B31.3 Para 341.4.1 Xray

[garnet1]

The xray requirements per 341.4.1 states 5% which will include a representation of each welders welds. I have always interpreted this to mean that 5% of each welders welds would be xrayed but have learned that this is not the case. All that is rquired is 5% of total welds and as long as each welder gets xrayed, the number is not important as long a a total of 5% gets shot. It also seems that welding process is a non issential here so a welder can use F6 on some welds and F3/4 on others and still be lumped in on the initial 5%. I would like some comments on this to see what others think. I usually go with a minimum of 5% per welder per process.

 

[stanweld]

341.4.1 (b)(1) states, "Not less than 5% of circumferential and miter groove welds..." You are correct that each welder need not have 5% of his/her welds examined. ("The welds...shall be selected to ensure the work product of each welder...doing the production welding is included") Due to welder turnover and progressive sampling, greater than 5% of welds are normally examined.