/Index.aspx?pageID=164&ID=223

Print

30/12/2016 21:13

The Authorized Inspector's Responsibility for Dimensional Inspection

3 of 6

http://www.nationalboard.org/Index.aspx?pageID=164&ID=223

Technical Articles

The Authorized Inspector's Responsibility for Dimensional Inspection

James A. Sowell
President, Capital Company
Consultant, ASME Code and ANSI-related issues
Winter 1997
Category: Design/Fabrication
Summary: The following article is a part of National Board Classic Series and it was published in the National
Board BULLETIN. (3 printed pages)
Introduction
There are a vast number of ASME Code requirements that relate to dimensional requirements. In a
quantitative number of paragraphs, or pages, there is more reference to dimensional requirements than other
subjects such as welding, nondestructive examination (NDE) and testing. Yet many inspectors concentrate
their activities on welding, NDE and testing, spending little time assuring that dimensional requirements are
met.
Dimensional requirements are translated from code and design calculations to fabrication drawings. Therefore
the drawing requirements become code requirements. The ability of the completed component to safely
operate during its required design condition is directly dependent upon conformance with the dimensional
requirements and tolerances given in the construction code and those based upon the design calculation.
When talking with a group of inspectors, diverse comments were made on whether or not the inspectors
follow the dimensional requirements of the drawings. Many admitted it was not a high priority, although they
were aware of the reference. The inspectors believed dimensional requirements were the responsibility of the
manufacturer, the customer?s source inspector, or quality control?s responsibility.
These and other statements indicate there is confusion and lack of uniformity among inspectors on the
subject. None of the respondents considered inspection of dimensional requirements as shown on the
fabrication drawings to be among the most important inspections required of the inspector. The purpose of
this article is to help remove some of the confusion by citing references which make clear the inspector?s
responsibility for inspecting to the dimensional requirements of the drawings.
Explicit Inspector Duties
Each of the construction codes explicitly addresses the inspector?s duties regarding dimensional
requirements. For example, Section VIII, Division 1, Paragraph UG-90(c)(1)(K) states the inspector is
responsible for ?making a visual inspection of the vessel to confirm there are no material or dimensional
defects.? UG-93(e) further reinforces the requirement for the dimensional inspections of material by stating
the inspector is responsible for assuring ?that the thickness and other dimensions of material comply with the
requirements of this division.? UG-96(c) also states that the inspector is responsible for certain dimensional
checks of component parts to assure they are of the prescribed shape and thickness. Section III of the code
is even more explicit regarding the inspector?s responsibility to inspect to the requirements of the drawings.
NCA-5220(h) states that the duties of the inspector shall include ?reviewing drawings and inspecting in
accordance with them.? NCA-5262(a) further strengthens the requirement by stating, ?The inspector shall
satisfy himself that the item is being constructed within the tolerances required by the design specification,
design drawings, construction specification, and this section.?
A strong case can also be made that there is an implicit requirement in each construction code that the
inspector make sufficient inspections to assure dimensional requirements have been met. The construction
codes clearly state the manufacturer?s responsibility for code compliance. But the certificate of shop
inspection contains certification by the inspector that, to the best of his belief and knowledge, the
manufacturer has met code requirements. Since many of the requirements contained in the code are
dimensional requirements, it is implicit that the inspector is certifying that the manufacturer has met the
dimensional requirements as given on the drawings. It can be argued that the inspector is not responsible for
inspection of certain dimensional requirements. The classic example is nozzle location or orientation. One
inspector stated, "I don't care if it's 180 degrees out provided it meets all code requirements." Since there are
no code requirements other than correct design and fabrication, it is true that a vessel with an incorrectly
located nozzle may meet code requirements. But the vessel buyer, and consequently manufacturer, will be
very disappointed. However, the inspector must be careful because location of many other items is very
design dependent. For example, the location of stiffening rings is critical because location and spacing affect
the design calculations.
Design Requirement Translation
Each of the construction codes requires the manufacturer to include control of design requirements in the
quality program. The design control chapter of the quality program will contain controls which assure that
code design requirements are correctly translated into drawings, calculations and specifications.
Consider how this would apply to a specific example regarding material dimensional requirements. The
manufacturer makes the required calculations for the size of a reinforcement pad for a nozzle as required by
ASME Code, Section VIII, Paragraph UG-37. The dimensional requirements will include pad thickness, shape,
internal and external diameter, and size of attaching welds. Those dimensional requirements are then included
on the fabrication drawings. Unless those drawing-requirement dimensions are held during the fabrication

30/12/2016 21:13

The Authorized Inspector's Responsibility for Dimensional Inspection

4 of 6

A Boiler: The Explosive Potential of a

Bomb
Acoustic Emission Examination of
Metal Pressure Vessels
Anatomy of a Catastrophic Boiler
Accident
Austenitic Stainless Steel
Auto-Refrigeration
Basic Weld Inspection - Part 1
Basic Weld Inspection - Part 2

http://www.nationalboard.org/Index.aspx?pageID=164&ID=223

process, the code requirements have not been met. Furthermore, the vessel may be unsafe for the intended
service.
Also consider an example of dimensional requirements for weld sizes. UW-15(b) states that strength
calculations are not required if the manufacturer uses certain attachment details. However, each of those
attachment details require the manufacturer to make a simple size (not strength) calculation. Even the
simplest attachment detail requires the manufacturer to calculate the size of the attaching fillet-weld based
upon material thickness. After calculation, the required dimension of the fillet weld is stated on the fabrication
drawing.
There are many other possible examples which could illustrate how design requirements are translated in
dimensional requirements which are then included on the drawings. It is very clear that if these drawing
requirements are not met during the fabrication process, the design and code requirements have also not
been met.

Black Liquor Recovery Boilers - An

Introduction

Summary

Boiler Efficiency and Steam Quality:

The Challenge of Creating Quality
Steam Using Existing Boiler
Efficiencies

Dimensional requirements are a result of the design calculation and specific code requirements. The
dimensional requirements are then included on the fabrication drawing. Without compliance with the drawing
requirements, the vessel will not meet the design or the code requirements. In order to monitor the
manufacturer?s compliance with code requirements, the inspector must inspect to the drawings to assure
dimensional requirements are met.

Boiler Logs Can Reduce Accidents

Boiler/Burner Combustion Air Supply
Requirements and Maintenance
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Preventable With Complete
Inspection

Editor's note: Some ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code requirements may have changed because of
advances in material technology and/or actual experience. The reader is cautioned to refer to the latest
edition and addenda of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code for current requirements.

Combustion Air Requirements:The

Forgotten Element In Boiler Rooms
Creep and Creep Failures
Description of Construction and
Inspection Procedure for Steam
Locomotive and Fire Tube Boilers
Ensuring Safe Operation Of Vessels
With Quick-Opening Closures
Environmental Heat Exchangers
Factors Affecting Inservice Cracking
of Weld Zone in Corrosive Service
Failure Avoidance in Welded
Fabrication
Finite Element Analysis of Pressure
Vessels
Fuel Ash Corrosion
Fuel Firing Apparatus - Natural Gas
Grain Boundaries
Heat Treatment - What Is It?
How to Destroy a Boiler -- Part 1
How to Destroy a Boiler -- Part 2
How to Destroy a Boiler -- Part 3
Identifying Pressure Vessel Nozzle
Problems
Inspection, Repair, and Alteration of
Yankee Dryers
Inspection, What Better Place to
Begin
Laminations Led to Incident
Lay-up of Heating Boilers
Liquid Penetrant Examination
Low Voltage Short Circuiting-GMAW
Low Water Cut-Off Technology
Low-Water Cutoff: A Maintenance
Must
Magnetic Particle Examination

30/12/2016 21:13

The Authorized Inspector's Responsibility for Dimensional Inspection

5 of 6

http://www.nationalboard.org/Index.aspx?pageID=164&ID=223

Maintaining Proper Boiler Inspections

Through Proper Relationships
Microstructural Degradation
Miracle Fluid?
Organizing A Vessel, Tank, and
Piping Inspection Program
Paper Machine Failure Investigation:
Inspection Requirements Should Be
Changed For Dryer Can
Pipe Support Performance as It
Applies to Power Plant Safety and
Reliability
Polymer Use for Boilers and
Pressure Vessels
Pressure Vessel Fatigue
Pressure Vessels: Analyzing Change
Preventing Corrosion Under
Insulation
Preventing Steam/Condensate
System Accidents
Proper Boiler Care Makes Good
Business Sense:Safety Precautions
for Drycleaning Businesses
Putting a Stop to Steam Kettle Failure
Quick Actuating Closures
Quick-Actuating Door Failures
Real-Time Radioscopic Examination
Recommendations For A Safe Boiler
Room
Recovering Boiler Systems After A
Flood
Rendering Plants Require Safety
Repair or Alteration of Pressure
Vessels
Residential Water Heater Safety
School Boiler Maintenance
Programs: How Safe Are The
Children?
Secondary Low-Water Fuel Cutoff
Probe: Is It as Safe as You Think?
Short-Term High Temperature
Failures
Specification of Rupture Disk Burst
Pressure
Steam Traps Affect Boiler Plant
Efficiency
Steps to Safety: Guide for Restarting
Boilers after Summer Lay-Up
Stress Corrosion Cracking of Steel in
Liquefied Ammonia Service - A
Recapitulation
Suggested Daily Boiler Log Program
Suggested Maintenance Log
Program
System Design, Specifications,
Operation, and Inspection of
Deaerators
Tack Welding
Temperature And Pressure Relief
Valves Often Overlooked
Temperature Considerations for
Pressure Relief Valve Application

30/12/2016 21:13

The Authorized Inspector's Responsibility for Dimensional Inspection

6 of 6

http://www.nationalboard.org/Index.aspx?pageID=164&ID=223

The Authorized Inspector s

Responsibility for Dimensional
Inspection
The Effects of Erosion-Corrosion on
Power Plant Piping
The Forgotten Boiler That Suddenly
Isn't
The Trend of Boiler/Pressure Vessel
Incidents: On the Decline?
The Use of Pressure Vessels for
Human Occupancy in Clinical
Hyberbaric Medicine
Thermally Induced Stress Cycling
(Thermal Shock) in Firetube Boilers
Top Ten Boiler and Combustion
Safety Issues to Avoid
Typical Improper Repairs of Safety
Valves
Wasted Superheat Converted to Hot,
Sanitary Water
Water Maintenance Essential to
Prevent Boiler Scaling
Water Still Flashes to Steam at 212
Welding Consideration for Pressure
Relief Valves
Welding Symbols: A Useful System
or Undecipherable Hieroglyphics?
What Should You Do Before Starting
Boilers After Summer Lay-Up?
Why? A Question for All Inspectors

About Us | Get Directions | Contact Us | Disclaimer | Logo & Marks Policy | Privacy Statement | Terms of Use | Site Map
Copyright 2016 The National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors | 1055 Crupper Avenue Columbus, OH 43229 Ph.614.888.8320

30/12/2016 21:13