Certified Structural Steel Inspector

[kwarmuth]

I have just recently been hired by a mainly geotechnical/environmental engineering firm but some of the bids that we have been working on have called for a special inspection on the structural steel, we were hoping that instead of subcontracting it out I could look into getting certified. I have been searching all over the internet and I have found there is a new structural steel inspector program but I can not find anywhere on how to get courses or testing. So my questions are is this what I need to be looking at, is there more/different certifications I should be looking into, and do you have any other advice in getting certified. Also, this would be for Minnesota, should have said that in the beginning.

Thank you

 

[Ron]

Look into the American Society of Certifed Engineering Technicians (ASCET) and the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies. You will likely have to reach Level 3 or 4 in the certification process to be accepted as a Special Inspector. For steel inspection, you will likely need AWS Certification as a Certified Welding Inspector, depending on the jurisdiction.

These certifications take experience and examinations. They are reasonably rigorous and they are not "rubber stamp" certifications.

 

[kwarmuth]

Thank you. I expected these certifications to be a time consuming so them being rigorous is ok. I plan on trying to get it done this winter during the slower months (if offered). Thank you for your help and I will look into those sites.

 

[dhengr]

Does AISC have any programs in these areas, or ideas about available and reputable programs. Maybe take a look at their web site, or talk to them in Chicago. Bolting and welding are two other sub-specialties regularly involved. Experience in structural steel design, detailing, fabrication, erection would all be most helpful.

 

[Ron]

kwarmuth...you cannot go from no certification to Level 3 or 4 in a matter of months. This process will take several years.

 

[connectegr]

Check out this website

https://www.steelstructures.com

http://www.FerrellEngineering.com

Providing fabrication and erection efficient structural design of connections. Consulting services for structural welding and bolting.

 

[JStephen]

AWS has weeklong seminars with the test at the end to get the CWI. I went through that several years ago and got my CWI. It helps if you're already very familiar with welding, with welding procedures and documentation, with the welding code in question (it can be pipe, vessel, or structural, your option), and are a good test-taker. If you're good at paperwork and can't weld, that's better than being good at welding and bad at paperwork; if you're good at both, that's a whole lot better. Once you have a CWI, it would be very helpful to either have past welding inspection experience or work with somebody that does before actually jumping into the work. And if you go learn "everything" in a week, then wait six months before you use anything, a lot of it will be gone.

I'm not at all familiar with your current line of work, but it might be more worthwhile to get better qualified at something you already know than to move into a new field.

 

[Ron]

JS...even the CWI requires experience before taking the exam. I agree with the points you noted. I was a CWI for many years before just letting it lapse because I was not doing daily inspections anymore. Good to have though and you're right....good to have welding experience to go along with it.

 

[JStephen]

Good point, Ron. That experience can be in designing welded items, so rather indirect, which was my case. And like you, I let it lapse as I wasn't using it.

 

[connectegr]

Structural Steel Inspector or Special Inspector is not as specific in application as a CWI (Welding Inspector). And as a CWI other certifications for NDT are even more specific. For the more general "Special Inspector", Bob Shaw at Steel Structures Technology Center offers some excellent courses, webinars, and certification information. This will involve structural material, welding, bolting, etc. ICC offers several certification levels for this requirement.

If you are interested in the CWI, then others have mentioned the AWS course and test (required). I believe two years experience in the field is required for the test. As others have mentioned, my real experience was also design related not actual welding (I was a certified welder 20+ years earlier). With a reference from your employer, I don't think the specific experience requirement is difficult to achieve. AWS also offers an endorsement to a CWI for Structural Bolting Inspection, which requires another test related to the RCSC Specification. If you are an engineer and your interest is more technical, AWS also offers a CWE (Certified Welding Engineer) certification.

For your "special inspector" requirements I recommend giving Bob a call. If you want to add to your credentials, there are several paths. If welding is of significant importance to your firm, then AWS has more certification information on their website. If structural bolting is important, regretfully there are few certifications available. RCSC provides the specification for structural bolting but no inspector certifications. AWS and ICC offer some Bolt Inspection certification.

http://www.FerrellEngineering.com

Providing fabrication and erection efficient structural design of connections. Consulting services for structural welding and bolting.