Surveyor

Classification Societies exist to promote the safe construction of ships and to protect that condition throughout the life of the vessel. One of the tools available to shipbuilders, shipowners and surveyors that can be used to achieve these aims is Non-Destructive Examination (NDE). The intent of this presentation is to describe the application of NDE to hull structure during construction and also during periodic surveys as seen from the viewpoint of the Classification Surveyor. 

As stated above the Surveyor s role will include an assessment of the yard s quality control department including the suppliers of any contracted NDE services. The Surveyor will look for the employment of qualified personnel, the availability of adequate inspection procedures and the presentation of definitive NDE reports. 

The Surveyor will discuss with the shipbuilder and the owners a plan showing the intended checkpoints for ultrasonic and radiographic testing. 

Agreement on the NDE plan will be dependent on the extent and relevance of theschedule. Under the amendments proposed to the Rules Surveyors will check that structurally significant welds are included in the shipyard s quality control programme. When agreement has been reached the Surveyor will endorse the plan. 

During the construction of a ship the Surveyor monitors NDE results for completeness of testing and overall quality of welding. This role includes the evaluation of checkpoints taken specifically for classification purposes but also includes the monitoring of additional checkpoints taken for quality control purposes by the builder. In the case of tankers built to LR Class since 1994 and for bulk carriers built to Class since January 1996 the Surveyor will witness the actions listed as part of the ShipRight Construction Monitoring procedure that is now mandatory. 

There are no classification requirements for routine NDE beyond thickness testing and visual inspection except for repairs, modifications or where service history has identified a specific problem in which case the Surveyors will request NDE at the same locations in similar ships. Under circumstances where visual inspection has found evidence of fatigue cracking the Surveyor can also call for NDE to assess the full extent... 

For existing ships the only NDE method nominated by classification for the detection of fatigue cracks is close-up visual inspection - although all Surveyors have the option of requesting additional NDE when warranted. The sensitivity of visual inspection is influenced by the degree of surface preparation and the level of lighting at the inspected surface - which may not always meet the level of 500 lux nominated by some NDE specifications. 

The results of corrosion surveys are received by the Surveyor in an agreed format using Forms TMl - TM8, preferably with the LR software freely issued to the approved firms. The report will highlight any areas where corrosion has gone beyond the permitted maximum diminution, which may be as low as 15% of the nominal thickness for a single item, and will also identify areas of "substantial corrosion T.e., any in excess of 75% of the permitted maximum. Corrosion in excess of that permitted means that the item has to be replaced. Any areas of corrosion deemed to be "substantial" are recorded for annual inspection. The Surveyor will review the completed report for verification and confirmation of the completeness of the thickness survey. 

Land-mann, m. farmer, countryman, -messer, m. surveyor, -polizei,/. rural police, -schaft, /. province, district, state landscape, -see, m. lake, -seuche, /. epidemic, -stadt, /. inland town, country town, -strasse, /. highway, road, -strich, m. district climate. -Sturm, m. general levy (of troops), reserves, -tag, m. diet, legislature, -ung, /. landing, -vogt, m. governor, landw., abbret. of landwirtschaftlich. Land-wehr, /. first home reserve, militia. 

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On some contracts, mainly connected with general building projects, rather than specifically plant and machinery, a quantity surveyor is appointed to draw up a schedule of items which require pricing, and which the total is the bid figure. 

Interim payments on the contract follow a valuation of the work done. Valuations are normally carried out by the plant engineer, the quantity surveyor, the architect or the consulting engineer and, in the light of recent case law, should be assessed very carefully. 

In 1854, the Manchester Steam Users Association was formed to help with the prevention of explosions in steam boilers and to find efficient methods in their use. To achieve this, the Association employed the first boiler inspectors, whose services were then made available to the Association s members. Within a short space of time, the members became convinced that insurance to cover the high cost of repair or replacement of damaged boilers was desirable, and this resulted in the first boiler insurance company (The Steam Boiler Assurance Company) being formed in 1858. The scope of the services for inspection and insurance later extended to include pressure vessels, steam engines, cranes, lifts and electrical plant, the insurance protection in each case being supported by an inspection service carried out by qualified engineer surveyors. 

Engineer surveyors employed by engineering insurance companies have always been regarded as being competent persons as required by these various Acts. The knowledge and experience, which has been accumulated by the companies over the years, enables them to offer to industry and commerce a service of exceptional quality. 

In addition, at age 26 engineer surveyors can apply for Associate Membership of the Bureau of Engineer Surveyors, who are a division of the Institution of Plant Engineers. Transfer to membership is possible after a further two years employment as an engineer surveyor. 

The scope of initial training always covers an induction period of perhaps four weeks, during which the trainee learns about the structure of the company which he has joined and the administration which he will be expected to carry out in the field. It is important that he learns about the legislation which applies to his job and the statutory forms which he must use. Surveyors are often required to keep a notebook, the purpose of which is similar to that of a police officer. He will later be required to cover the interests of all the clients who are his district , and he must therefore set up in his home the necessary administrative and record-keeping facilities to enable him to do this effectively and economically. 

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