Let’s Talk About the Importance of Documentation
Regardless of which party you are working for, documentation of inspection data is a critical role for a trained/certified inspector, albeit oftentimes one of the more dreaded tasks.
Inspection
Let’s Talk Measuring Intumescent (Fireproofing) Coating Thickness
In the case of CSP and intumescent systems, if they are not applied to the correct thickness across all surfaces of load-bearing steel members or panels/plates and there is a fire event, catastrophic collapse due to heat transfer to the steel can occur resulting in potential loss of life.
Let’s Talk Abrasive Testing in the Shop/Field
Testing of new and recycled abrasive is an important, yet frequently overlooked inspection checkpoint. Abrasive cleanliness is an indirect or referenced requirement for each of the joint SSPC/NACE abrasive blast cleaning surface cleanliness standards.
Let’s Talk Stripe Coating Inspection
KTA’s Certified Coating Inspector Forum Issue No. 4 KTA’s Certified Coating Inspector Forum is designed to provide professional development/continuing education on standards, inspection practices, new instruments, and other topics to help keep certified AMPP and FROSIO coating inspectors current. It represents the views of the author and KTA-Tator, Inc. It may or may not represent …
Cleaning and Painting Aluminum Substrates
Introduction – Aluminum and aluminum alloys exhibit good corrosion resistance by virtue of a layer of aluminum oxide that forms on the surface. While aluminum is often not coated because of its good corrosion resistance properties, there are occasions when coatings are applied to provide added protection in given environments (e.g., when the pH is …
Podcast #10 – Types of Inspector Certifications
This podcast discusses different types of inspector certifications to hopefully provide clarity on the subject, since there are a number of inspector certifications available through organizations like SSPC, NACE, and more. Featuring KTA Chief Operating Officer, Bill Corbett, and moderated by KTA President, Ken Trimber. You can view the podcast on Youtube, listen on Soundcloud, …
Coating Inspection Instruments: Frequency of Calibration and Accuracy/Functionality Verification
Quality programs frequently require instrumentation used to obtain measurements (to determine conformance to a governing specification) to be calibrated and verified for accuracy, but oftentimes do not provide the frequency or methodology; only that it must be done. This brief article explains calibration, verification of accuracy, and adjustment, and contains a convenient reference table listing …
FAQ: Inspection Company Employee or Independent Contractor; Does It Matter When Engaging a 3rd Party Inspection Services Firm?
Facility owners frequently rely upon 3rd-party quality assurance (QA) verification of all forms of steel and concrete fabrication, coatings application, non-destructive testing (NDT), and cathodic protection (CP) system installation and maintenance. While specific reasons for engaging 3rd-party QA services vary, in general, facility owners want to know that their projects are being constructed in shops …
Holiday Detection and Dielectric Strength Issues
Introduction When applying coating system to structures such as bridges, tanks, and pipelines the main goal is to apply a continuous film to help prevent structural deterioration throughout the life of the structure. Unaddressed discontinuities can result in undercutting corrosion of the substrate, where the integrity of the structure could be prematurely compromised. This article …
Holiday Detection and Dielectric Strength Issues Read More »
What is a “Dust-Free Surface?” ISO Method Versus Practical Evaluation
When a coating system fails prematurely, it is rarely because of the coating itself. Either the surface preparation was inadequate, the surface was contaminated, or the coating was mixed or applied incorrectly. As the old adage goes, a house is only as strong as the foundation it is built on. When it comes to coatings, …
What is a “Dust-Free Surface?” ISO Method Versus Practical Evaluation Read More »