What to Look for in an NDT Provider

Over time, corrosion, cracking, fatigue, flaws, leaks and other issues can compromise the safety and reliability of materials, parts, component and systems. Non-destructive testing (NDT) is a proven way to catch defects and other irregularities in the early stages — before minor issues become major problems.

Also known as non-destructive examination or evaluation (NDE) and non-destructive inspection (NDI), a wide range of NDT methods are used to inspect components and systems inside and out — without altering or damaging the item or its ability to function.

The primary conventional non-destructive testing methods in use today are radiography (X-ray or RT), dye penetrant (PT), magnetic particle (MT), ultrasonic (UT) and visual (VT). Depending on the customer’s needs, inspection conditions and the complexity of the issue, technicians may also employ advanced NDT, such as phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT), computed radiography (CR) or eddy current testing.

Benefits of NDT
Fast, accurate and versatile, NDT’s primary benefit is its non-destructive nature. Because it maintains the test item’s integrity and functionality, NDT is an extremely valuable tool to ensure safety and quality, while minimizing downtime and maintenance costs.

In light of its many benefits, it’s no surprise that NDT has become a mainstay in a diverse range of industries, including aerospace, automotive, power generation, manufacturing, petrochemical and chemical, medical, construction, oil and gas, metals and mining, and more.

Evaluating Inspection Providers
When evaluating inspection companies, it’s important to find a provider with the technical know-how and customer service to meet your needs and expectations. As one of North America’s most trusted inspection providers, IIA offers these areas of consideration:

• NDT CAPABILITIES: There are many different tools, techniques and technologies employed in industrial inspections. You can position your project for success by ensuring that your inspection provider has the knowledge and credentials to do the job right the first time. For example, can they offer advanced NDT for more complex integrity issues, or rope access inspections for hard-to-reach areas?
• TESTING STANDARDS: Different testing standards —such as ASME, ANSI, API, ASTM and NFPA, and CSA standards in Canada — apply to different types of equipment and industries. It’s important to make sure that potential providers have an in-depth understanding of all applicable regulations and standards affecting your equipment.
• POST-INSPECTION SUPPORT & RELATED SERVICES: It’s helpful to know the extent of a provider’s capabilities should you have a need that goes beyond your original inspection request. Have a conversation with potential partners about their expertise, capacity and flexibility to assist with any necessary corrective action to address inspection findings or to provide laboratory testing, training, or engineering solutions. A full-service provider will offer turnkey solutions that save you time, money and trouble.
• INSPECTOR QUALIFICATIONS: It is critical that inspections be performed by trained and certified personnel, as defined in applicable standards. To ensure the job is done right the first time, ask potential providers about their technicians’ qualifications to complete your job.
• REPORTING: While inspection expertise is vital, it’s also important to know about the communication and support you will receive from a provider to help you understand inspection results. Top-notch providers will deliver comprehensive, easy-to-read reports that will help you prioritize and plan maintenance and repairs. The best providers are always willing to answer follow-up questions if anything about the inspection is unclear.
• RELEVANT EXPERIENCE: While every project is unique, you will benefit from working with a provider that has successfully worked on similar projects in the past. Previous relevant experience will help minimize the inspection team’s learning curve at your site and could streamline the time it takes to complete your project. You may wish to request a list of current and former clients and a portfolio of previous projects. The depth of that information, and the willingness to provide it, may be an indicator of a company’s expertise in a given area (or lack thereof).
• TURNAROUND TIME: To ensure that your project’s goals and timelines are achieved, ask potential providers how quickly they can turn your project around. If your preferred provider cannot accommodate your request within your desired timeframe, you may have to widen your search for potential partners.
• DIFFERENTIATORS: Whether it’s a unique service offering or superior customer care, it helps to know what sets a firm apart from its competitors. Experienced consultants know exactly what their company does best. Understanding each firms’ differentiators can help you decide if that firm is a good match for you in terms of technical expertise, customer service philosophy and other factors.

As you consider potential inspection partners, we hope your journey leads you back to Industrial Inspection & Analysis. For many reasons, your first time working with IIA is not likely to be your last.

The NDE Experts
As a trusted leader in non-destructive testing, IIA has been making the world safer for decades. In fact, one of our legacy companies, Independent Testing Laboratories, was originally founded in the 1880s to test steam boilers on trains and industrial steam engines.

In the field and in the lab, we offer a wide array of inspection services and unrivaled customer support. Our specialties include conventional and advanced NDT, remote visual inspection (RVI), drone inspections and rope access inspections. We work with a range of devices and methodologies, including our own proprietary systems, to ensure the optimal approach for your unique needs.

IIA maintains a robust training program to meet or exceed standards and requirements for personnel qualifications outlined in AMSE, ANSI, NFPA, and other applicable governing bodies. Along with our highly skilled technicians, our team includes professional engineers who work closely with our NDE teams to help you maximize the life of your equipment.

Making the World Safer is our mission at IIA. With an eye for detail and a commitment to quality, IIA is a partner you can trust.