Customer wants AWS, we're ASME ??

[ehills]

My company has the R-stamp and we do all our work under the ASME Section IX code. All our WPS, PQR and WPQ are under this code. We have purchased some AWS Standard procedures as well. We are moving more into Structural and Ornamental Metals projects for large construction jobs and the Specs. are all wanting AWS D1.1 processes and welders qualified under AWS code. What is the best thing for us to do in order to get us where we need to be. We tried to submit our ASME paperwork but one customer wants AWS only. Should we have an AWS inspector come in and review our procedures and qualifications and transfer to AWS where applicable or are we going to need to re-qualify to AWS. We mainly do Carbon steel, >1/8" thick 7018 rod, MIG, Flux core, SS Tig.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Dan

 

[metengr]

Review AWS D1.1, and qualify several AWS procedures in accordance with AWS D1.1. This is not that difficult to do.

 

[Welder4956]

Better yet, write new WPS's that meets all of the AWS D1.1 conditions required for prequalified WPS's and avoid the need for qualification.

 

[GRoberts]

If you are going to use unlisted base metals, non-standard joints, or other non-prequalified conditions to weld in accordance with D1.1, then you will have to qualify procedures. Unless you made extra detailed records
and happened to weld the right sized test plates, etc., then sometimes it is hard to cross-over previously qualified ASME welding procedures. One example of a potential cross-over problem is that AWS requires bend tests to not have more than 3/8" of cumulative length of discontinuities that are bigger than 1/32". If you didn't record that on your ASME PQR, or save your specimes, then you don't know if it conforms to AWS or not. If you qualify a new procedure with the intent to qualify to both codes, then with a little planning ahead, it can be easliy accomlished.

That said, most of the applications (with the exception of sst) seem like they would fall under prequalified welding procedures. As long as you conform to the requirements of section 3, you can write a prequalified WPS and go to town. If you are going to weld stainless, D1.1 specifies that D1.6 is to be use, which is the structural stainless steel welding code. There are provisions in that for prequalified procedures as well.