Qualification

[Praktiker]

Hallo,
By the WPS Qualification and the Welder Qualification (Clause 4), the welding of the test pieces and the testing of the test pieces (N.D.T. and D.T) shall be verified (witnessed) by an examiner or examining body ?

 

[Mr168]

Typically, the physical welding of the WPS coupons and the Welder Qualification coupons are witnessed by a representative of the company qualifying the WPS/welders to meet the "qualification responsibility" requirements of Clause 4 per D1.1 (assuming D1.1 is what you're talking about here).

It is acceptable for the destructive testing and NDE to be performed by a vendor without a representative of the qualifying company being present.

 

[qcrobert]

I concur with Mr168.

Assuming D1.1, Annex E Welder, Welding Operator or Tack Welder Qualification Test Record, there is a place to sign if you performed (inspected) the destructive tests and/or performed (interpreted) the radiographic test.

And a place for the company representative to sign thus certifying the recorded statements and the welder.

 

[gtaw]

Unlike ASME Section IX which requires a company employee (representative) to witness the qualifications, AWS D1.X allows the employer (contractor) to accept qualification by a previous employer, a third party, e.g., a testing lab, or by the current employer.

Interestingly, D1.1 does not use the term certification or certified in the text of clause 4. They simply say that the employer is responsible for the qualification of the welders, welding operators, and tack welders (reference 4.1.2.2).

The certifying statement at the bottom of the performance qualification record (also known as welder qualification test record, welder performance test record, etc.) is signed by the employer. I assume the employer accepts liability for the welder's work and signifies the tests were performed in accordance with the applicable welding standard with the certifying signature.

Best regards - Al