AWS B5.15:2010

An American National Standard

Specification for the Qualification of Radiographic Interpreters

AWS B5.15:2010

An American National Standard

Approved by the American National Standards Institute

October 21, 2009

Specification for the Qualification of Radiographic Interpreters

2nd Edition

Supersedes AWS B5.15:2003

Prepared by the American Welding Society (AWS) B5K Subcommittee on NDE Personnel

Under the Direction of the AWS Personnel and Facilities Qualification Committee

Approved by the AWS Board of Directors

Abstract

This specification defines the requirements for the qualification of radiographic interpreters. The qualification of radio- graphic interpreters requires experience, knowledge, and skills unique to the interpretation of radiographic media and the determination of acceptance criteria for weldments and adjacent base metal. Training and work experience in radiographic theory, procedures, weld and adjacent base metal defect recognition, radiographic processing, handling, storage, and code requirements relating to radiographic acceptance criteria are essential to ensuring the competence of individuals engaged in radiographic interpretation.

550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126

International Standard Book Number: 978-0-87171-767-2

American Welding Society 550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126

© 2009 by American Welding Society

All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America

Photocopy Rights. No portion of this standard may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, including mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.

Authorization to photocopy items for internal, personal, or educational classroom use only or the internal, personal, or educational classroom use only of specific clients is granted by the American Welding Society provided that the appropriate fee is paid to the Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, tel: (978) 750-8400; Internet:

<www.copyright.com>.

Statement on the Use of American Welding Society Standards

All standards (codes, specifications, recommended practices, methods, classifications, and guides) of the American Welding Society (AWS) are voluntary consensus standards that have been developed in accordance with the rules of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). When AWS American National Standards are either incorporated in, or made part of, documents that are included in federal or state laws and regulations, or the regulations of other govern- mental bodies, their provisions carry the full legal authority of the statute. In such cases, any changes in those AWS standards must be approved by the governmental body having statutory jurisdiction before they can become a part of those laws and regulations. In all cases, these standards carry the full legal authority of the contract or other document that invokes the AWS standards. Where this contractual relationship exists, changes in or deviations from requirements of an AWS standard must be by agreement between the contracting parties.

AWS American National Standards are developed through a consensus standards development process that brings together volunteers representing varied viewpoints and interests to achieve consensus. While the AWS administers the process and establishes rules to promote fairness in the development of consensus, it does not independently test, evalu- ate, or verify the accuracy of any information or the soundness of any judgments contained in its standards.

AWS disclaims liability for any injury to persons or to property, or other damages of any nature whatsoever, whether special, indirect, consequential, or compensatory, directly or indirectly resulting from the publication, use of, or reliance on this standard. AWS also makes no guarantee or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any information published herein.

In issuing and making this standard available, AWS is neither undertaking to render professional or other services for or on behalf of any person or entity, nor is AWS undertaking to perform any duty owed by any person or entity to someone else. Anyone using these documents should rely on his or her own independent judgment or, as appropriate, seek the advice of a competent professional in determining the exercise of reasonable care in any given circumstances. It is assumed that the use of this standard and its provisions are entrusted to appropriately qualified and competent personnel.

This standard may be superseded by the issuance of new editions. Users should ensure that they have the latest edition.

Publication of this standard does not authorize infringement of any patent or trade name. Users of this standard accept any and all liabilities for infringement of any patent or trade name items. AWS disclaims liability for the infringement of any patent or product trade name resulting from the use of this standard.

Finally, the AWS does not monitor, police, or enforce compliance with this standard, nor does it have the power to do so.

On occasion, text, tables, or figures are printed incorrectly, constituting errata. Such errata, when discovered, are posted on the AWS web page (www.aws.org).

Official interpretations of any of the technical requirements of this standard may only be obtained by sending a request, in writing, to the appropriate technical committee. Such requests should be addressed to the American Welding Society, Attention: Managing Director, Technical Services Division, 550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126 (see Annex A). With regard to technical inquiries made concerning AWS standards, oral opinions on AWS standards may be rendered. These opinions are offered solely as a convenience to users of this standard, and they do not constitute professional advice. Such opinions represent only the personal opinions of the particular individuals giving them. These individuals do not speak on behalf of AWS, nor do these oral opinions constitute official or unofficial opinions or interpretations of AWS. In addition, oral opinions are informal and should not be used as a substitute for an official interpretation.

This standard is subject to revision at any time by the AWS Personnel and Facilities Qualification Committee. It must be reviewed every five years, and if not revised, it must be either reaffirmed or withdrawn. Comments (recommendations, additions, or deletions) and any pertinent data that may be of use in improving this standard are required and should be addressed to AWS Headquarters. Such comments will receive careful consideration by the AWS Personnel and Facilities Qualification Committee and the author of the comments will be informed of the Committee’s response to the comments. Guests are invited to attend all meetings of the AWS Personnel and Facilities Qualification Committee to express their comments verbally. Procedures for appeal of an adverse decision concerning all such comments are provided in the Rules of Operation of the Technical Activities Committee. A copy of these Rules can be obtained from the American Welding Society, 550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126.

This page is intentionally blank.

Personnel

Personnel and Facilities Qualification Committee

P. R. Evans, Chair Westinghouse

W. F. Behnke, 1st Vice Chair Fairbanks Morse Engine

1. A. Michalski, 2nd Vice Chair Dominion East Ohio

   1. L. Gayler, Secretary American Welding Society

   2. W. Coryell Consultant

J. A. Grantham Welding & Joining Management Group

P. A. Grimm Modern Welding Company

V. Kuruvilla Genesis Quality Systems

1. W. Phillips Oil States Industries, Incorporated

   1. R. Reid Reid Consulting

      M. R. Stone Canadian Welding Bureau

      D. L. Twitty Dona Ana Community College

      T. West Mississippi Welders Supply

      
      

      AWS B5K Subcommittee on NDE Personnel

   2. W. Coryell, Chair Consultant

1. L. Gayler, Secretary American Welding Society

   1. E. Cameron Quality Inspection Services, Incorporated

      D. Diaz ETMS

      1. S. Gallant Applus RTD

C. J. Hellier The Summit Group

R. L. Holdren Applications Technologies Company LLC

R. K. Wiswesser Welder Training & Testing Institute

Advisor to the AWS B5K Subcommittee on NDE Personnel

F. H. Atkinson American Inspection Society, Incorporated

This page is intentionally blank.

Foreword

This foreword is not part of AWS B5.15:2010, Specification for the Qualification of Radiographic Interpreters, but is included for informational purposes only.

This specification was developed by the Personnel and Facility Qualification Committee in response to an industry demand for a qualification document for radiographic interpreters. This specification establishes the qualification requirements from which a central certification agency or an employer may develop a certification program for radio- graphic interpreters. This is the second edition of this specification. The first edition was published in 2003; the first edition was amended in 2007.

The primary revision between the first edition and this edition is the addition of Subclause 10.2 on examination struc- ture. This specification now provides examinations subjects and weights for those examinations subjects. This change was made in response to organizations and companies who implemented the first edition in their personnel certification and qualification. Revisions to the previous edition are underlined throughout the standard.

The purpose of radiographic interpretation is to properly assess indications produced on radiographic media during the process of weldment or adjacent base metal evaluation. The Radiographic Interpreter must be thoroughly familiar with the process of radiography as well as the welding processes. This includes, but may not be limited to: welding processes, materials, limitation of various testing methods, drawings, procedures, specifications, behavior of different types of radioactivity (particles and photons), film construction, behavior of energy sensitive imaging systems, mathematics, radiographic film selection, handling, and storage. For Radiographic Interpreters to be effective, they must not only be technically competent, but also consistent and ethically principled in their dealings with clients and employers.

Personnel seeking qualification to this specification should be prepared to receive instruction by their employers with regard to specific duties required for employment. In addition to the competence level and areas specified herein, each employer must provide job orientation and/or training to ensure the competence of their employees.

Comments and suggestions for the improvement of this standard are welcome. They should be sent to the Secretary, AWS Personnel and Facility Qualification Committee, American Welding Society, 550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126.

This page is intentionally blank.

Table of Contents

Page No.

Personnel v

Foreword vii

1. Scope 1

   1. General 1

   2. Training 1

   3. Personal Capabilities 1

   4. Rights of Employers 1

   5. Terminology 1

   6. Safety and Health 1

2. Referenced Documents 1

3. Terms and Definitions 2

4. Qualification 2

5. Functions 2

   1. Capabilities 2

   2. Duties 3

6. Education, Training, and Experience Requirements 3

   1. Education Requirements 3

   2. Training Requirements 3

   3. Experience Requirements 3

7. Examination Requirements 3

   1. General Requirements 3

   2. Examination Equipment 4

8. Visual Acuity 4

   1. Near Vision Acuity 4

9. Body of Knowledge 4

   1. Nature and Properties of X and Gamma Radiation 4

   2. Photographic Aspects 4

   3. Fundamental Aspects of Radiographic Quality 6

   4. Radiation Safety Principles. 6

   5. X-Ray and Gamma Ray Equipment 6

   6. Geometry of Image Formation 6

   7. Exposure Calculations 6

   8. Application to Welds 7

   9. Viewing Radiographs 7

   10. Welding Technology 7

10. Examination Structure 8

    1. Examination Basis Documents 8

    2. Examination Structure 8

Annex A (Informative)—Guidelines for the Preparation of Technical Inquiries 11

List of AWS Documents on Personnel and Facilities Qualification 13

This page is intentionally blank.

Specification for the Qualification of Radiographic Interpreters

1. Scope

   1. General. This specification establishes the requirements for qualification of radiographic interpreters. It describes how these personnel shall be qualified, establishes training requirements, defines experience requirements, and establishes areas and levels of knowledge required to perform the functions related to radiographic interpretation.

   2. Training. The employer shall be responsible for providing job-specific training and/or orientation of the radio- graphic interpreter to ensure his/her understanding of the special requirements of the employer.

   3. Personal Capabilities. It shall be the responsibility of the employer to determine if the radiographic interpreter is physically and mentally capable of performing the duties involved in the work assignment. Visual acuity requirements are specified in this specification. Mental capabilities shall include, but not be limited to, an ability to render fair and unbiased judgment and communicate said judgments to others in a manner which is helpful and well understood.

   4. Rights of Employers. This specification is intended to supplement the requirements of an employer, standard, or other documents and shall not be construed as a preemption of the employer’s rights and responsibilities for the quality of work provided under contract to others.

   5. Terminology. As used in this specification, the word shall denotes a requirement; the word should denotes a guideline; and the word may denotes a choice.

   6. Safety and Health. Some safety and health issues may be beyond the scope of this standard and therefore not be fully addressed by this standard. Users of this standard should consult ANSI Z49.1, Safety in Welding, Cutting, and Allied Processes, applicable federal, state, and local regulations and other relevant documents concerning safety and health issues not addressed herein.

      
      

2. Referenced Documents

ANSI Z49.1, Safety in Welding, Cutting, and Allied Processes1

API 1104, Welding of Pipelines and Related Facilities2

ASME B31.1, Power Piping3

ASME B31.3, Process Piping3

ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section I: Rules for Construction of Power Boilers3

ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section V: Nondestructive Examination3

ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section VIII, Division 1: Rules for Construction of Pressure Vessels3

1 Published by the American Welding Society, 550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126.

2 Published by the American Petroleum Institute, NW 1220 L Street, Washington, DC 20005-4070.

3 Published by the ASME International, Information Central, P.O. Box 2300, Fairfield, NJ 07007-2300.