Welding Codes

[Bluecat46]

First I apologise if this has been discussed in another thread but a quick search showed nothing that helped.

I have been lead to believe that in B31.3 it does not state that you have to us ASME IX as your welding code as long as you use a recognised local or national standard, for example BSEN 287 (European Welding Code),the codes are very similar.

If this is correct can someone point at the section in B31.3 please, as I can’t find it.

Thanks

 

[DekDee]

Sorry Bluecat - you have been given incorrect information.
You must qualify via ASME IX,
Regards,
Shane

 

[Bluecat46]

thanks

 

[LittleInch]

Well, section 328.2.2 gives you a possibility of an alternative.

Now whether the owner approves or whether showing that your new qualification system is equal to or better than ASME IX is maybe not worth the hassle, or maybe it is. At least I think that what it is referring to.

Section reads

328.2.2 Procedure Qualification by Others. In order
to avoid duplication of effort and subject to the approval
of the owner, WPSs and BPSs qualified by a technically
competent group or agency may be used provided the
following are met:
(a) The procedures meet the requirements of
Section IX and any additional qualification requirements
of this Code.
(b) The employer has qualified at least one welder,
brazer, or operator following each WPS or BPS.
(c) The employer’s business name shall be shown on
each WPS and BPS, and on each qualification record. In
addition, qualification records shall be signed and dated
by the employer, thereby accepting responsibility for the
qualifications performed by others.

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.

 

[Bluecat46]

Thanks, that is the section I looked at but I was not a 100% sure.

 

[DekDee]

Bluecat,
Are you asking about weld procedure qualification or welder qualification ?

 

[DekDee]

LI,
I have always interpreted "meet the requirements" as "comply with" but you may well be correct.

Even allowing for that the attempt to use BS/EN in lieu of ASME is loaded with hurdles.
Has the European material used been assigned a P number by ASME ?
If not you would have to requalify the WPS anyway.
Testing of the PQR is more stringent to BS/EN but not 100% sure on tensile requirements.
WPS would have to be fully revised as thickness, diameter, preheat, heat input,interpass temp etc are all different.
And then after all that you have to hope the Owners representative will accept it,
Cheers,
Shane

 

[LittleInch]

Sure - complying would "meet the requirements", but if you look at this section as a whole it looks to me like the code is giving you a way out of having to re-do a heap of WPSs that have been qualified to an equivalent code which meets or exceeds the qualification requirements.

Hence they're not asking you to revise it to be the same as an ASME IX procedure only to "meet the requirements of..." Not exactly sure if that means the procedure needs to be an ASME IX procedure or not. I would think not because the opening line is "..to avoid duplication of effort..."

That's my interpretation of it anyway.

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.

 

[gtaw]

Those are the weasel words used to justify using AWS Standard WPSs that are purchased under a license from the American Welding Society.

Be aware that I believe Section IX or the SWPS state they are not applicable if PWHT or notch toughness requirements are imposed by the code. Also, note that if the system is classified as "high pressure" by the Owner, SWPSs and welders qualified by someone other than the contractor is not permitted.

Best regards - Al

 

[LittleInch]

no that's the section preceding it -

328.2.1 Standard Welding Procedure
Specifications. Standard welding procedure specifications
published by the American Welding Society and
listed in Mandatory Appendix E of Section IX are permitted
for Code construction within the limitations
established by Article V of Section IX.

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.

 

[DVWE]

Be aware that I believe Section IX or the SWPS state they are not applicable if PWHT or notch toughness requirements are imposed by the code.

You are correct about the notch toughness, but not PWHT. Plenty of SWPSs allow for the use with PWHT.

 

[Bluecat46]

Thank you gentlemen for you comments.