QUALITY CONTROL MANUAL

Objective

This manual establishes the procedures to be followed by company personnel to insure the integrity of the products sold to our customers. It is the responsibility of all personnel within this company to adhere to and implement these procedures.

Raw Material Control

All sheet material used for inner vessel construction (shells and heads) will be austenitic stainless steel and for the most part will consist of materials conforming to SA-240. Suppliers will provide material certification when necessary.

All tubing and pipe used for inner vessel construction will be austenitic stainless steel and for the most part will consist of materials conforming to SA-312, SA-249 and SA-213. Suppliers will provide material certifications when necessary.

Material certifications (Mill Test Reports) will serve to periodically verify conformance to the above, as well as satisfying the requirements of the appropriate codes.

All other steel sheet materials will be of good weldable quality and domestic origin.

Receiving Inspection

All incoming material and parts will be inspected by the designated user or use area for damage, defects and conformance to required characteristics. Any rejections will be brought to the attention of the management and returned. Consistently bad performance by any supplier will be noted and reviewed by management personnel.

Design

Designs for standard and custom products will be guided by ASME code and DOT specifications where appropriate. All designs will consider safety and possible misuse.

Designs submitted by customers will be reviewed in the same light. Any critical changes in customer requirements or specifications will be documented.

Welding Procedures

All welding for ASME code and DOT work will be performed according to qualified procedures and by qualified welders. Procedure and performance qualifications will be kept on file. Welding for "non-regulated" work will be performed essentially as outlined in the procedures above.

Vacuum Leak Testing

When the design permits, all inner vessel assemblies will be vacuum leak tested on every weld seam prior to the application of insulation. A helium mass spectrometer leak detector will be used for that test. After successfully passing that test the inner vessel will be marked with an acceptance label. No insulation will be applied to such inner vessels unless the acceptance label is present. If an inner vessel fails the test it will be re-worked accordingly and re-tested.

All finished cryogenic container will be tested on every weld seam exposed to vacuum. The inner vessel will be re-tested at this time. Any container that fails that test will be re-worked accordingly, and re-tested.

The sensitivity of the leak detector will be verified every day, prior to any testing.

Performance Testing

Random samples of standard containers will be selected and subjected to evaporation rate tests to verify compliance with published specifications. A sensitive flowmeter or scale will be used for evaporation rate testing. Management personnel will determine the test samples and direct the testing.

Final Inspection

The fabricator as well as the fitter will visually inspect every cryogenic container for damage, defects and conformance to required characteristics. Any rejections will be brought to the attention of management personnel and channeled to the proper area for correction.

A pressure leak test (bubble test) will be performed on all fittings and joints of all cryogenic vessels, new and repaired, when the design permits. Any detected leaks will be repaired.

Random Inspection

All fabrication processes and finished products will be continually monitored. Random inspections will be performed by management personnel to insure conformance.

Labeling & Literature

All finished containers will have a label indicating the company name and address. All standard containers will additionally be assigned a serial/model number that will be type embossed on an aluminum adhesive label or stamped into a metal nameplate.

Every cryogenic container will be affixed with a warning/precaution label. Every cryogenic container will be shipped with a pamphlet explaining the hazards associated with handling cryogens and proper handling procedures. When appropriate, cryogenic containers will be affixed with a label designating the cryogen to be contained. All standard containers will be provided with operating instructions when appropriate.

The fitting department will perform all labeling functions. Providing instructions is the responsibility of the fitting department. The shipping department will have the responsibility to include a safety pamphlet in every box containing cryogenic vessels.

Packaging

For domestic surface shipments, all cryogenic containers (up to 24" dia.) will be wrapped with kraft paper and bubble wrap, and then packed in corrugated cardboard boxes with reinforced corners. Boxes will be clearly labeled with "FRAGILE" and "THIS END UP". Larger containers will be wrapped with kraft paper and bubble wrap, and either crated or skidded.

For air shipment of large containers, solid wooden boxes will be used, either with or without cardboard boxes, depending upon size.

For ocean shipment of large containers, solid wooden boxes will be used, either with or without cardboard boxes, depending upon size.

When appropriate any of the above may be affixed with a tip indicator according to needs.

Traceability & Records

All equipment sales will be logged according to product category and the following information will also be entered: customer, purchase order, serial number and date.

All sales, purchase, design and code records will be maintained on file indefinitely, but for a minimum period of not less than 7 years.

All equipment repairs will be documented as to nature of problem, corrective action and parts replaced. Appropriate forms will be used for this purpose and kept on file with the job card.