Hire a welding inspector

DEHAAS is an independent welding consultancy based in Menaam, Friesland, inspecting across Europe for structural steelwork, machine builders, shipyards, the process industry and manufacturers of pressure equipment. Our inspectors know the standard and the practice behind it: why a weld deviates and how to prevent it happening again.

When to bring in a welding inspector

Most clients call us in at one of these points:

• during fabrication, while welds are still accessible and repairable
• before blasting, coating or assembly, the last moment the weld is fully visible
• at acceptance or final inspection, as an independent party between fabricator and client
• when delivered welding work is in doubt or dispute, as a second opinion

The earlier an inspector is involved, the cheaper a deviation is to correct. A weld rejected at final inspection costs a multiple of the same deviation found mid-production.

Visual inspection to ISO 17637

Visual testing is the foundation of weld inspection and by far the most cost-effective method. Our inspectors work to ISO 17637, the standard for visual testing of fusion welds, using calibrated weld gauges and, where needed, mirrors and additional lighting.

We inspect for weld size and excess metal, penetration and undercut, porosity, spatter, arc strikes and the transition into the parent material. We can also assess joint preparation and fit-up before welding, where many later deviations originate. Inspections are performed at VWI level by inspectors with a solid welding background.

Assessment against ISO 5817

A weld is only right or wrong relative to an agreed requirement. For steel that is almost always ISO 5817, with quality levels B, C and D. The applicable level follows from the contract or from the execution class under EN 1090-2. DEHAAS assesses every indication against the correct level and records why it is or is not acceptable.

That avoids two classic mistakes: rejecting what the standard actually permits, and accepting what will cause problems further down the line. For more background, see our article on the ISO 5817 quality levels.

Photo reports and punch lists

Every inspection ends with a report you can use immediately: the welds examined, the deviations found with photograph and location, the assessment against the applicable quality level and a clear punch list of repair items.

The punch list is written so your workshop can act on it without further explanation: each item states what must be repaired and against which criterion it will be re-assessed. After repair we carry out a re-inspection on request and close out the list until everything is demonstrably signed off, giving you a complete record for your client or certification body.

Beyond visual: NDT and document checks

Not every requirement can be verified visually. Where the specification calls for additional non-destructive testing, such as penetrant, magnetic particle, ultrasonic or radiographic testing, DEHAAS coordinates NDT personnel qualified to ISO 9712 and evaluates the results together with the visual findings.

On request we also check the paperwork behind the weld: whether the correct welding procedure specifications apply, whether welders are qualified to ISO 9606-1 and whether the material certificates match. For the full picture of our inspection and quality services, see welding inspection and QA/QC.

Independent, throughout the Netherlands

DEHAAS inspects independently. We are not a party to the fabrication and have no interest in passing or failing anything. That makes our reports useful in both directions: as a fabricator you demonstrate compliance, as a client you know exactly what you are getting.

We work from Menaam across Europe, and further afield on request, in workshops, on yards and on site. For recurring inspections we agree a fixed frequency and reporting format; for one-off acceptances we respond quickly. A quick question beforehand can be raised through the DEHAAS Welding & Quality Assistant on this site.