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NATIONAL ACCREDITATION
SPECIFIC CRITERIA
for NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING
LABORATORIES
ISSUE NO : 02 AMENDMENT NO : 00
ISSUE DATE: 28.03.2008 AMENDMENT DATE: --
AMENDMENT SHEET
10
Amendment Sheet i
Contents ii
1. Introduction 1
2. Classes of tests 2
3. Criteria for Accreditation 4
4. Specific Criteria 13
Laboratories Accreditation activities are administered under the direction of the National
Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) and involving Technical
Committees and Accreditation Committees as recommending bodies. NABL assessment
system is based on ISO/ IEC 17011: 2004 and APLAC/ ILAC recommendations.
Non-Destructive is one of the following fields of testing in which NABL currently gives
accreditation.
Fields of Testing
• Biological
• Chemical
• Electrical
• Electronics
• Fluid Flow
• Mechanical
• Non-Destructive
• Optical and Photometry
• Radiological
• Thermal
• Forensic
The field of NDT covers examination of materials, components and assemblies by means of
non-destructive testing techniques at field sites, in workshops and in laboratories. It is basically
applied to examine the material quality and to determine internal construction and dimensions.
The information contained in this document must be read alongwith the document ISO/ IEC
17025:2005.
The field of NDT is divided into two groups ‘metals and alloys’ and ‘building materials’. Each
group is further classified into subgroups (classes). The classes of test are given hereunder.
Applications for accreditation may be made for one more classes of tests.
Acoustic emission
Holography
Infra – red applications
Leakage flux techniques
Microwave applications
Neutron radiography
Real time radiography
Corrosion survey
Detection of internal flaws
Detection of surface and sub surface flaws
Thickness measurements
Measurement of variation in material properties
Corrosion survey
Detection of internal flaws
Detection of surface and sub surface flaws
Thickness measurements
This section provides interpretations of some of the clauses of ISO/ IEC 17025: 2005.
3.1 Staff
The Board needs to satisfy that testing services have at least one person who has the
competence, time and authority to achieve adequate technical control of its operations.
A large testing service may need more than one such person.
i. Officers exercising technical control – those who are responsible for control of
non-destructive tests, including the drafting of specifications for meeting
requirements of standards and codes.
ii. Officers who, under direction, can take responsibility for performance of specific
procedures; and
iii. Assistants who perform routine technical an non-technical duties, under close
supervision.
3.2.2 Officers Responsible for Carrying out Tests as per Specific Procedures
Persons who, under direction, take responsibility for performance of specific
tests as per procedure should have at least:
3.2.3 Assistants
Assistants must have knowledge and experience commensurate with the duties
that they are required to perform.
An approval may be limited to specific tests, or may be granted for all tests for
which the testing service is registered.
3.2.5 Qualifications
NABL recognizes the qualifications granted by ISNT/ ASNT or equivalent
through its Qualifying Board as evidence of the possession of adequate general
knowledge of a particular NDT method.
A testing service must be fully equipped for performance of all tests for which
accreditation is sought. If tests are performed confirming to codes or standards which
define particular items or types of equipment becomes mandatory. All equipment must
be maintained in good condition.
There must be clearly defined and recognisable lines of authority and responsibility
within the organisation, each officer being aware of both the extent and limitations of
his own responsibility. Job records must include instructions for each job. Records of
field jobs must include evidence of checking of records and reports of senior staff
during supervisory visits.
A copy of the written/ documented test procedure must be available to the staff
performing the test.
Each testing service must have a routine arrangement for keeping codes and
standards upto date. Its reference library should include recommended
particles, codes for identification of indications and a selection of reference
books.
Identification of each test article, the client’s instructions, the test procedure, all
test data and the test results must be recorded. All records, including
radiographs, must be traceable to the article under test.
When record such as worksheets and viewing sheets are checked, they must
be signed or initialed by the checking officer as an indication that this has been
carried out.
Signed copies of test documents and all related records must be retained for
not less than five years after completion of the work involved.
All the test records must be kept confidential and they may be accessible to the
competent authority; and client only if needed.
3.4.4 Vision
It is the responsibility of the testing authority to ensure adequacy of the natural
or corrected vision of the staff responsible for viewing non- destructive
indications.
Operators using Eddy Current test instrumentation must be well trained &
preferably certified by ISNT/ ASNT. The signals due to spurious reasons like –
noise, vibration, lift- off, baffles/ support plates etc. must not be taken as defect
indications. On the other hand, genuine defect signals should not be missed.
The controlling officer shall have the authority to give final interpretation.
Check Viewing
Systematic check- viewing of interpretation of radiographs on each assignment
is essential. The percentage to be check- viewed will depend on the nature of
the work and the experience of the interpreter. The signatory must participate
personally in the viewing.
Sensitivity
Compliance or otherwise each of radiograph exposure with sensitivity
requirements must be recorded. The sensitivity achieved in each
exposure outside the specified range, must be recorded and reported, but
if all exposures are within the specified range, it is sufficient to note this in
the report.
This section gives the specific details applicable for the tests to be conducted by the
laboratories seeking accreditation.
iv) Taking any other necessary steps to ensure that test results are reproducible,
within the level of discrimination and measurement uncertainty claimed.
4.2.1 An ongoing record of the performance of eddy current test sets must be
maintained.
4.2.4 Reference test standards shall be carefully maintained and properly identified.
4.2.5 The calibration of reference measuring equipment used for in- house
dimensional verification shall be recorded.
The guidelines for accreditation of tests under this category will be provided on case by
case basis as applications are received.
4.4.1 The equipment used for leak testing shall have adequate sensitivity to detect
the leaks as specified in the work order or the specification.
Depending on the leak tightness required in the job, a suitable leak testing
method (from amongst many) will be selected.
4.4.2 Leak testing should preferably be carried out in two ranges- gross leak testing &
fine leak testing. Examples of gross leak test are, pressure change test/ bubble
emission test and for fine leak test are- helium leak test, halogen leak test etc.
4.4.3 Any leak test must be carried out as per some standard code like BIS, ASTM,
and ASME etc. The personnel carrying out the test must preferably be certified.
4.4.4 The acceptance criteria giving the minimum acceptable leak rate in the job with
the particular technique of leak test should be clearly spelt out in the
specification.
4.4.5 Accessories of helium leak detection, like- sniffer, spray probe, pressure
gauges, liquid- nitrogen should be available.
4.5.1 The solids content of magnetic inks must be checked as specified in National/
International standards. In case of aerosols, a representative sample from each
batch shall be tested.
4.5.2 When using fluorescent inks/ powders, the intensity of black light at the test
surface should be checked as frequently as necessary to monitor possible
deterioration of the illumination. Where grimy, dusty or other contaminating
environments are involved, checking should be carried out each time the
equipment is used. This will require the use of black light meter complying with
national standards.
4.5.3 Black light meters and ammeter shall be calibrated at twelve monthly intervals
by a manufacturer or appropriate services organisation.
4.5.4 The ambient white light level should be checked at least once every three
months where illumination is controlled on a long term basis and should be
checked from time from which the equipment is used in situations where
illumination may be variable from test to test (e.g. in day light conditions). These
checks will require the use of a white light meter.
4.6.1 The liquid penetrant shall be suitable for the application for which it is intended.
A specific statement by the manufacturer is required, but this may be in the
form of a letter, certificate or technical leaflet or may be included in the labelling
of the product. The relevant national/ international standard, provisions of which
are applicable should be mentioned.
4.6.3 In non-fluorescent i.e. colour contrast penetrant examination areas, the intensity
of illumination at the inspection surface should be checked at least once every
three months where illumination is controlled on long term basis. It should be
checked each time the equipment is used, in situations where illumination may
be variable from test to test (e.g. in daylight conditions). The checks will require
the use of a white light meter.
4.6.4 White light meters shall be calibrated at twelve monthly or shorter intervals if
appropriate by a manufacturer or appropriate service organisation.
4.6.5 For both types of meter, the calibrations must be evidenced by certificates from
the appropriate service organisation.
4.7.5 Reference film density strips shall be uniquely identified and traceable by
certificate to a National Standard of Measurement.
4.7.6 Reference film density strips shall carry a manufacture’s certificate less than
five years old.
4.7.7 Film density strips used, as comparators will have the density of each step
ascertained using a calibrated and certified densitometer and recorded either
directly onto the film or onto a card strip permanently attached to the film. The
date of first calibration shall be recorded on the strip. All film density strips
which are more than five year old, or which have been subject to undue wear,
shall be taken out of use and destroyed.
4.7.8 Film density strips are subject to discolouring or fading and must be carefully
maintained and stored.
4.7.11 The focal characteristics of an X-ray set are critical to the definition and
sensitivity of radiographs. The laboratory shall monitor any significant changes
in these focal characteristics, by comparison of results of tests on standard test
pieces, carried out over an appropriate period of time (e.g. once per year, for
the lifetime of the set).
4.7.12 A formal procedure for determining and monitoring the focal characteristics of
an X-ray set is provided by the pin- hole method (ASTM specifications).
4.8.1 Ultrasonic calibration blocks should be used to set up the assembly of probe
and sensory electronics, each time the equipment is used. The blocks shall be
manufactured in accordance with the appropriate specification and
conformance with the requirements shall be evidenced by a manufacturer’s
certificate.
4.8.2 One set of calibration blocks shall be designated as master blocks and shall be
dimensionally calibrated with traceability established to National Standards at
intervals not exceeding five years.
4.8.4 Working standard calibration blocks shall be verified at intervals not exceeding
two years as follows:
Visual
Examination for deterioration such as corrosion or mechanical damage.
By comparison with corresponding Master Calibration
Block, using a calibrated ultrasonic test set
Attenuation check
Radio and other dimensional checks.
Probe index
Probe beam angle
Probe beam alignment
Frequency of checking may depend on volume of work.
4.8.7 Ultrasonic flaw detectors shall be calibrated at intervals not exceeding twelve
months in accordance with national standards and as appropriate, including:
ii) In cases where these examinations are controlled and monitored on the surface
by another NDT operator holding signatory approval for the relevant tests, the
above requirements may be waived off provided the diver conducting the tests
holds an appropriate underwater NDT qualification.
iv) The operators nominated as exercising technical control must satisfy the criteria
detailed in section 3.1 of this document. Additionally, the officers exercising
technical control over ultrasonic flaw examinations must be experienced in this
area and have underwater NDT experience.
v) Where conditions (i) to (iv) above do not apply, then registration will be
considered only if the laboratory can demonstrate both adequate technical
control over testing and expertise in the areas of test requested.