Inspectioneering

Source Inspection

Explore this topic

Source Inspection is the process of providing quality surveillance of materials, equipment, and fabrications being supplied for use in facilities. It provides confidence to purchasers that the materials and equipment they are purchasing from their suppliers meet the minimum requirements as specified in contractual agreements. Safety is one of the most important objectives of source inspection. As such, a source inspector should be well-informed and fully understand the safety program(s) of their facility in order to minimize the possibility of injury. 

In the oil & gas, petrochemical, and chemical processing industries, source inspection is a vital part of the quality assurance process of the overall quality assurance / quality control (QA/QC) function.

Techniques and Methodology

Five steps of the quality assurance process.
 Five steps of the quality assurance process.

Quality Specified

Since source inspection is part of the QA process, the source inspector may participate in pre-purchase activities with potential suppliers where specific design, fabrication, and QA/QC requirements are discussed. A source inspection management plan should be developed that outlines everything expected of a supplier to assure that the product being delivered meets the purchaser’s specifications, codes, standards, and all other contractual requirements. This plan can then be used to vet and qualify suppliers that can meet the established requirements.

Quality Assurance Implemented

The activities outlined in the source inspection plan should include an equipment risk assessment which helps determine how much source inspection is needed depending on the criticality of the equipment for the project. The risk assessment should consider the consequence of failure of the equipment while in service, failure mode(s) of the equipment, fabrication complexity, and shipment and preservation.

An inspection and test plan (ITP) should be developed for each type of equipment to be inspected. This should include all inspection activities to be performed by the source inspector and the risk level involved. It should also include equipment-specific acceptance criteria and requirements for sign-off by the source inspector, supplier, and client.

Source Inspected

Before moving forward with the inspection and test plan (ITP), source inspectors should review the project documents. These documents may include contractual agreements, engineering design documents, company standards, industry codes and standards, welding procedures, NDE procedures, and project schedules.

It is good practice for the source inspector to monitor the supplier’s QC activities to ensure they are properly following the ITP. These activities may include welding inspections, nondestructive examinations, pressure and leak tests, and any other tests specified in the ITP. Inspection reports are provided by the source inspector to the supplier throughout the course of the QA process.

Defects Eliminated

If the source inspector discovers deviations from the agreed-upon project specifications, the deviations should be documented in a nonconformance report, including photos, a description of the nonconformity, and the impact on the product. This report should then immediately be distributed to the supplier and purchaser for review.

Quality Delivered

Source inspectors should verify that all components of the ITP are complete and in accordance with the project documents. These components should include the following:

  • Work specified as listed and performed in accordance with the contractual agreements
  • Nonconformance reports resolved by the QA/QC representatives from the supplier and purchaser
  • Required QC activities completed by the supplier
  • Painting and coating activities completed and meet required quality specifications
  • Shipping instructions implemented
  • Preservation plan reviews and implemented

Relevant Codes, Standards, and Best Practices

API’s “Guide for Source Inspection and Quality Surveillance of Fixed Equipment” may be used as the basis for providing a systematic approach to risk-based source inspection to provide confidence that materials and equipment being purchased meet the minimum requirements as specified in the project documents and contractual agreements.

References

  1. Reynolds, J., 2017, “The Role of the Source Inspector in the Quality Assurance Process,” Inspectioneering Journal, The Woodlands, Texas, 23(5), pp. 14-16. 

Relevant Links

Topic Tools

Share this Topic

Contribute to Definition

We welcome updates to this Integripedia definition from the Inspectioneering community. Click the link below to submit any recommended changes for Inspectioneering's team of editors to review.

Contribute to Definition
Articles about Source Inspection
Blog

We’re excited to announce a new section of our website that is dedicated to equipping inspectors with greater knowledge and proficiency across various subject matter areas.

September/October 2017 Inspectioneering Journal

Although commonly lumped together as a singular acronym, there are important distinctions between Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC). This article defines and distinguishes the role of QA and, in particular, how source inspection...

Authors: John Reynolds
January/February 2013 Inspectioneering Journal

A new API Individual Certification Program (ICP) will be offered soon to certify inspectors who perform quality assurance (QA) surveillance and inspection activities on new materials and equipment for the energy and chemical (E&C) industry. It is...

Authors: John Reynolds
January/February 2004 Inspectioneering Journal

Cracks along the toe of a weld are not uncommon during fabrication, and can occur for a wide variety of reasons involving the metallurgy and process control of the the same issues covered above on repair welds can apply to repair welds on...

Authors: John Reynolds
Partner Content

Traditional inspection methods used to detect internal corrosion and corrosion under insulation (CUI) in piping and pipeline assets can be time-consuming and costly. With ART, you’ll discover CUI detection best practices that can help save you up...

    Videos related to Source Inspection
      Downloads & Resources related to Source Inspection
        News related to Source Inspection
          Press Release

          Manufacturing defects involving certain pipelines components accounted for less than 2 percent (23 of 1,529) of all accidents on gas and hazardous liquid interstate transmission pipelines from 2016 through 2020, according to GAO's analysis.

          Partner Content

          In today's chemical and refining industries, sustained long term reliability of facilities is critical to profitability and competitiveness. In fact, history shows that differences in operating expenses between best-in-class refineries, and poor...


          Inspectioneering Journal

          Explore over 20 years of articles written by our team of subject matter experts.

          Company Directory

          Find relevant products, services, and technologies.

          Training Solutions

          Improve your skills in key mechanical integrity subjects.

          Case Studies

          Learn from the experience of others in the industry.

          Integripedia

          Inspectioneering's index of mechanical integrity topics – built by you.

          Industry News

          Stay up-to-date with the latest inspection and asset integrity management news.

          Blog

          Read short articles and insights authored by industry experts.

          Expert Interviews

          Inspectioneering's archive of interviews with industry subject matter experts.

          Event Calendar

          Find upcoming conferences, training sessions, online events, and more.

          Downloads

          Downloadable eBooks, Asset Intelligence Reports, checklists, white papers, and more.

          Videos & Webinars

          Watch educational and informative videos directly related to your profession.

          Acronyms

          Commonly used asset integrity management and inspection acronyms.