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RESULTS-ORITNTED Training Description
Course Duration
3 Days
Training Delivery Method
Classroom (Instructor-Led)
Instructors Languages
English / Arabic / Urdu / Hindi / Pashto
Certification Provider
Tamkene Saudi Training Center - Approved by TVTC (Technical and Vocational Training Corporation)
Certificate Validity
2 Years (Extendable with additional training hours)
Course Average Passing Rate
97%
Competency Assessment Criteria
Practical Assessment and Knowledge Assessment
Post Training Reporting
Post Training Report + Candidate(s) Training Evaluation Forms
Training Design Methodology
ADDIE Training Design Methodology
Certificate of Successful Completion
Certification is provided upon successful completion. The certificate can be verified through a QR-Code system.
Course Overview
Radiographic Testing is the only volumetric NDT method that produces a permanent visual record of the internal condition of a weld, casting, or pressure component — and that record is only as reliable as the competency of the person who set up the exposure and interpreted the film. An incorrect source-to-film distance produces a geometric unsharpness that masks the very defect the radiograph was intended to reveal. A film density outside the acceptable range renders the entire examination invalid. An Image Quality Indicator placed on the wrong side of the component, or an IQI wire not visible on the processed film, means the sensitivity of the examination cannot be confirmed — and no finding from that radiograph, positive or negative, can be relied upon. Radiographic Testing demands precision, discipline, and a deep understanding of radiation physics, exposure geometry, and film processing — and the consequences of errors are invisible until something fails in service.
This training course develops comprehensive Radiographic Testing — RT — competency covering radiation physics, radiation sources, exposure techniques, film processing, image quality verification, radiographic film interpretation, discontinuity classification, acceptance criteria application, and radiation safety. The course is aligned with ISO 9712:2021: Non-Destructive Testing — Qualification and Certification of NDT Personnel — RT Level I and Level II qualification requirements — and ASNT SNT-TC-1A: Personnel Qualification and Certification in Non-Destructive Testing. Radiographic examination procedures follow ASME Section V Article 2: Radiographic Examination and ASTM E94: Standard Guide for Radiographic Examination. Image Quality Indicator — IQI — requirements follow ASTM E747: Standard Practice for Design, Manufacture and Material Grouping Classification of Wire Image Quality Indicators. Weld RT requirements follow ISO 17636-1:2013: Non-Destructive Testing of Welds — Radiographic Testing of Fusion-Welded Joints. Acceptance criteria follow ISO 5817: Welding — Quality Levels for Imperfections, API 1104: Welding of Pipelines and Related Facilities, and AWS D1.1: Structural Welding Code. The course integrates ISO 45001:2018: Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems and ISO 9001:2015: Quality Management Systems, applying Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment, and Risk Control — HIRARC and Root Cause Analysis — RCA throughout.
Key Learning Objectives
Apply ISO 9712:2021 and ASNT SNT-TC-1A RT Level I and Level II personnel qualification requirements.
Explain radiation physics — X-ray and gamma ray generation, interaction with matter, and attenuation principles.
Select radiation sources — X-ray tube, Iridium-192 — Ir-192, and Cobalt-60 — Co-60 — based on material, thickness, and sensitivity requirements.
Apply radiographic exposure techniques — SWSI, DWSI, panoramic, and elliptical — per ASME Section V Article 2.
Calculate geometric unsharpness and source-to-film distance per ASTM E94.
Select, position, and verify Image Quality Indicators — IQIs — per ASTM E747.
Process radiographic film and verify density using a densitometer against the acceptable range.
Interpret radiographic film — identifying, classifying, and sizing weld discontinuities.
Apply acceptance criteria per ISO 5817, API 1104, and AWS D1.1 to make accept/reject decisions.
Apply radiation safety controls — controlled areas, dosimetry, and HIRARC — per ISO 45001:2018.
Course Outline
Day 1 — Radiation Physics, Sources, and Radiation Safety
1. Introduction to Radiographic Testing
1.1 RT as an NDT Method
RT is a volumetric NDT method detecting internal discontinuities through differential radiation attenuation.
RT produces a permanent image record — unlike other volumetric methods such as Ultrasonic Testing.
RT applications — welds, castings, forgings, pressure vessels, pipelines, and composite structures.
ISO 9712:2021 — Level I performs under supervision; Level II interprets, evaluates, and signs RT reports independently.
ASNT SNT-TC-1A — employer-based qualification with defined training hours, experience, and examination requirements by level.
RT as part of the NDT method spectrum — complementary to UT for volumetric inspection of welds and castings.
1.2 Radiation Physics
Electromagnetic radiation — X-rays and gamma rays are both short-wavelength, high-energy electromagnetic waves.
X-ray generation — electrons accelerated in an X-ray tube bombard a target anode producing a spectrum of X-ray energies.
Gamma ray generation — radioactive isotopes emit gamma rays at a fixed energy during nuclear decay.
Attenuation — radiation intensity decreases exponentially as it passes through material.
Differential attenuation — discontinuities attenuate radiation differently from the surrounding material, creating contrast on film.
Half-value layer — the material thickness reducing radiation intensity by 50%.
Inverse square law — radiation intensity decreases proportionally to the square of the distance from the source.
Scatter radiation — secondary radiation produced by interaction with the component — reduces radiographic contrast.
2. Radiation Sources
2.1 X-Ray Tubes
X-ray tube produces radiation only when energized — no radiation hazard when switched off.
Tube voltage — kV — determines the maximum X-ray energy and therefore the penetrating power.
Tube current — mA — determines radiation intensity and influences exposure time.
X-ray tube application — thin to medium thickness materials where high sensitivity and energy control are required.
Focal spot size — smaller focal spots produce sharper radiographic images with less geometric unsharpness.
2.2 Gamma Ray Sources
Iridium-192 — Ir-192 — the most widely used gamma source for weld radiography of steel 10–100 mm thick.
Cobalt-60 — Co-60 — higher energy source for thick sections above 60 mm — produces lower sensitivity than Ir-192.
Selenium-75 — Se-75 — lower energy source for thin sections and stainless steel piping radiography.
Half-life — Ir-192 half-life is 73.8 days — activity and exposure times must be recalculated regularly.
Source activity — measured in Curies or Becquerels — determines the required exposure time for a given density.
Gamma source storage — stored in a shielded projector — never handled directly by the radiographer.
Source size — smaller sources produce less geometric unsharpness and higher image quality.
3. Radiation Safety
3.1 Radiation Hazards and Protection Principles
Ionizing radiation causes cellular DNA damage — radiation dose must be minimized to prevent biological harm.
ALARA principle — As Low As Reasonably Achievable — the governing radiation dose minimization principle.
Time — reducing exposure time reduces radiation dose received by the radiographer.
Distance — increasing distance from the source reduces dose per the inverse square law.
Shielding — lead, concrete, and steel barriers attenuate radiation and reduce dose to personnel.
Controlled area — the exclusion zone around an active radiation source during exposure.
Radiation survey meter — verifying radiation levels at the controlled area boundary before and during exposure.
3.2 Dosimetry and Regulatory Compliance
Personal dosimeter — TLD badge or OSL dosimeter — worn by all radiation workers to record cumulative dose.
Film badge — a radiation-sensitive film dosimeter worn at the chest to monitor personal radiation exposure.
Maximum permissible dose — 20 mSv per year averaged over five years per ICRP recommendations.
Radiation source registration — all gamma sources must be registered with the national regulatory authority.
Source transport — radioactive sources transported only in approved Type A or Type B transport containers.
Emergency source retrieval — the procedure for a source that fails to retract into the projector after exposure.
Applying HIRARC to RT operations — radiation exposure, source handling, confined space RT, and working at height.
ISO 45001:2018 Clause 8.1 — RT radiation safety as a mandatory operational control requirement.
Day 2 — Exposure Techniques, Film Processing, and Image Quality
4. Radiographic Film and Screens
Radiographic film — silver halide emulsion on a base that responds to radiation exposure by darkening after processing.
Film classification — ISO 5/ASME Class I through IV — slower fine-grain films produce higher sensitivity.
Lead intensifying screens — used in direct contact with the film to improve contrast and reduce exposure time.
Fluorescent screens — used with some film types — not permitted under ASME Section V for most weld applications.
Film storage — stored away from radiation, heat, chemicals, and humidity before use.
Film handling — never bent, crimped, or finger-marked — film artifacts can mask real indications.
Cassette — light-tight holder maintaining film and screen contact during exposure.
Digital Radiography — DR — and Computed Radiography — CR — modern alternatives to film-based RT.
5. Exposure Geometry and Techniques
5.1 Geometric Unsharpness
Geometric unsharpness — Ug — the blurring at the edge of a discontinuity image caused by source size and geometry.
Ug formula — Ug = (Source Size × Object-to-Film Distance) ÷ Source-to-Object Distance.
Maximum permissible Ug per ASME Section V Article 2 — 0.51 mm for most weld applications.
Source-to-film distance — SFD — increasing SFD reduces geometric unsharpness but increases exposure time.
Minimum SFD calculation — derived from source size and maximum permitted Ug value.
5.2 Radiographic Exposure Techniques
SWSI — Single Wall Single Image — source outside the pipe, film inside — standard technique for accessible pipe bores.
DWSI — Double Wall Single Image — source and film both outside — for pipe diameters below 88.9 mm.
DWDI — Double Wall Double Image — elliptical technique — for small diameter pipe producing two weld images simultaneously.
Panoramic technique — source placed at the centre of the pipe — all welds exposed simultaneously in a single shot.
Technique selection — based on pipe diameter, wall thickness, and accessibility per ASME Section V Article 2.
Exposure chart — pre-calculated chart relating source activity, SFD, material thickness, and exposure time to target density.
6. Image Quality Indicators and Film Processing
6.1 Image Quality Indicators
IQI — Image Quality Indicator — demonstrates the minimum detectable feature size and confirms examination sensitivity.
Wire IQI per ASTM E747 — a set of progressively thinner wires — the essential wire must be visible on the processed film.
Plaque IQI — a stepped block with drilled holes — hole visibility confirms sensitivity.
IQI placement — source side of the component where possible — film side only when source side is inaccessible.
Essential wire identification — the thinnest wire required to be visible for the examination to be valid per the applicable standard.
IQI not visible — the radiograph is invalid and the exposure must be repeated.
6.2 Film Processing and Density
Film processing stages — develop, stop bath, fix, wash, and dry — each at specified time and temperature.
Developer temperature — typically 20°C ± 0.5°C — temperature deviation causes under- or over-development.
Film density — the degree of darkening of the processed film — measured with a calibrated densitometer.
Acceptable density range per ASME Section V Article 2 — 1.8 to 4.0 for X-ray and 2.0 to 4.0 for gamma ray.
Density below the minimum — underexposed or underdeveloped — the radiograph is invalid.
Density above the maximum — overexposed or overdeveloped — the radiograph is invalid.
Densitometer calibration — verified before each film evaluation session using a calibrated step wedge.
Film artifacts — scratches, pressure marks, chemical stains, and fogging — identified before interpretation begins.
Day 3 — Film Interpretation, Acceptance Criteria, HSE, and Case Studies
7. Weld Discontinuity Classification
7.1 Planar and Volumetric Discontinuities
Cracks — always rejectable regardless of size — appear as sharp, dark irregular lines on the radiograph.
Lack of fusion — incomplete bonding between weld passes or weld and parent metal — appears as a dark linear indication.
Incomplete penetration — failure of the weld root to fuse through the full joint thickness.
Porosity — gas pores within the weld metal — appear as rounded dark spots on the radiograph.
Cluster porosity — group of pores concentrated in one area — more significant than uniformly distributed porosity.
Elongated porosity — worm holes or piping porosity — elongated dark indications aligned with the weld direction.
Tungsten inclusions — bright white spots on the radiograph from TIG welding tungsten particles.
Slag inclusions — dark linear or irregular inclusions of non-metallic material trapped in the weld.
7.2 Film Interpretation Procedure
Film viewing conditions — darkened room, calibrated illuminator with variable intensity, and correct viewing luminance.
Film identification — verifying film identification marks, IQI visibility, and density before interpretation begins.
Systematic scan — scanning the full weld length in a defined pattern before recording any indication.
Indication characterization — recording location, orientation, length, and discontinuity type for every indication found.
Indication sizing — measuring length and width using a calibrated scale against the weld image.
Interpretation report — documenting all findings with film identification, density, IQI wire visibility, and accept/reject decision.
8. Acceptance Criteria Application
Acceptance criteria must always be applied from the code or standard specified in the examination procedure.
ISO 5817: Welding — Quality Levels for Imperfections — Quality Levels B, C, and D for different service requirements.
ASME Section VIII — acceptance criteria for pressure vessel weld radiography.
API 1104: Welding of Pipelines and Related Facilities — acceptance criteria for pipeline girth weld radiography.
AWS D1.1: Structural Welding Code — acceptance criteria for structural weld radiography.
Crack — universally rejectable under all applicable RT codes and standards.
Incomplete penetration — acceptance limits vary by code — always check the applicable standard before deciding.
Porosity acceptance — individual pore size, density, and cluster area limits are code-specific.
Level I role — performing the examination and producing the radiograph under Level II supervision.
Level II role — interpreting the film, applying acceptance criteria, and signing the RT report independently.
9. RT Procedure and Documentation
Written RT procedure — mandatory per ASME Section V Article 2 before any examination begins.
Procedure content — scope, radiation source, film type, IQI type, technique, SFD, density range, and acceptance criteria.
Procedure qualification — demonstrating the procedure achieves the required IQI sensitivity before first use.
Radiograph identification — weld number, film number, operator identity, date, and technique clearly marked on every film.
RT report — documenting film identification, density, IQI wire visible, indications found, and accept/reject decision.
Film archiving — radiographic films retained for the period specified by the applicable code and client requirement.
Procedure document control per ISO 9001:2015 Clause 7.5 — version control and authorized distribution.
10. Digital and Computed Radiography
Computed Radiography — CR — uses a photostimulable phosphor imaging plate instead of film.
CR plate is scanned by a laser reader and produces a digital image for interpretation on a calibrated monitor.
Digital Radiography — DR — uses a flat panel detector producing an immediate digital image without processing.
Digital image quality indicators — same sensitivity requirements as film — essential wire must be visible on the digital image.
Monitor calibration — the display monitor must be calibrated to the luminance required for digital RT image interpretation.
Digital RT advantages — immediate image availability, no chemical processing, and digital archiving.
ASME Section V Article 2 digital RT requirements — specific IQI sensitivity and image quality requirements for CR and DR.
11. HSE and Quality Management Integration
RT radiation hazard is invisible — ALARA, controlled areas, and personal dosimetry are non-negotiable safety requirements.
Applying HIRARC to RT field operations — radiation exposure, working at height, confined space, and night work.
Permit-to-Work for RT operations — mandatory before any gamma source is deployed in a process or industrial area.
Controlled area establishment — radiation survey before and during exposure to verify boundary dose rates.
Emergency response plan — documented procedure for source stuck, lost source, and personnel overexposure.
Quality management of RT per ISO 9001:2015 — procedure control, densitometer calibration records, and film archive management.
Applying RCA — Root Cause Analysis to invalid radiographs — density failure, IQI not visible, and film artifacts.
RT nonconformance per ISO 9001:2015 Clause 10.2 — documented corrective action for every invalid examination.
12. Case Studies and Group Discussions
Case studies from RT failures in Middle East oil and gas, pressure vessel, and pipeline environments including missed crack indications from film density outside the acceptable range, IQI placed on the film side without justification invalidating the examination sensitivity claim, and radiation overexposure incidents from uncontrolled area boundaries — and the importance of rigorous RT competency in preventing in-service failures and radiation safety incidents.
Group discussion on RT operational challenges in Middle East environments including controlling gamma source operations on active GCC petrochemical plant turnarounds, applying ALARA in confined offshore and onshore RT environments, and transitioning from film RT to digital CR and DR in regional inspection programs.
Film interpretation workshop — participants interpret a presented set of weld radiographs, classify all discontinuities by type and size, apply the specified acceptance criteria, and complete the RT report — reviewed for interpretation accuracy and acceptance criteria application.
Day 1 — Radiation Physics, Sources, and Radiation Safety
1. Introduction to Radiographic Testing
1.1 RT as an NDT Method
RT is a volumetric NDT method detecting internal discontinuities through differential radiation attenuation.
RT produces a permanent image record — unlike other volumetric methods such as Ultrasonic Testing.
RT applications — welds, castings, forgings, pressure vessels, pipelines, and composite structures.
ISO 9712:2021 — Level I performs under supervision; Level II interprets, evaluates, and signs RT reports independently.
ASNT SNT-TC-1A — employer-based qualification with defined training hours, experience, and examination requirements by level.
RT as part of the NDT method spectrum — complementary to UT for volumetric inspection of welds and castings.
1.2 Radiation Physics
Electromagnetic radiation — X-rays and gamma rays are both short-wavelength, high-energy electromagnetic waves.
X-ray generation — electrons accelerated in an X-ray tube bombard a target anode producing a spectrum of X-ray energies.
Gamma ray generation — radioactive isotopes emit gamma rays at a fixed energy during nuclear decay.
Attenuation — radiation intensity decreases exponentially as it passes through material.
Differential attenuation — discontinuities attenuate radiation differently from the surrounding material, creating contrast on film.
Half-value layer — the material thickness reducing radiation intensity by 50%.
Inverse square law — radiation intensity decreases proportionally to the square of the distance from the source.
Scatter radiation — secondary radiation produced by interaction with the component — reduces radiographic contrast.
2. Radiation Sources
2.1 X-Ray Tubes
X-ray tube produces radiation only when energized — no radiation hazard when switched off.
Tube voltage — kV — determines the maximum X-ray energy and therefore the penetrating power.
Tube current — mA — determines radiation intensity and influences exposure time.
X-ray tube application — thin to medium thickness materials where high sensitivity and energy control are required.
Focal spot size — smaller focal spots produce sharper radiographic images with less geometric unsharpness.
2.2 Gamma Ray Sources
Iridium-192 — Ir-192 — the most widely used gamma source for weld radiography of steel 10–100 mm thick.
Cobalt-60 — Co-60 — higher energy source for thick sections above 60 mm — produces lower sensitivity than Ir-192.
Selenium-75 — Se-75 — lower energy source for thin sections and stainless steel piping radiography.
Half-life — Ir-192 half-life is 73.8 days — activity and exposure times must be recalculated regularly.
Source activity — measured in Curies or Becquerels — determines the required exposure time for a given density.
Gamma source storage — stored in a shielded projector — never handled directly by the radiographer.
Source size — smaller sources produce less geometric unsharpness and higher image quality.
3. Radiation Safety
3.1 Radiation Hazards and Protection Principles
Ionizing radiation causes cellular DNA damage — radiation dose must be minimized to prevent biological harm.
ALARA principle — As Low As Reasonably Achievable — the governing radiation dose minimization principle.
Time — reducing exposure time reduces radiation dose received by the radiographer.
Distance — increasing distance from the source reduces dose per the inverse square law.
Shielding — lead, concrete, and steel barriers attenuate radiation and reduce dose to personnel.
Controlled area — the exclusion zone around an active radiation source during exposure.
Radiation survey meter — verifying radiation levels at the controlled area boundary before and during exposure.
3.2 Dosimetry and Regulatory Compliance
Personal dosimeter — TLD badge or OSL dosimeter — worn by all radiation workers to record cumulative dose.
Film badge — a radiation-sensitive film dosimeter worn at the chest to monitor personal radiation exposure.
Maximum permissible dose — 20 mSv per year averaged over five years per ICRP recommendations.
Radiation source registration — all gamma sources must be registered with the national regulatory authority.
Source transport — radioactive sources transported only in approved Type A or Type B transport containers.
Emergency source retrieval — the procedure for a source that fails to retract into the projector after exposure.
Applying HIRARC to RT operations — radiation exposure, source handling, confined space RT, and working at height.
ISO 45001:2018 Clause 8.1 — RT radiation safety as a mandatory operational control requirement.
Day 2 — Exposure Techniques, Film Processing, and Image Quality
4. Radiographic Film and Screens
Radiographic film — silver halide emulsion on a base that responds to radiation exposure by darkening after processing.
Film classification — ISO 5/ASME Class I through IV — slower fine-grain films produce higher sensitivity.
Lead intensifying screens — used in direct contact with the film to improve contrast and reduce exposure time.
Fluorescent screens — used with some film types — not permitted under ASME Section V for most weld applications.
Film storage — stored away from radiation, heat, chemicals, and humidity before use.
Film handling — never bent, crimped, or finger-marked — film artifacts can mask real indications.
Cassette — light-tight holder maintaining film and screen contact during exposure.
Digital Radiography — DR — and Computed Radiography — CR — modern alternatives to film-based RT.
5. Exposure Geometry and Techniques
5.1 Geometric Unsharpness
Geometric unsharpness — Ug — the blurring at the edge of a discontinuity image caused by source size and geometry.
Ug formula — Ug = (Source Size × Object-to-Film Distance) ÷ Source-to-Object Distance.
Maximum permissible Ug per ASME Section V Article 2 — 0.51 mm for most weld applications.
Source-to-film distance — SFD — increasing SFD reduces geometric unsharpness but increases exposure time.
Minimum SFD calculation — derived from source size and maximum permitted Ug value.
5.2 Radiographic Exposure Techniques
SWSI — Single Wall Single Image — source outside the pipe, film inside — standard technique for accessible pipe bores.
DWSI — Double Wall Single Image — source and film both outside — for pipe diameters below 88.9 mm.
DWDI — Double Wall Double Image — elliptical technique — for small diameter pipe producing two weld images simultaneously.
Panoramic technique — source placed at the centre of the pipe — all welds exposed simultaneously in a single shot.
Technique selection — based on pipe diameter, wall thickness, and accessibility per ASME Section V Article 2.
Exposure chart — pre-calculated chart relating source activity, SFD, material thickness, and exposure time to target density.
6. Image Quality Indicators and Film Processing
6.1 Image Quality Indicators
IQI — Image Quality Indicator — demonstrates the minimum detectable feature size and confirms examination sensitivity.
Wire IQI per ASTM E747 — a set of progressively thinner wires — the essential wire must be visible on the processed film.
Plaque IQI — a stepped block with drilled holes — hole visibility confirms sensitivity.
IQI placement — source side of the component where possible — film side only when source side is inaccessible.
Essential wire identification — the thinnest wire required to be visible for the examination to be valid per the applicable standard.
IQI not visible — the radiograph is invalid and the exposure must be repeated.
6.2 Film Processing and Density
Film processing stages — develop, stop bath, fix, wash, and dry — each at specified time and temperature.
Developer temperature — typically 20°C ± 0.5°C — temperature deviation causes under- or over-development.
Film density — the degree of darkening of the processed film — measured with a calibrated densitometer.
Acceptable density range per ASME Section V Article 2 — 1.8 to 4.0 for X-ray and 2.0 to 4.0 for gamma ray.
Density below the minimum — underexposed or underdeveloped — the radiograph is invalid.
Density above the maximum — overexposed or overdeveloped — the radiograph is invalid.
Densitometer calibration — verified before each film evaluation session using a calibrated step wedge.
Film artifacts — scratches, pressure marks, chemical stains, and fogging — identified before interpretation begins.
Day 3 — Film Interpretation, Acceptance Criteria, HSE, and Case Studies
7. Weld Discontinuity Classification
7.1 Planar and Volumetric Discontinuities
Cracks — always rejectable regardless of size — appear as sharp, dark irregular lines on the radiograph.
Lack of fusion — incomplete bonding between weld passes or weld and parent metal — appears as a dark linear indication.
Incomplete penetration — failure of the weld root to fuse through the full joint thickness.
Porosity — gas pores within the weld metal — appear as rounded dark spots on the radiograph.
Cluster porosity — group of pores concentrated in one area — more significant than uniformly distributed porosity.
Elongated porosity — worm holes or piping porosity — elongated dark indications aligned with the weld direction.
Tungsten inclusions — bright white spots on the radiograph from TIG welding tungsten particles.
Slag inclusions — dark linear or irregular inclusions of non-metallic material trapped in the weld.
7.2 Film Interpretation Procedure
Film viewing conditions — darkened room, calibrated illuminator with variable intensity, and correct viewing luminance.
Film identification — verifying film identification marks, IQI visibility, and density before interpretation begins.
Systematic scan — scanning the full weld length in a defined pattern before recording any indication.
Indication characterization — recording location, orientation, length, and discontinuity type for every indication found.
Indication sizing — measuring length and width using a calibrated scale against the weld image.
Interpretation report — documenting all findings with film identification, density, IQI wire visibility, and accept/reject decision.
8. Acceptance Criteria Application
Acceptance criteria must always be applied from the code or standard specified in the examination procedure.
ISO 5817: Welding — Quality Levels for Imperfections — Quality Levels B, C, and D for different service requirements.
ASME Section VIII — acceptance criteria for pressure vessel weld radiography.
API 1104: Welding of Pipelines and Related Facilities — acceptance criteria for pipeline girth weld radiography.
AWS D1.1: Structural Welding Code — acceptance criteria for structural weld radiography.
Crack — universally rejectable under all applicable RT codes and standards.
Incomplete penetration — acceptance limits vary by code — always check the applicable standard before deciding.
Porosity acceptance — individual pore size, density, and cluster area limits are code-specific.
Level I role — performing the examination and producing the radiograph under Level II supervision.
Level II role — interpreting the film, applying acceptance criteria, and signing the RT report independently.
9. RT Procedure and Documentation
Written RT procedure — mandatory per ASME Section V Article 2 before any examination begins.
Procedure content — scope, radiation source, film type, IQI type, technique, SFD, density range, and acceptance criteria.
Procedure qualification — demonstrating the procedure achieves the required IQI sensitivity before first use.
Radiograph identification — weld number, film number, operator identity, date, and technique clearly marked on every film.
RT report — documenting film identification, density, IQI wire visible, indications found, and accept/reject decision.
Film archiving — radiographic films retained for the period specified by the applicable code and client requirement.
Procedure document control per ISO 9001:2015 Clause 7.5 — version control and authorized distribution.
10. Digital and Computed Radiography
Computed Radiography — CR — uses a photostimulable phosphor imaging plate instead of film.
CR plate is scanned by a laser reader and produces a digital image for interpretation on a calibrated monitor.
Digital Radiography — DR — uses a flat panel detector producing an immediate digital image without processing.
Digital image quality indicators — same sensitivity requirements as film — essential wire must be visible on the digital image.
Monitor calibration — the display monitor must be calibrated to the luminance required for digital RT image interpretation.
Digital RT advantages — immediate image availability, no chemical processing, and digital archiving.
ASME Section V Article 2 digital RT requirements — specific IQI sensitivity and image quality requirements for CR and DR.
11. HSE and Quality Management Integration
RT radiation hazard is invisible — ALARA, controlled areas, and personal dosimetry are non-negotiable safety requirements.
Applying HIRARC to RT field operations — radiation exposure, working at height, confined space, and night work.
Permit-to-Work for RT operations — mandatory before any gamma source is deployed in a process or industrial area.
Controlled area establishment — radiation survey before and during exposure to verify boundary dose rates.
Emergency response plan — documented procedure for source stuck, lost source, and personnel overexposure.
Quality management of RT per ISO 9001:2015 — procedure control, densitometer calibration records, and film archive management.
Applying RCA — Root Cause Analysis to invalid radiographs — density failure, IQI not visible, and film artifacts.
RT nonconformance per ISO 9001:2015 Clause 10.2 — documented corrective action for every invalid examination.
12. Case Studies and Group Discussions
Case studies from RT failures in Middle East oil and gas, pressure vessel, and pipeline environments including missed crack indications from film density outside the acceptable range, IQI placed on the film side without justification invalidating the examination sensitivity claim, and radiation overexposure incidents from uncontrolled area boundaries — and the importance of rigorous RT competency in preventing in-service failures and radiation safety incidents.
Group discussion on RT operational challenges in Middle East environments including controlling gamma source operations on active GCC petrochemical plant turnarounds, applying ALARA in confined offshore and onshore RT environments, and transitioning from film RT to digital CR and DR in regional inspection programs.
Film interpretation workshop — participants interpret a presented set of weld radiographs, classify all discontinuities by type and size, apply the specified acceptance criteria, and complete the RT report — reviewed for interpretation accuracy and acceptance criteria application.
Group Exercises
RT procedure development exercise — teams develop a written RT procedure for a presented weld inspection scenario per ASME Section V Article 2, defining source, technique, SFD, IQI, density range, and acceptance criteria — reviewed for completeness and standard compliance.
Film interpretation calibration exercise — groups independently interpret the same set of radiographs, compare findings, resolve classification disagreements using the applicable code, and apply RCA to any missed or misclassified indications.
Radiation safety planning exercise — teams establish a controlled area plan for a presented field RT scenario — defining exclusion zone boundary, survey requirements, dosimetry, permit-to-work, and emergency source retrieval procedure.
Gained Core Technical Skills
Proficiency in applying radiation physics — attenuation, inverse square law, and differential attenuation — to RT setup and exposure calculation.
Competency in selecting and applying X-ray, Ir-192, Co-60, and Se-75 sources based on material thickness, sensitivity requirements, and application.
Skill in applying SWSI, DWSI, DWDI, and panoramic exposure techniques per ASME Section V Article 2, calculating Ug, and determining minimum SFD.
Ability to select, position, and verify wire IQIs per ASTM E747, measure film density with a calibrated densitometer, and assess radiograph validity.
Proficiency in interpreting weld radiographs — classifying cracks, lack of fusion, incomplete penetration, porosity, tungsten inclusions, and slag inclusions.
Competency in applying acceptance criteria per ISO 5817, API 1104, and AWS D1.1 to make evidence-based accept/reject decisions and complete the RT report.
Ability to apply ALARA, establish controlled areas, manage personal dosimetry, and respond to radiation emergencies per ISO 45001:2018 and HIRARC.
Services Geographical Coverage
In Tamkene Training Center or at our client's facility (On-Site), Covering All Saudi Arabia Cities and Locations:
Targeted Audience
NDT technicians seeking formal RT Level I or Level II qualification under ISO 9712:2021 or ASNT SNT-TC-1A.
Radiographers and RT operators working in weld inspection, pressure vessel examination, and pipeline radiography who need to develop or formalize their RT competency.
Quality inspectors and QC engineers responsible for reviewing and accepting RT examination results in fabrication and construction environments.
Inspection engineers and integrity engineers who use RT as part of in-service pressure equipment and pipeline integrity assessment programs.
HSE engineers responsible for managing radiation safety programs for RT operations in industrial environments.
Any professional whose role involves performing, supervising, reviewing, or managing Radiographic Testing in oil and gas, petrochemical, power generation, construction, or manufacturing environments.
Practical Assessment
IQI selection and positioning exercise — selecting the correct wire IQI and placing it on the correct side for a presented specimen and technique scenario.
Film density measurement exercise — measuring density at specified locations on a presented processed radiograph using a calibrated densitometer and assessing validity against the acceptable range.
Film interpretation and report exercise — interpreting a presented set of weld radiographs, classifying and sizing all discontinuities, applying the specified acceptance criteria, and completing the RT report with accept/reject decisions.
Geometric unsharpness calculation — calculating Ug and minimum SFD for a presented source size and component geometry.
Knowledge Assessment
Radiation physics and sources — inverse square law application, Ir-192 half-life value, ALARA principle definition, and maximum permissible annual dose per ICRP.
Exposure technique and geometry — Ug formula and maximum permitted value per ASME Section V, technique selection for a presented pipe diameter, acceptable density range for gamma RT, and IQI essential wire visibility rule.
Discontinuity classification — distinguishing crack from lack of fusion on a described radiographic image, porosity acceptance limit source standard selection, tungsten inclusion appearance, and slag inclusion orientation description.
Procedure and safety questions — mandatory RT written procedure content per ASME Section V Article 2, densitometer calibration requirement, ISO 9001:2015 Clause 10.2 corrective action trigger for an invalid radiograph, and controlled area boundary dose rate verification requirement.
Why Choose This Course
Aligned with ISO 9712:2021, ASNT SNT-TC-1A, ASME Section V Article 2, ASTM E94, ASTM E747, ISO 17636-1:2013, ISO 5817, API 1104, AWS D1.1, ISO 45001:2018, and ISO 9001:2015.
Film interpretation is practiced on a real weld radiograph set under assessment conditions — developing the discrimination skill that defines RT Level II competency.
Geometric unsharpness calculation and IQI selection are assessed as practical competencies — not reviewed as theory only.
Radiation safety — ALARA, controlled area establishment, and emergency source retrieval — is addressed as a non-negotiable operational discipline, not a compliance afterthought.
Incorporates Middle East RT challenges including gamma source control on active GCC petrochemical turnarounds, ALARA application in confined onshore and offshore RT environments, and digital CR/DR transition for regional inspection programs.
Note: This course outline, including specific topics, modules, and duration, can be customized based on the specific needs and requirements of the client.
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