Rope Access Discussion

[bluenose]

Does anyone on here have API tickets such as 510, 770, 653?

Are these tickets something that an NDT could pursue? If so, what inspection techniques should a tech be well versed in before writing the tickets.

Basically, I'm thinking about writing some of these tickets in the future (3-5 years) after I get my level 2 NDT certs and weld inspection tickets. Any info about the type of jobs, work and pay would be great.

Thanks guys!

[admin]

These rarely come up within the Rope Access field - are you looking to change career?

[bluenose]

I haven't yet taken my IRATA level one course, although I plan on taking it sometime next year. Right now I'm just concentrating on my NDT tickets and should have mag/dye, UT 1 and RT 1 by the time I take my rope course.

Rope access isn't that big where I am right now (Alberta, Canada) and as far as I know, the only place to take the level one course is about 5000 kms away, in Halifax.

I met an API 510 inspector a couple of weeks ago who said he was charging $80/hr in Alberta, hence my interest in these tickets.

[Global Ascent Inc]

Bluenose,

If you are interested in API & rope access then your first step is your 570 piping inspection code. This requires three years minimum experience and then the preparation and testing is quite difficult. The 510 code for pressure vessels is usually the next step. It is very involved which is why the pay reflects the qualification.
We have two inspectors working on their 570 presently but our requirements for it are limited. Some of our customers do like to have the API visual inspection done at the same time as the UT so it can be an advantage. As far as the pay, yes Alberta has been offering some great packages to API inspectors but this rate doesn't reflect the majority of N. America.
Most of the rope access work we get here in the US is SNTC-1A Visual, UT-2, MT-2, DP-2 & sometimes ET, API 570, TOFD & UT automated among others.
There are many non IRATA API inspectors who road whore and make a very good living so if this is what you want to do, as well as doing rope access occasionally, then its a great career.
Hope this helps.

Gareth Ashworth
Global Ascent Inc
www.global-ascent.com

[admin]

Gareth, great reply, thanks for offering this knowledgeable information.

[bluenose]

Thanks for the great advice Gareth!

[bluenose]

This post was originally sent as a PM to another forum member, who thought it would be beneficial if other people on the forum could read it, so here it is and thanks for any advice:

Hi there and thanks again for answering my questions. Its been hard to find advice about RA and API tickets since none of the guys I work with are into it, so I'm glad a forum like this exists.

I'm pretty new to NDT and the whole industry, I've been at it for 6 months and so far have enjoyed every minute of it and plan on making it my career. I work for an inspection company in Alberta and we do work at fab shops mostly. I've had experience with all methods (except EC) and so far have passed a radiation safety ticket and am doing my MPI soon.

I'm definitely considering rope access as a way to increase my employability and hopefully do some international work in a couple of years. That's another reason I'd like to do the API tickets as well, I enjoy learning new things and making more money and traveling.

With so many options in this line of work, its sometimes hard to decide which route to take. So, what I'd like to figure out is if my plans to do all these tickets in the next 5-7 years is too ambitious, or should I just concentrate solely on NDT?

Are there many inspectors out there who have NDT quals, RA and API tickets?

Another thing that I need more advice on is UT. At the company I work at now we do simple corrosion surveys with a Krautkramer USN58, its pretty straight forward stuff, but some of my friends at other companies are getting into AUT, shearwave, TOFD and phased array. From the sounds of things, UT in itself can be quite complicated and could probably take a good 5 years or more to fully understand all of the different methods.

Sorry about the length of this post, and once again, I appreciate your time and help.

[admin]

AUT, shearwave, TOFD and phased array are good for making above average salaries, combine these with a Rope Access ticket and you have a killer combo. I'd say, based on all the stats we see the API tickets won't get you as far, sure you'll probably earn a great 'local' rate but were talking internationally here.

If it was me in your situation (one I was also in many many years ago) I'd get the rope ticket next - this depends on your current employer though, you do not mention if they carry out RA work? If they do, get that ticket next, its a whole heap easier to attain than AUT, UT 3.9 etc and will make an immediate effect on your salary AND your 'employability'. It's also, (comparatively speaking) a significant amount cheaper to get in financial terms.

[Global Ascent Inc]

If traveling and working away from Canada is a priority then I understand why the API seems like the ticket to have. It is recognized worldwide, unlike ASNT, PCN or CGSB. The problem is that API takes experience to achieve so if your not in the pipeline or pressure vessel inspection fields it will be difficult . What ever you chose to do make sure you can get experience in that relevant field. We have several technicians that have sat the ASNT shear wave class and passed but there is not enough work for all of them, so they loose the skill. Its an advantage to have it but if they want to become good at shear wave they need to be doing it full time.
The American Petroleum Institute, API certificate (510, 570 & 653) & CWI is a great goal to have but start with ASNT SNTC-1A Visual cert first and get your feet wet. Keep up with your UT and once you have got some experience with corrosion mapping etc then work on flaw detection and then shear wave( ASNT L2) The PCN cert is a good one but only relevant outside N America.
I'd wait to do the rope access because you probably wont get the experience you need to do API, If this is the ticket you really want.
If rope access is your goal and you want to do this full time then get good at your thickness measurements and give Angus Borland at Remote Access Technology a call in Nova Scotia. They do a lot of offshore UT on the ropes.
I have attached some more information on API 570 below. Make sure that your company sponsors you for this as the books cost a fortune.
Good Luck.

[Global Ascent Inc]

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