DKC::Metals & Steel Products Services

1-Scope

The standards & instructions normally applied by DKC when providing services related to the inspection of petroleum/Petrochemical commodities and

the scope of work described herein is not intended to replace or take precedence over any scope of work agreed as between DKC and its principals and

it should be understood that many nominations for service are limited in their nature.

2-Definitions

Qualitative Inspections encompass inspections with regard to the quality of the commodity and the means of transport,production date , arriving date at

warehouse and inspection date,and implies observation during handling of a commodity or a commodity in stock.

Handling is the loading or unloading of a commodity in port, terminal, open/closed storage areas or warehouse.Means of transport include all possible

means i.e. trailers, railcars, etc…

These inspections exclude weighing, sampling, testing and reporting.

Weighing:

Covers actual or theoretical (obtained and based on manufacturers declared density) determination of the weight by DKC or witnessing by DKC on the

weighing operations executed by other parties. It applies to weighing systems for determining, indicating or printing weight and also includes

calibration of scales against standard weights. Draft surveys of ships are included in this group service.

Sampling:

Covers actual sampling by DKC or witnessing of the sampling executed by other parties. Sampling can be performed manually or utilizing mechanical

sampling installations automated to different extends. The object of sampling is to obtain a representative quantity from all or part of a consignment as

required. The final prepared samples should be suitable for analysis.

Testing:

Is intended to validate various parameters with regard to the original commodity.Testing may be either chemical or physical in nature and may include

further sample preparation. Tests are normally conducted on samples that have been produced as a result of a quantitative inspection or sampling

exercise.

Reporting:

Is to relate the facts, events and figures observed by DKC at intervals before, during and after the inspection as detailed in the mandate. The reports

must enable the principal to identify without ambiguity the consignment to which the document refers. It also will differentiate between inspections,

sampling, weighing, and testing.

3-Metals and Steel Products/Commodities

These guidelines are applicable for the manufactured products intended for production of goods and services.

Such products are usually mill and foundry products and may be divided into following categories:

a) Beams and columns

b) Bearing piles

c) Channels

d) Angles ( equal or unequal )

e) Hot rolled coils

f) Cold rolled coils

g) Coils of bar and wire rod

h) Flat bars, grousers and merchant bars

i) Track products

j) Pipes and tubes

k) Casted products

l) Ingots ( billets , blooms , blocks , slabs )

m) Scrap metals

4-Methods, Procedures, Standards

DKC will have due regard to the duties and guidelines of chapter II when executing the instructions of the principal for inspection , laboratory testing or

other related technical services.

The services are conducted in accordance with the instructions and documents provided by the principal which should normally include an agreed

inspection program or plan in conjunction with any applicable quality plan and specifications.Such services are generally conducted according to the

witness points and hold points of the inspection program or plan or as otherwise agreed with the principal, reports will reflect the findings made at the

time and place of inspection.The services provided by DKC do not relieve the manufacturers, suppliers, buyers and other parties involved in the

transaction from their contractual responsibilities.It is the moral duty of DKC to make sure whether the assessment of compliance of the product to be

inspected with the relevant regulations, standards or specifications should be supported by tests or laboratory analysis.Test, if any, are to be carried out

by a third party lab. or with all parties agreement at the supplier’s or manufacturer’s lab.Witnessed by DKC.

Unless otherwise specifically required or Imposed by the scope of the verification to be performed, inspections are made at random and should not then

be expected to be exhaustive.

DKC will normally be entitled to decide which items or parts of the equipment will be specifically examined or tested.Whenever it is feasible and

advisable, DKC will propose to complete the product inspection or even sometimes to replace it by an assessment of the quality assurance system of the

product, manufacturer or user in view of the relevant standards or rules of practice.The purpose of the services applied by DKC is to advise the

principal as regards the condition of the product and its compliance with the relevant regulations standards or specifications.This advice is expressed in

the form of a report,certificate, release note or any other type of equivalent document issued to the principal. DKC is not authorized to give instructions

to anyone during the course of its mission concerning the manufacturing, the use or the maintenance of the product.

Unless otherwise specifically required or instructed, DKC does not check the accuracy of the information concerning the characteristics or

performances of the product surveyed but relies for the data provided by the supplier or given to it by the principal.All relevant information and

precisions about the destination of the product and the particular conditions in which it is intended to be operated have to be provided by the principal

to DKC so as to enable it to carry our its mission in the most proper and comprehensive manner.

5-DKC Inspection Services for Metals and Steel Products

DKC services may include:

a) Design review

b) Work shop and site inspection.

c) Inspection of a product or its installation

d) Review of documents ( to review the contents of documents with reference to relevant contracts,standards and specifications and applicable codes

and standards )

e) Witnessing testing conducted by the supplier

f) Vendor audit , assessment of the vendor quality system

g) Progress reporting by regular inspection during manufacturing and report on progress

h) Packing and marking inspection which is visual examination and report on the packing and marking of a product.

i) Witnessing laboratory analysis and non-destructive tests by third party

j) Cargo damage and condition inspections

k) Weight ascertainments

l) Tallying

6-Visual Inspections

DKC may receive nomination for visual inspections only or for attendance during services such as sampling which includes visual inspection. This may

depend on the nature of the commodity, custom of the port, stipulations in a contract.Visual inspections will take place either during handling of the

commodity or in state situation.DKC will check existing stocks on an information basis only.

Visual inspections may comprise:

- Visual condition of commodity

- Handling facilities like storage , loading and unloading facilities inspection

- Means of transport, warehousing and stowage to judge their suitability.

- Weather conditions

- Irregularities

Advice or recommendations on the compatibility of previous cargoes are not duties of DKC who shall not assess or certify the fitness of a receptacle to

contain or carry the commodity except with regards to the fact that the receptacles re visually clean.

DKC’s responsibility for visual inspection is strictly limited to a determination that the designated cargo holds as seen by naked eye from reasonably

accessible and safe vantage appears to be clean.

Where inspections call for examination of vessel’s logbook, certificates or documents, DKC shall state whether it has sighted the mentioned items in

question and whether it was presented in a language intelligible to DKC inspector.

Any reproduction made from the above-mentioned items shall be made without responsibility of DKC and shall be for information purpose only.

If requested by the principal, DKC shall transmit the principal’s instructions to the terminal, operator or carrier. Such instructions will have been

previously stipulated in the contract. DKC will transmit such instructions of received in good time but shall not be responsible for the accuracy,

applicability or execution of such instructions. If requested by principal, DKC shall seek evidence of the execution of such instructions from the carrier

upon arrival.

In case of problems or irregularities, DKC inspector will inform the principal and seek his instruction when feasible to do so.

When DKC is requested to observe a loading, discharge, transport, handling or other such operations, DKC shall provide a reasonable presence during

the procedure and shall observe and watch over the proceedings reporting to the principal as may be reasonably necessary. If a proper visual inspection

was not possible due to adverse circumstances, this must be reported.

7-Weighing or weight ascertainment

When DKC is requested to report on quantity determinations , it shall attend the weight ascertainment , check relevant documentation and use its best

endeavors to ensure the functioning and accuracy of the apparatus.The choice of the method used in the weight ascertainment shall be specified in the

instructions remitted by the principal and the method shall be in accordance with local usage or custom.

Depending on the commodity, method used and the principal’s instructions , DKC may be required to note theoretical or actual weights, gross and net

weights, initial, intermediate and final readings, etc. advised by a third party.

Such information shall be passed on but without responsibility of DKC.

Normally the following information of a weight ascertainment should be recorded:

Place of weighing , dates of weighing , weighing system and weather / when it was last inspected /calibrated , conditions of weighing,if applicable

packaging , marks and any irregularities.

The weight should be the gross and net wet weight of the specified commodity.If contaminants are present and can be separated (economically),it will

be removed if possible.If separation is impossible and estimate of such contamination must be reported. If the material is in packaged form, separate

types of packages must be weighed and reported separately.In case of draft surveys,DKC inspector should be allowed free access to the ship including

tanks,deadweight records as well as structural and hydrostatic charts.

DKC accepts no responsibility for the ship’s condition and suitability of the ship for draft surveys.In case of any discrepancies and/ or abnormalities and

/or limitations in the course of fulfilling

DKC inspector’s duties, appropriate letters and statements shall be issued and reported to the principal.

Tallying , where authorized by local rules and customs, shall be effected without checking the contents of the packages.

In case weighing is done in conjunction with other personnel each recorded weight and totals are to be checked and agreed by the parties before leaving

the premises.Reports should contain any comments having a bearing on the weight ascertainment of the commodity or the witnessing thereof.

8-Sampling

The instructions given by the principal shall state the purpose for which the sample is being drawn, such as determination of quality, condition,

contamination, specific gravity, density, etc. The method and means of drawing the sample shall likewise be specified in the instructions, or when

applicable, by local regulations.Generally sampling will take place during handling of the commodity. Where this is not possible, stockpile sampling

techniques can be used but such techniques will not produce a representative sample.

ISO procedures should be applied where feasible in the circumstances, however local practice which is similar to ISO procedures will be

acceptable.Mechanical sampling followed by manual manipulation of the increments is also acceptable providing that the manual aspect is conducted to

ISO standard or a local practice similar to ISO standard.For manual sampling ISO procedures should be applied. Local practices which are similar to

ISO procedures or conducive to good and proper sampling may be applied.

Distribution and conservation of samples shall likewise be determined by the instructions or by relevant trade custom or practice. Samples shall be

labeled so as to give the particulars of who drew sample, where and when the sample was drawn as well as the purpose of the sample.Samples shall be

sealed so as to prevent any access to the sample unless such access is obtained by breaking or removing the seals. Where sampling is to be done jointly,

the sealing of the samples must bear the seals of all interested parties.

9-Testing/Analysis

In case that testing and analysis services are required, DKC shall take due care to ensure that samples are delivered in sound condition to a third party

laboratory.DKC shall use laboratories that preferably have been accredited by a national or international accreditation body.

DKC shall not be responsible for the analysis results.In case that a field test is required such as chloride detection by silver nitrate and etc…, DKC shall

conduct the test by professional inspector, and shall take due care to ensure that all equipment and apparatus are calibrated and in working condition

and that all health and safety regulations are respected.

10-Packing and Marking Inspections

When called upon to inspect packing, DKC shall visually inspect the goods and will report on the condition and markings of the packing, but will not

advise on the suitability thereof.

11-Metals and Steel Products Related Marine/Cargo Damage & Condition Inspections

Such products are usually mill and foundry products and may be divided as per mentioned in section 3.3.

For such commodities, type of securing and handling operation is vital.These commodities usually sustain physical damage due improper handling

during load/discharge; they are also potentially capable of causing severe damage if not properly secured.