WIXLIB

improving ndt complianceA new approach in software that adds value to your project

Streamlining Non-Destructive Pipework Testing with TechnologyContentsIntroduction1Standard Industry Procedures2Challenges3#1 Generating the Requests4#2 Managing the Reports5#3 Tracking NDT Progress6Solution: EIDA7#1 Generating the Requests8#2 Managing the Reports9#3 Tracking NDT Progress10Conclusion11About EIDA Solutions12Contact Us13January 2016 @ EIDA Solutions

IntroductionImproving NDT Compliance: A New Approach in SoftwareIntroductionNon-destructive pipework testing (NDT/NDE) is an integral part of all projectsthat will have a ‘process’ output; particularly on oil & gas and pharmaceuticalprojects. NDT plays a crucial role in quality assurance (QA) and qualitycontrol (QC). It allows piping to be examined and evaluated without thepipework being damaged in the process.For QA/QC personnel the management of NDT has traditionally been amanual process involving the use of tools such as Excel spreadsheets, requestbooks and email. This process is onerous and resource-draining, resulting incostly delays and rework for contractors.However, software designed for the construction industry streamlines NDTmanagement by:Ensuring contractors are compliant with client specifications byproviding real-time NDT statistics.Reducing errors and rework by providing a smart, centralisedplatform.Speeding up data entry and document management allowing employeetime to be redistributed.Providing a comprehensive audit trail ensuring full traceability.1

Improving NDT Compliance: A New Approach in SoftwareStandard ProceduresStandard Industry ProceduresManaging NDT is time consuming, involving unnecessary hours spenton manual entry and cross-referencing between multiple documentsand platforms. This costs contractors time and money, and working withinefficient tools is frustrating for employees.NDT administration is managed in much the same way as other aspectsof the construction process. Information is logged and maintained usingProblems multiple Excel spreadsheets or Word documents and is stored in acan arise if shared folder.employeesare workingfromoutdatedinformationso care mustbe takento ensureonly live,untestedwelds areselected.MANUALTime savedperactivitySOFTWARENDT administration typically involves the following stages:1. The NDT request form is filled out by hand listing the welds to betested. The request and corresponding drawings are emailed to theNDT contractor.2. When testing is complete, the report indicating accepted andrejected welds is communicated and the results are recorded againstthe weld log database.3. Statistics are updated and compared to the project pipingspecifications to ensure NDT kStatisticsTotalPerRequest55Instant1070minutes saved perrequest.2

Improving NDT Compliance: A New Approach in SoftwareChallengesConstruction companies are under pressure to deliver higher qualityprojects in shorter periods of time.NDT management is time consuming and tedious for project engineers, weldinspectors and QA/QC personnel.ChallengesThe tools available for NDT administration weren’t built with the constructionindustry in mind and are often limited and inefficient in managing largevolumes of documentation, fast-paced work environments and multiple users.NDT often exceeds its allocated budget due to costly rework caused by thelimitations of existing tools.The limitations of inefficient tools can cause challenges during the followingprocesses:Generating NDT requestManaging the reportsTracking the statistics3

Improving NDT Compliance: A New Approach in Software45Minutes#1 Generating ndt requestsAt the moment most companies fill out NDT requests by hand andrely on different documents such as Excel spreadsheets, project pipingspecifications and email to decide what tests need to be carried out.ChallengesIn order to generate a single request using a manual process employeesmust sift through weld log databases, compare project parameters and NDTreports, handwrite a request form and compile the necessary isometrics.The limitations of current tools in generating NDT requests is costly forcontractors.For example generating a single NDT request with 20 welds can take 45minutes to complete, with up to 20 of these minutes being spent handwritingthe request sheet. Moving between different documents and platforms, alongwith writing the information out by hand leaves the process more prone tomistakes and can result in incorrect welds being tested or welds being missed.Even after the requests are filled out, time is often needed to clarify, edit orredo the form.The current process for managing NDT requests can be a huge source offrustration for contractors and their employees who are under pressure to meetdeadlines.A request of 20 welds takesapproximately 45 minutesto generate.15Searching for welds20Handwriting Request5Double-checking Request5Scanning & Emailing4

Improving NDT Compliance: A New Approach in Software#2 Managing The ReportsContractors depend upon the managementof NDT results to ensure compliance and“I had to determine outstanding NDT.manually searchthe weld log foreach individualweld and add theresults in one byone”.After NDT has been carried out the QA teamreceive a report that lists the results of the weldstested. These results are logged against the weld logdatabase. The report itself is scanned and stored in afolder and the hard-copy is filed.Challenges30MinutesJason Radley,Head of Project Manually logging and managing these reports is aControls, painful process as:Radley Engineering matching the reports to the weld log databaseis time consuming. switching between multiple applications leavesmore room for human error. reports can be lost or difficult to locate. it can result in non-compliance to projectspecifications.These challenges can affect business relationshipsand the company’s reputation by resulting in delaysand reworks.5

Improving NDT Compliance: A New Approach in Software5Minutes#3 Tracking StatisticsAccurately maintaining NDT statistics is of major concern to contractors.These statistics are used to determine outstanding testing and ensurestandards are met.ChallengesThe statistics are calculated by using a combination of Excel formulae tocompare the project parameters to NDT results that have been recorded inthe weld log. As the weld log is updated with new NDT results the statisticsare updated automatically. The amount of welds to be tested are calculatedmanually from these statistics.On large, high-value projects, companies could be conducting 7 differenttypes of NDT on up to 12 piping specifications and 30 fluid types.Figure 2: Tracking NDT Statistics Using ExcelThese large and complex spreadsheets cause challenges for users. They arechallenging to set up, and then are slow to open and difficult to navigate due tothe large volumes of information contained over multiple spreadsheets.Excel also does not allow multiple users to edit or amend a document at thesame time. On large projects this is an issue resulting in incorrect statisticsleading to non-compliance.Care must be taken not to disrupt the Excel formulae when editing. Smallchanges can disrupt the calculations, causing inaccuracies and delays.6

Improving NDT Compliance: A New Approach in SoftwareSoftware Solution: EidaEIDA Solutions’ intelligent construction software simplifies and streamlinesNDT management, reducing the time spent on its administration andincreasing accuracy and efficiency.NDT parameters are defined and set in EIDA at the beginning of a project andintegrated with weld history providing real-time project statistics. NDT requestsand reports can easily be managed and accessed by a keyword search or filteredby date, type of NDT, piping specifications or fluid-type.UsersContractorEnsures contractors are compliant.SolutionMainContractorEIDA’s 3 step process has reduced the time our clients spend on NDTadministration by up to 88%, offering the following benefits:Protects relationship with client in assuring theirstandards have been met.Full traceability throughout.Employees working to a standardised process.Information furnished to NDT contractorautomatically.Archived NDT repor ts available for auditing andhandover.Less time spent managing requests & repor ts.Rework eliminated.No need to update or amend Excel.7

Improving NDT Compliance: A New Approach in Software5Minutes#1: Generating The RequestsWith EIDA, requests are quickly and accurately created directly from theweld log in 3 simple steps:2Welds canbe filtered bywelder, pipingspecification, fluidtype, date weldedand more. Only liveand untested weldscan be selected.3Relevant personnel,including the NDTinspector are selectedfrom a list, and therequest along with thenecessary isometricsare instantly compiledand automaticallyemailed.Solution1The NDT type tobe carried out isselected. EIDA usesrules-based logic toensure only weldsthat require thisparticular type ofNDT are availablefor selection.2Figure 3: EIDA’s Request Management Interface8

Improving NDT Compliance: A New Approach in SoftwareThe abilityto store NDTdocumentationon one platformreduces theamount of timespent searchingfor informationand ensures fulltraceability.#2 Logging The ReportsEIDA provides a centralised platform for themanagement of NDT information. This is particularlyuseful for managing the NDT reports.With EIDA, users can view generated NDT requests andcan easily apply the results from the NDT report to eachweld. This takes just a few seconds.A PDF of the NDT report can be seamlessly uploaded toall relevant welds.EIDA also provides users with the option to attach a fileto each weld listed in an NDT request. Contractors canuse this feature to upload relevant documentation such asborescopic video files.Solution5MinutesFigure 4: EIDA’s Report Management Interface9

Improving NDT Compliance: A New Approach in SoftwareInstant#3 Tracking NDT StatisticsBy clicking on the ‘NDT Statistics’ tab users instantly have access toreal-time calculations indicating project compliance.SolutionIn-built logic connects the weld log, requests and reports to the projectparameters to instantly calculate statistics and determine if the project iscomplying to the NDT requirements. Piping specifications that have mettheir targets are highlighted in green, while those that are below target arehighlighted in red with the quantity of welds required to be tested indicated inbrackets.Figure 5: EIDA’s Compliance Tracking InterfaceWith this information readily available to the project team, corrective andpreventive actions can quickly be taken to ensure that NDT remains onschedule, within budget and fully compliant.10