What is Third Party Inspection and why is it carried out?

There are large and complex incinerator packages which require detailed, even 100%, inspection to be carried out to ensure compliance to standards and specifications. It is not easy for the client to do it all by himself. Many times more than one inspecting agency is assigned this task with specialists from mechanical, electrical, electronics and instrumentation disciplines.

Sometimes, the buyer might not be the end user. To increase the confidence of the end user, the buyer would have the equipment inspected by a reputed third party inspection agency, which also adds value to the product.

The TPI is planned so as to have an unbiased opinion on the equipment offered; to carry out FAT and to clear the readied equipment for shipment.

What do the inspectors do during the inspection or FAT?

·        They use the ITP as the base for inspection.

·        They inspect the assembled incinerator equipment and compare it to the approved GA and P&ID to satisfy themselves that the assembly, orientation and tie-in points match the approved documents and assure themselves what is offered by the manufacturer is what the client ordered.

·        They physically verify and ensure the MOC matches the specs.

·        They carry out a run test to check the vibration levels, current, flow, capacity, etc.

·        They check all the test certificates and documents to satisfy themselves that the results match the PO.

·        They may carry out CCS test on refractory.

·        They may want to witness spark test on rubber lined items.

·        They verify the instruments as per data sheet and their calibration reports.

·        They check the PLC panel and ensure control philosophy matches the requirement

The incinerator manufacturer offering his equipment, should, therefore, be ready in all respects to satisfy the inspectors.

The manufacturer, on his part, knows at the end of the inspection that the incinerator equipment has been certified by a reputable third party inspection agency which adds value to the product. He can feel free in the knowledge that his incinerator package is second to none in terms of quality and performance. Such inspection makes the incinerator package more or less fully ready for installation and commissioning at site without any hitch, because any observations made by the inspectors would be attended to before shipment. The manufacturer`s work force feel that the product they have made competes well in the international market.

As far as the end user is concerned, he is satisfied that the incinerator package he ordered is of the right quality and has value for money. He can rest assured it will function properly when it reaches his location. He is also sure there are no missing items or surprises.

The Third Party Inspection always poses a challenge of measuring up to a critic`s expectations and once completed, gives everyone a sense of achievement.

It was during one such inspections by a team of inspectors drawn from different parts of the world, an observation made by an overseas inspector is worth recalling. He said `I never knew until now that India could make such quality incinerator package equipment`.

These words bear ample testimony to the fact that we as a country are moving in the right direction `making things in India`!