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:

Minimum
Level of Work Near/Color Other
Education
Certification Experience* Vision Acuity Requirements
Requirements

6 Years
High School or
SCWI 15 Years Required Experience as a
GED
CWI
High School or
CWI 5 Years Required
GED
High School or
CAWI 3 Years Required
GED
*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