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When is Vendor Surveillance Inspection
beneficial?
The need for, and value of, Vendor Surveillance Inspection can be
evaluated based on some basic questions, such as:
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Does the product
ordered require the supplier to implement special controls to meet
specifications? |
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Are the products
being installed in a critical application? |
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Would failure of the
materials have a serious impact on personnel health & safety or
the environment? |
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What could in-service
failures cost in repairs and lost production? |
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Would defective
materials identified in final production or integration have a
serious impact on the project? |
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What costs could
these delays add to the project? |
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How many contractors,
sub-contractors and management levels do requirements have to pass
through before they reach the shop floor? |
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| These are only a few of the many reasons
that make Vendor Surveillance Inspection a wise investment. |
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| Qualcon believes that most vendors want
to provide quality products and services. Many of the problems detected
during our inspections are attributed to our expertise in Quality and our
ability to focus our resources on inspections, tests or processes that
directly affect our Client's final product. |
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| Many times the Purchaser's specified
requirements have to pass through many contractors, sub-contractors and
management levels to reach the shop floor where the work is performed. The
full scope of work is often lost through this maze of companies and
personnel who are unfamiliar the the quality requirements contained in the
original procurement documents. Qualcon fills this void by supplying our
Inspectors with purchase Orders and Specifications straight from the
Purchaser. |
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| Developing the Quality Plan |
| The key to an effective Inspection
Program is establishing a Quality Plan with the manufacturer so that all
parties understand their responsibilities. |
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| The Quality Plan should address such
aspects as: |
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Responsibility of the
supplier, purchaser, and Qualcon. |
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Material
requirements. |
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Destructive and
nondestructive tests required for individual components. |
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Identification of
approved drawings, material specifications, weld procedures,
destructive and nondestructive test procedures. |
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Performance/Functional
Test Requirements. |
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The Quality Plan
should identify specific tests, inspections and records where
witness, monitor or review points apply. |
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Sufficient prior
notification of Purchaser and/or Qualcon prior to scheduled witness,
hold and monitor points. |
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Industry mark
requirements such as the API Monogram, ASME Stamp, CE Mark, or
others, as applicable. |
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| When the Quality Plan is required as
part of the Request for Quotation, the supplier is aware of the
Purchaser's commitment to quality and a clear understanding of what is
expected can be identified in the initial stages. |
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| Qualcon maintains a staff of Quality
Professionals to assist in review of Quality Plans and Procedures to
assure purchaser requirements are adequately understood and defined by the
manufacturer prior to production. |
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| Typical witness, monitor and hold points
include: |
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Review of material
certifications for chemistry, mechanical testing, and heat
treatment. |
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Witness, monitor or
review weld procedure and welder qualification tests or records. |
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Witness ultrasonic,
magnetic particle, and liquid penetrant examinations. Review of
radiographic film to verify appropriate interpretations made by NDE
personnel. |
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Witness of
dimensional and hardness testing. |
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Witness or monitoring
special process operations, such as welding or heat treatment of
critical components, complex materials, or special alloys. |
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Witness final
functional, pressure and/or performance testing. |
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Monitoring of coating
applications to assure maximum protection throughout the product's
service life. |
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Witness tests for
products designed for applications requiring strict cleanliness and
freedom from contamination. |
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