Who is responsible for ensuring that all specified welds meet project quality requirements when nondestructive examination is needed?

The contractor holds the ultimate responsibility for ensuring that all specified welds meet project quality requirements, particularly when nondestructive examination (NDE) is mandated. This responsibility encompasses the tasks of coordinating, overseeing, and implementing the welding processes in compliance with both technical specifications and industry standards.

While the project manager and the inspector play critical roles in the overall management and assessment of the project, their functions do not extend to the responsibility of executing or ensuring the quality of the welds. The project manager is focused on project timelines, budgets, and overall execution rather than the technical quality of the welds. The inspector, on the other hand, is tasked with verifying compliance through evaluation, including conducting NDE; however, they do not have direct responsibility for the quality control processes or the construction work itself.

The fabricator is involved in the actual creation and assembly of the components but is typically considered part of the contractor’s team. The contractor is responsible for ensuring that all work, including that by subcontractors and fabricators, meets the quality standards specified in the project documentation. Thus, it is the contractor who must ensure that all welds are compliant before the inspector performs any examinations.