Qualification and Certification in NDE

Roots and the way of EN 473 / ISO 9712

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

NDT
Non destructive testing is the examination of materials and components without changing or destroying their usefulness NDT plays a crucial role in everyday life and is necessary to assure safety and reliability Typical examples are found in aircraft, motorvehicles , pipelines, bridges, trains, power stations, refineries and oil platforms which are all inspected using NDT

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Knowledge and experience of the NDTPersonnel are the main keys for good NDT-Results Since more than 80 years these people are specially trained The first trainings where simple on-thejob trainings

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

NDT Personnel

Later on , a classroom training was added and finished with an examination The next step was a recommendation for the Certification of NDT-Personnel , first published in the US 1967
Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Examination

Training

Eye Test

Experience

Authorization

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Certification by employer
First certificates were given by the employer He was responsible for training , examination , certification , for storing the files This had to be described in a Written Practice

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Certification by employer
Problems The certification is different from company to company Every customer is checking the system with review and approval (multiple cost) Some employers misuse the flexibility

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Central Certification
Beginning 1974 National NDT-Societies all over the world started to offer a Central Certification fter an examination by an independent examiner, an independent certification body is giving the certificates

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Central Certification
The certificates are widely accepted The qualification is cost efficient There is no difference from one employer to another

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Central Certification
The good acceptance of the central certification led forward to internationally recognized programs Between 1987 and 1993 CEN and ISO developed the standards EN 473 and ISO 9712

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Central Certification
fter some years of experience both organizations improved and revised the documents They added a training syllabus and requirements for training organizations

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Requirements of EN 473

Certification

Experience

Examination

Training

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Level of competence
Three levels of competence are defined Level 1 the basic operator Level 2 Level 3 the advanced operator the supervisor

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Level 1
May be authorized to a) set up NDT equipment, b) perform the tests c) record and classify the results of the tests in terms of written criteria , d) report the results
Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Level 2
Set up and verify equipment settings , perform and supervise tests , interpret and evaluate results according to applicable standards , codes or specifications , prepare written NDT instructions organize and report the results
Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Level 3
ssume full responsibility for a test facility or examination centre and staff, establish and validate NDT instructions and procedures , designate the particular test methods , procedures and NDT instructions to be used , carry out and supervise all level 1 and level 2 duties

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Requirements
Requirements for experience training and examination differ from Level to Level They also depend on the NDT method

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Experience in Months
Method Ultrasonic Magnetic Particle Penetrant Testing Level 1 3 1 1 Level 2 9 3 3

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Pre Education for Level 3 at least three years accredited in science or engineering college or university programme technical school or at least two years of engineering or science study at an accredited college or university No degree

Experience (months) 12

24

48

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Training
In Level 1 and 2 a formal training is required The training has to be accepted by the certification body The time requirements are depending on the NDT-method UT1 40 hours UT2 80 hours
Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Training
For Level 3 preparation for examination may be achieved in different ways
By attending training courses, conferences or seminars , alternatively by studying books, periodicals and other specialized printed materials

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Examination
Prior to examination , every candidate has to fulfill the requirements for training and experience Then he is able to apply for the examination , performed under the control of the certification body

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Examination Level

and 2

Examination with three parts General Written(90 Min)

Knowledge of basic principles

Specific Written (90 Min)

Knowledge of procedures, codes and instructions

Practical hands on (120 min):

Performing tests on different objects with real defects

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Training and examination Level 3

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Demand of EN 473
5.3.3.2 Level 3 personnel have demonstrated

to select b) sufficient practical knowledge NDT-methods, establish NDT techniques c) a general familiarity with other NDT methods

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Level 3 Knowledge
Level 2 practical
Practical Knowledge H o u w la t o r Te s t d

Level 3 Basic
General Overview Materials/processes Method principles Advantages/Problems Method selection

Level 3 Main Method

High Level Knowledge in every single Method Examination

Examination

Examination

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Level 3 Examination
1 2 3 practical examination for the test method (4 hours) written examination (6 parts) for the general overview (8 hours) written examination (3 parts) for the deep knowledge of the single method (8 hours) Examination 1 and 3 must be passed for every method in witch he wants to become a level 3 person
Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Certification
fter a person has fulfilled every requirement for experience , training and examination he can apply for certification The Certification Body is checking it and granting certificates

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Certification
Wallet card

Certificate

Limited validation

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Validation
The validation period starts , if every requirement for certification is fulfilled , normally with the day of the last examination certificate according to EN 473 is valid for a maximum of 5 years

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Validation
fter 5 years the certificate can be renewed , if there is evidence of continuous work, stated by the employer fter another 5 years , it can be recertified , but only by examination

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Implementing a QM System

Certification of Personnel

Organizing Examinations

Tasks of the Certification Body

Catalog of questions

Documentation

Supervising and training of Examiners

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Summary
Central Certification of NDT Personnel is a common way in Europe The Standard EN 473 in second edition is describing such a system More than 100.000 certificates show the big acceptance on the market

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Digital Radiology
The first course on Imaging NDE, before: Radioscopy Level 1 & 2, each 4 days Special Topics - Imaging systems, check of image quality, optimisation - Images of welding and casting defects - Exercises - Filtering and noise reduction (Level 2) utomatic and interactive defect recognition (Level 2) Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Qualification and Certification beyond the Standards?

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Many companies need Senior Experts for multiple NDT-methods

Level 3 + with two or more main methods

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

aEtxiao m nination
Materials/ processes

EN 473

4 selected NDT-methods 60 Questions

SNT-TC 1A

All 10 NDTmethods

NDTManage ment -

25 20 QuestionsQuestions

20 20 20 Questions Questions Questions

Examination 1 240 min.

Examination 2 80 min.

Exam. 3 40 min.

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Summary of new Level 3 quality initiative

Examination I + + + Examination II Examination III NDT-Select 2 Main Method Examinations NDT-Master

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Some Data about DGZf

(German Society for Non-Destructive testing)
Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

The DGZfP Education nd Training Ltd

Since more than 70 years, training of testing personnel is one of the main tasks of the DGZfP which has now a long tradition and is perform d with grea scio Since 1956 , more than 35 00 pectors have be O trained he DGZfP offers a comprehensive ra in p x regi a ining centers and several authorized aining lo . This network makes the DGZfP to one of the lar ges training organizations for NDT personnel in Europe
Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Training Centers
Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Quality
Costumer satisfaction is our goal Our training organization fulfills the requirements of ISO 9001 2000 The training content is controlled by a governing board of NDT-experts from industry , institutes and suppliers
Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Formal Reasons
A quality management system designed to satisfy ISO 9001 2000 would be considered to satisfy these guidelines

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Benefit for the Organisation

Talking about quality brings the idea of customer satisfaction in every mind It is changing the behavior of our colleagues

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Benefit for the Organisation

certified quality system attracts costumers
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 2 1 2 3 2 5 2 7 2 9 3 1 3 3 3 5 3 7 3 9 4 1 4 3 4 5 4 7 4 9 5 1 5 3

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Benefit
Continuous optimization of the work Procedures and documentations as Backup

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Benefit for employees

Involvement and Influence Information Continuous education

Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein

Benefit for customers

Fulfillment of requirements Public statement that quality is important
Company Market

Thank you fo
Dr. Heinrich Heidt, Ralf Holstein