WPS 1

[Eck75]

Can someone advise with regards to WPS. Can you use a pre qualified WPS run by another company on a job if the material is the same? Or do you have to run you own WPS with the same variables

 

[seleka]

By law you are not allowed to use other companies WPS. You need to qualify your own WPS. The same variables can be used by the qualification company.

 

[GRoberts]

Each code describes how to handle the situation. A few permit the practice of sharing WPSs among companies, but most don't. Read the code you are working to, and it will tell you.

 

[DVWE]

http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=238986&page=3

Here is a link to a thread on that very subject.

 

[gtaw]

No one cares until something goes boom or snap in the middle of the night and someone is injured. The lawyers and insurance companies will determine liability with the help of the courts at considerable expense to all parties involved.

The bottom line is one of liability. The contractor is responsible for the work they perform. When they provide their own welding procedures and they qualify their own welders the liability is entirely theirs. However, if they are given specific direction, directed how to do something, or given welding procedures by the owner the finger will be pointed to the entity that provided the means, methods, direction, WPS, etc. when something go wrong.

When the owner attempts to "save money" by directing the contractor how to do the work, they are also taking on added liability when things go wrong. The contractor leans back and says, "I did what they told me to do and I followed their directions. The fault lies with the poor information they provided."

The cleanest approach is to require the contractor responsible for the work to provide their own welding procedures, supported by PQRs if necessary, and to require the welders to be qualified by the contractor that has direct supervision over the welders. The owner or general contractor is wise to keep at arm’s length in matters such as these.


Best regards - Al