Welding Procedure and Welder Qualification Testing

The supervision, witnessing, inspection and testing of welding qualification such as welder “codings” and welding procedure qualification tests can be problematic to say the least.

Qualification standards such as ASME IX, BS EN ISO 15614, EN ISO 9606, BS EN 287 and BS 4872 stipulate very specific technical requirements and it is important that such standards are correctly followed and satisfied to minimise the risk of contractual and legal wrangles which can be both costly and time consuming.

We have over 25 years of practical experience of the correct application of various national and international standards related to weld testing and qualification and by using only the most experienced and qualified personnel, you can be sure that the testing and subsequent qualification documentation is of the highest standards of integrity backed by the added benefit of a UKAS Notified Body status should this be a requirement of the client.

The following aspects provide a summary of the potential services on offer of our IIW/EWF Welding and Inspection Engineer in relation to welding testing:

• On site- technical welding engineering advice and liaison with client or contractor on all technical details related to parent materials, joint design, welding process and welding consumable selection.
• Drawing and project review for establishment of specific welding procedure and welder qualification tests required to satisfy the scope of work of the project.
• Preparation of the technical requirements of preliminary welding procedure specifications (pWPS’s).
• Training and coaching of welders before the test in all common welding processes.
• Organisation of third party National Body to witness testing.
• Supervision and guidance of the correct application of the pWPS during the welding test.
• Correct control and monitoring of welding parameters used during the test.
• Visual inspection of the test welds by Level 3 qualified welding inspection personnel
• Organisation of the subsequent non destructive and destructive testing by a UKAS accredited test facility.
• Organisation of additional testing specified by appropriate codes and standards.
• Preparation of post test documentation including welder qualification test records (WQTR) and welding procedure qualification records (WPQR’s).
• Preparation of welding procedure specifications (WPS’s) from the relevant welding procedure qualification record. (WPQR) to be used on the project.
• Guidance on long term documentation maintenance, prolongation of welder certification and long term re-testing requirements.