Inspection Services, Inc. introduced an Automated Ultrasonic Inspection Testing (AUT) procedure at the San Francisco International Airport project that replaced the field radiography testing (RT) procedures which were mandated for the projects large pipe truss critical weldmonts. This approved substitution method of non-destructive testing saved the Airport hundreds of thousands of dollars in what would have been lost time to satisfy the RT safety requirements. Moreover, the AUT proved to be a successful tool for NDT weld soundness verification and provided a computer disk stored permanent record for each inspected weld joint. This system, being compact in size, can also be used on any project in which a client would like a permanent record of critical weld quality.

Here are a few facts about the AUT system:

• AWS D1.1, 1996, has a code section devoted to "ultrasonic testing used as an Alternate of radiographic testing", Section 6.13.3.1
• Automated ultrasonics has been used successfully in the nuclear power industry for over 20 years during in-service shutdown.
• In the last 2 years, pipeline systems welding inspections have switched from radiography to automated ultrasonics in several areas of the world.
• An extremely accurate and proven system, AUT will detect depth of flaws which radiography cannot do.
• AUT will provide a permanent record of the quality of each weld.
• Unlike RT testing procedures, which employ radiation, AUT is safe, accurate and does not suffer from the radiation hazards associated with RT.
• AUT can be used during regular working hours and will experience no night work safety hazards that are usually associated with RT testing.