BS EN 13018:2016

Non-destructive testing -
Visual testing - General
principles

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BS EN 13018:2016 BRITISH STANDARD

National foreword
This British Standard is the UK implementation of EN 13018:2016.
It supersedes BS EN 13018:2001 which is withdrawn.
The UK participation in its preparation was entrusted to Technical
Committee WEE/46, Non-destructive testing.
A list of organizations represented on this committee can be
obtained on request to its secretary.
This publication does not purport to include all the necessary
provisions of a contract. Users are responsible for its correct
application.
© The British Standards Institution 2016.
Published by 851 Standards Limited 2016
ISBN 978 0 580 88554 9
ICS19.100

Compliance with a British Standard cannot confer immunity from

legal obligations.
This British Standard was published under the authority of the
Standards Policy and Strategy Committee on 29 February 2016.
Amendments/corrigenda issued since publication
Date Text affected
 BS EN 13018:2016

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN13018

NORME EUROPEENNE
EUROPAISCHE NORM February 2016

JCS 19.100 Supersedes EN 13018:2001

English Version

Non-destructive testing - Visual testing - General

principles
Essais non destructifs - Examen visuel - Principes Prufung - Sichtprufung - Allgemeine Grundlagen
generaux

This European Standard was approved by CEN on 27 December 2015.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania,
Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and
United Kingdom.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION

COMITE EUROPEEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPAISCHES KOMITEE FUR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000 Brussels

© 2016 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 13018:2016 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
BS EN 13018:2016
EN 13018:2016 (E)

Contents Page

European foreword 3
1 Scope 4
2 Normative references 4
3 Terms and definitions 4
4 Pre- test d ocum en ta ti on 4
5 Direct visual testing 5
6 Remote visual testing 6
7 Personn e 1 6
8 Eva I uati on 6
9 Post- test d ocum en tati on 6
10 Records 7

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 BS EN 13018:2016
EN 13018:2016 (E)

European foreword

This document (EN 13018:2016) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 138 "Non-
destructive testing", the secretariat of which is held by AFNOR.

This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by August 2016, and conflicting national standards shall be
withdrawn at the latest by August 2016.

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN [and/or CENELEC] shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent
rights.

This document supersedes EN 13018:2001.

According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following
countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus,
Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany,
Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United
Kingdom.

3
BS EN 13018:2016
EN 13018:2016 (E)

1 Scope
This European Standard specifies the general principles for visual testing both directly and remotely when
it is used to determine the compliance of a product with specified requirements ( e.g. surface condition of
the part, alignment of mating surfaces, shape of part).
This European Standard does not apply to viewing activities linked to the use of any other destructive or
non-destructive test method.

2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and are
indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 1330-10, Non-destructive testing - Terminology- Part 10: Terms used in visual testing

EN ISO 8596, Ophthalmic optics - Visual acuity testing - Standard optotype and its presentation (ISO 8596)

EN ISO 9712, Non-destructive testing - Qualification and certification of NDT personnel (ISO 9712)

3 Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN 1330-10 and the following apply.
3.1
direct visual testing
visual testing where there is an uninterrupted optical path from the observer's eye to the test area. This is
either unaided or aided via e.g. mirror, lens, endoscope or fibre optic

3.2
remote visual testing
visual testing where there is an interrupted optical path from the observer's eye to the test area. Remote
visual testing covers the use of photography, video systems, automated systems and robots

4 Pre-test documentation
4.1 An instruction shall be written which includes the minimum testing requirements in accordance
with 4.4.

4.2 When required (e.g. product standard, contract) a written procedure shall be prepared in
accordance with 4.4 to 4.7. Written procedures may be in a general form applicable without adaptation to
a variety of unlisted products or situations, thereby reducing the overall number of written procedures
required.

4.3 Copies of the written instructions and/or the procedures shall be made available to the relevant
personnel.

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 BS EN 13018:2016
EN 13018:2016 (E)

4.4 As a minimum, the following aspects shall be considered for applicability:

a) the object to be tested, location, accessibility and geometry;

b) the extent of test coverage;

c) the technique and sequence of performing the test;

d) the surface condition;

e) the surface preparation;

t) the stage of manufacture or service life when testing is carried out;

g) the requirements of personnel (see Clause 7);

h) the acceptance criteria;

i) the illumination (type, level and direction);

j) the visual testing equipment to be used;

k) the post-test documentation (see Clause 9).

4.5 A demonstration test piece shall be used to prove the procedure. The test piece should be as close as
possible to the component with respect to relative reflectivity, surface texture, contrast ratio and
accessibility. The procedure should be demonstrated on the least discernible location in the area to be
tested. This demonstration test piece may be replaced by the component to be tested or an approved
system of reference.

4.6 Changes in equipment and in the details of the tests arrangement which do not adversely affect
sensitivity levels shall not require the procedure to be reproven.

4. 7 Any record of the image shall be of the same standard as defined in the procedure.

5 Direct visual testing

5.1 Direct visual testing may usually be made for local visual testing when access is sufficient to place
the eye within 600 mm of the surface to be tested and at an angle not less than 30° to the surface to be
tested. Mirrors may be used to improve the angle of vision, and aids such as a magnifying lens, endoscope
and fibre optic may be used to assist testing.

5.2 Direct visual testing may also be made at greater distances than 600 mm specifically for general
visual testing. A viewing distance appropriate to the test shall be used.

5.3 The specific part, component, vessel, or section thereof, under immediate test, shall be illuminated, if
necessary, with auxiliary lighting, to attain a minimum of 160 Ix for general visual testing and a minimum
of 500 Ix for local visual testing.

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BS EN 13018:2016
EN 13018:2016 (E)

5.4 Consideration shall be given to the application of illuminance to maximize the effectiveness of the
test by:

a) using the optimum direction oflight with respect to the viewing point;

b) avoiding glare;

c) optimizing the colour temperature of the light source;

d) using an illumination level compatible with the surface reflectivity.

6 Remote visual testing

6.1 When direct visual testing cannot be utilized, it may have to be substituted by remote visual testing.
Remote visual testing uses visual aids such as endoscopes and fibre optics, coupled to cameras or other
suitable instruments.

6.2 The suitability of the remote visual testing system to perform the designated task shall be proven.

7 Personnel
Personnel who carry out tests according to this standard shall be shown to:
a) be familiar with relevant standards, rules, specifications, equipment and procedures/instructions;

b) be familiar with the relevant manufacturing procedure used and/or with the operating conditions of
the component to be tested;

c) have satisfactory vision in accordance with EN ISO 9712. In addition, when performing general visual
testing far vision shall be checked using the standard optotype in accordance with EN ISO 8596 visual
acuity grade 0,63 in at least one eye corrected or uncorrected. Vision shall be checked at least every
12 months.

8 Evaluation
All visual tests shall be evaluated in terms of the acceptance criteria specified ( e.g. product standard,
contract).

9 Post-test documentation
When required (e.g. product standard, contract) a written test report shall be provided detailing the
following:
a) date and place of test;

b) method used according to Clauses 5 or 6;

c) acceptance criteria and/or written procedure/instruction reference;

d) equipment and/or system utilized including set-up;

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 BS EN 13018:2016
EN 13018:2016 (E)

e) reference to customer's order;

f) name of organization carrying out test;

g) description and identification of test object;

h) details of test findings with respect to the acceptance criteria ( e.g. size, location);

i) extent of test coverage;

j) name and signature of person conducting test with date;

k) name and signature of person supervising test with date, if required;

1) marking of component tested, when appropriate;

m) results.

This may be accomplished by referencing the visual testing written procedure and/or the instruction.

10 Records
Records shall be maintained as required (e.g. product standard, contract).

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