How old a WPQ to Accept?

[mkmm]

I have a contractor submitting WPQ for his welders dated 1994,'97,'98,and '99. Spec is b31.3 gmaw for astm a53 pipe line work. I think this is to old a WPQ and I should request new. Any industry guidelines, Thanks

 

[pipewelder1999]

There is no requirement to retest after a certain period of time however a welder must weld within a given time fram to stay "current". You may want to consider requesting a continuity log or some form of documentation indicating the WPQ's have not expired.

Have a nice day Gerald Austin
Iuka, Mississippi

http://www.weldinginspectionsvcs.com

 

[GRoberts]

Pipewelder is right, don't ask for re-qualification, ask for a continuity log. If they don't have one, then ask for requalification.

 

[sayee1]

Both pipewelder and Roberts right as usual, to clarify further refer to QW 322.1. Based on the same the welder needs to show continuity "Having welded with the process" (Remember it is not welding with a WPS but with a process). So a welder with SMAW qualification of say inconel for which I am checking continuity can still weld carbon steel within the six month period with some other WPS and still maintain continuity. The validity of the welder then gets extended to six months from the date he has welded the production joint being used for maintaining continuity.
One other thing is though the code itself is silent, some client specifications specify that only joints with some NDE can be used for maintaining continuity, hence if a fillet weld/ bridge tack data presented for extending continuity, it would not be acceptable as per those specs. Thanks and regards
Sayee Prasad R
Ph: 0097143968906
Mob: 00971507682668
End of all knowledge is the attainment of immortality!

 

[abbver98]

Normally the contractor had to record the works reference that concern the PQR in each 6 months to continue working with such Qualification. Otherwise, the PQR is not valid !

 

[mkmm]

Thanks for all the expert responeses

 

[pandithan]

as per asme section ix. check his welding( welding process) continuity log, within six month period, if he has not welded with a process which he has qualified already , then requalification is required