Comparison of methodologies for qualification of in-service inspection

The features and problems with ASME in-service inspection qualification requirements and the ENIQ methodology approach were discussed. The approach in ASME XI, Appendix Ⅷ is generic qualification, which focuses on blind trial and the statistical significance of the performance demonstration. The benefits of the ENIQ methodology are its flexibility and the requirement that qualification is a combination of practical trials and technical justification. The major disadvantage of the ENIQ approach is the requirement for scarce personnel skills in the physics and practice of inspection. Then the qualification approach of in-service inspection in China is discussed based on the experience of Spanish methodology approach. (authors)