Qualification of welders (API 1104) 2

[hmzM]

Refer to API 1104 Welding of Pipelines and Related Facilities (6.1 GENERAL ( Qualification of Welders) - " When segments of pipe nipples are used, they shall be supported so that typical flat, vertical and overhead welds are produced&quot :-

To carry out WQT based on approved WPS, can we use few welders for the test for every test specimen?
The WPS range is:
a. 2.375&quot; <= OD =< 12.750&quot;
b. 0.188&quot; <= WT =< 0.750&quot;
c. Filler metal Group 1 (E6010 & E7010)
d. all passes is downhill

so let say for the WQT we use NPS 8 (WT 6.4mm) in 6G position with all Group 1 electrode (E6010).
Can we use 6 welders for the test specimen? i.e 3 welder on Left & 3 welder on Right where 2 welders for root, then another 2 welders for hot pass and another 2 welders for fill & cap. If the test specimen accepted on RT (x-ray) did all the 6 welders qualified for the above WPS?
If the RT fails i.e at left side on hot pass, did the welder for that portion only failed?

In API 1104 did't mention about max. welders can be test for every test specimen.

Thank you.

 

[CWIC]

hamizan:
This has been tried before by a contractor while I was in the Middle East. There was much controversy over this subject, particularly by my supervisor (Saudi ARAMCO).

Each welder had a specific task on a pipeline that was kms in length over the water. 2 performed the root pass, the next 2 performed the hot passes, 2 more guys did the fill passes and finally, 2 more guys did the cap (cover) passe (8 welders per joint). 1 welder was positioned on each half of the joint.

After review of the contractors pre-construction submittal proposing what you are asking, ARAMCO did not permit multiple welders qualify one joint or qualification of any one welder for a portion of a weld. The rational is the API 1104 denotes &quot;...a welder who successfully completed the qualification...&quot; The operative word here is &quot;completed&quot;.

The contractor was also required to document who performed what activity which they did not during production, only a list of welders was submitted for each joint. This DID qualify an audit of all of the welding on this project by this contractor.

I think it would be up to a company (owner) representative to interprete what you propose and who is also supposed to be present during qualification. The owner typically has the final word on these matters.

 

[sayee1]

Agree with CWIC as usual, worked with Conoco, QP, Shell, Elf, TFE on pipelines with API 1104 and it was upto the client interpretation and let me say that most of the above clients disallowed such a combination of welders. But some did accept on a broader rationale to have root+ hot pass welders separately qualified and fill and cap welders separately qualified in that if a welder fails root+HP he can be used for the fill and cap sections only.... In case you are using RT as per clause 6.5 (Please confirm this no) then there is an added disadv 0of not being able to say where the defect lies unless UT is also performed. In addition you will have to measure the thickness deposited by each welder accurately unless of course you intend to do RT after the completion of no of passes by each welder on a side of the WQT as described by you.

Thanks and regards
Sayee Prasad R
Ph: 0097143968906
Mob: 00971507682668
email: sayee_prasad@yahoo.com
The black holes of nature are the most perfect macroscopic objects there are in the universe: the only elements in their construction are our concepts of space and time.

 

[hmzM]

Hi,
Refer to API 1104,
6 Qualification of Welders,
6.2 SINGLE QUALIFICATION
6.2.2 Scope
c. A change of filler-metal classification from Group 1 or 2 to Group 3 or from Group 3 to Group 1 or 2 (see Table 1)

So, if a welder carried out a test using Group 1 filler, did he qualified for Group 2?

Hou about Group 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9? If the welder carry out using filler Group 4 to 9, did he only qualified for the tested filler or for all Group?

 

[sayee1]

1. &quot;So, if a welder carried out a test using Group 1 filler, did he qualified for Group 2?&quot; No.
2. &quot;Hou about Group 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9? If the welder carry out using filler Group 4 to 9, did he only qualified for the tested filler or for all Group?&quot; If a welder tested for group 4, It would be SAW process, Grp 5 would be GMAW, Grp 7,8,9 with FCAW process. Process being an essential variable, do you think that the change in groups beyond grp 4 should be acceptable?
3. The use of these groups would be with the operator qualification as specified in Section 12.


Thanks and regards
Sayee Prasad R
Ph: 0097143968906
Mob: 00971507682668
email: sayee_prasad@yahoo.com
The black holes of nature are the most perfect macroscopic objects there are in the universe: the only elements in their construction are our concepts of space and time.