Pressure-Vessel Inspection: Scope, Evidence and Disposition

Review the vessel before selecting locations

Gather the available drawings, design information, material records, operating history and previous examinations. Review known repairs and changes in service. Identify the expected damage mechanisms with the responsible integrity team and use them to define examination locations and techniques.

Distinguish external access from an authorised internal inspection. Entry, isolation and other site controls belong in the owner’s work arrangements, not in an assumed NDT instruction.

Specify the required measurements and coverage

For wall loss, define the location system and the measurement or scan coverage. For a weld or suspected crack, specify a suitable examination and the applicable interpretation requirements. No single technique establishes every aspect of vessel condition.

Record obstructions, surface limitations and regions that remain unexamined. Keep the original data and reference checks so later reviewers can understand how the reported measurements were obtained.

Separate findings from continued-service approval

An NDT report should state observations, measured characteristics and the acceptance evaluation within its authorised scope. Remaining-life calculations, fitness-for-service assessment and operating decisions require the relevant engineering inputs and authority. If findings exceed the agreed criteria, identify the referral and follow-up rather than assigning a generic repair or retirement decision. Preserve the complete history after repair and re-examination.

References and next steps

ASNT’s overview of NDT methods provides further background. Use the governing specification and approved procedure for the actual job.

Discuss the pressure-vessel examination scope. Include the component, material, service history and decision the inspection needs to support.