ASME IX QW-322 Welder renewal of Quailfcation WPQ

[KevinNZ]

Hi

In QW-332.1 (a) (1) what does "under the supervision and control of the qualifying organization(s)" mean? Who is the qualifying organization? Who has to supervise the welder?

I assume the qualifying organization is the company who certified the welders original qualifications WPQ. In other parts of the code the organization seems to be the company who arranged the tests and whom the welder works for.

thanks

 

[DekDee]

Kevin,
It is "participating organisation(s)" not "qualifying organisation(s)" and that clause refers you to QW300.3 where it explains what a participating organisation is.

The employer who supervised the original tests is responsible for any renewal.
If the welder changes employer he cannot "renew" his qualification - he must perform a new welder qualification test.
Cheers,
DD

 

[GenB]

Under ASME is the Code certificate Holder authorized usually the QCManager takes responsibility.

 

[steakman911]

If he changes his employer I agree he doesn't automatically "renew" his qualifications, but he doesnt lose them either. They are date based and for 2 years. However most shops and sites will have him do a shop test upon arrival to ensure he is capable of making the welds he is qualified for and needed in their production.

As QC Lead on the site I work at, I have full repsonsibility for the welders and their qualifications. New & Re-Tests are currently done at Certified Testing Centres by Certified Welding Examiners who then write up his "renewed" qualifications. A costly thing given a typical re-test can run ~$8-900.00 per coupon. As such I am perparing myself for the 4 papers I will need to write in order to obtain said Examiners Cert.

Then I go from a cost centre to a profit centre so to speak.

 

[DekDee]

steakman,
Once a welder leaves the employment of the company his qualifications are worthless - they are only valid for that company (there are examples where they may be accepted but that is specific codes with specific requirements to be met).
Please advise where the 2 year requirement is noted in ASME IX ? Have you been reading those BS/EN codes ?
Regards,
DD

 

[SectionIX]

Steakman,

What clauses are your comments based?

ASME Section IX QW 301 states "Each organization shall qualify each welder or welding operator for each
welding process to be used in production welding".


Further, ASME Section IX Clause 322 shows each welder must make a weld at intervals not to exceed six months.

 

[SectionIX]

Clarificaton to above, not withstanding performance issues..


ASME Section IX Clause 322:

(a) When he has not welded with a process during a
period of 6 months or more, his qualifications for that process
shall expire; unless, within the 6 month period, prior
to his expiration of qualification
(1) the welder has welded with that process using
manual or semiautomatic welding, under the supervision
and control of the qualifying organization(s) that will
extend his qualification for an additional 6 months
(2) the welding operator has welded with that process
using machine or automatic welding, under the
supervision and control of the qualifying organization(s)
that will extend his qualification for an additional
6 months

 

[gtaw]

Generally, the employer is responsible to qualify the welders they employ.

There is an exception. The exception applies to associations that qualify their welders and maintain their certifications. However, each employer must be present during the testing and must examine and accept the test coupon and test result. The welders qualifications are only valid if they transfer between employers that were in attendance during the test and are members of the association.

Best regards - Al