BS 4872-1:1982 Specification for approval testing of welders when welding procedure approval is not required. Fusion welding of steel AWSD 1.1 Structural Welding Code—Steel ASME BPVC-IX-2010 2010 ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC), Section IX: Welding and Brazing Qualifications, Which one should you take? It depends on what your job is. Are you an engineer, a quality control or inspecion type, or are you a welder? If you are a welder you probably won't need any of them because your procedures will be all written for you for each job. If you are an engineer and are writing procedures you might as well take them all, and even a few more. The most commonly used codes for qualifying welders are the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Section IX and American Welding Society (AWS) D1.1. Committees and subcommittees comprising volunteer workers interested in furthering the quality and efficiency of the welding industry work together to develop these codes. We all have heard that ASME codes are more stringent than AWS codes and vice versa. In some areas both are the same. In others they are very different. The most obvious difference between ASME Section IX and AWS D1.1 is that D1.1 addresses fabrication, erection, inspection, and welder and welding procedure qualification. ASME is specifically for welder and welding procedure qualification. A "code of construction," such as ASME Section VIII, Division I, must be used in conjunction with Section IX for fabrication. Some work contracts require that a specific code be used for qualifying the welders, but in many cases either code is sufficient. If the job consists totally of structural welding and the contract specifies the AWS Structural Code, then that is the code that must be used for all aspects of the job. If the job entails pressure vessels or piping, the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code must be used. If the job is related to ductwork associated with a boiler, the contract usually allows qualification with either code. Choosing a specific code when one is not specified in the contract often involves a fine line. Qualification Basics The basic contents of a procedure qualification are the same in both programs. The welding procedure specification (WPS) is a document that is intended to provide direction for the welder. It also depicts the joint design and welding materials, parameters, and technique and code requirements. The procedure qualification record (PQR) is a record of test results for the welds made in accordance with the WPS. Destructive testing (tensile pulls, bends, etc.) is required for PQRs in all codes. AWS D1.1 also requires nondestructive testing for procedure qualification. ASME Section IX does not. The welder qualification test record (WQTR) comprises the results of a test to prove that a welder is qualified to weld to a certain WPS. It includes qualification of the range of base materials, weld materials, positions, and so forth. These tests consist of guided bends, breaking of fillet welds, and macroetching. In some cases, the test coupons may be radiographed in lieu of destructive testing.