scope:

Foreword: This Guide is the third edition of the Rules for Nondestructive Inspection of Hull Welds, which was originally published in 1975 and updated as the second edition in 1986. This Guide aims to introduce further details of inspection criteria and additional inspection techniques, which are considered as being widely recognized by the industry as a reliable means of inspection of welds in the construction of surface vessels, offshore structures and other related marine structure.

It is intended that these new criteria be published as a Guide, rather than Rules, in order to collect more feedback from industry during its use and be able to reflect this feedback back into the Guide in a timely manner. Upon completion of this further calibration period, it is intended that the criteria will be published as the Rules for Nondestructive Inspection of Hull Welds.

ABS welcomes any questions, comments and feedback as regards the application of this Guide.

The effective date of the Guide is 1 September 2002.