Aninspection is, most generally, an organizedexamination or formal evaluation exercise. In engineering activities inspection involves themeasurements,tests, andgauges applied to certain characteristics in regard to an object or activity. The results are usually compared to specifiedrequirements and standards for determining whether the item or activity is in line with these targets, often with aStandard Inspection Procedure in place to ensure consistent checking. Inspections are usually non-destructive.
Inspections may be avisual inspection or involve sensing technologies such asultrasonic testing, accomplished with a direct physical presence or remotely such as aremote visual inspection, and manually or automatically such as anautomated optical inspection.Non-contact optical measurement andphotogrammetry have become commonNDT methods for inspection of manufactured components and design optimisation.
A 2007Scottish Government review of scrutiny of public services (the Crerar Review) defined inspection of public services as "... periodic, targeted scrutiny of specific services, to check whether they are meeting national and local performance standards, legislative and professional requirements, and the needs of service users."[1]
Asurprise inspection tends to have different results than an announced inspection. Leaders wanting to know how others in their organization perform can drop in without warning, to see directly what happens. If an inspection is made known in advance, it can give people a chance to cover up or to fix mistakes, which could lead to distorted and inaccurate findings. A surprise inspection, therefore, gives inspectors a better picture of the typical state of the inspected object or process than an announced inspection. It also enhances external confidence in the inspection process.[1]: 28
Quality related in-process inspection/verification is an essential part of quality control in manufacturing.This includes measuring, examining, testing, or gauging one or more characteristics of a product or process and comparing the results with specified requirements to determine whether is the requirements are met for each characteristic.[3][4] Common examples of inspection by measurement orgauging include using acaliper ormicrometer to determine if a dimension of a manufactured part is within thedimensional tolerance specified in a drawing for that part, and is thus acceptable for use.
Design for inspection (DFI) is a concept that should complement and work in collaboration withdesign for manufacturability (DFM) anddesign for assembly (DMA) to reduce product manufacturing cost and increase manufacturing practicality.
Photogrammetry is a modern way of visual inspection, delivering high accuracy and traceability for various industries. The portable 3D system is a versatile optical coordinate measuring machine (CMM) with a wide range of capabilities. Highly accurate point measurements can be taken with inspection carried out directly to CAD models, geometry or drawings.[5](DFI)
Most fire equipment needs to be inspected to make sure in the event of a fire, every effort has been taken to make sure it does not get out of control. Extinguishers are to be inspected every month by law and inspected by a servicing company at least once a year. Fire extinguishers can be heavy, so it's a good idea to practice picking up and holding an extinguisher to get an idea of the weight and feel.
Ininternational trade several destination countries requirepre-shipment inspection. The importer instructs the shipper which inspection company should be used. The inspector makes pictures and a report to certify that the goods that are being shipped and produced are in accordance with the accompanying documents.
Commodity inspection is other term that is used between buyers and sellers. The scope of work for commodity inspection depends to the buyers. Some buyers hire the inspection agencies only for pre-shipment inspections i.e. visual quality, quantity, packing, marking and loading inspections and some others request for higher level inspections and ask inspection agencies to attend in the vendor shops and inspect commodities during manufacturing processes. Normally inspection is done based on an agreed inspection and test plan (ITP).
Historically, many famed rulers were recorded undertaking (or legendarily credited with)inspection tours of their realms—often in disguise—to disintermediate their officials and agents and see the actual conditions of their common subjects. InEast Asia, famous examples include the investigations of thelegendary Chinese rulerShun, the state tours of theWu Emperor of theHan, and the southern tours of theKangxi andQianlong Emperors of theQing. InEurope, examples includeNero ofRome,Peter the Great ofRussia,Henry IV andNapoleon ofFrance,Matthias Corvinus ofHungary,Charles IX ofSweden, andJames V ofScotland.
In modern government and politics, aninspection is the act of a monitoring authority administering an official review of various criteria (such asdocuments, facilities, records, and any other assets) that are deemed by the authority to be related to the inspection. Inspections are used for the purpose of determining if a body is complying with regulations. The inspector examines the criteria and talks with involved individuals. A report and evaluation follows such visits.
In the United States, theFood Safety Inspection Service is charged with ensuring that all meat and egg products are safe to consume and accurately labeled. TheMeat Inspection Act of 1906 authorized theSecretary of Agriculture to order meat inspections and condemn any found unfit for human consumption.
TheUnited Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission is a regulatory body that inspects forweapons of mass destruction.
TheScottish Commission for the Regulation of Care regulates and inspectscare services in Scotland.
Alabour inspectorate is a government body that executes checks on compliance to thelabour law. It performs inspections on the workplace or building site.[6][7][8]
Avehicle inspection, e.g., anannual inspection, is a necessary inspection required on vehicles to conform with laws regarding safety, emissions, or both. It consists of an examination of a vehicle's components, usually done by a certified mechanic. Vehicles pass a pre-warranty inspection, if, and only if, a mechanic provide evidence for the proper working condition of the vehicle systems specified in the type of inspection.
A mechanical inspection is usually undertaken to ensure the safety or reliability of structures or machinery.[9]
In Europe bodies involved in engineering inspection may be assessed by accreditation bodies according to ISO 17020 "General criteria for the operation of various types of bodies performing inspection". This standard defines inspection as "examination of a product, process, service, or installation or their design and determination of itsconformity with specific requirements or, on the basis of professional judgment, with general requirements".[10]
Non-destructive examination (NDE) ornondestructive testing (NDT) is a family of technologies used during inspection to analyze materials, components and products for either inherent defects (such asfractures or cracks), or service induced defects (damage from use). Some common methods are visual,industrial computed tomography scanning,microscopy,dye penetrant inspection,magnetic-particle inspection,X-ray orradiographic testing,ultrasonic testing,eddy-current testing,acoustic emission testing, andthermographic inspection. In addition, many non-destructive inspections can be performed by a precision scale, or when in motion, acheckweigher.Stereo microscopes are often used for examining small products likecircuit boards for product defects.
Pipeline inspection is a crucial process in ensuring the integrity and safety of pipelines used in various industries such as oil and gas, fertilizer, process industries, food and beverages, water distribution, and transportation. This systematic examination involves the assessment of pipeline materials, structural integrity, corrosion levels, and potential defects using advanced technologies like ultrasonic testing, magnetic flux leakage, and visual inspections. Regular inspections help identify issues early, allowing for timely maintenance and reducing the risk of leaks or catastrophic failures, thus ensuring the efficient and safe operation of these vital infrastructure components.
Inspection and technical assistance during turnarounds helps to decrease costly downtime as well as ensures restart of operations quickly and safely.[11]
Amedical inspection is the thorough and unhurried visualization of a patient, this requires the use of the naked eye.
Anexamination vessel is a craft used to inspect ships entering or leaving a port during wartime.
The railroad'sinspection locomotive were special types ofsteam locomotives designed to carry railroad officials on inspection tours of the railroad property.
Aproperty condition assessment is the examination for purposes of evaluating a commercial or business property's condition often as a part of adue diligence investigation for a company to know what it is buying. Building code officials do abuilding inspection to determine code compliance in new or altered buildings before issuing a certificate of occupancy. Residential inspections not for code compliance are called ahome inspection. There are numerous types of more specific real estate and infrastructure inspections such aswindstorm inspection,energy audit, andpipeline video inspection.
Software inspection, insoftware programming, refers to peer review of any work product by skilled individuals who look forbugs using a defined test protocol.[citation needed]
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