Stainless Foundry & Engineering, Inc.

Questions & Answers

The below listed question and answers are meant to give concise quick responses to commonly asked questions about Stainless Foundry & Engineering Inc. Quality Assurance program as well as giving insight to some of the process and standards that we are certified to and follow in our every day business practice. The responsible QA parties fielding these questions claim not to be experts in the third party subject matter discussed but are here to help you answer basic questions and provide a general overview. This section of the SF&E web page will be updated on a monthly basis. All questions may be e-mailed to the attention of Mike Kronebusch for direct response.

SF&E's Quality Program

SF&E's Welding Program

Certified Material Test Reports (CMTR)

Available nondestructive testing capabilities

ISO 9001

97/23/EC PED/CE capabilities

Pressure Ordinance TRB 100 /TRD 100 AD-WO Markblatt Capabilities

DNV Capabilities

Norsok Capabilities

SF&E’s Quality Program

Q: What is the basic structure of SF&E’s quality program?

A: The structure of the documented quality system is three tiered. A Quality Policy Manual (QPM) followed by Quality Management Procedures (QMP’s) followed by Work Instructions (WIP’s). These are listed in order of precedence.

Q: What standard is the QPM structured around?

A: Revision 12 of the QPM is based to follow the compliance of ISO 9001 2000 edition. Compliance to key elements of the requirements of many third party standards are addressed and followed b y the QPM. To name a few MIL-I-25208, ASME B&PVC, Section III, NCA-3800, 10CFR50, appendix B, 97/23/EC PED, The Pressure Ordinance TRB 100 / TRD 100 AD-WO Merkblatt.

Q: How can we receive a copy of your QPM?

A: Controlled or uncontrolled via e-mail, in a CD format, or hard copy through the US mail / UPS.

Q: Who is SF&E’s ISO 9001 registrar?

A: Perry Johnson and Associates.

Q: How is your Quality Program maintained?

A: Primarily through internal auditing personnel and via an annual management review.

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SF&E’s Welding Program

Q: What standards are the welders at SF&E certified to?

A: Welders are qualified to one or more of the following requirements - ASME Section IX, MIL-STD-248, NAVSEA S9074-AQ-GIB-010/248, and EN-287.

Q: What methods of welding can be performed at SF&E?

A: Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), as well as Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW).

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Certified Material Test Reports (CMTR)

Q: Are all material certifications compliant to EN 10204, paragraph 3.1b?

A: Yes. All technical content is covered on all CMTR’s whether it is a commercial job or a nuclear job.

Q: Are certifications available to be sent via e-mail?

A: Yes. Special provisions can be set up to deliver documents in an electronic format. This would be set up with the QA Contract Specialists at SF&E.

Q: Do certifications accompany shipment?

A: All certifications accompany shipments as well as being mailed to the casting buyer or QA department of the customer.

Q: Are radiographs sent with the casting or machining shipments?

A: No. They are sent via UPS so that their routes may be tracked on the UPS web page.

Q: How long are certs kept on file?

A: Our standard time of retention for certs and other technical qualification documents (heat treat charts, metallurgical records, NDT items) is 5 years unless there are prior customer arrangements with SF&E’s QA department or by special third party specification requirements.

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Available nondestructive testing capabilities

Q: What methods of NDT can SF &E perform?

A: SF&E’s QA/QC employees are certified in liquid penetrant (PT), Visual testing (VT), and radiographic film interpretation (RT).

Q: What standards are their NDT personnel at SF&E certified to?

A: ASNT-TC-1A and MIL-STD-410E for most qualification of methods.

Q: Are all forms of NDT performed on site at SF&E?

A: Liquid penetrant (PT), Visual testing (VT), and radiographic film interpretation (RT) are all available on-site at SF&E. SF&E’s QA department has retained the services of an on-site NDT lab that handles all of the NDT that we cannot perform such as radiography, magnetic particle, and ultrasonic inspection.

Q: Does SF&E retain a NDE Level III on site?

A: Yes, for the methods of Liquid Penetrant, Visual Testing, and Radiographic Film Interpretation.

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ISO 9001

Q: What edition of ISO 9001 is SF &E certified to?

A: The 2000 edition is the current certification status.

Q: Scope of applicability at SF&E

A: This is the cornerstone of the entire quality program at SF&E. Every job that goes through the Foundry and machine shop follows the policies set forth by the quality policy manual and the quality management procedures (QMP’s) that support it. SF&E plans in fiscal year 2002 to upgrade our certificate the 2000 edition requirements.

Q: Who is SF&E’s ISO 9001 registrar?

A: Perry Johnson Registrars.

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97/23/EC PED/CE capabilities

Q: What is the PED?

A: The European member states have ratified directive 97/23/EC, called the PED. It specifies that all pressure components with service pressures that exceed 0.5 Bar meet specific technical parameters as specified in the directive. It mandated that a manufacturer have a quality system that follows the guidelines of the ISO 9000 series of standards and that personnel and process procedures follow proper harmonized EN standards as mentioned in the 97/23/EC directive. These special processes mainly pertain to heat treatment, non-destructive testing, and metallurgical testing but are not limited to these activities. Becoming qualified to produce PED class castings allows the Foundry to affix a CE mark to the casting if specified by our customer.

Q: What Alloys can SF&E produce for PED rated orders?

A: Stainless Foundry currently is qualified and authorized to produce numerous Alloys as we have technical and historical proficiency in. As of May 2002 the harmonized standards listing has been finalized.

Q: When is the 97/23/EC PED going into effect?

A: May 29, 2002

Q: Who is SF&E’s 97/23/EC registrar?

A: TUV Suddeutschland

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Pressure Ordinance
TRB 100 / TRD 100 AD-WO Merkblatt capabilities

Q: What is the Pressure Ordinance TRB 100 / TRD 100 AD-WO Merkblatt. Capabilities?

A: The requirements of the Pressure Equipment Ordinance are unique to products for pressure service that will be operating within the confines of Germany. TRB/TRD-100 is a German pressure set of standards for the production of metallic goods similar to the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code.

Q: What is SF&E’s scope of manufacture for this standard?

A: 200 Kg (441 LBS) maximum. Larger castings require source inspection and level 3.1A or 3.1C certification for Stainless Foundry during manufacturing.

Q: What Alloys is SF&E certified to pour for the Pressure Ordinance TRB 100 / TRD 100 AD-WO Merkblatt?

A: GX5 CrNiMo 19-11-2 (similar to CF8M/AISI Wrought 316)
GX6 CrNiMo 18-10 (similar to CF8/AISI Wrought 304)
GX2 CrNiMo 19-11-2 (similar CF3M/AISI Wrought 316L)

Q: Who is Pressure Ordinance TRB 100 / TRD 100 AD-WO Merkblatt SF&E’s registrar?

A: TUV Suddeutschland.

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DNV capabilities

Q: What is a DNV rating?

A: DNV is an inspection and specification third party agency that performs inspections on primarily ocean going vessels during shipbuilding and as a port authority. They also, as in SF&E’s case certify manufacturers for production of primary materials used in construction on DNV rated projects.

Q: What Alloys can SF&E produce on DNV rated orders?

A: Austenitic nodular cast iron Alloys, Nickel based Alloys, Carbon and carbon-manganese Alloy, Austenitic Stainless, Ferritic - austenitic Stainless and Precipitation hardening Stainless.

Q: What are the weight restrictions of castings that SF&E can produce?

A: 1000 Kg maximum.

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Norsok capabilities

Q: What is Norsok?

A: Norsok (the competitive standing of the Norwegian offshore sector) is the industry to add value, reduce cost, and lead-time and remove unnecessary activities in offshore field developments and operations.

Q: Is SF&E certified to Norsok?

A: No. The intent of Norsok is to specify proper manufacturing and testing parameters for products destine for use in the offshore oil platforms specifically in the North Sea. There are no previsions to certify nor is it the intent of Norsok to approve or certify – only to guide.

Q: What third party specifications are called out in the Norsok standards?

A: The majority of the third party specifications called out are in the Norsok’s Material Data Sheets (MDS) are ASTM, ASME, UNS and other popular industry standards.

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Questions & Answers