Is welder qualification by production welding allowed per ASME IX?

[QCJT]

Our welding engineer has approved a contractor to qualify already experienced welders by allowing them to production welding directly and then controlling the weld by X-ray. If it's Ok - then the guy is qualified... but I couldn't find any statement in ASME IX allowing this. Can someone advise me on this issue please? It is complicated for me (as QC on the project) to track all these production qualifications and I'm actually against it but if it's allowed by the code I will have to accept.

 

[Kiwi2671]

QCJT,
See QW304.1.
You will generally only do it when you are very confident of a welders prior ability - after all a piece of paper is just that.
The risk is all yours when you use the production weld option for welder qualification.
Regards,
Kiwi

 

[QCJT]

Thanks Kiwi, saw that part shortly ago. Totally agree with you but a piece of paper means too much sometimes for some clients

 

[Mr168]

In addition, and an often overlooked requirement - note that the fabrication Code requirements/rules for NDE often differ from that of the production weld performance qualification, and one does not supersede the other. If the NDE records do not clearly identify what criteria were used for inspection (or specify the incorrect criteria), you may have further basis to reject the qualifications.

 

[moseley]

I agree with Mr168; you have to be very careful doing that. What I made the NDT group do was to actually grade the film to both the Code of Construction (ASME B31.3, B31.1, ASME VIII-1, etc.) as well as include that they graded per ASME IX (QW-191.1.1.2.2). The requirements are clearly stated for use in Production type testing.