ARTICLE NF-5000

NF-5100
NF-5110
NF-5111
NF-5112
NF-5113
NF-5114
NF-5120

General Requirements for Examination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Procedures, Qualifications, and Evaluations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
General Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Nondestructive Examination Procedures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Post-Examination Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rounding-Off of Weld Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Time of Examination of Welds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

131
131
131
131
131
131
131

NF-5200
NF-5210
NF-5211
NF-5212
NF-5213
NF-5214
NF-5220
NF-5221
NF-5222
NF-5224
NF-5230
NF-5231
NF-5232
NF-5234
NF-5240

Required Examination of Welds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Examination of Class 1 Support Welds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Scope. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Primary Member Welded Joints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Secondary Member Welded Joints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Special Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Examination of Class 2 and MC Support Welds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Primary Member Welded Joints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Secondary Member Welded Joints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Special Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Examination of Class 3 Support Welds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Primary Member Welded Joints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Secondary Member Welded Joints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Special Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inertia and Continuous Drive Friction Welds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

132
132
132
132
132
132
132
132
132
132
132
132
132
132
133

NF-5300
NF-5320
NF-5321
NF-5330
NF-5332
NF-5340
NF-5341
NF-5342
NF-5350
NF-5351
NF-5352
NF-5360

Acceptance Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Radiographic Acceptance Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Evaluation of Indications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ultrasonic Acceptance Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Acceptance Standards for Laminar Indications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Magnetic Particle Acceptance Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Evaluation of Indications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Acceptance Standards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Liquid Penetrant Acceptance Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Evaluation of Indications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Acceptance Standards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Visual Acceptance Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

133
133
133
133
133
133
133
134
134
134
134
134

NF-5400
NF-5410

Additional Examination Requirements for Standard Supports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Required Examination and Acceptance Standards for Class 1 Springs . . . . . . . . . . . .

135
135

129

NF-5420

NF-5500
NF-5510
NF-5520
NF-5521
NF-5522
NF-5523
NF-5530

Required Examination and Acceptance Standards for Coiled Wire Rope Used as a
Spring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

135

Qualifications and Certification of Nondestructive Examination

Personnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
General Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Personnel Qualification, Certification, and Verification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Qualification Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Certification of Personnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Verification of Nondestructive Examination Personnel Certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

135
135
135
135
136
136
137

130

NF-5360

ARTICLE NF-5000 EXAMINATION

(e) Craters are acceptable when the criteria for weld

size are met. Craters that occur outside the specified
weld length are irrelevant provided there are no cracks.
(f) Requirements for acceptability of undercuts are
as follows:
(1) For material 38 in. (10 mm) and less nominal
thickness, undercut depth of 132 in. (0.8 mm) on one
side of the member for the full length of the weld, or
1
32 in. (0.8 mm) on one side for one-half the length
of the weld, and 116 in. (1.6 mm) for one-fourth the
length of the weld on the same side of the member
is acceptable. For members welded on both sides where
undercut exists in the same plane of a member, the
cumulative lengths of undercut are limited to the lengths
of undercut allowed on one side. Melt-through that
results in a hole in the base metal is unacceptable.
(2) For material greater than 38 in. (10 mm) nominal thickness, undercut depth of 132 in. (0.8 mm) for
the full length of the weld and 116 in. (1.6 mm) for
one-fourth the length of the weld on both sides of the
member is acceptable. When either welds or undercut
exist only on one side of the member or are not in
the same plane, the allowable undercut depth of 132
in. (0.8 mm) may be increased to 116 in. (1.6 mm)
for the full length of the weld.
(g) Only surface porosity whose major surface dimension exceeds 116 in. (1.6 mm) shall be considered
relevant. Fillet and groove welds that contain surface
porosity are unacceptable if:
(1) the sum of diameters of random porosity exceeds 38 in. (10 mm) in any linear inch of weld or
3 in. (19 mm) in any 12 in. (305 mm) of weld; or
4
(2) four or more pores are aligned and the pores
are separated by 116 in. (1.6 mm) or less, edge to edge.
(h) The length and location of welds shall be as
specified on the detail drawing, except that weld lengths
may be longer than specified. For weld lengths less
than 3 in. (76 mm), the permissible underlength is 18
in. (3.2 mm), and for welds 3 in. (76 mm) and longer,
the permissible underlength is 14 in. (6 mm). Intermittent
welds shall be spaced within 1 in. (25 mm) of the
specified location.
(i) Arc strikes and associated blemishes on the weld
or in the base material are acceptable provided no
cracking is visually detected.
(j) Slag whose major surface dimension is 18 in.
(3.2 mm) or less is irrelevant. Isolated surface slag
that remains after weld cleaning and does not exceed
1 in. (6 mm) in its major surface dimension is accept4
able. [Slag is considered to be isolated when it does
not occur more frequently than once per weld or more
than once in a 3 in. (76 mm) weld segment.] Spatter
remaining after the cleaning operation is acceptable.

NF-5521

NF-5400

ADDITIONAL EXAMINATION
REQUIREMENTS FOR
STANDARD SUPPORTS

NF-5410

REQUIRED EXAMINATION AND

ACCEPTANCE STANDARDS FOR
CLASS 1 SPRINGS

Springs for Class 1 variable, constant, and sway

standard supports shall be examined after coiling by
either the magnetic particle or liquid penetrant method.
Linear indications shall be removed by grinding and
blending. If the depth of the ground area exceeds 3%
of the bar diameter or thickness, the spring shall be
rejected.

NF-5420

REQUIRED EXAMINATION AND

ACCEPTANCE STANDARDS FOR
COILED WIRE ROPE USED AS A
SPRING

Coiled wire rope used as a spring shall be visually

examined after coiling and shall be free from kinks,
loose strands, loose wires, or broken protruding wires.

NF-5500

QUALIFICATIONS AND
CERTIFICATION OF
NONDESTRUCTIVE
EXAMINATION PERSONNEL

NF-5510

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Organizations performing Code required nondestructive examinations shall use personnel competent and
knowledgeable to the degree specified by NF-5520.
When these services are subcontracted by the Certificate
Holder or Quality System Certificate Holder, he shall
verify the qualification of personnel to the requirements
of NF-5520. All nondestructive examinations required
by this Subsection shall be performed by and the results
evaluated by qualified nondestructive examination personnel.

NF-5520

PERSONNEL QUALIFICATION,
CERTIFICATION, AND
VERIFICATION

NF-5521

Qualification Procedure

(a) Personnel performing nondestructive examinations shall be qualified in accordance with the recom135

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NF-5521

1998 SECTION III, DIVISION 1 NF

mended guidelines of SNT-TC-1A.1,2 The Employers3

written practice required by paragraph 5 of SNT-TC1A shall identify Employer requirements relative to the
recommended guidelines. The recommended guidelines
of SNT-TC-1A shall be considered minimun requirements except as modified in (1) through (5) below.
(1) Qualification of level III nondestructive examination personnel shall be by examination.
(a) The basic and method examinations, paragraphs 8.8(1) and 8.8(2) of SNT-TC-1A, may be prepared and administered by the Employer, ASNT, or
an outside agency.
(b) The specific examinations, paragraph 8.8(3)
of SNT-TC-1A, shall be prepared and administered by
the Employer or an outside Agency. The employer or
outside agency administering the specific examination
shall identify the minimum grade requirement in a
written program when the basic and method examinations have been administered by ASNT which issues
grades on a pass /fail basis. In this case, the minimum
grade for the specific examination may not be less
than 80%.
(2) The written practice identified in paragraph 5
of SNT-TC-1A and the procedures used for examination
of personnel shall be referenced in the Employers
Quality Program.
(3) The number of hours of training and experience
for nondestructive examination personnel who perform
only one operation of a nondestructive examination
method that consists of more than one operation, or
perform a nondestructive examination of limited scope,
may be less than that recommended in Table 6.3.1 of
SNT-TC-1A. The training and experience times shall
be described in the written practice and any limitations
or restrictions placed on the certification shall be described in the written practice and on the certificate.
(a) The minimum classroom training time identified in Table SNT-TC-1A may be reduced from 8 and
16 hr to 4 and 8 hr, respectively, for visual examination
personnel.

NF-5523

(4) For visual examination, the Jaeger Number 1

letters shall be used in lieu of the Jaeger Number 2
letters specified in paragraph 8.2(1) of SNT-TC-1A.
The use of equivalent type and size letters is permitted.
(5) A Level I individual shall be qualified to
perform specific setups, calibrations, and tests, and to
record and evaluate data by comparison with specific
acceptance criteria defined in written instructions. The
Level I individual shall implement these written NDE
instructions under the guidance of a Level II or III
individual. A Level I individual may independently
accept the results of nondestructive examinations when
the specific acceptance criteria are defined in the written
instructions.
(b) For nondestructive examination methods not covered by SNT-TC-1A documents, personnel shall be
qualified to comparable levels of competency by subjection to comparable examinations on the particular
method involved.
(c) The emphasis shall be on the individuals ability
to perform the nondestructive examination in accordance
with the applicable procedure for the intended application.
(d) For nondestructive examination methods that consist of more than one operation or type, it is permissible
to use personnel qualified to perform one or more
operations. As an example, one person may be used
who is qualified to conduct radiographic examination
and another may be used who is qualified to interpret
and evaluate the radiographic film.
NF-5522

Certification of Personnel

(a) The Employer retains responsibility for the adequacy of the program and is responsible for certification
of Level I, II, and III nondestructive examination personnel.
(b) When ASNT is the outside agency administering
the Level III basic and method examinations [NF5521(a)(1)(a)], the Employer may use a letter from
ASNT as evidence on which to base the certification.
(c) When an outside agency is the examining agent
for Level III qualification of the Employers personnel,
the examination results shall be included with the
Employers record.

1 SNT-TC-1A

is a Recommended Practice for Nondestructive Testing

Personnel Qualification and Certification published by the American
Society for Nondestructive Testing, 1711 Arlingate Lane, P.O. Box
28518, Columbus, Ohio 43228-0518. SNT-TC-1A-1992 is the applicable edition.
2 Personnel

A99

qualified by examination and certified to previous editions

of SNT-TC-1A are considered to be qualified to the 1992 edition when
the recertification is based on continuing satisfactory performance. All
reexaminations and new examinations shall be in accordance with
the 1992 edition.
3 Employer as used in this Article shall include: N type Certificate
Holders; Material Organizations Certificate Holders; Material Organizations who are qualified in accordance with NCA-3862(a)(1); and
organizations who provide subcontracted nondestructive examination
services to organizations described above.

NF-5523

Verification of Nondestructive
Examination Personnel Certification

The Certificate Holder has the responsibility to verify

the qualification and certification of nondestructive examination personnel employed by Material Organizations qualified by them in accordance with NCA136

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