S T D - P F I ES-27-ENGL 2000 m 71611544 000011711 7 T O

PFI Standard ES-27

(Reaffirmed January 2000)

"VISUAL EXAMINATION"
THE PURPOSE, MEANING AND LIMITATION
OF THE TERM

Prepared by
Pipe Fabrication Institute Engineering Commiítee

All PFI Standards are advisory only. There is no

agreement to adhere to any PFI Standard and their
use by anyone is entirely voluntary.

Copyright by

PIPE FABRICATION INSTITUTE

Dedicnted I O Technicnl Advnncenients nnd Standnrdizntion in
the Pipe Fnbricntion Indirstiy
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S T D - P F I ES-27-ENGL 2000 7 1 b 4 5 4 4 0 0 0 0 4 7 5 837

PFI Standard ES-27

(Reaffirmed January 2000)
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“VISUAL EXAMINATION”
THE PURPOSE, MEANING AND LIMITATION OF THE TERM

FOREWORD
The term “Visual Examination” is referred to in most codes and job specifications which cover the fabrication,
erection and examination of piping assemblies. The precise definition and scope of the methods which are assumed to be
included in “Visual Examination” are seldom found in these same codes and specifications. The misunderstanding of the
meaning of the term “Visual Examination” and the examination methods it covers can become controversial resulting in
inefficient flow of production and untimely delays.

By defining “Visual Examination” and the examination methods it covers in the following guideline, it is hoped that
a working agreement between the customer and piping fabricator can be achieved.

1. Scope items can be detected through visual examination

1.1 This guideline covers the definition, purpose and
limitations of the term “Visual Examination” when
it is not otherwise completely described in a code or
specification.
2. Definition
2.1 The term “Visual Examination” is assumed to mean
using the unaided eye (or corrective lenses) to
inspect the complete exterior and the readily
accessible internal surface areas of piping
assemblies or components.
2.2 “Readily Accessible” is defined as those surfaces
that can be seen from a distance of not more than 24
inches and at an angle not less than 30 degrees to the
surface to be examined. See sketches 1 & 2.
prior to welding.
4.3 Visual examination should be used to detect and
evaluate accessible surface defects such as cracks,
undercut, overlap, surface porosity, etc. It should be
used for examining appearance, cleanliness, contour
and workmanship. Visual examination should also
be used for the verification of final dimensions,
straightness, preparation requirements and relation
of procedures to materials.
5. Limitations
5.1 Visual examination shall be confined to the portions
of the piping assembly which are exposed to
unobstructed observation with the unaided eye (or
corrective lenses) before, during and after
manufacture, fabrication and installation.

3. Requirements 5.2 Visual examination shall be done by personnel who

are qualified and experienced in the piping field and
3.1 The part shall be ell lighted, with no shadows and
who are knowledgeable with the welding and
essentially free of glare.
fabrication techniques used in the industry.
3.2 The area under observation shall be clean, free of all
5.3 Liquid penetrant, magnetic particle, ultrasonic,
“loose” foreign materiais, such as scale, sand, weld
radiographic examinations, etc., are each separate
spatter and slag, cutting chips, etc.
nondestructive examination techniques and are not
forms of visual examinations as defined in this
4. Purpose standard.
4.1 Visual examination is one of the most valuable
methods of examination. It is easy to apply, fast, 5.4 Examination carried out using different optical
inexpensive, requires no special equipment and, accessories, such as borescopes, mirrors, magnifying
when properly done, is capable of locating and glasses and microscopes, form separate techniques
subsequently eliminating a large portion of the of remote visual examination and are not visual
common defects which may occur in pipe examination as defined by this standard.
fabrication.
6. Acceptance Standards
4.2 Visual examination is especially useful in revealing
6.1 The acceptance standards for visual examination
items such as incorrect materials, surface defects in
shall be as specified in the applicable code and
components and unacceptable weld fit-ups. Such
design specifications.

2
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S T D - P F I ES-27-ENGL 2000 7 1 b 4 5 4 4 0 0 0 0 4 7 b 773 W

PFI Standard ES-27

(Reaffirmed January 2000)
LINE OF SIGHT

(VISUAL)

\\
\\
\\

\ ,
Il \ \ I

INTERNAL AREA SUBJECT TO VISUAL EXAMINATION

SKETCH NO. 1

/
/ LINE OF SIGHT
UNDERCUT AND .-- /

WELD REINFORCEMENT

FITUP
ALIGNMENT
PENETRATION

1% d

INTERNAL AREA SUBJECT TO VISUAL EXAMINATION

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SKETCH NO. 2

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 S T D - P F I ES-27-ENGL 2000 7Lb4544 0000477 b O T =

CHARTER MEMBERS

ACCORD PIPE FABRICATORS, INC. Jamaica, New York

AIR CONDITIONING COMPANY, INC. Glendale, California
FLO-RITE, INC. Riviera Beach, Florida
GEM INDUSTRIAL, INC. Walbridge, Ohio
HPI CONSTRUCTION CO., INC. Huntington, West Virginia
IDEAL WELDERS, LTD. Delta, British Columbia (Canada)
IVOR J. LEE, INC. Masury, Ohio
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JOHN E. GREEN COMPANY Highland Park, Michigan

J. F. AHERN CO. Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
J. H. KELLY LLC Longview, Washington
J. S. MC KINNEY, INC. Freeport, Texas
KINETIC SYSTEMS, INC. Santa Clara, California
M & M WELDING AND FABRICATORS, INC. Gaithersburg, Maryland
MC ABEE CONSTRUCTION, INC. Tuscaloosa, Alabama
MC CARL'S, INC. Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania
MECHANICAL INCORPORATED Freeport, Illinois
MID STATES PIPE FABRICATING, INC. EI Dorado, Arkansas
MURPHY COMPANY St. Louis, Missouri
NARDE1 FABRICATORS, LTD. Calgary, Alberta (Canada)
NEWMECH COMPANIES, INC. St. Paul, Minnesota
PHILLIPS, GETSCHOW COMPANY Oconto Falls, Wisconsin
PIPING SYSTEMS, INC. New London, Wisconsin
S. A. COMUNALE COMPANY, INC. Barberton, Ohio
S&D / OSTERFELD MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS Dayton, Ohio
SCOTT CO. OF CALIFORNIA San Leandro, California
SPECIALTY PIPING CORPORATION Davisville, West Virginia
TEAM INDUSTRIES, INC. Kaukauna, Wisconsin
W. J. O'NEIL COMPANY Livonia, Michigan

A current index of the latest revised ES Standards, Technical Bulletins and Safety Training Guideline is available from
the Pipe Fabrication Institute.

PFI Safety Training Guideline, Standards and Technical Bulletins are published to serve proven needs of the pipe
fabricating industry at the design level and in actual shop operations. Hence, such needs are continually considered and
reviewed by the Engineering Committee of the Pipe Fabrication Institute to provide recommended procedures, which
have been demonstrated by collective experiences to fulfill requirements in a manner for Code compliance. However,
as the PFI Standards are for minimum requirements the designer or fabricator always has the option of specifying
supplementary conditions in the form of requirements beyond the scope of the PFI publications.

COPYRIGHT 2003; Pipe Fabrication Institute Document provided by IHS Licensee=Aramco HQ/9980755100, User=, 03/06/2003
02:41:27 MST Questions or comments about this message: please call the Document
Policy Management Group at 1-800-451-1584.