LRQA-CASL

Welding
Certification
Guide
 Contents
Table of Contents
Contents................................................................................................................................................................................. 2

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Welding certification is a critical element in the ...................................................................................................................... 3

Welding procedure and approval stages ................................................................................................................................. 4

Terminology .................................................................................................................................................................................. 5
Ranges of approval ....................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Components of the welding procedure......................................................................................................................................... 6
Mechanical properties .................................................................................................................................................................. 7
Weld test plate tests ..................................................................................................................................................................... 7

Welding standards .................................................................................................................................................................. 8

The welding standards give the minimum requirements for compliance................................................................................ 8
Table 1. Supporting welding standards ......................................................................................................................................... 9
Examples of how welding standards are modified by construction codes and regulatory or contractual requirements ........... 10
Welding standards can be modified by the requirements of both regulations, end users. ................................................ 10
Choice of a weld Choice of welding test piece .......................................................................................................................... 11
Weld Procedure Qualifications ................................................................................................................................................... 11
Weld Performance Qualifications ............................................................................................................................................... 12
Table 2a. Comparison of basic requirements of EN ISO 15614-1, ASME Sec. IX and AWS D1.1 for ............................................ 13
Weld Procedure Qualification ..................................................................................................................................................... 13
Table 2b - part 1. Comparison of basic requirements of EN ISO 15614-1, ASME Sec. IX and AWS D1.1 for................................. 14
Weld Procedure Qualification ..................................................................................................................................................... 14
Table 2b - part 2. Comparison of basic requirements of EN ISO 15614-1, ASME Sec. IX and AWS D1.1 for................................. 15
Weld Procedure Qualification ..................................................................................................................................................... 15
Table 3 - part 1. Comparison of basic requirements of EN ISO 9606-1, ASME Sec. IX and AWS D1.1.......................................... 16
Table 3 - part 2. Comparison of basic requirements of EN ISO 9606-1, ASME Sec. IX and AWS D1.1.......................................... 17
for Weld Performance Qualification ........................................................................................................................................... 17
BS EN ISO 3834 quality requirements for fusion welding of metallic material ........................................................................... 17

Welding Certification Guide | 1

Introduction
Welding certification is This guide not only provides an overview Code compliant welding procedures
of the route to welding certification but help ensure consistent and safe welding
a critical element in the also provides a comparative review of practices for a company’s welders.
provision of assurance of the requirements of the principal Independent witness and review help to
the structural and pressure welding codes: refine the procedures and ensure safety-
integrity of fabricated critical assets are welded safely and
• ASME IX achieve the desired quality level the code
components and systems. • EN ISO 15614 series of construction requires.
• WS D1 series
• EN ISO 9606 series – as applied to both Many codes, such as EN 1090-2,
weld procedure and weld performance EN 13445 and EN 13480 now require
qualifications. compliance with EN ISO 3834 Quality
Requirements in Fusion Welding. LRQA
The guide also identifies the applicability can help with training and certification to
of the welding standards to codes of these standards.
construction and provides examples of
where welding standards are modified by
such construction codes.

Welding Certification Guide | 3

Welding procedure
and approval stages

Application standard Development

contract of procedure

Project specification
drawings Preliminary welding
p WPS procedure specification

Approval

Welding procedure
W PQR/PQR qualification record

Welder approval Finalisation

certificate of procedure

Six months Welding procedure

prolongation/Revaidation specification

Two years (EN 9606)

Release for production
Revalidation

Work instructions

Key to parties involved:

Manufacturer Examining body

LRQA-CASL Welding Certification Guide | 1

Terminology

Term Definition

WPS – Weld Procedure Specification Qualified instructions on how to complete the weld

PQR – Procedure Qualification Record Record of the welding parameters

(ASME) & WPQR – Weld Procedure and test results
Qualification Record Range of approval for WPQR

Welders Qualification Test Certificate Record of welder test results and

& Welders Performance Qualification ranges of approval
(ASME)

Essential Variable A parameter that when changed

outside its permitted range
requires requalification

Supplementary Essential Variable When impact testing is required, treat

(ASME) as an essential variable

Non-essential Variable A parameter that, when changed,

does not require requalification

Ranges of approval

Component Element

Weld Procedures Weld Procedure range of approval is

Welder Qualifications limited to materials with similar chemical
composition and mechanical properties to
that used in the PQR.

Welding is within a strict range of

parameters for the essential variables
recorded during the PQR test.

Range of approval is not as restrictive as

procedure testing with fewer essential
variables. One welder performance
qualification can cover many WPS’s.

LRQA-CASL Welding Certification Guide | 1

Components of the welding procedure

Weld certification – type Ranges of approval

Parent Material Parent Material Type (Grouping)

Thickness
Diameter (Pipes)
Surface condition

Welding Process Type of process EN codes: 111, 121, 135, 136, 138, 141 etc
ASME: SMAW, SAW, GMAW, FCAW, GTAW etc
Equipment parameters
Amps, Volts, Travel speed
Polarity, Heat input

Welding Consumables Type of consumable/diameter of consumable

Brand/classification
Heat treatments/storage

Joint Design Edge preparation

Root gap, root face
Jigging and tacking
Type of backing

Welding Position Welding positions

(e.g. ASME: 1G, 1F, 2G, 2F, 3G etc
EN: PA, PB, PC etc)

Thermal Heat Treatments Preheat, interpass, temps

Post weld heat treatments
(e.g. stress relieving)

LRQA-CASL Welding Certification Guide | 1

Mechanical properties

Mechanical properties
Mechanical properties Definition

Malleability Ability of a material to undergo plastic deformation under static

tensile loading without rupture.

Ductility

Ability of a material to undergo plastic

deformation under static tensile loading without
rupture. Measurable elongation and reduction in
cross section area.

Toughness
Ability of a material to withstand bending or the
application of shear stresses by impact loading
without fracture.

Hardness
Measurement of a materials surface resistance to
indentation from another material by static load.

Tensile strength
Measurement of the maximum force required to
fracture a materials bar of unit cross-sectional
area in tension.

Weld test plate tests

Tests for required properties Tests for weld quality

Tensile tests Macro testing

(Transverse Welded Joint,
All Weld Metal)

Toughness testing Fillet weld fracture testing

(Charpy, Izod)

Hardness tests Butt weld nick-break testing

(Brinell, Rockwell, Vickers)

Bend testing NDE (VT, PT, MT, RT, UT)

CTOD
(Crack Tip Opening Displacement)

Corrosion tests, HIC & SOHIC Tests

LRQA-CASL Welding Certification Guide | 1

Welding standards
The welding standards give the minimum requirements for compliance.

Welding standards such as EN ISO 15614, EN ISO 15613, EN ISO 9606 series and ASME IX are supporting
standards and they are only used when specified in a code of construction (e.g. PD 5500, EN 13445,
ASME VIII Division 1, ASME B31.3, examples of which are detailed in Table 1).

These codes of construction specify when the welding standards apply and may modify the
requirements and approval ranges of the welding standards.

Steel Aluminium

Grouping of materials CEN ISO/TR 15608, 20172 (European),

20173 (US), 20174 (Japan)

Welder qualification EN ISO 9606-1 EN ISO 9606-2

Welding operator qualification EN ISO 14732

Weld procedure qualification EN ISO 15614-1 EN ISO 15614-2 & 4

EN ISO 15607, 15610, 15611, 15612, 15613

WPS EN ISO 15609-1

NDT personnel EN ISO 9712

Welding coordination EN ISO 14731

Copper Nickel Titanium & Zirconium

Welder qualification EN ISO 9606-3 EN ISO 9606-4 EN ISO 9606-5

Weld procedure qualification EN ISO 15614-6 EN ISO 15614-1 EN ISO 15614-5

Copper Nickel Titanium & Zirconium

Weld procedure qualification EN ISO 15614-3 EN ISO 15614-7 EN ISO 15614-8
Quality management
for welding EN ISO 3834 Series

LRQA-CASL Welding Certification Guide | 1

Table 1. Supporting welding standards

Applications Application code Weld procedure approval Welder approval

Pressure vessels PD 5500 EN ISO 15614 EN ISO 9606

EN 13445 ASME Sec. IX
ASME Sec. III NB ASME Sec. IX
(Nuclear)
ASME Sec. VIII

Boilers EN 12952 EN ISO15614 EN ISO 9606

EN12953

Process EN 13480 ASME Sec. IX ASME Sec. IX

pipework ANSI/ASME B31.1 ASME Sec. IX
ANSI/ASME B31.3

Structural AWS D1.1 AWS D1.1 AWS D1.1

fabrication AWS D1.2 AWS D1.2 AWS D1.2
AWS D1.6 AWS D1.6 AWS D1.6
EN 1011 EN ISO 15614-1 EN ISO 9606
EN ISO 15614-2 BS 4872

Storage tanks EN 14015 EN ISO 15614-1, -2 EN ISO 9606-2

EN 12285 EN ISO 15614-1, -2 EN 1090
ASME Sec. IX ASME Sec. IX
API 620/650

LRQA-CASL Welding Certification Guide | 1

Examples of how welding standards are modified by construction
codes and regulatory or contractual requirements

Welding standards can be modified by the requirements of

both regulations, end users.

As we see it, there are four levels of such requirements, and each can
build on and/or include the specifications of the previous levels.

e.g. EN ISO15614, ISO9606, ASME IX , AWSD1.1

Code requirements to be met as a minimum

Level 2: Regulatory Requirements

e.g. EC Directives (PED, SPV, TPED etc.), ASME Authorisation,

Indian Boiler Regulations

Can have specific requirements for Examiners, Authorisations,

additional testing, specific consumables, etc.

Level
Level 3: 3:Construction
Construction Codes
Codes

e.g., PD 5500, EN13445, EN12952, EN12953, ASME I, IV, VIII

References National & International Welding Codes

and details specific requirements.

Level 4: Contractual Requirements

e.g., NORSOK, EEMUA, NACE, purchaser/end user specifications

Can have more onerous requirements than other levels for limits on
acceptance criteria, approval ranges, additional or modified essential variables,
special testing requirements, repair procedures etc.

LRQA-CASL Welding Certification Guide | 1

Choice of a weld Choice of welding test piece
test piece The choice of welding test piece has even Great caution must be used before
greater significance, where the intention is undertaking this approach as in many
All the listed welding standards utilise
to qualify to two or more standards, as all instances, the configuration selected does
a set of standard test specimens to
the requirements of each standard must not meet the requirements of the welding
represent production applications.
be satisfied. This includes the types of test standard and it will not be possible to use
There is often a desire to produce
samples required and the position within this test piece to qualify in accordance
samples that replicate the
the test piece from where they must be with the standard.
production joint and try to use this to
cut. It is not always possible to select a
qualify weld procedures and
test piece that can be used to satisfy
operators. Great caution must be
multiple codes to qualify weld procedures
used before undertaking this
and operators.
approach as in many instances, the
configuration selected does not meet
the requirements of the welding
standard and it will not be possible to
use this test piece to qualify in
accordance with the standard.

Weld Procedure Qualifications

Weld Procedure Qualifications

demonstrate that the welds produced
to a specific set of parameters
produce the required mechanical
properties in the weld joint to satisfy
the design requirements of production
items. Each qualification normally
provides a range of approval for
parameters like
materials, thickness, heat inputs and
joint configurations.

Each of the welding standards has its

own method of grouping materials and
welding consumables to reduce the
number of tests required. However, they
all have different systems and rules which
can greatly change the range of approval
for the same parameter from one standard
to another.

LRQA-CASL Welding Certification Guide | 1

Weld Performance Qualifications

Welder Performance Qualifications

follow a similar logic to weld
procedure qualifications with ranges
of approval based on materials,
consumables, process, and welding
positions. Welder performance tests
are aimed at demonstrating the
welder's skill in being able to produce
a sound weld. Therefore, the range of
approval and parameters for approval
of specific ranges can be significantly
different from the range in the
procedure qualification for the same
parameter.

Again, each standard has its own

criteria and this can result in
significant differences between the
ranges of two standards for the same
test specimen.

LRQA-CASL Welding Certification Guide | 1

Table 2a. Comparison of basic requirements of EN
ISO 15614-1, ASME Sec. IX and AWS D1.1 for
Weld Procedure Qualification

Welding Test Pieces for Procedure Qualification

Test piece – type EN ISO 15614-1 1 ASME Sec. IX AWS D1.1

Plate butt weld full Yes - equal thickness Acceptable Acceptable

penetration

Plate butt weld partial Not acceptable Acceptable Not acceptable

penetration

Pipe butt weld full Yes - equal thickness Acceptable Acceptable*

penetration

Pipe butt weld partial Not acceptable Acceptable Not acceptable

penetration

Plate fillet weld Acceptable Non-pressure retaining plate Yes + butt for weld
and pipe consumable

Pipe fillet weld Acceptable Non-pressure retaining plate

Yes + butt for weld
and pipe consumable

Full penetration tee Acceptable Not accepted

Groove weld
butt weld

*additional special requirements apply for T-, Y-, K- connections.

LRQA-CASL Welding Certification Guide | 1

Table 2b - part 1. Comparison of basic requirements of
EN ISO 15614-1, ASME Sec. IX and AWS D1.1 for
Weld Procedure Qualification

Welding Test Pieces for Procedure Qualification

Butt welds in plate and pipe

EN ISO 15614-1 ASME Sec. IX AWS D1.1

Visual inspection Mandatory Not specified Mandatory

Surface NDE Mandatory Not required Not required

(DPI, MPI)

Volumetric NDE Mandatory Not required Mandatory

(Radiography/UT)

Bend tests Mandatory Mandatory Mandatory

Tensile tests - Mandatory Mandatory Mandatory

cross weld

Tensile test - Not required Not required ESW and ESG only
all weld

Macro etch Mandatory Not required Not required

Hardness survey Mandatory Not required Not required

(for listed groups)

Impact tests - Mandatory for When required When required

weld metal >= 12 base metal by other section by contract docs
tested

Impact tests - Mandatory for When required FL+1 & FL+5

HAZ metal >= 12 base metal by other section when required
tested by contract docs

LRQA-CASL Welding Certification Guide | 1

Table 2b - part 2. Comparison of basic requirements of
EN ISO 15614-1, ASME Sec. IX and AWS D1.1 for
Weld Procedure Qualification

Welding Test Pieces for Procedure Qualification

Fillet Welds

EN ISO 15614-1 ASME Sec. IX AWS D1.1

Visual inspection Mandatory Not specified Mandatory

Surface NDE Mandatory Not required Not required

(DPI, MPI)

Macro etch Mandatory Mandatory Mandatory

Hardness survey Mandatory Not required Not required

(for listed groups)

LRQA-CASL Welding Certification Guide | 1

Table 3 - part 1. Comparison of basic requirements of
EN ISO 9606-1, ASME Sec. IX and AWS D1.1
for Weld Performance Qualification

Testing requirements for performance qualification

Butt welds in plate and pipe

EN ISO 9606-1 ASME Sec. IX AWS D1.1

Visual inspection Mandatory Mandatory Mandatory

Surface NDE Not required Not required Not required

(DPI, MPI)

Volumetric NDE Mandatory (a)(b) Option for some Option except

(Radiography/UT) processes for GMAW-S

Bend tests Mandatory (a)(b) Mandatory plus Mandatory for

additional macro some

Fracture test Mandatory (a)(b) Not required Mandatory

for T-, Y-, K connections
on box tubing

(a) Either radiography or bend or fracture tests shall be used

(b) When radiographic testing is used, then additional bend or fracture tests are mandatory
for welding processes 131, 135, 138 and 311

LRQA-CASL Welding Certification Guide | 1

Table 3 - part 2. Comparison of basic requirements of
EN ISO 9606-1, ASME Sec. IX and AWS D1.1
for Weld Performance Qualification

Testing requirements for performance qualification

Butt welds in plate and pipe

EN ISO 9606-1 ASME Sec. IX AWS D1.1

Visual inspection Mandatory Not specified Mandatory

Surface NDE Not required Not required Not required

(DPI, MPI)

Bend tests Not applicable

Fracture test Option Mandatory plus Mandatory for

additional macro some

BS EN ISO 3834 quality requirements for fusion

welding of metallic material
Compliance with EN ISO 3834 is now mandatory for welding quality management in
harmonised European standards and designated standards for construction products,
pressure vessels, pipework and boilers. One of the key elements of EN ISO 3834 is that it
requires the manufacturer to demonstrate the competence of their welding
coordinators.

LRQA offers accreditation to Part 2, 3 and 4 of the EN ISO 3834 standard:

• Part 2 – Comprehensive Quality Requirements

• Part 3 – Standard Quality Requirements
• Part 4 – Elementary Quality Requirements

LRQA-CASL Welding Certification Guide | 1

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