ASTM E543-99

Standard Practice for Agencies Performing Nondestructive Testing

SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers minimum requirements for agencies performing nondestructive testing (NDT).
1.2 When using this practice to assess the capability of, or to accredit NDT agencies, Guide E 1359 shall be used as a basis for the survey. It can be supplemented as necessary with more detail in order to meet the auditor's specific needs.
1.3 This practice can be used as a basis to evaluate testing or inspection agencies, or both, and is intended for use for the qualifying or accrediting, or both, of testing or inspection agencies, public or private.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Jan-2002
• ICS: 03.120.10 - Quality management and quality assurance
• ICS: 19.100 - Non-destructive testing
• Technical Committee: E07 - Nondestructive Testing
• Drafting Committee: E07.09 - Nondestructive Testing Agencies

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM E543-02 - Standard Practice for Agencies Performing Nondestructive Testing
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Referred By: ASTM E243-18 - Standard Practice for Electromagnetic (Eddy Current) Examination of Copper and Copper-Alloy Tubes
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Referred By: ASTM E1736-15(2022) - Standard Practice for Acousto-Ultrasonic Assessment of Filament-Wound Pressure Vessels
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Referred By: ASTM E1742/E1742M-18 - Standard Practice for Radiographic Examination
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Referred By: ASTM E494-20 - Standard Practice for Measuring Ultrasonic Velocity in Materials by Comparative Pulse-Echo Method
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Referred By: ASTM E2700-20 - Standard Practice for Contact Ultrasonic Testing of Welds Using Phased Arrays
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Referred By: ASTM E2191/E2191M-16 - Standard Practice for Examination of Gas-Filled Filament-Wound Composite Pressure Vessels Using Acoustic Emission
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Referred By: ASTM E1816-18(2022) - Standard Practice for Measuring thickness by Pulse-Echo Electromagnetic Acoustic Transducer (EMAT) Methods
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Referred By: ASTM E2698-18e1 - Standard Practice for Radiographic Examination Using Digital Detector Arrays
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Referred By: ASTM E751/E751M-17(2022) - Standard Practice for Acoustic Emission Monitoring During Resistance Spot-Welding
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Referred By: ASTM E2478-11(2022) - Standard Practice for Determining Damage-Based Design Stress for Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic (GFRP) Materials Using Acoustic Emission
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Referred By: ASTM E2982-21 - Standard Guide for Nondestructive Examination of Thin-Walled Metallic Liners in Filament-Wound Pressure Vessels Used in Aerospace Applications
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Referred By: ASTM E2928/E2928M-23 - Standard Practice for Examination of Drillstring Threads Using the Alternating Current Field Measurement Technique
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Referred By: ASTM E587-15(2020) - Standard Practice for Ultrasonic Angle-Beam Contact Testing
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002
• Referred By: ASTM E2981-21 - Standard Guide for Nondestructive Examination of Composite Overwraps in Filament Wound Pressure Vessels Used in Aerospace Applications
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-2002

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: E 543 – 99 An American National Standard
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS
100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM
Standard Practice for
Agencies Performing Nondestructive Testing
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 543; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This specification has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope magnetic Examination of Seamless Aluminum-Alloy
Tube
1.1 This practice covers minimum requirements for agen-
E 243 Practice for Electromagnetic (Eddy-Current) Exami-
cies performing nondestructive testing (NDT).
nation of Copper and Copper-Alloy Tubes
1.2 When using this practice to assess the capability of, or to
E 273 Practice for Ultrasonic Examination of Longitudinal
accredit NDT agencies, Guide E 1359 shall be used as a basis
Welded Pipe and Tubing
for the survey. It can be supplemented as necessary with more
E 309 Practice for Eddy-Current Examination of Steel Tu-
detail in order to meet the auditor’s specific needs.
bular Products Using Magnetic Saturation
1.3 This practice can be used as a basis to evaluate testing or
E 317 Practice for Evaluating Performance Characteristics
inspection agencies, or both, and is intended for use for the
of Ultrasonic Pulse-Echo Testing Systems Without the Use
qualifying or accrediting, or both, of testing or inspection
of Electronic Measurement Instruments
agencies, public or private.
E 376 Practice for Measuring Coating Thickness by
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Magnetic-Field or Eddy-Current (Electromagnetic) Test
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Methods
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
E 426 Practice for Electromagnetic (Eddy-Current) Exami-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
nation of Seamless and Welded Tubular Products, Austen-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
itic Stainless Steel, and Similar Alloys
2. Referenced Documents E 427 Practice for Testing for Leaks Using the Halogen
Leak Detector (Alkali-Ion Diode)
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E 428 Practice for Fabrication and Control of Steel Refer-
E 94 Guide for Radiographic Testing
ence Blocks Used in Ultrasonic Inspection
E 114 Practice for Ultrasonic Pulse-Echo Straight-Beam
E 431 Guide to Interpretation of Radiographs of Semicon-
Examination by the Contact Method
ductors and Related Devices
E 125 Reference Photographs for Magnetic Particle Indica-
E 432 Guide for Selection of a Leak Testing Method
tions on Ferrous Castings
E 433 Reference Photographs for Liquid Penetrant Inspec-
E 127 Practice for Fabricating and Checking Aluminum
tion
Alloy Ultrasonic Standard Reference Blocks
E 479 Guide for Preparation of a Leak Testing Specifica-
E 142 Method for Controlling Quality of Radiographic
tion
Testing
E 493 Test Methods for Leaks Using the Mass Spectrometer
E 164 Practice for Ultrasonic Contact Examination of Weld-
Leak Detector in the Inside-Out Testing Mode
ments
E 498 Test Methods for Leaks Using the Mass Spectrometer
E 165 Test Method for Liquid Penetrant Examination
Leak Detector or Residual Gas Analyzer in the Tracer
E 213 Practice for Ultrasonic Examination of Metal Pipe
Probe Mode
and Tubing
E 499 Test Methods for Leaks Using the Mass Spectrometer
E 214 Practice for Immersed Ultrasonic Examination by the
Leak Detector in the Detector Probe Mode
Reflection Method Using Pulsed Longitudinal Waves
E 515 Test Method for Leaks Using Bubble Emission Tech-
E 215 Practice for Standardizing Equipment for Electro-
niques
E 545 Method for Determining Image Quality in Direct
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E-7 on Nonde-
Thermal Neutron Radiographic Examination
structive Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.09 on
Nondestructive Testing Agencies. E 566 Practice for Electromagnetic (Eddy-Current) Sorting
Current edition approved June 10, 1999. Published August 1999. Originally
of Ferrous Metals
published as E 543 – 76. Last previous edition E 543 – 98.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.03.
E 543
E 569 Practice for Acoustic Emission Monitoring of Struc- E 1212 Practice for Establishment and Maintenance of
tures During Controlled Stimulation Quality Control Systems for Nondestructive Testing Agen-
cies
E 570 Practice for Flux Leakage Examination of Ferromag-
netic Steel Tubular Products E 1254 Guide for Storage of Radiographs and Unexposed
Industrial Radiographic Films
E 571 Practice for Electromagnetic (Eddy-Current) Exami-
nation of Nickel and Nickel Alloy Tubular Products E 1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
E 1359 Guide for Surveying Nondestructive Testing Agen-
E 587 Practice for Ultrasonic Angle-Beam Examination by
cies
the Contact Method
E 1417 Practice for Liquid Penetrant Examination
E 588 Practice for Detection of Large Inclusions in Bearing
E 1444 Practice for Magnetic Particle Examination
Quality Steel by the Ultrasonic Method
E 1742 Practice for Radiographic Examination
E 592 Guide to Obtainable ASTM Equivalent Penetrameter
2.2 Other Documents:
Sensitivity for Radiography of Steel Plates ⁄4 to 2 in. (6 to
SNT-TC-1A Recommended Practice for Personnel Qualifi-
51 mm) Thick with X Rays and 1 to 6 in. (25 to 152 mm)
cation and Certification in Nondestructive Testing
Thick with Cobalt-60
ANSI/ASNT-CP-189 ASNT Standard for Qualification and
E 650 Guide for Mounting Piezoelectric Acoustic Emission
Certification in Nondestructive Testing Personnel
Sensors
NAS-410 Certification and Qualification of Nondestructive
E 664 Practice for Measurement of the Apparent Attenua-
Personnel (Quality Assurance Committee)
tion of Longitudinal Ultrasonic Waves by Immersion
2.3 Military Standard:
Method
MIL-STD-410 Nondestructive Testing Personnel Qualifica-
E 690 Practice for In Situ Electromagnetic (Eddy-Current)
tion and Certification
Examination of Nonmagnetic Heat Exchanger Tubes
E 703 Practice for Electromagnetic (Eddy-Current) Sorting
3. Terminology
of Nonferrous Metals
3.1 Definitions—Additional definitions are contained in the
E 709 Guide for Magnetic Particle Examination
specific specification or in Terminology E 1316.
E 746 Test Method for Determining Relative Image Quality
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
Response of Industrial Radiographic Film
3.2.1 agency—the public, independent, or in-house nonde-
E 747 Practice for Design, Manufacture, and Material
structive testing organization selected by the authority to
Grouping Classification of Wire Image Quality Indicators
perform the examination(s) required by the purchase order or
(IQI) Used for Radiology
specification.
E 748 Practices for Thermal Neutron Radiography of Ma-
3.2.2 authority—the owner, prime contractor, engineer, ar-
terials
chitect, or purchasing agent in responsible charge of the work,
E 749 Practice for Acoustic Emission Monitoring During
or duly recognized or designated representative.
Continuous Welding
3.2.2.1 Discussion—The agency and the authority may be
E 750 Practice for Characterizing Acoustic Emission Instru-
the same in some cases.
mentation
4. Significance and Use
E 751 Practice for Acoustic Emission Monitoring During
Resistance Spot-Welding
4.1 This practice is applicable where the systematic assess-
E 797 Practice for Measuring Thickness by Manual Ultra-
ment of the competence of a nondestructive testing agency by
sonic Pulse-Echo Contact Method a user or other party is desired.
E 801 Practice for Controlling Quality of Radiological Ex- 4.2 It is intended that the requirements specified in this
amination of Electronic Devices practice apply to independent, public, or in-house agencies to
E 803 Method for Determining the L/D Ratio of Neutron the extent required by the purchase order or specification. This
Radiography Beams practice does not apply to in-house equipment, methods, and
E 908 Practice for Calibrating Gaseous Reference Leaks examinations used for the exclusive purpose of internal process
control. It is intended that this practice apply to all examina-
E 999 Guide for Controlling the Quality of Industrial Ra-
tion(s) used for the final acceptance examination(s) if such
diographic Film Processing
examination(s) are required by the purchase order or specifi-
E 1001 Practice for Detection and Evaluation of Disconti-
cation.
nuities by the Immersed Pulse-Echo Ultrasonic Method
4.3 Criteria are provided for evaluating the capability of an
Using Longitudinal Waves
agency to properly perform designated examinations and
E 1004 Test Method for Electromagnetic (Eddy-Current)
establishes essential characteristics pertaining to the organiza-
Measurements of Electrical Conductivity
tion, personnel, facilities, and quality systems of the agency.
E 1025 Practice for Design, Manufacture, and Material
Grouping Classification of Hole-Type Image Quality Indi-
cators (IQI) Used for Radiology
Available from American Society for Nondestructive Testing, 1711 Arlingate
Plaza, P.O. Box 28518, Columbus, OH 43228-0518.
E 1030 Test Method for Radiographic Examination of Me-
2 Available from Aerospace Industries Association of America, Inc., 1250 Eye
tallic Castings
Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20005.
E 1032 Method for Radiographic Examination of Weld-
Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, Bldg. 4 Section D, 700
ments Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Attn: NPODS.
E 543
This practice may be supplemented by more specific criteria authority at once any irregularity or deficiency noted in the
and requirements for particular projects. documents.
6.3.2 To submit promptly to the authority formal reports of
5. Organization of the Agency
all examinations that indicate compliance or noncompliance of
the material with 6.3.1. The agency should be prepared to
5.1 The following information concerning the organization
substantiate examination results when required.
of the agency shall be provided by documentation:
6.4 The agency may, in accordance with an agreement with
5.1.1 A description of the organization including:
the authority, report only compliance or noncompliance with
5.1.1.1 The complete legal name and address of the main
the applicable specifications or control documents. The author-
office,
ity reserves the right for disposition of noncomplying material.
5.1.1.2 The names and positions of the principal officers and
6.5 The authority may, at its discretion, inspect the proce-
directors,
dures, equipment, and personnel program of the agency.
5.1.1.3 The agency’s ownership, managerial structure, and
principal members,
7. Human Resources of the Agency
5.1.1.4 The functional description of the agency’s organiza-
7.1 The agency shall document the following:
tion structure, operational departments, and support depart-
7.1.1 Written outline or chart defining operational personnel
ments and services. This may be demonstrated in the form of
positions and their lines of responsibility and authority.
charts that depict all the divisions, departments, sections and
7.1.2 Summary job description for each professional, scien-
units, and their relationships,
tific, supervisory, and technical position category, documenting
5.1.1.5 All relevant organizational affiliates of the agency
the required education, training, or experience, or a combina-
and the principal officers of affiliates and directors of the
tion thereof.
affiliates where applicable,
7.1.3 Records or resumes that document the qualifications,
5.1.1.6 External organizations and organizational compo-
work experience, and training history of each person in a
nents and their functions that are utilized for significant
position described in 7.1.2.
technical support services, and
7.2 The agency shall make available a description of its
5.1.1.7 A brief history of the agency including its relation-
means of ensuring the continued competence of its personnel to
ship with its organizational component affiliations and other
perform NDT, including the maintenance of written records to
supporting information.
document the results.
5.1.2 A general description of the type of users of the
agency’s services.
8. Personnel Qualification
5.1.3 A listing of the relevant technical services offered.
8.1 Nondestructive testing (NDT) personnel shall be quali-
5.1.4 A list giving applicable dates of the qualifications,
fied in accordance with a nationally recognized NDT personnel
accreditations, and recognition of the agency by others.
qualifications practice or standards such as ANSI/ASNT-CP-
189, SNT-TC-1A, MIL STD 410, NAS-410, or a similar
6. Responsibilities and Duties
document. The practice or standard used and the applicable
6.1 A nondestructive testing agency’s capabilities should
revision shall be specified in the contractural agreement
include, but not be limited to, one or more of the following
between parties.
methods: magnetic particle, penetrant, radiographic/
PROCEDURE MANUAL
fluoroscopic, ultrasonic, eddy current, and leak testing.
9. Minimum Requirements
NOTE 1—A comparison of selected NDE Methods is provided as
Appendix X1.
9.1 Each agency shall have prepared a written Procedures
6.2 It is the responsibility of the agency to ensure that: Manual for the type of work for which the agency is con-
6.2.1 It performs only examinations for which it is ad- tracted. The manual shall be prepared in accordance with the
equately equipped and staffed. requirements of Practice E 1212. Additional requirements or
6.2.2 Its employees perform only examinations for which clarifications are contained in 9.2 through 9.6. The manual
they are adequately qualified. shall be of sufficient detail to provide complete guidance for
6.2.3 Its equipment is calibrated and personnel are certified
their use by the agency’s personnel.
in accordance with applicable specifications. 9.1.1 The agency management shall designate a person or
6.2.4 All equipment is properly maintained.
persons within the agency who has responsibility for maintain-
6.2.5 It informs the authority of any discrepancy or limita- ing the agency’s quality system. This person(s) shall have
tion imposed on the testing accuracy by such factors as surface
direct access to top management. This person shall conduct and
finish, form, shape, or procedure. document an internal audit
...