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
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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
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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:
Level of
Certification
Minimum
Education
Requirements
SCWI
High School or
GED
Work
Experience*
15 Years
Near/Color
Other
Vision Acuity Requirements
Required
6 Years
Experience as a
CWI
High School or
5 Years
Required
GED
High School or
CAWI
3 Years
Required
GED
*Subtract 2 years for Associate’s Degree, 1 year for vocational school;
CWI
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
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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