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NE 127 – Codes, Standards, and Regulations. American Welding Society INSTRUCTOR: Chattanooga State CC. American Welding Society (AWS) - General Information. Founded in 1919 Goal to “advance the science, technology and application of welding and related joining disciplines”
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NE 127 – Codes, Standards, and Regulations American Welding Society INSTRUCTOR: Chattanooga State CC
American Welding Society (AWS) - General Information • Founded in 1919 • Goal to “advance the science, technology and application of welding and related joining disciplines” • Headquartered in Miami since 1971 (originally based in NYC) • 55,000+ members worldwide • Engineers, scientists, educators, researchers, welders, inspectors, executives, sales associates, etc. • 160 AWS-developed codes, recommended practices, and guides published under ANSI procedures
Structural Welding Code, D1.1 • Covers the requirements for the design of welded connections for building structures and bridges • First issued in 1972 • One of the most consulted codes in the world • Divided into 10 sections and 9 appendices • Section 1: General Provisions • Section 2: Rules for design of welded connections • Section 3: Requirements for workmanship • Section 4: Requirements for weld technique • Section 5: Requirements for welding procedure and welder qualifications
Structural Welding Code, D1.1, Continued • Section 6: Requirements for Inspection (visual only, unless specified) • Section 7: Additional requirements for strengthening and repairing existing buildings and structures • Section 8: Additional requirements for design of new buildings • Section 9: Additional requirements for design of new bridges • Section 10: Additional requirements for design of new tubular structures
Other AWS Codes Applicable to NDT – QA/QC • A2.1 – Welding Symbols Chart • A3.0 – Standard Welding Terms and Definitions • B1.10 – Guide for Nondestructive Examination of Welds • B1.11 – Guide for the Visual Examination of Welds • B5.1 – Specification for the Qualification of Welding Inspectors • QC1 – Standard for AWS Certification of Welding Inspectors
Qualification and Certification of Weld Inspectors • Qualification and Certification Committee of the AWS formed in 1973 • AWS QC1 first published in 1975 • More than 55,000 individuals have the requirements for certification as a weld inspector (as of 2007) • Committee divided into two freestanding committees in 1996 • one devoted to qualification of inspectors • one to certification of inspectors
Qualification vs. Certification Definitions per AWS B5.1: • Qualification – Demonstrate training, skill, knowledge and experience required for personnel to perform the duties of a specific job or function typically demonstrated by passing a performance test • Certification – The act of determining, verifying, and attesting in writing to the qualification of personnel in accordance with specified requirements.
QC1 – Standard for AWS Certification of Welding Inspectors • Defines the requirements and program for the AWS to certify welding inspectors • Requires documentation of: • Experience • Satisfactory completion of an examination • Determines general knowledge of welding inspection and related technical areas – not a practical exam • Proof of visual acuity
QC1 – Scope • Establishes the requirements for AWS certification of welding inspection personnel: how personnel are certified, and principles of conduct and practice by which certification may be maintained • Meets or exceeds requirements of AWS B5.1 • 3 levels of certification: • Senior Certified Welding Inspector (SCWI) • Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) • Certified Associate Welding Inspector (CAWI)
Levels of Certification Reference AWS B5.1 and QC1: *Subtract 2 years for Associate’s Degree, 1 year for vocational school; Add years (varies) for 8th grade education or less
QC1, B5.1 – Definitions • Endorsement – Indication of an additional skill documented in writing and added to one’s certification credentials • Nondestructive examination – the act of determining the suitability of some material or component for its intended purpose using techniques that do not affect its serviceability • Quality assurance (QA) – all the planned and systematic activities implemented within the quality system, and demonstrated as needed, to provide adequate confidence that an entity will fulfill requirements for quality
QC1, B5.1 – Definitions, Continued • QA audit – Systematic and independent examination to determine whether quality activities and related results comply with planned arrangements and whether these arrangements are implemented effectively and are suitable to achieve objectives • QA surveillance – Continued monitoring and verification of the status of an entity and analysis of records to ensure that specified requirements are being fulfilled • Quality control (QC) – Operational techniques and activities that are used to fulfill requirements for quality
Functions of an SCWI • Train, supervise, and evaluate WIs, CAWIs, and/or NDE personnel • Prepare inspection procedures • Review and interpret joining procedures • Conduct audits of vendors • Ensure that work performed and records maintained conform to the requirements of the applicable standards and other contract documents • Certify the qualification of welders to various codes and specifications • Develop safety procedures, QA plans, project plans, and training programs • Perform skills as listed in Table I of AWS B5.1
Functions of a CWI • Ensure that work performed and records maintained conform to the requirements of the applicable standards and other contract documents • Supervise and train AWIs • Conduct audits of vendors • Perform skills as listed in Table I of AWS B5.1
Functions of a CAWI • Perform inspections under the direct supervision (within visible and audible range) of a SCWI or CWI • SCWI or CWI responsible for certifying that welded assemblies conform to workmanship and acceptance criteria • Perform skills as listed in Table I of AWS B5.1
SCWI Written Examination Requirements • Must pass 200 question exam with a minimum score of 72% • B5.1 specifies the breakdown of the types of questions to be asked • Minimum of 10% on NDE fundamentals techniques, and applicability (VT, PT, MT, RT, and UT) • Minimum of 5% on safety programs and procedures • May retake exam up to 2 times with one year of original test date
CWI Written Examination Requirements • Must pass three separate parts on: 1) fundamentals, 2) practical application, and 3) code application, with a minimum score of 72% on each part • If achieve an overall composite score of 72%, but earn a score less than 72% on any particular part, the failed part(s) may be retaken • B5.1 again specifies the breakdown of the types of questions to be asked for each part of the exam • Applicant may specify the code to which they are to be tested • May retake exam up to 3 times within three years of original test date (any more than 1 retest requires additional training)
CAWI Written Examination Requirements / Visual Acuity • Must pass same exam as required for CWIs, but with a minimum score of 60% • CAWI certification may not be renewed • May be upgraded to CWI status once experience requirements met, IF exam passed with a minimum score of 72% • Certification expires after 3 years • Visual Acuity (for all levels of certification) • Must pass near vision and color vision exams (administered by medical personnel) • Near vision acuity considered essential to the proper performance of welding examination • Per B5.1 - ”Failure to meet vision requirement shall be a failure to meet this standard”
Code of Ethics, Rules of Conduct, and Practice • Individual with SCWI, CWI, and CAWI must maintain the highest levels of: • Integrity • Responsibility to the public • Perform duties in a conscientious and impartial manner to the full extent of the inspector(s) moral and civic responsibility and qualification • SCWIs, CWIs, and CAWIs must also avoid conflicts of interest • Failure to abide by the above may result in suspension, refusal to renew, or revocation of certification
Renewal Requirements • SCWI and CWI certifications may be renewed every 3 years if actively working as an inspector • After 9 years (and every 9 years thereafter), recertification must be either by exam or satisfaction of continuing education • Minimum of 80 PDHs (professional development hours) required in the 9-year period • If an SCWI fails the exam, all certification is revoked