A written procedure is required and must address:
There is a persistent confusion between ASME Section V (New Construction) and API 570/510 (In-Service).
If you are inspecting a 20-year-old vessel for corrosion, you use the tools of Article 9, but the rules of the repair code (NBIC or API).
Your Article 9 exam is worthless without a report. The mandatory records for Visual Examination include:
Best Practice: Never write "Looks good" on a report. Write "Examined per ASME V Art. 9. No relevant discontinuities noted."
To detect surface discontinuities (e.g., cracks, porosity, undercut, incomplete fusion, surface irregularities) and verify dimensional conformance to specified requirements.
ASME Section V, Article 9 is a critical standard in non-destructive examination (NDE), specifically focusing on Visual Examination (VT). It is widely used in the manufacturing, construction, and maintenance of boilers, pressure vessels, and nuclear components. The article defines the requirements, acceptance criteria, and documentation needed to perform visual examinations in accordance with the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC).
Upon completion of the examination, the examiner must generate a report. Article 9 specifies the data required in the documentation, which typically includes: