Independent quality support for fabrication, energy & construction(918) 863-7404
Schedule in Teams
Menu +

Third-party inspection

Independent inspection. Clear evidence.

OQIS provides owner- and purchaser-side quality surveillance at fabrication shops, supplier facilities, and construction sites—verifying observed work against approved drawings, specifications, purchase orders, ITPs, and applicable requirements.

Schedule inspection coverage Request coverage by email
Coverage models
  • Single hold or witness point
  • Scheduled surveillance visits
  • Resident project inspection
  • Supplier and Tier 2 oversight
  • Final release and turnover review

Scope, acceptance criteria, notification, reporting, and inspector authority are defined before mobilization.

Inspection coverage

Built around the manufacturing sequence and actual risk.

OQIS can support one critical inspection point or follow the work from pre-job readiness through final shipment and turnover.

Inspection areaWhat OQIS verifiesTypical evidence
Pre-job readinessApproved drawings, specifications, purchase-order requirements, ITP/QCP, procedures, qualifications, and calibration status.Readiness review · Gap list · RFI items
Material receivingIdentity, condition, grade, specification, size, heat/lot traceability, quantity, certificates, and storage.Receiving record · MTR review · Traceability photos
Dimensional & fit-upConfiguration, orientation, alignment, joint preparation, interfaces, dimensions, tolerances, and drawing compliance.Dimensional report · Marked drawing · Fit-up record
Welding surveillanceWPS availability, qualification evidence, consumables, preparation, preheat/interpass, welding variables, identification, and repairs.Weld map · Surveillance report · Parameter record
NDE coordinationMethod, extent, timing, procedures/personnel documentation, witnessing, report traceability, reject/repair, and re-examination status.NDE register · Witness report · Repair map
Pressure & leak testingProcedure, boundary, gauges, relief, medium, pressure, stabilization, hold time, leakage, readings, and reinstatement.Test witness report · Gauge records · Test pack
Coating inspectionSurface preparation, environmental conditions, profile, materials, mixing, application, WFT/DFT, cure, holidays, and repairs.Coating report · DFT readings · Holiday-test log
Refractory inspectionMaterials, storage, anchors, procedure controls, mixing, placement, thickness, curing, test panels, and turnover records.Refractory report · Anchor map · Test-panel record
Final inspectionWorkmanship, completion, preservation, marking, packaging, unresolved items, and final document status.Punch list · Final report · Photo log
Release & turnoverITP completion, approved dispositions, traceability, inspection/test records, NDE status, repairs, and release conditions.Release recommendation · Turnover index

Fabrication & shop inspection

Verify it before it is hidden, welded, coated, or shipped.

Inspection follows the work as it progresses, with objective evidence tied to the current drawing and specified acceptance requirement.

Material traceability & MTR review

  • Specification, grade, product form, dimensions, and quantity
  • Heat, lot, batch, or serial identification
  • Chemical, mechanical, and heat-treatment results
  • Markings and transferred identification
  • BOM, cut-list, traveler, weld-map, or component traceability
  • PMI records when required by the project

An MTR review checks document and physical traceability against the specified requirements; it does not replace material testing or engineering approval of substitutions.

Dimensional inspection & fit-up

  • Overall dimensions, centerlines, elevations, and offsets
  • Squareness, straightness, flatness, and alignment
  • Nozzle, flange, support, lug, and attachment locations
  • Bolt-hole quantity, size, spacing, and orientation
  • Joint gap, root face, bevel angle, and mismatch
  • Assembly interfaces, access, interference, and clearances

Reports identify the drawing and revision, required value or tolerance, actual result, instrument, calibration status, and disposition of exceptions.

Welding & NDE

Control the variables. Keep examination traceable.

Surveillance supports structural, piping, pressure-equipment, and specialty fabrication within the written assignment and required qualifications.

Welding surveillance
  • Approved WPS availability and applicability
  • WPS/PQR relationship and qualification range
  • Welder or operator qualification and continuity
  • Base metal, joint preparation, cleanliness, backing, and purge
  • Filler-metal classification, storage, conditioning, and control
  • Preheat/interpass, process, polarity, gas, and specified variables
  • Weld identification, sequence, repair mapping, and reinspection
  • Visual workmanship checks and specified NDE status
NDE coordination & witnessing
  • Required method, extent, timing, and acceptance basis
  • Procedure and personnel documentation against contract requirements
  • Equipment identification and calibration documentation
  • Weld/component identification before examination
  • VT, MT, PT, UT, and RT activities when assigned
  • Report completeness, traceability, results, and signatures
  • Reject locations, excavation, repair, and re-examination
  • NDE register tied to weld maps or component records

The fabricator and NDE employer retain responsibility for qualified procedures, qualified personnel, technique, workmanship, inspection, and code compliance. OQIS does not certify NDE personnel or replace the assigned acceptance authority.

Testing, coatings & refractory

Witness the critical condition—not just the final signature.

Inspection is based on the approved procedure, manufacturer data, ITP, owner specification, and invoked code or test standard.

01

Hydrostatic, pneumatic & leak testing

Boundary, procedure, pressure, medium, temperature, gauge range/calibration, relief, stabilization, hold, readings, visible leakage, drainage, drying, and reinstatement.

02

Coating & holiday-test inspection

Surface prep, profile, ambient conditions, product/batch, mixing, application, WFT/DFT, cure, repair, and holiday testing only where technically applicable.

03

Refractory surveillance

Material storage, anchor layout/material/testing, installation controls, test panels, water and mixing, placement, thickness, joints, curing, dryout records, and turnover.

Testing responsibility boundary

OQIS does not control pressurization or site safety. Pneumatic testing is witnessed only after the responsible contractor and Owner approve the procedure, risk controls, exclusion zone, relief provisions, and safety arrangements.

Supplier surveillance

Independent visibility before the product reaches site.

  • Pre-production and kickoff meetings
  • Supplier quality plan and ITP readiness
  • Material and document readiness
  • Manufacturing-process surveillance
  • Hold, witness, review, and monitoring points
  • Outsourced-process and subsupplier records
  • NCR, deviation, concession, and CAPA status
  • Final data package and shipment readiness

Pipeline & facility support

Records aligned to the operator’s approved requirements.

  • Materials, fittings, valves, flanges, and traceability
  • WPS, welder qualification, weld mapping, and NDE status
  • Field-joint coating, repairs, and holiday testing
  • Tie-ins, station piping, supports, and equipment setting
  • Hydrostatic testing, cleaning, drying, and reinstatement
  • Redlines, test packs, completion records, and turnover
  • Punch-list and exception tracking

Reporting & final release

Every visit produces a record that supports a decision.

OQIS reports identify the project, supplier, location, component, drawing/revision, governing requirement, activities observed, results, exceptions, and current status.

ConformingObserved item meets the identified requirement.ObservationInformation requiring awareness or monitoring.Punch itemIncomplete or deficient work requiring correction before release.NonconformanceWork or documentation does not meet a specified requirement and requires formal disposition.
Typical OQIS report structure
  1. Visit Summary
  2. Inspection Summary
  3. Inspection Findings
  4. NCs, Deviations, or Punch Items
  5. Corrective Actions & Status
  6. Upcoming Inspection Points
  7. Photo Log
  8. Supporting Records

Final release is a documented recommendation unless release authority is expressly delegated in writing.

Standards & specifications

The invoked requirement controls acceptance.

The contract or jurisdiction’s identified edition and addenda control; the latest published edition is not automatically applicable. Project requirements may be more restrictive.

ASME BPVC Section VIII, Division 1

Pressure-vessel construction requirements

ASME BPVC Section V

Nondestructive examination when invoked by the construction code

ASME BPVC Section IX

Welding, brazing, and fusing procedure/personnel qualification

NBIC Part 3

Repairs and alterations to pressure-retaining items

AWS D1.1/D1.1M

Structural Welding Code — Steel

AWS D1.6/D1.6M

Structural Welding Code — Stainless Steel

API Standard 936

Monolithic refractory installation quality control and inspection

AMPP/NACE SP0188 & ASTM G62

Holiday detection when applicable to the coating/substrate system

SSPC-PA 2 & ASTM D7091

Dry-coating thickness measurement and conformance

49 CFR Parts 192 & 195

Gas and hazardous-liquid pipeline requirements when applicable

U.S. & European code cross-references

Exact references—without pretending they are interchangeable.

Use this matrix to identify the European framework that should be reviewed when a project moves between ASME/API and PED/EN requirements.

U.S. referenceEuropean / EN alignmentApplication boundary
ASME BPVC Section VIII, Division 1Rules for Construction of Pressure VesselsPED 2014/68/EU · EN 13445 series — Unfired pressure vesselsNear European construction and conformity framework. EN 13445 Parts 4 and 5 address fabrication and inspection/testing; the requirements are not interchangeable.
ASME BPVC Section VNondestructive ExaminationEN ISO 17635; EN ISO 17637 (VT); EN ISO 3452-1 (PT); EN ISO 17638 (MT); EN ISO 17640 (UT); EN ISO 17636-1/-2 (RT); EN ISO 9712 (personnel)Related European NDT suite—not one code-book equivalent. The invoked method, technique, testing level, acceptance standard, and personnel scheme control.
ASME BPVC Section IXWelding, Brazing, and Fusing QualificationsEN ISO 15607; EN ISO 15609-1; EN ISO 15614-1; EN ISO 9606-1; EN ISO 14732Parallel welding procedure, WPS, welder, and operator qualification framework. Essential variables, ranges, acceptance, and continuity differ.
ASME B31.3Process PipingPED 2014/68/EU · EN 13480 series — Metallic industrial pipingNear construction framework for metallic industrial/process piping. EN 13480 Parts 4 and 5 address fabrication/installation and inspection/testing; pipelines are outside its scope.
API 510Pressure Vessel Inspection Code — In-service Inspection, Rating, Repair, and AlterationNo single EN equivalent · EN 16991 risk-based inspection framework · Member-State in-service lawPED and EN 13445 primarily address new-equipment construction and conformity. National law and the competent authority control in-service duties.
API 570Piping Inspection Code — In-service Inspection, Rating, Repair, and AlterationNo single EN equivalent · EN 16991 risk-based inspection framework · Member-State in-service lawEN 13480 primarily addresses construction of metallic industrial piping. The operator program and applicable national in-service rules control ongoing inspection.
API 650 / API 653Welded Tanks for Oil Storage / In-service Tank Inspection and RepairEN 14015 — site-built above-ground welded steel tanks · EEMUA Publication 159 — inspection, maintenance and repair guidanceEN 14015 is the near new-tank design/manufacturing cross-reference. EEMUA 159 complements API 653 for in-service work; it is not an EN standard or a substitute.
API Standard 936Refractory Installation Quality Control — Inspection and Testing Monolithic Refractory Linings and MaterialsNo direct EN installation-QC equivalent · EN ISO 1927 series — Monolithic (unshaped) refractory productsEN ISO 1927 covers classification, sampling, characterization, test-piece preparation, and materials testing; it does not replace API 936 installation controls.

Cross-reference only. ASME/API and EN/ISO requirements are not interchangeable or automatically equivalent. The governing directive or regulation, Member-State law, contract, approved design code, product standard, conformity-assessment route, and specified edition or amendments determine acceptance. Harmonised-standard status must be confirmed against the current Official Journal of the European Union listing.

OQIS does not replace the manufacturer or Code shop, fabricator QC organization, Authorized Inspector/AIA, Notified Body or user inspectorate, Engineer of Record, Owner, operator, certification body, NDE employer/Level III, or contractor responsible for execution and site safety. OQIS supports requirement and objective-evidence review; it does not issue CE/PED conformity approval. Unless continuous resident inspection is contracted, observations represent the work and records available during the identified inspection period.

Engagement options

Inspection coverage scaled to the decision point.

Personnel qualification, mobilization, reporting frequency, notification, and acceptance authority are established in the proposal.

Need independent eyes on the work?

Bring the drawings, ITP, purchase order, specifications, location, and timing.

Schedule with Traden in Teams