To be accredited to QP 5, coating and lining inspection companies must demonstrate company standards in these key areas:
- Management procedure
- Established inspection practice
- Systems of quality control
- Internal audit and review procedures
- Standards for qualifying and training personnel
- Policy for review and resolution of complaints
These areas are evaluated first in the form of submittals at the time of application, then confirmed through an impartial on-site audit at the headquarter offices of the coatings and lining inspection company.
The on-site audit criteria can be found in both the QP 5 application and the Self-evaluation Checklist. SSPC strongly advises using the checklist to be sure all areas are addressed prior to the on-site audit.
QP 5 background
The QP 5 standard was approved in 1999 and released in September 2001. The current program is based on the 2012 revision of the QP 5 standard. QP 5 is based on criteria established in the standard, SSPC-QP 5 “Standard Procedure for Evaluating the Qualifications of Coating and Lining Inspection Companies,” which is part of the Qualification Procedure Standards developed through the QP consensus process.
Read about the QP 5 DAC.