Signing Off a Prouduct

In an engineering fabrication industry the last activity in the sequence of manufacturing is load out or dispatch. This activity cannot be initiated unless the product is signed off. As a matter of fact signing the product off is assurance of quality which is authenticated by a technically competent person such as “Senior Welding Inspector” who makes sure that complete manufacturing of product has been carried out in accordance with applicable standard and sound engineering practices.

However before signing the documents the senior welding inspector should make enquiry which can give him the in sites of the past while product was being manufactured.

Typical questions can be as followed

1. What was the repair rate during production?

2. Whether any difficulties are encountered within the job?

3. Whether any concession or waiver were given, if yes why?

4. How were the weather conditions?

5. Whether there were any safety issues, fatalities, major accidents/incident etc…?

6. Whether there were any labour problems?

7. What about the general moral and standard of work amongst the inspection team(s)?

Further to this he can start reviewing of documents and he should make sure that he attaches the following documents as a minimum

1. Quality control plan – ensure all stages are complete and signed off

2. Inspection check list – ensure all stage are completed and signed off

3. Verify material certificates such as mill test certificates, material traceability records etc…

4. Verify the following procedures which are to be attached and have all been approved

a. Welding

b. Repair

c. NDT

d. PWHT

e. Hardness

f. PMI

g. Hydrotest

h. Coating/Painting

5. Verify the qualification level and validity of the welder and NDT personnel

6. Verify the inspection reports of following disciplines and ensure that they cover all appropriate joints and structure

a. Visual 

b. NDT

c. Dimensional control etc…

7. Verify calibration certificates of equipments and instruments such as pressure gauge, inspection tools and welding equipments etc…

8. Verify hardness test reports

9. Verify PMI reports

10. Verify PWHT reports

11. Verify Hydrotest reports

12. Verify as built drawings are completed

13. Verify weld maps are available for traceability

14. Verify name plate, rubbing details are available when applicable

15. Verify concession request, NCR, site query etc…

16. Verify permit to work

17. Verify painting and coating inspection reports

As a part of his own inspection he may be obliged to witness final hydrotest, visual inspection of completed parts. As a matter of quality assurance he may view some radiographs at random and may even conduct radiograph audit.

Finally, transit and tie down procedures should all have been approved by the relevant engineer prior to the final acceptance of the product and issue of any signed certificate of conformance.