ISO 11484:2019
(Main)Steel products — Employer's qualification system for non-destructive testing (NDT) personnel
Steel products — Employer's qualification system for non-destructive testing (NDT) personnel
This document specifies an employer's qualification system for non-destructive testing (NDT) personnel performing the testing of the following steel products under the employer's responsibility: a) tubes/pipes (seamless or welded); b) flat products, long products, rails, bars, sections, rods and wires. This document specifies qualification requirements for the competence of Level 1 and Level 2 NDT personnel to execute specific tasks in the NDT of steel products. The qualification is issued by the employer for a specific steel product and a specific test method. This document is applicable to NDT personnel performing predominantly the automated testing of steel products, using any of the following NDT methods: a) eddy current testing (ET); b) leak testing (LT); c) liquid penetrant testing (PT); d) magnetic testing (MT); e) radiographic testing (RT); f) ultrasonic testing (UT); g) visual testing (VT).
Produits en acier — Système de qualification, par l'employeur, du personnel pour essais non destructifs (END)
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Standards Content (Sample)
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 11484
Third edition
2019-04
Steel products — Employer's
qualification system for non-
destructive testing (NDT) personnel
Produits en acier — Système de qualification, par l'employeur, du
personnel pour essais non destructifs (END)
Reference number
ISO 11484:2019(E)
©
ISO 2019
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ISO 11484:2019(E)
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ISO 11484:2019(E)
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Responsibilities . 6
4.1 General . 6
4.2 Employer’s qualifying body . 7
5 Levels of qualification . 7
5.1 General . 7
5.2 NDT Level 1 . 7
5.3 NDT Level 2 . 7
6 Requirements and procedures for the qualification by employer .8
7 Qualification requirements . 8
7.1 General . 8
7.2 Training . 8
7.3 Industrial NDT experience . 9
7.4 Vision requirements — All levels .10
8 Qualification examination .11
8.1 General .11
8.2 Examination content .11
8.2.1 General examination .11
8.2.2 Specific examination .11
8.2.3 Practical examination .11
8.3 Conduct of the examinations .12
8.4 Grading.12
8.5 Re-examination .13
9 Qualification .13
9.1 General .13
9.2 Content of the qualification record . .13
9.3 Digital qualification records .14
9.4 Validity .14
9.4.1 General.14
9.4.2 Re-validation .15
9.5 Renewal .15
10 Re-qualification .15
11 Files .15
12 Transition period for examiners .16
Annex A (normative) Weighting of practical examination .17
Bibliography .19
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ISO 11484:2019(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www .iso .org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www .iso .org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO’s adherence to the
World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) see www .iso
.org/iso/foreword .html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 17, Steel, Subcommittee SC 19, Technical
delivery conditions for steel tubes for pressure purposes.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition (ISO 11484:2009), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes compared to the previous edition are as follows:
a) update of the candidate's vision requirements in 7.4;
b) Table 1 has been aligned with the provision of ISO 9712;
c) updated minimum required number of questions for three types of examinations;
d) standardized calculation for the composite grade N for Level 1 and Level 2;
e) added 9.3 regarding digital qualification records;
f) added 9.4.2 regarding re-validation.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www .iso .org/members .html.
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ISO 11484:2019(E)
Introduction
This document concerns the qualification of personnel engaged in the non-destructive testing (NDT) of
steel products.
It has been recognized that within the steel industry worldwide there is a predominance of semi-
automated/automated NDT equipment in use by NDT personnel to establish product integrity, as
opposed to principally manual methods adopted in other industrial sectors. As a result, this document
permits the employer qualification, subject to certain restrictions.
In the preparation of this document, the requirements of ISO 9712 have been taken into account or
adopted where they apply. However, it should be noted that the primary job-specific nature of the
NDT tasks performed by NDT personnel on steel products is outside the scope of ISO 9712 job-specific
training performed by the employer (see ISO 9712:2012, 3.13).
Thus, in the context of this document, the requirements of ISO 9712 should not be taken as basic or
additional minimum requirements. This does not preclude the right of any individual to apply for and
obtain qualification/certification in conformity with ISO 9712 as may be appropriate in another sector.
It is recognized that this document may be applied to steel product sectors and other specific product
sectors, as appropriate. For product sectors, refer to ISO 9712:2012, A.2.
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INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 11484:2019(E)
Steel products — Employer's qualification system for non-
destructive testing (NDT) personnel
1 Scope
This document specifies an employer’s qualification system for non-destructive testing (NDT)
personnel performing the testing of the following steel products under the employer’s responsibility:
a) tubes/pipes (seamless or welded);
b) flat products, long products, rails, bars, sections, rods and wires.
This document specifies qualification requirements for the competence of Level 1 and Level 2 NDT
personnel to execute specific tasks in the NDT of steel products. The qualification is issued by the
employer for a specific steel product and a specific test method.
This document is applicable to NDT personnel performing predominantly the automated testing of steel
products, using any of the following NDT methods:
a) eddy current testing (ET);
b) leak testing (LT);
c) liquid penetrant testing (PT);
d) magnetic testing (MT);
e) radiographic testing (RT);
f) ultrasonic testing (UT);
g) visual testing (VT).
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 9712:2012, Non-destructive testing — Qualification and certification of NDT personnel
ISO 18490, Non-destructive testing — Evaluation of vision acuity of NDT personnel
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 9712 and following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at http: //www .iso .org/obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at http: //www .electropedia .org/
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ISO 11484:2019(E)
3.1
candidate
individual seeking qualification who gains experience under the supervision (3.32) of personnel having
a qualification acceptable to the certification body
[SOURCE: ISO 9712:2012, 3.3]
3.2
capability
ability and/or skill to execute a specific NDT task
3.3
competence
product knowledge and capability (3.2) to carry out a specific NDT task
3.4
employer
organization for which the candidate (3.1) works on a regular basis
[SOURCE: ISO 9712:2012, 3.7]
3.5
general examination
written examination, at Level 1 or Level 2, concerned with the principles of an NDT method (3.13)
[SOURCE: ISO 9712:2012, 3.10]
3.6
industrial experience
experience acceptable to the employer (3.4) and gained under qualified supervision (3.21) that is needed
to acquire the skill and knowledge to fulfil the provisions of qualification in the NDT specific method
[SOURCE: ISO 9712:2012, 3.11, modified — “employer” has replaced “certification body”, and “in the
sector concerned” has been deleted.]
3.7
job-specific training
training provided by the employer (3.4) in those aspects of NDT specific to the employer’s products,
NDT equipment, applicable codes, standards, specifications (3.29) and NDT procedures (3.14)
[SOURCE: ISO 9712:2012, 3.13, modified — “(or his agent) to the certificate holder” and “leading to the
award of operating authorizations” have been deleted.]
3.8
Level 3 individual
person certified to Level 3, in accordance with ISO 9712 or equivalent (e.g. ANSI/ASNT SNT-TC-1A or
ANSI/ASNT CP-189), in the method and product sector for which s/he is authorized by the qualifying
body (3.22) to conduct, supervise and grade the qualification examination (3.20)
3.9
multiple-choice examination question
wording of a question giving rise to four potential replies, only one of which is correct, the remaining
three being incorrect or incomplete
[SOURCE: ISO 9712:2012, 3.15]
3.10
magnetic particle testing
MPT
test performed by using finely divided ferromagnetic material capable of being individually magnetized
and attracted by magnetic flux-leakage
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ISO 11484:2019(E)
3.11
magnetic flux-leakage testing
MFT
test performed by using magnetic flux-sensitive detectors, e.g. inductive coils, Hall-effect probes,
magneto-diodes, to scan the surface of the test object to detect magnetic flux-leakage
3.12
non-destructive testing instruction
NDT instruction
written description of the precise steps to be followed in testing to an established standard, code,
specification (3.29) or NDT procedure (3.14)
[SOURCE: ISO 9712:2012. 3.16]
3.13
non-destructive testing method
NDT method
discipline applying a physical principle in NDT
EXAMPLE Ultrasonic testing (UT), magnetic testing (MT).
[SOURCE: ISO 9712:2012. 3.17, modified — Magnetic testing has been added to the example.]
3.14
non-destructive testing procedure
NDT procedure
written description of all essential parameters and precautions to be applied when non-destructively
testing products in accordance with standards, codes or specifications (3.29)
[SOURCE: ISO 9712:2012, 3.18]
3.15
non-destructive testing technique
NDT technique
specific way of using a NDT method (3.13)
EXAMPLE Immersion ultrasonic testing, magnetic flux-leakage testing (3.11).
[SOURCE: ISO 9712:2012, 3.19, modified — Magnetic flux leakage testing has been added to the
example.]
3.16
non-destructive testing training
NDT training
process of instruction in theory and practice in the NDT method (3.13) in which qualification is sought,
which takes the form of training courses to a syllabus approved by an employer (3.4)
Note 1 to entry: See, for example, ISO/TR 25107.
[SOURCE: ISO 9712:2012, 3.20, modified — “employer” has replaced “certification body” and the Note 1
to entry has been added.]
3.17
operating authorization
written statement issued by an employer (3.4), based upon the scope of qualification, authorizing an
individual to carry out defined tasks
Note 1 to entry: Such authorization can be dependent on the provision of job-specific training (3.7).
[SOURCE: ISO 9712:2012, 3.21.]
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ISO 11484:2019(E)
3.18
practical examination
assessment of practical skills, in which the candidate (3.1) demonstrates familiarity with, and the ability
to perform, the test
[SOURCE: ISO 9712:2012, 3.22]
3.19
qualification
demonstration of physical attributes, knowledge, skill, training and experience required to properly
perform NDT tasks
[SOURCE: ISO 9712:2012, 3.23]
3.20
qualification examination
examination administered by the employer (3.4), which assesses the general, specific and practical
knowledge and the skill of the candidate (3.1)
[SOURCE: ISO 9712:2012, 3.24, modified — “employer” has replaced “certification body or the
authorized qualification body”.]
3.21
qualified supervision
supervision (3.32) of candidates (3.1) gaining experience by NDT personnel qualified in the same method
under supervision or by non-qualified personnel who, in the opinion of the employer (3.4), possess the
knowledge, skill, training and experience required to properly perform such supervision
[SOURCE: ISO 9712:2012, 3.25, modified — “employer” has replaced “certification body”.]
3.22
qualifying body
body or department, independent from that of production, authorized by the employer (3.4) to undertake
the preparation and administration of examinations
Note 1 to entry: The qualifying body can also be an external organization operating under the mandate of the
employer.
3.23
renewal
procedure for the re-validation of qualification (3.19) without examination at any time up to five years
after success in an initial, supplementary or re-qualification (3.24) examination
3.24
re-qualification
process for the re-validation of qualification (3.19) by examination or by otherwise satisfying the
qualification body that the established criteria for qualification are satisfied
3.25
re-validation
act of demonstrating that a verified procedure remains performing over time and performs its intended
function
3.26
setup
mechanical and/or electronic adjustment of NDT equipment to establish the testing parameters and
testing sensitivity required by the specification (3.29) of the product to be tested
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ISO 11484:2019(E)
3.27
significant interruption
absence or change of activity that prevents the qualified individual from practicing the duties
corresponding to the level in the relevant method within the qualified scope for either a continuous
period in excess of one year or two or more periods for a total time exceeding two years
Note 1 to entry: Legal holidays, periods of sickness or courses of less than 30 days are not taken into account
when calculating the interruption.
[SOURCE: ISO 9712:2012, 3.27, modified — “qualified individual” has replaced “certified individual”
and “relevant method within the qualified scope” has replaced “method and the sector(s) within the
certified scope”.]
3.28
specific examination
written examination, at Level 1 or Level 2, concerned with testing techniques applied in a particular
sector(s), including knowledge of the product(s) tested, and of codes, standards, specifications (3.29),
NDT procedures (3.14) and acceptance criteria
[SOURCE: ISO 9712:2012, 3.28]
3.29
specification
document stating requirements
[SOURCE: ISO 9712:2012, 3.29]
3.30
specimen
test sample used in practical examinations (3.18), containing known artificial or natural defects, which
is representative of products typically tested in the applicable sector(s)
[SOURCE: ISO 9712:2012, 3.30, modified — “test sample” has replaced “sample”, “containing known
artificial or natural defects” has replaced “possibly including radiographs and data sets”, and the Note 1
to entry has been deleted.]
3.31
specimen master report
model answer, indicating the optimum result for a practical examination (3.18) given a defined set of
conditions (e.g. equipment type, settings, test technique, specimens (3.30)) against which the candidate’s
(3.1) test report is graded
[SOURCE: ISO 9712:2012, 3.31]
3.32
supervision
act of directing the application of NDT performed by other NDT personnel, which includes the control
of actions involved in the preparation of the test, performance of the test and reporting of the results
[SOURCE: ISO 9712:2012, 3.32]
3.33
written internal procedure
procedure developed by the employer (3.4) that details the requirements for qualification (3.19) of the
employees
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ISO 11484:2019(E)
4 Responsibilities
4.1 General
Under the requirements of this document, the employer has the sole responsibility for providing
a declaration of competence that a person in its employ performing NDT tasks has the prerequisite
qualifications and has successfully passed qualification examinations, conducted under the auspices
of the employer, in one or more of the NDT methods covered by this document, in respect of one of two
levels of competence: Level 1 or Level 2.
As an alternative to the use of qualified Level 1 and/or Level 2 personnel in the regular employ of the
employer to carry out the required NDT operations, the employer is permitted to engage, on a contract
basis, certified Level 1 or Level 2 personnel in accordance with ISO 9712 in the same product sector or
equivalent.
In addition, a certified Level 3 individual, either in the regular employ of or engaged by the employer,
has the responsibility for administering Level 1 and Level 2 personnel qualification examinations.
The prerequisite qualification requirements in terms of visual acuity, basic education, training and
experience shall be fulfilled by each candidate for eligibility of the qualification examinations. These
prerequisite requirements shall be verified by the employer and endorsed on the qualification record.
The qualification examination for Level 1 and Level 2 personnel shall consist of three parts:
a) a written general examination;
b) a written specific examination;
c) a practical examination.
The general, specific and practical examinations of the qualification examination shall be conducted,
at the employer’s discretion, either by the employer’s qualifying body or by the employer’s authorized/
approved external qualifying body.
The qualification examination results shall be checked/verified by the qualifying body to ensure
that the pass-mark requirements (see 8.4) have been fulfilled. The employer’s qualifying body, on
the qualifying body’s recommendation, shall issue a qualification record in respect of the individual
regarding the NDT method and level of competence (Level 1 or Level 2). The issue of the qualification
record provides the individual with the authorization to carry out specified NDT tasks within the
employer’s production facilities (i.e. operating authorization).
This qualification record is therefore only valid while the individual is employed, or engaged, by the
employer issuing the qualification record.
The employer shall develop a written internal procedure for NDT personnel that meets the requirements
of this document. The procedural details that shall be followed to implement an NDT qualification
programme include:
— the levels of qualification used by the employer;
— personnel responsibilities;
— training, experience and examination requirements;
— qualification and requalification requirements;
— records requirements.
The written internal procedure shall be approved by a Level 3 individual who is certified in the
applicable methods used by the employer.
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ISO 11484:2019(E)
4.2 Employer’s qualifying body
The employer’s qualifying body shall be constituted by individuals independent of its production
departments. These individuals will form an independent examining body, which includes at least one
certified Level 3 individual who is not necessarily in the employ of the employer but who is nominated
by the employer’s qualifying body as an examiner for Level 1 and Level 2 personnel.
Such a certified Level 3 individual shall be responsible for administering Level 1 and Level 2 personnel
qualification examinations and their proper conduct.
Employer authorized/approved external qualifying bodies shall also meet the requirements of 4.2.
5 Levels of qualification
5.1 General
NDT personnel qualified in accordance with this document shall be classified in one of two levels of
competence (Level 1 or Level 2) with respect to the specific NDT tasks to be performed.
Both levels of competence are defined in terms of NDT task content and degree of responsibility in
accordance with 5.2 and 5.3.
5.2 NDT Level 1
An individual qualified to NDT Level 1 shall have demonstrated competence to carry out NDT according
to NDT instructions under the qualified supervision of Level 2 or Level 3 personnel.
Within the scope of the competence defined on the qualification, Level 1 personnel may be authorized
by the employer to perform the following in accordance with NDT instructions:
a) setting-up the NDT equipment;
b) performing NDT;
c) recording and classifying the tests results according to written instructions;
d) reporting the results.
Level 1 qualified personnel are neither responsible for the choice of the test method or the test technique
to be used, nor for the interpretation of the test results.
5.3 NDT Level 2
An individual qualified to Level 2 shall have demonstrated competence to perform NDT according to
NDT procedures in the test method in which s/he is qualified.
Within the scope of the competence defined for the qualification, Level 2 personnel may be authorized
by the employer to:
a) select the NDT technique for the test method to be used;
b) define the limitations of application of the test method/technique(s);
c) interpret NDT codes, standards, specifications and procedures into practical testing instructions
adapted t
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