ASME IX Interpretation-Part1

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Interpretation Detail

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Please limit your selection on the search results screen to 10 interpretations. Standard Designation: BPV Section IX

Edition/Addenda: Para./Fig./Table No:

Subject Description: Section IX, QW-462.1

Date Issued: 01/04/1977

Record Number: BC-76-428

Interpretation Number : IX-77-01

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question: Is it permissible to machine a tension sample below the original surface of the base metal in order to obtain parallel faces over the reduced section?

Reply: No definite limits are set with respect to metal that may be machined off the original thickness. The test plate should be of substantially the same thickness as originally welded, but if a little of the thickness is machined off to obtain parallel rectangular surfaces, the specimen may be accepted. If your procedure wishes to set definite limits, you may do so. Section IX is a minimum safety requirement.

Standard Designation: BPV Section IX Edition/Addenda:

Para./Fig./Table No:

Record Number: NA

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question: Will welder qualification in the 3G and 4G positions for single groove welds with backing on plate also cover welder qualification for the 2G, 1F, 2F, 3F, and 4F positions per the thickness limits of QW-452? Reply: (1) Qualification in 3G and 4G plate with backing does not qualify a 2G position. (2) Qualification in the 3G and 4G positions does qualify the 1F and 2F positions. (3) Qualification in 3G also qualifies for 3F, within the limits of applicable essential variables. (4) Qualification in the 4G position qualifies for the 4F position within the limits of the applicable essential variables.

Record Number: NA

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Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question: Are fillet welds in the 1F, 2F, and 3F positions qualified by 3G groove welds?

Reply: Revisions to Section IX have been made to clarify what positions are qualified by specific test positions. Table QW-461.7, which was published in the Winter 1976 Addenda to Section IX, summarizes the position limitations for performance qualifications.

Subject Description: Section IX, Tack Welder Qualification

Record Number: NA

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question: May a welder be qualified as a tack welder if his tack welds were a part of another welder's qualification test coupon or part of another welding procedure qualification test which met the intent of the Code? Reply: The Code requires that all welders, (including tack welders), must be qualified per Section IX.

Subject Description: Section IX, Use of Base Metals and Filler Metals

Record Number: NA

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question 1: Is it acceptable to substitute identical base materials for ASME or ASTM specification materials?

Reply 1: For Code boilers or vessels, base materials must conform to an ASME specification accepted by the particular book section, or to a Code Case permitting a specific material.

Question 2: Is it acceptable to substitute identical filler materials for ASME or AWS specification filler materials?

Reply 2: For Code boilers or vessels, filler material need not conform to a particular specification. Procedures utilizing such filler material must be qualified per Section IX.

Subject Description: Section IX, QW-484

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Record Number: NA Interpretation Number : IX-77-06

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question: Is a welder qualified as of the day he makes his test welds? Reply: A welder is qualified as of the day he makes his test welds, if he passes the test.

Record Number: NA

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question: What type of tests are required to qualify a welding procedure and a welder or welding operator for fillet welds only?

Reply: Macro-examination is required for procedure qualification as per QW-181.1, and macro and fracture tests are required for performance qualification, as per QW-181.2.

Subject Description: Section IX, QW-202.2(2)(a)

Record Number: NA

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question: Is it the intent of QW-202.2(2)(a) that groove weld procedure qualification made in base metal 3 in. or more in thickness qualifies repair welds for any thickness of base metal with no limit on minimum depth of deposited weld metal?

Reply: It is the intent of QW-202.2(2)(a) that groove weld procedure qualification made in base metal 3 in. or more in thickness qualifies repair welds for any thickness of base metal with no limit on minimum depth of deposited weld metal. Maximum limits are fixed per QW-451.

Subject Description: Section IX, QW-310.4(d)

Record Number: NA

Interpretation Number : IX-77-10 Question(s) and Reply(ies):

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Question: Does a welder, using a total alloy content F-4 electrode, also qualify to use a higher total alloy F-4 electrode, within the nominal 6% total alloy content, under the provisions of QW-310?

Reply: QW-310.4(d) permits welders, who qualify on carbon steel test plates or pipe, to use all electrodes of the particular F-number qualified and all lower F-number electrodes, up to and including F-4 electrodes, of total alloy content less than or equal to 6%. Therefore, an F-4 electrode may qualify a welder to use another F-4 electrode of higher alloy content, on carbon steel, as long as the total alloy content does not exceed 6%. Standard Designation: BPV Section IX

Record Number: NA

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question: Do the provisions of QW-407.4 apply when heat treatment is performed, although the heat treatment is not mandatory? Also, you asked for the lower critical temperature of P-No. 8 materials.

Reply: QW-407.4 does not apply to P-No. 8 material because it has no lower critical temperature (that is, the temperature at which steel starts its phase transformation on heating which allows hardening upon cooling to occur). QW-407.3 is the variable that applies to P-No. 8 material. Standard Designation: BPV Section IX

Subject Description: Section IX, Calibration of Welding Machine Meters

Record Number: NA

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question: What are the Code requirements concerning the calibration of meters on welding machines?

Reply: Meters recording volts and amps or any acceptable method of measuring volts and amps (such as measuring burnoff rate), must be employed when QW-409.1 or QW-409.8 is required. QW-409.1 is a supplementary essential variable, and QW-409.8 is a nonessential variable for most welding processes. Because QW-409.8 requires the recording on the WPS of changes in voltage and amperage range, an accurate method of recording such must be employed. When meters are used to record amps and volts, they must be calibrated. Provisions for calibration of equipment, including welding machines, are covered by the quality control system. Standard Designation: BPV Section IX

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Subject Description: Section IX, Interpass Temperature QW-492

Record Number: BC-77-9a

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question: May interpass temperature be measured either on the base metal adjacent to the weld, or on the deposited weld metal? The method of measurement is specified in the qualified welding procedure.

Reply: Interpass temperature may be measured either in weld groove or adjacent to the weld groove.

Subject Description: Section IX, More Than One Welder on a Single Process Joint

Record Number: NA

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question: May more than one welder perform welding on a joint made by a single process provided each welds only that portion of the thickness for which he is qualified, and provided the procedure is qualified?

Reply: More than one welder may perform welding on a joint made by a single process provided each welds only that portion of the thickness for which he is qualified, and provided the procedure is qualified.

Subject Description: Section IX, Supporting Mill Test Reports and Typicals for Base and Filler Metals Used in a Procedure Qualifying Test

Record Number: NA

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question: Must supporting mill test reports and typicals for base and filler metals used in qualifying procedures for Section III, Class 1, 2, 3, and metal containment weldments be saved? You also asked for committee approval of a specific procedure.

Reply: The mill test reports and typicals for procedures tests need not be saved. QW-201.1 and QW-201.2 of Section IX provide for necessary documentation of welding procedures and tests. Also, procedures and qualifying tests are reviewed by the survey team, authorized inspectors, or jurisdiction authorities, not our office.

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Record Number: NA

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question: If a welding procedure were tested with a root pass using an E6010 (F3) electrode and filler passes using an E7018 (F4) electrode, and it was later decided to change the root pass electrode to E7018 (F4), would this change constitute an essential variable and require a separate

qualification test?

Reply: QW-404.4 is an essential variable under QW-252 through QW-259. Therefore, your procedure must be requalified.

Subject Description: Section IX, Flux-Cored Arc Welding

Record Number: NA

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question: Under what welding process category shall flux-cored arc welding be qualified under Section IX?

Answer: Flux-cored arc welding is considered to come under the more general method of welding known as gas-metal-arc welding. The rules now in Section IX covering inert gas-metal-arc welding apply to flux-cored arc welding.

Subject Description: Section IX; 1971 Edition of Q-11(b)(5)

Record Number: W-76-59

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question: With respect to the 1971 Edition of Section IX, Q-11(b)(5), is it intended that the ranges for amperage, voltage, and speed of travel may be different in the Welding Procedure Specifications from that recorded in the PQR test?

Reply: It is the intent of Section IX (1971 Edition), Q-11(b)(5) that the procedure qualifications record shall record the ranges actually used with the filler metal used in the procedure qualification test, but that the Welding Procedure Specification may specify ranges in amperage, voltage, and speed of travel that will produce acceptable welds and yet might be quite different than the actual values used in the procedure qualification record. For example, the procedure qualification record may have recorded data on a 5/32 in. electrode actually used, whereas the Welding Procedure

Specification written as supported by the welding procedure record, gives the ranges to be used for 1/8 in. through 1/4 in. diameter electrodes. The

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electrode manufacturers ranges when available are an acceptable guide. In the case of shielded metal-arc welding and gas tungsten-arc welding even wider ranges are possible. The size of the electrode or filler metal is not an essential variable.

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question: May a welder qualified in a given procedure, and for a given maximum thickness of deposit, weld on pipe of greater wall thickness, provided the thickness deposited by this welder does not exceed his qualification?

Reply: A welder qualified in a given procedure and for a given maximum thickness may weld on a pipe of greater wall thickness provided the thickness deposited does not exceed his qualification. However, the welder must follow a Welding Procedure Specification (WPS) that has a PQR qualification necessary to weld the full pipe thickness in production. Standard Designation: BPV Section IX

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question: May a welder qualified in a given procedure, and for a given maximum thickness of deposit, weld on pipe of greater wall thickness, provided the thickness deposited by this welder does not exceed his qualification?

Reply: A welder qualified in a given procedure and for a given maximum thickness may weld on a pipe of greater wall thickness provided the thickness deposited does not exceed his qualification. However, the welder must follow a Welding Procedure Specification (WPS) that has a PQR qualification necessary to weld the full pipe thickness in production. Standard Designation: BPV Section IX

Subject Description: Section IX; Welder Performance Qualification Tests

Record Number: BC-77-609 (W77-52)

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Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question: Is it permissible for a Manufacturer to have the Welder

Performance Qualification test of his welders in accordance with Section IX conducted on the premises of an organization other than the Manufacturer without direct supervision from the Manufacturer as a subcontracted service by an approved vendor as permitted in Section III?

Reply: QW-103.1 states that each Manufacturer is responsible for his welding and he shall conduct the tests to qualify the performance of welders and welding operators, and QW-301.2 states that each Manufacturer shall qualify each welder or welding operator for each welding process to be used in production welding, but is silent relative to full supervision of the welder or welding operator during the welding of the test coupons. It is the intent of the above listed paragraphs that the welders and welding operators be qualified under the full supervision and control of the Manufacturer during the production of the test weldment coupons. It is proposed to revise Section IX to clarify this intent.

Subject Description: Section IX, Use of Filler Metals not in Section II, Part C

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question 1: Is it the intent of Sections I, III, IV, VIII, and IX of the Code that weld material be ordered to an SFA Specification (Section II, Part C)? Reply 1: No. Weld material is ordered in different manners by various users. It is generally advantageous, however, to order to an SFA Specification where available and suitable for the intended use. Question 2: If not, how may it be ordered?

Reply 2: Where the weld material is defined in an SFA Specification of Section II, Part C in sufficient degree for the users purpose he may so order to the appropriate paragraphs. He may also add his own requirements to this. He may also order welding materials to his requirements "in toto" - particularly where an appropriate SFA Specification is not available. The procedure of ordering varies, but in any event all the requirements of Section IX and applicable requirements of the book Sections of the Code must be met for specific usages.

Question 3: Can a weld material that is not SFA/AWS be used for Sections I, III, IV, and VIII work provided it meets the required chemical and physicals only, of an SFA/AWS Specification?

Reply 3: Yes. Sections I, III, IV, and VIII use several welding materials for which an SFA Specification is not available. Section IX allows this and specifically delineates qualification requirements for this situation as well as for the situations for which an SFA Specification is available. Section III additionally specifies requirements for chemical analyses and lot and batch testing including mechanical property testing.

Question 4: Is the weld material for use in Sections I, III, IV, and VIII work locked into SFA/AWS or equivalent or may it meet another criteria as

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appears to be the intent of Section IX, QW-404.4. "A change from one F Number in QW-432 to any other F Number or to any other filler metal not listed in QW-432"?

Reply 4: No. The weld material is not "locked" into SFA/AWS, but - yes - it may meet other criteria as allows in Section IX, but must meet all Section IX criteria and other criteria specifically delineated in Book Sections. Section III particularly includes additional criteria as described in Reply 3 above.

Question 5: Must all welding procedures to be used for Sections I, III, IV and VIII Code work be qualified by using ASME welding material? Reply 5: No. However, the welding materials must meet the requirements delineated in Section IX and in the applicable book sections. When this is done, they become ASME welding material whether or not an SFA Specification for the specific welding material exists.

Question 6: The Foreword to the various Code Sections, last paragraph, addresses itself to base material and welding material. We all more or less have understood over the years the bench mark base material for Sections I, III, IV, and VIII work to be SA or SB and the provisions for acceptance of an identical ASTM. Should one consider this same intent to apply to welding material, namely, the bench mark for welding material for Sections I, III, IV, and VIII work to be SFA with provisions for acceptance of an identical AWS? If so, it would appear that one is locked into the one SFA or SFA/AWS combination only for welding material the same as we are now to the SA or SA/ASTM combination only for base material. Is this so? Reply 6: No. As described above, there are conditions for which an SFA Specification does not exist or completely cover the condition. For such situations, the welding materials are to be specifically qualified as part of the Welding Procedure Qualification. Where an SFA Specification suitable for the purpose does exist, the description of the welding materials is simplified through reference to the specification. Also the number of qualifications may be reduced. In addition to QW-404.4 which contains the statement "or to any other filler metal not listed in QW-432," QW-404.12 contains the statement "or to a weld metal or filler metal composition not covered by these specifications." Also other QW-404 items cover situations for which SFA Specifications may not be available or fully cover the situation. Some of these are 404.8, 404.9, 404.10, QW-404.17, QW-404.18, QW-404.20, QW-404.24, QW-404.25, QW-404.26, and QW-404.27.

Subject Description: Section IX, QW-404.9 and Section II Part C, SFA-5.17, Table 4, Note C

Record Number: W77-7

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question: QW-404.9 of Section IX is an essential variable for submerged arc welding which requires requalification if a change is made from one flux classification listed in SFA-5.17 to any other flux classification. Section II, Part C, SFA-5.17, Table 4, Note C states that an F76-Exxx

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flux-electrode combination also meets the requirements of all lower numbered classifications in the F7X-xxx series. Is it correct to interpret Note C to mean a procedure qualification performed utilizing a F74-EM12K would qualify that particular welding procedure specification for the use of F72-EM12K or E70-EL12 as well without additional individual procedure qualifications?

Reply: AWS A 5.17 and the corresponding SFA-5.17 tests are for classification purposes only and are designed to minimize the number of tests required. The Section IX requirement (QW-404.9) governs the qualification requirements and the limits of qualification for Code

applications. Therefore, it is incorrect to interpret SFA-5.17, Table 4, Note C as governing Section IX qualification requirements. Appendix A in SFA-5.17 supplies additional information on the effects of different electrode-flux combinations effects on strength, ductility, and notch toughness.

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question: QW-406.1 reads "A decrease of 100°F or more in the minimum specified preheating or interpass temperature." Does the word "specified" refer to the preheating temperature on the WPS or as recorded on the PQR? Reply: The word "specified" in QW-406.1 refers to the temperature

specified on the WPS. However, the minimum specified temperature cannot be more than 100°F lower than that stated on the PQR.

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question: What is the intent of QW-403.6 when applied to the minimum thickness limitation of material qualified by test plate when qualifying a welding procedure?

Reply: It is the intent of the Code that QW-403.6 applies only to thickness less than 5/8 in. where the thickness of the test coupon is the minimum thickness qualified. For thicknesses over 5/8 in., the minimum thickness qualified is as stated in QW-451.

ATTENTION

The foregoing interpretation has been further considered and the following corrected reply sent to the inquirer.

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Correction Issued: July 31, 1979

Reply: The intent of QW-403.6 was further clarified in the Summer 1979 Addenda. For thickness less than 5/8 in., the thickness of the test coupon is the minimum thickness qualified for production welds. For thicknesses 5/8 in. or greater, the minimum thickness qualified is 5/8 in.

Subject Description: Section IX, QW-305 and QW-452

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question: Will one operator performance qualification for a wall thickness within the range of a qualified WPS be sufficient to qualify the welding operator for the full range of thickness of the WPS?

Reply: One operator performance qualification for a wall thickness within the range of a qualified WPS is not sufficient to qualify the welding

operator for the full range of thickness of the WPS. The welding operator is qualified only in accordance with the test coupon he welded in accordance with QW-452.

ATTENTION

The foregoing interpretation has been further considered and the following corrected interpretation sent to the inquirer.

Correction Issued: April 11, 1978

Reply: Performance qualification of welding operators is as listed in QW-305. The thickness of the test coupon or the weld examined for performance qualification is not a variable for welding operators. An operator who has satisfactorily passed the performance qualification test is qualified to weld in accordance with all other qualified welding procedure specifications using the same welding process as that in the welding procedure specification to which he qualified. A welding operator is required to requalify only when changing from one welding process to any other welding process.

Subject Description: Section IX, QW-452.3 Qualification of Welders; Section VIII, Division 1

Record Number: BC-77-303 (W-77-30)

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question: Clarification of the welder qualification requirements for welding of nozzles into the shell, identified as "T-Joint UW-16.1(c) Section VIII, Division 1" is requested. The shell in question is made of ASME

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be the same material pipe in diameters of 3/4 in. through 8 in. Welders are qualified using 5 in. Schedule 80 pipe in 2G position. The joint design is a single vee. In accordance with Performance Qualification, Section IX, QW-452.3 and QW-461.7, this qualifies welders for groove weld in 2½ in. nominal pipe, minimum and fillet weld in all sizes of pipe in 2G and 2F positions. Our interpretation of the Code is that the above qualifies welders to weld nozzles of 3/4 in. through 8 in. into shells providing the minimum diameter of the shell is not less than the qualified 2½ in. Since the joint design does not require full penetration on the nozzle pipe but only in the shell, we interpret this as a fillet weld and not a groove weld on the nozzle pipe. Does the welder have to requalify for 1 in. to 2½ in. pipe and under 1 in. as outlined in QW-452.3?

Reply: Performance qualification using 5 in. diameter pipe does not qualify a welder to perform work on groove welds having a diameter size less than 2-7/8 in. The example you have shown is not considered a fillet weld application and is a groove weld application subject to the 2½ in. nominal pipe size (2-7/8 in. O.D.) minimum limitation. Therefore, for this

application, qualification of welders would be required on 3/4 in. (1 in. O.D.) through 2 in. nominal pipe size groove weld test coupons.

Performance qualification using 2 in. Schedule 2X pipe in the 2G position will qualify the welder to perform work on the following fabrication: Performance qualification using SMAW, GTAW, and GMAW (except short circuit mode) or a combination of these processes may be made using radiographic examination.

Subject Description: Section IX, Welding Procedure Qualifications - Welding Positions

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question: May welding qualification procedures, limited to a specific position and qualified prior to the 1974 Edition of Section IX, be used for all positions of welding after the effective date of the 1974 Edition of Section IX?

Reply: Welding qualification procedures, qualified prior to the 1974 Edition of Section IX, and limited to a specific position, may be used for any position of welding after the effective date of the 1974 Edition of Section IX.

Subject Description: Section IX, QW-410.16, Welder Performance Qualifications

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Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question: Was it the intent of QW-410.16, as it pertains to the welder performance qualifications, to exclude a welder qualified on a double-welded vertical position joint (where only the root was placed using one direction of progression and then removed to sound metal prior to welding the second side) from production welding a single-welded backing strap joint using the other direction of progression?

Reply: Under the conditions expressed in your inquiry where the root was removed to sound metal in the qualification coupon, it was not the intent of QW-410.16 to exclude a welder from production welding a single-welded backing strap joint using the other direction of progression.

Subject Description: Section IX, QW-410.16 Welder Performance Qualifications

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question: May welders be qualified on a double welded plate in vertical upward progression where the root pass has been welded in vertical downward progression and subsequently removed to sound metal in the preparation for welding the second side, for a production weld which is a single welded plate with a backing bar? All welding including the root pass for production weld is done in vertical upward progression. Reference is made to QW-410.16.

Reply: Under the conditions of your inquiry, the welders are qualified for vertical up welding. It is the opinion of the Committee that as stated in the second sentence of QW-410.16, the root pass may be welded upward or downward when the root pass is removed to sound metal. It should be pointed out that it is not critical that the root pass be completely removed. Standard Designation: BPV Section IX

Subject Description: Section IX, QW-410.24, Grain Refining Austenitizing Heat Treatment

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question: It is our interpretation that QW-410.24 only concerns material that would have no postweld heat treatment or a postweld heat treatment below the austenitizing temperature. Any material being hot formed from a temperature above the AC3 after welding and/or normalized after welding and hot forming would not be governed by QW-410.24. Is this

interpretation correct?

Reply: QW-410.24 does not apply when the welding procedure

specification is qualified with a grain refining heat treatment after welding. QW-410.24 has been revised to clarify this in the 1977 Edition of Section IX.

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Subject Description: Section IX, QW-202.2, Fillet Weld Procedure Qualification Test Requirements

Record Number: W-77-6

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Questions: (1) Does a fillet weld procedure qualification test conducted in accordance with QW-462.4(a) on ¼ in. plate qualify fillets of all sizes in plates of all thicknesses? (2) Is it a Code requirement that a WPS showing a sketch of a groove weld be revised to show a fillet weld when that WPS is to be used to make a fillet?

Replies: (1) The present Code rules allow a fillet weld qualification test made in accordance with QW-462.4(a) on ¼ in. plate to qualify for all fillet weld sizes and all plate thicknesses. (2) A WPS showing a sketch of a groove weld does not have to be revised to show a fillet weld when that WPS is to be used to make a fillet weld. The variable QW-402.1 refers to a change in groove weld joint design and therefore does not apply to fillet welds.

Subject Description: Section IX, Range of Postweld Heat Treatment Temperatures

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question: Is it the intent of Section IX to have WPS's written specifically to meet the requirements of a fabricating Code (ASME Section I, ANSI B31.1, etc.) with respect to preheat, PWHT, and other specific fabrication

requirements?

Reply: A given qualified procedure may be used for Section I and/or III and/or IV, and/or VIII. Other procedures written to various Codes which reference Section IX may also utilize this procedure, if acceptable to their inspection and quality control system. Alternatively, anyone may use Section IX to suit their needs. The various Sections of the Code stipulate ranges of temperature for PWHT. A procedure must be qualified within this range. QW-407.1, an essential variable, requires a requalification when PWHT temperature range is changed.

Subject Description: Section IX, QW-409.1 and QW-410.24, Notch Toughness Requirements

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Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question: For the processes of SMAW, SAW, GMAW, and GTAW when notch toughness requirements apply, QW-409.1 and QW-410.24 are

essential variables. We believe that the intent of these paragraphs are met by specifying that the maximum heat input per unit length of weld shall not exceed that of the qualification test. Thus, although the voltage and amperage may increase beyond that used during qualification, the travel speed may be adjusted accordingly to assure that the heat input per unit length is controlled. This effectively controls the unit volume of weld metal deposited per unit length of weld. Therefore, for processes of SMAW, SAW, GMAW, and GTAW when notch toughness requirements apply, may the following replace QW-409.1 and QW-410.24 as an essential variable? An increase in the heat input per unit length of weld over that used in the qualification tests. Heat input per unit length shall be defined as:

Volts X Amps X 60 / Travel Speed (ipm) = Heat Input (J/in.)

This requirement does not apply when the WPS is qualified with a grain refining austen-itizing heat treatment after welding.

Reply: QW-409.1 presently does not allow heat inputs to be controlled by adjusting amperage or voltage upward with an increase in speed. However, as a result of your inquiry, the Subcommittee on Welding has begun action to revise the Code.

Subject Description: Section IX, Application of SFA-5.18 to the GTAW Method

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question: Does SFA-5.18 apply to the GTAW method? Reply: SFA-5.18 does apply to the GTAW method. Standard Designation: BPV Section IX

Subject Description: Section IX, QW-410.17, Type or Model of Welding Equipment

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question: Is it permissible to utilize an acceptable PQR covering one type of process to substantiate a new WPS of the same process but of a different type without requalification?

Reply: It is permissible to utilize an acceptable PQR covering one type of process to substantiate a new WPS of the same process if QW-410.17 is not listed as an Essential Variable for that specific process. This has been clarified in the Summer 1977 Addenda.

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Subject Description: Section IX, QW-351, Multiple Process Thicknesses Qualified for a Performance Qualification

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Questions: (1) For production welds made using a combination of processes (GTAW initial passes, SMAW completion), must the welder performing the GTAW portion of the weld (3/16 in. depth) qualify on 3/4 in. thick test pipe in order to qualify for unlimited pipe thickness of production welds where the combination GTAW/SMAW processes are used? (2) If a welder completes a 3/8 in. depth of weld in a 3/4 in. thick pipe specimen using the SMAW process, is the welder qualified to deposit a 3/4 in. depth

(maximum) of weld metal in all thicknesses of production pipe welds? (3) If a welder qualifies on 3/8 in. thickness pipe wall test specimen using the SMAW process, is that welder qualified to deposit a 3/4 in. depth (maximum) of weld metal in all thicknesses of production pipe welds? Replies: (1) No. (2) Yes. (3) Yes.

Subject Description: Section IX, QW-255, Flux Cored Arc Welding

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question: Does gas metal-arc welding (GMAW) in the procedure qualification and performance qualification refer also to flux cored arc welding (FCAW)? If so, should welders be qualified separately under both processes?

Reply: Flux cored arc welding (FCAW) is permissible under the Code and is considered to come under the more general method of welding known as gas metal-arc welding (GMAW). Welders do not have to be qualified separately unless there is a change in any of the Essential Variables. However, there is an Essential Variable for procedure qualification, QW-404.23, that requires separate qualification for solid wire and for flux cored wire for the GMAW process.

Subject Description: Section IX, QW-310, Change in A-Number for Performance Qualification

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Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question: Is a welder who satisfactorily accomplishes a welder performance qualification test using the gas tungsten arc welding process on P-No. 1 material with an F-No. 6 (A-No. 8) filler metal also qualified by virtue of the above test to use the gas tungsten arc welding process with an F-No. 6 (A-No. 1) filler metal, all other essential variables being the same?

Reply: A welder qualified by the GTAW process with an F-No. 6 (A-No. 8) filler metal is also qualified to use an F-No. 6 (A-No. 1) filler metal. The manufacturer must have a procedure qualified for both the (A-No. 8) and the (A-No. 1) filler metal.

Subject Description: Section IX, QW-303.3, QW-452.3, and QW-461.7

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question: What is the intent of Section IX with regard to required weld testing as specified by QW-303.3, QW-452.3, and QW-461.7? A strict interpretation of QW-303.3 would indicate that pipes or couplings of 2-7/8 in. O.D. or less would require a performance test for each individual size rather than a general qualification test. However, it would seem logical to assume that welds made on pipes and couplings of 2-7/8 in. O.D. or less onto a shell would more normally fall into the category of 1G welds. Reply: The 2-7/8 in. O.D. pipe or coupling is considered a fitting such as a nozzle and is attached by a groove or fillet weld and the diameter

limitations do not apply. If two pipes of 2-7/8 in. O.D. are butt welded together, the diameter limits of the tables apply.

Subject Description: Section IX, QW-251.2 and QW-403.5

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question: When a change is made in a Supplementary Essential Variable for work done according to a Section which specifies notch toughness tests, are tension, bend, and impact tests required or only weld deposit and heat affected zone impacts?

Reply: When a change is made in a Supplementary Essential Variable for work done according to a Section which specifies notch toughness tests, all tests are not required to requalify the procedure. The second paragraph of QW-403.5 states: When a procedure has been previously qualified to satisfy all requirements other than notch toughness, it is then necessary only to prepare an additional test coupon using the same procedure with the plates only long enough to provide the necessary notch toughness specimens. If a

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previously qualified weld procedure has satisfactory notch toughness values in the weld metal then it is necessary only to test notch toughness specimens from the heat affected zone.

Subject Description: Section IX, QW-201, Effective Operational Control of Welding Procedure Qualifications

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question: QW-201 permits welding procedures which are properly qualified by one Division of a Company to be used by another Division of the Company within the same organization if in an organization effective operational control of welding procedure qualifications for two or more companies of different names exists. What constitutes "effective operational control of welding procedure qualification" within a corporation?

Reply: WPS's and PQR's may be used by all Divisions of a Corporation the same as provided in QW-201 for two companies of different names. The QC Manual must describe the effective operational control of the

production of weldments, and if two or more divisions are involved, which division is responsible for qualification of procedures and/or the

performance of welders and welding operators. The controlling division must have the authority to control and the other divisions cannot overrule or ignore direction from the one controlling. It is the responsibility of the Authorized Inspector to determine that the described control is being maintained.

Subject Description: Section IX, QW-322, Renewal of Qualification

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question: A welder, who was qualified in SMAW for all positions with F4, F5, F42, F43, and F44 electrodes, for all material thicknesses, returns to work after a one year absence. If he passes a requalification test on a 3/8 in. thick carbon steel plate, using an F4 electrode, in flat position, is he then qualified to weld with F4, F5, F42, F43, and F44 electrodes in all positions for all thicknesses of materials?

Reply: Yes, the welder would be qualified by making a single test joint on any thickness, position, or material to reestablish the welder's or welding operator's qualification for any thickness, position, or material for which he was previously qualified. This has been clarified in the Winter 1977 Addenda of Section IX.

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Subject Description: Section IX, QW-202.2, Base Metals - Groove and Fillet Weld

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Questions: (1) We have a WPS (SMAW) qualified with tube 10.97 mm thickness. The nominal pipe size of the tube used for the welding procedure qualification was 6 in. Schedule 80, thickness 10.97 mm. Can this

procedure be used with groove welds in plates and pipes under 3/8 in. (9.525 mm) thickness? (2) Can this procedure be used with fillet welds in plates under 3/8 in. thickness? (3) Can this procedure be used with socket welds in pipes under 3/8 in. thickness?

Replies: (1) The procedure may be used down to 1.5 mm (approximate), 1/16 in. within the range of essential variables. (2) This procedure can be used with fillet welds on all thicknesses within the range of essential variables. (3) This procedure can be used with socket welds on all thicknesses within the range of essential variables.

ATTENTION

The foregoing interpretation has been further considered and the following corrected interpretation sent to the inquirer.

Correction Issued: June 6, 1978

Question: We have a WPS (SMAW) qualified with tube 10.97 mm

thickness. The nominal pipe size of the tube used for the welding procedure qualification was 6 in. Schedule 80, thickness 10.97 mm. Can this

procedure be used with groove welds in plates and pipes under 3/8 in. (9.525 mm) thickness?

Reply: The WPS may be used down to 4.76 mm (approximate), 3/16 in. within the range of essential variables of the WPS.

Subject Description: Section IX, QW-201.3, Combination of Welding Processes or Procedures

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question: Does the PQR-1 (sketched below) which has two processes qualified on a single test plate support the WPS-1 (sketched below)? The maximum plate thickness for WPS-1 is two times the test plate and the weld deposit of each process for WPS-1 is not more than two times the actual weld deposit of each process in the test plate. If the PQR-1 does not support the WPS-1, what should be the thickness of weld deposit in each process in the test plate to satisfy QW-201.3 requirements?

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Also, do the following PQRs together support the WPS-1? What changes in thickness of weld deposit in each process would satisfy QW-201.3 to support the WPS-1?

Reply: PQR-1 as sketched does support WPS-1. The maximum thickness of the production joint qualified by PQR-1 is 20 mm which is two times the thickness of the metal deposited by the SMAW and TIG process. PQR-2 and PQR-3 taken together do not support WPS-1. PQR-3 would currently have to be on 10 mm plate to permit WPS-1 to be qualified to satisfy the base material requirements.Question: Does the PQR-1 (sketched below) which has two processes qualified on a single test plate support the WPS-1 (sketched below)? The maximum plate thickness for WPS-1 is two times the test plate and the weld deposit of each process for WPS-1 is not more than two times the actual weld deposit of each process in the test plate. If the PQR-1 does not support the WPS-1, what should be the thickness of weld deposit in each process in the test plate to satisfy QW-201.3 requirements?

Subject Description: Section IX and Section I, Par. PW-28.5 Welding Qualification

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question: Under what circumstances is it acceptable to modify the requirements of 103.1 of Section IX which reads as follows: QW-103.1 Welding. Each Manufacturer or Contractor is responsible for the welding done by his organization and shall conduct the tests required in this Section to qualify the welding procedures he uses in the construction of the weldments built under this Code, and the performance of welders and welding operators who apply these procedures.

Reply: Section I, PW-28.5 provides that: 28.5 To avoid duplication of qualification tests, it is recommended that procedures, welders. and welding operators qualified as required above be acceptable for any similar welding work on piping using the same procedure (see PW-1.2). It is the intent of this paragraph to provide for the avoidance of duplication of qualification tests of welding procedure specification, welders, and welding operators as applied to piping within the Scope of Section I. Manufacturers or

Contractors are permitted to join together with other Manufacturers or Contractors into an organization for the establishment of welding procedure specifications and their qualification so that the individual Manufacturer or Contractor does not have to duplicate this. This means that a welding procedure specification adopted by the organization must be qualified in accordance with Section IX of the Code by a member of the organization. Other members of the organization may subsequently use the weld-ing procedure specification without requalification. Welding procedure qualification test records shall be available with each welding procedure specification sent to the organization's membership. No member of the organization may use the organization's qualified welding procedure specifications on ASME Code work unless he holds the applicable ASME Code stamp and Certificate of Authorization. Welders and welding operators of a member Manufacturer or Contractor must pass their performance test on each of the organization's welding procedure

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specifications they are to weld under, except as otherwise permitted in Section IX. The performance qualification test records are placed on file with the organization. When such welders or welding operators are employed by another member Manufacturer or Contractor, their

performance qualification records are made available to their new employer by the organization and performance requalification is not required for those welding procedure specifications under which they qualified previously. It is incumbent upon the member Manufacturer or Contractor using the organization's welding procedure specifications and performance qualification records to assume responsibility for the qualifications by maintaining records, certified by him, and available to the Authorized Inspector.

Subject Description: Section IX, Use of Unclassified Materials

Record Number: BC-77-211 (W77-19)

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question: Is it necessary to requalify a WPS when a base metal of the same nominal chemistry as that originally qualified is used, except that the material was purchased to a specification not recognized by the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code or is simply another product form of a previously qualified metal?

Reply: It is necessary to perform a separate procedure qualification of a metal of the same nominal chemistry of a previously qualified metal that was purchased to a specification not recognized by the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code.

Subject Description: Section IX, QW-303.6, Fillet Welds

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question: Is a welder who qualified on a 5 in. Schedule 80 groove weld in the 6G position also qualified to weld fillet welds in all sizes, diameters, and thicknesses?

Reply: In accordance with QW-303.6, a welder qualified on a 5 in.

Schedule 80 pipe with a groove weld in the 6G position is qualified to weld fillet welds in all sizes, diameters, and thicknesses.

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Subject Description: Section IX, Definition of Current Edition

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question: In an ASME response to an inquiry, a definition of "current Edition" was presented as follows: "... the term 'current Edition' refers to the latest Addenda of Section IX which has been issued long enough to become mandatory." The last paragraph of the Section IX Preamble requires new qualifications to be made in accordance with the requirements of the "current Edition." The Section IX Foreword in paragraph eight allows Addenda to be used beginning with the date of issuance shown on the Addenda. The definition of "current Edition" as stated above appears to prohibit using Addenda on the date of issuance as allowed in the Foreword. Is it the intent of the Code to prohibit the use of the latest issued Addenda? Reply: The Preamble reference to the use of the "current Edition" for requalification or new qualification is to the latest Addenda of Section IX that has been issued long enough to become mandatory and relates to "normal" mandatory requirements. However, the Foreword overrides and permits using the Addenda on the date of issuance so the Manufacturer has the option of using it as the current Addenda. It is not the intent of the Code to prohibit the use of the latest Addenda upon issuance.

Subject Description: Section IX - Welding Procedure Specification (WPS) and Procedure Qualification Record (PQR)

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question (1): May a WPS and PQR prepared to the "current Edition" requirements of a 1962 or later Edition of Section IX be used to support work being performed to contracts invoking the 1974 Edition. (Preamble, 1974 Edition of Section IX)?

Reply (1): Yes.

Question (2): May a WPS and PQR that meet the requirements of the 1962 or later Editions of Section IX be used for work where the contract date is any time prior to or after the qualification date?

Reply (2): Yes.

Question (3): May a qualification be performed at some time after the Section IX date invoked by the Contract and utilized to support a WPS written to the requirements of the Code for the date invoked by the contract or any subsequent date, regardless of the date of the "current Edition" as it applies to the qualification, provided all essential variables for the Edition of the Code used in the WPS have been documented on the PQR? For example, a contract invokes Section IX, 1971. May qualifications be performed today to the 1971 Edition of Section IX, or a later version, and be utilized to support a WPS written to the 1971 Edition of Section IX?

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Reply (3): Yes.

Question (4): May a qualification performed to a prior Edition of Section IX (1962 or later) support a WPS written to a later version of ASME Section IX provided all essential variables of the later version have been

documented on the PQR? Reply (4): Yes.

Question (5): May a PQR originally prepared to a particular version of the Code be updated to reflect a later version of the Code provided all essential variables of the later version are available from the qualification test records for documentation on the PQR?

Reply (5): Yes.

In all cases, the PQR and WPS combination shall meet the requirements of the same Section IX Edition and Addenda that is selected for use.

It is recommended that both the PQR and WPS designate which Edition and Addenda of ASME Section IX the documents reflect.

Regarding the last two statements of the inquiry, it is the opinion of the Committee that the date shown on the WPS and PQR will identify the Edition of Section IX and Addenda.

Subject Description: Section IX, QW-161.5, Longitudinal Bend Tests

Record Number: BC-77-374 (W-77-38)

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Questions: (1) Does QW-161.5 apply to guided bend tests of 9% Nickel-to-9% Nickel butt joint welded with an ENiCrFe-2 (or ENiCrFe-3)

electrode, (base metal SA-353 or SA-553; plate thickness under ½ in.)? (2) If the answer to Question (1) is affirmative, what is the relative value of each type of bend test as a measure of the quality of the weld?

Replies: (1) QW-161.5 does apply to guided bend tests of 9% Ni Steel-to-9% Ni steel butt welds made using ENiCrFe-2 (or ENiCrFe-3)

electrodes. (2) Transverse bends made using guided bend jigs illustrated in QW-466.1 and QW-466.2 provide acceptable test methods for weldments when base metals and weld metal have similar bending properties. When transverse bend specimens of base metals and/or weld metal having markedly different bending properties are tested in these guided bend jigs, selective yielding may occur in the lowest yield strength area of the

weldment. The localized yielding may far exceed the elongation required by Section IX, and may render the weldment rejectable when, in fact, the deposited weld quality and weldment ductility are acceptable. However, longitudinal guided bends made using guided bend jigs illustrated in QW-466.1 and QW-466.2 or transverse guided bends made using the wrap-around bend jig illustrated in QW-466.3 result in essentially uniform bending of all areas across the weldment.

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Subject Description: Section IX, Preamble

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Questions: (1) The Preamble to Section IX states that procedure and

performance qualifications made in accordance with the requirements of the 1962 or any later Edition of Section IX may be used for Code Work. Does this dispensation also apply to Welding Procedure Specifications? (2) Do WPS's have to be revised to the latest Edition of the Code or can they be used today if properly written and qualified to the 1962 Code?

Replies: (1) It is the opinion of the Committee that "welding and brazing procedures" specified in the Preamble of Section IX includes welding and brazing procedure specifications. (2) It is the opinion of the Committee that a WPS written to the 1962 Code may be used in Code construction today without revision and does not require requalification, if the results of tests meet the requirements of the 1962 Code or any later Edition. However, if a revision to an essential variable is more restrictive than previous Editions, the WPS should be revised and requalified. It is not the intent of the

Committee to cause extensive retesting of previously employed welding and brazing procedures, welders, brazers, or welding and brazing operators. Standard Designation: BPV Section IX

Subject Description: Section IX, QW-482, Reference to Other Documents on Welding Procedure Specifications

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question: May a welding procedure specification (WPS) reference another document in response to either an essential or nonessential variable in lieu of having the applicable information contained directly on the WPS? Reply: QW-482 is a suggested form which lists essential and nonessential variables to be included in the welding procedure specification. The use of a similar form, together with supplemental documents, is considered to be acceptable, provided the essential and nonessential variables for each specific welding process are included.

Subject Description: Section IX, Preamble

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Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question (1): Can a WPS be written to the present Section IX requirements using a qualification conducted to a previous Edition of Section IX provided the qualification and WPS meet the essential and nonessential variables of the present Code?

Reply (1): Yes.

Question (2): Can a PQR or Q-1 be updated to reflect a later version of the Code provided the required information of the later version is available? Reply (2): Yes, provided that the original document is maintained and available.

Subject Description: Section IX, QW-404.13 and QW-404.22, Consumable Inserts

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question: We currently have a qualified WPS for making single-welded butt joints in stainless steel piping, using the gas tungsten-arc welding process. As qualified, the procedure does not require the use of a consumable insert. It is unclear if we are required to requalify our WPS and/or our welders if we add a consumable insert (with an analysis meeting the same A-Number as the filler rod used) to the procedure. The confusion arises in the last sentence of QW-404.13 which reads "Qualification in a single-welded butt joint, with or without consumable inserts, qualifies for fillet welds and single-welded butt joints with backing or double-welded butt joints." If consumable inserts are considered backing, then the

statement in effect says that qualification in a single-welded butt joint, with or without consumable inserts, qualifies for a single-welded butt joint with consumable inserts (backing). We feel that the current definition of backing in QW-492 contains nothing which excludes consumable inserts. A more specific definition is the one approved by the AWS Committee on Definitions Symbols and Metric Practice in 1975: "Backing - A material (base metal, weld metal carbon, or granular material) placed at the root of a weld joint for the purpose of supporting molten weld metal." If consumable inserts are not considered backing, but are considered joint material, two other questions arise. First, does the addition of a consumable insert constitute a change in the basic groove design and, hence, not require requalification according to QW-402.1? Second, does a change in the shape of a consumable insert constitute a change in basic groove design?

Reply: It is the opinion of the committee that a WPS and welders qualified on a single-welded butt joint without the use of a consumable insert, will require requalification when a consumable insert is to be used in the fabrication of single-welded butt joints. This requirement is specified in QW-404.13 for WPS qualification and QW-404.22 for performance qualification. Regarding your inquiry of a consumable insert being

considered as a backing for single-welded butt joints, it is the opinion of the Committee that a consumable insert is not to be considered backing.

Regarding your questions in the last paragraph, it is the opinion of the committee that: (1) consumable inserts are considered to be filler metal; and

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(2) joint geometry is a nonessential variable (QW-402.1). Therefore, requalification of a WPS is not required when a change in joint geometry is made. A change in the shape of the consumable insert is not considered an essential variable, even though a change in joint geometry may be required. Standard Designation: BPV Section IX

Subject Description: Section IX, QW-201.3, Combination of Welding Processes or Procedures

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question: We interpret QW-201.3 to allow the use of portions of existing qualifications to establish new welding procedure specifications as long as none of the original essential variables are violated and such portions are limited to the separation of processes or similar processes with differences created by essential variables. Please advise us of your interpretation. Reply: 201 permits one PQR to support more than one WPS. QW-201.3 permits the deletion of one or more processes from production welds, provided the processes used in production are qualified for the thickness range specified in QW-202.2, QW-403, and QW-451. Requalification is not required for a new WPS written to cover production welds made with the process used in depositing the root layer of a multiprocess qualification test, provided the WPS limits the thickness of production welds to 2t the

deposited thickness of the root layer. Standard Designation: BPV Section IX

Subject Description: Section IX, QW-403.9, Single- or Multi-Pass Welding

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question: Does the ½ in. dimension in QW-403.9 refer to bead thickness or bead width?

Reply: The ½ in. dimension refers to bead thickness for a groove weld and the throat distance of a single-pass fillet weld. The ½ in. measure has no relationship to the width of a single bead or weave.

Subject Description: Section IX, Definition of Thickness

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Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question: Suppose a design is given that requires production of a laminated joint (see sketch) where several 0.020 in. sheets of P-No. 8 material are clamped together and the ends welded to effect a weld deposit that later becomes part of a butt weld. For purposes of procedure qualification, can the assembled thickness ("T" on sketch) of the production joint, rather than the individual sheet thickness, be considered as the thickness that the procedure must cover, since the sheets are assembled prior to arc initiation? Reply: Yes.

Subject Description: Section IX, QW-404.9, Flux Classification

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question: May a procedure qualified with one of the SFA-5.17 flux classifications (such as, F73--XXXX) be used with a lower flux classification (such as, F72-, F70-), assuming a "neutral" flux is used, without requalification?

Reply: No. Under the essential variable QW-404.9, a procedure qualified with one of the SFA-5.17 flux classifications does not qualify a lower flux classification. Note (c) of Table 4 in SFA-5.17 does not apply to procedure qualifications.

Subject Description: Section IX, QW-201.2, Procedure Qualification Record

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Question (1): The revisions to QW-201.2 in the Summer 1977 Addenda to Section IX include the statement, "The WPS identification (including date and revision number) shall be listed on the PQR." Since, as noted in QW-201, a PQR may support a number of WPSs, must each WPS (including date and revision number) be listed?

Reply (1): The quoted statement intends the Manufacturer shall follow the variables of a WPS when making the test coupons for procedure

qualification testing. The essential variables used, the test results, and the WPS followed when welding the test coupons shall all be recorded on the PQR form. The PQR therefore reflects the test results and the conditions used when welding the test coupons. This PQR may now be used to support several additional WPSs without any change, since all the conditions used during the welding of the test coupons are recorded in the original PQR. Each WPS supported by a PQR need not be listed on the supporting PQR. Only the WPS used during the procedure qualification testing needs be listed on the PQR.

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Question (2): If a new WPS, which uses an already written PQR, is written, must the PQR be revised to include it?

Reply (2): A new WPS may be written and may be supported by an already qualified PQR, without any change or revision to the PQR.

Question (3): Will a revision in a WPS, occasioned by the inclusion of an additional PQR, require a revision to the other support PQRs to show the newly revised WPS number?

Reply (3): A WPS may be revised, occasioned by the inclusion of an additional PQR without revision to the other supporting PQRs. Each PQR need only list the WPS (including date and revision number) used during the procedure qualification testing. The WPS date and revision number used must be listed on the PQR so the testing conditions of the WPS at the time of the qualification testing will be known. The WPS may then be revised for future needs because the conditions of the WPS used for the qualification testing are traceable by the WPS date and revision number.

Question (4): Is it necessary to revise the present PQRs to include the WPSs which they support?

Reply (4): It is not necessary to revise present PQRs to include the WPSs which they support.

Subject Description: Section IX, QW-201, QW-403.9, and QW-201.3

Question(s) and Reply(ies): Questions: (1) Is it required that three separate plants of a division of a company develop their own welding procedures and qualify them or can they be written and qualified by Division Welding Engineering in

conjunction with one plant and be used in the other two plants? (2) In QW-403.9, does the statement "greater than ½ in. (13 mm)," refer to width or depth of the weld pass? (3) Can QW-201.3 be interpreted to mean that if a joint is qualified for welding with a single pass manual weld produced by a specified process on one side and an automatic weld with a different process (or even the same process) on the other side, that at any time in the future the same weld may be produced using either one of the processes or procedures on both sides of the joint without a new WPS or PQR and no revision to the existing WPS or PQR?

Replies: (1) WPSs and PQRs may be used by all divisions of a corporation the same as provided in QW-201 for two companies of different names. The QC Manual must describe the effective operational control of the

production of weldments, and if two or more divisions are involved, which division is responsible for qualification of procedures and/or the

performance of welders and welding operators. The controlling division must have the authority to control and the other divisions cannot overrule or ignore direction from the controlling division. It is the responsibility of the Authorized Inspector to determine that the described control is being maintained. (2) In QW-403.9, the statement "greater than ½ in. (13 mm)"