What is an ASME stamp audit
An ASME stamp authorizes manufacturers to design and stamp pressure equipment per ASME BPVC. To maintain that authorization, the company undergoes a triennial audit by an Authorized Inspector (AI), who verifies that the quality system remains compliant — including the entire NDE program.
What the AI checks for NDE
- Written Practice — current per SNT-TC-1A, with the responsible Level III identified
- NDE procedures — per ASME Section V and qualified for the current fabrication scope
- Personnel qualification records — certificates, examinations, training hours and visual acuity up to date
- Equipment calibration — traceable records within defined intervals
- Inspection reports — from the period, by qualified personnel, per written procedures
Most common findings
- Outdated Written Practice — references an old SNT-TC-1A edition or does not reflect actual company practices
- Expired visual acuity — Jaeger test is annual; inspectors with expired tests compromise all reports issued in the period
- Procedures not covering current scope — company expanded fabrication without qualifying new procedures
- Level III without complete documentation per ASME requirements — Level III qualification does not fully meet Code requirements: documentation, examinations, and competency evidence incomplete or absent
- Expired personnel certification — 5-year cycle lapsed with reports still being issued
How SimpleNDT helps
The work starts months before the audit, covering every point the AI will verify:
- Initial assessment — full documentation review and gap identification before the AI finds them
- Written Practice update — aligned to current SNT-TC-1A with all requirements formalized
- Procedure review — ASME Section V compliance check and scope coverage verification
- Inspector qualification and recertification — examinations, records and complete documentation
- Audit accompaniment — on-site presence during the AI visit for NDE technical support