Duplicate tests
51.—(1)  Should either a tensile or a bending test fail to fulfil the test requirements, and should a surveyor of ships consider that the test-piece does not fairly represent the quality of the material, two duplicate specimens may, if the makers desire, be tested; and, if the results obtained from both are satisfactory, the quality of the article may be judged thereby, and not by the original test which failed. If, however, either of the duplicate tests fails, the article or articles represented shall be rejected.
(2)  Should any tensile test-piece break at a point outside the middle half of its gauge length, the test may, at the makers’ option and with a surveyor of ships approval, be discarded, and another test may be made from the same plate, bar, forging or casting.
(3)  Whenever in the opinion of a surveyor of ships the material appears to be of doubtful quality, a greater number of tests than specified in this Part shall be made, so that the surveyor of ships shall be satisfied as to the quality of the material used.