INTRODUCTION
A WPQ (Welder Performance Qualification Record) or WOPQ (Welding Operator Performance Qualification Record) is drawn up to indicate that a welder is able to weld according to a certain procedure.
SCOPE
Approved welding operators and welding procedures are necessary in several sectors.
For organizations that apply welding methods according to predetermined welding conditions for welding material that falls under the following categories:
- Manufacturers of pressure vessels and boilers
- Metalworks
- Manufacture of storage tanks
- Pipelines, tubes and fittings
- Material for transport of hazardous substances
- Shipbuilding industry
- Structural steelwork
- Welded structures
- Manufacture of lifting and hoisting equipment
- Scaffolding
STANDARD CONTENT
The test is carried out based on the required standards. The most common standards are:
- EN ISO 9606-1 (Steel)
- EN ISO 9606-2 (Aluminium)
- EN ISO 9606-3 (Copper and copper alloys)
- EN ISO 9606-4 (Nickel and nickel alloys)
- EN ISO 9606-5 (Titanium, zirconium and their alloys)
- EN ISO 14732 (Welding personnel - Qualification testing of welding operators and weld setters for mechanized and automatic welding of metallic materials)
- ASME CODE Section IX (Welding, Brazing, and Fusing Qualifications)
- AWS D1.1 (Structural Welding Code - Steel)
- AWS D1.5 (Bridge Welding Code)
- AWS D1.6 (Structural Welding Code - Stainless Steel)
CERTIFICATION PROCESS
During the test, the welder welds a work piece according to the required standard criteria in the presence of a HwC inspector. After welding and recording the parameters, the HwC Inspector carries out a visual inspection in order to confirm compliance with the necessary criteria. After a positive visual inspection, further non-destructive and/or destructive tests are carried out depending on what is required for the standard.
When all tests have been found to be in accordance with the set criteria, a WPQ or WOPQ certificate can be issued, accompanied by the reporting of the tests carried out.
The customer will provide the work pieces to be welded, and will provide the HwC Inspector with all documentation relating to the qualifications of the welder to be evaluated before commencement of the test. In addition, the customer will ensure a safe environment to perform the test with sufficient light.
ADDITIONAL STANDARDS
- Welding method qualification
- Conformity assessment
- Inspection of welded material
- EN 1090 (Execution of steel structures and aluminium structures)
- ISO 3834 (Quality requirements for fusion welding of metallic materials)
- EN ISO 17637 (Non-destructive testing of welds - Visual testing of fusion-welded joints)
- EN ISO 6947 (Welding and allied processes - Welding positions)
- EN ISO 5817 (Welding - Fusion-welded joints in steel, nickel, titanium and their alloys (beam welding excluded) - Quality levels for imperfections)
- ISO 4063 (Welding, brazing, soldering and cutting - Nomenclature of processes and reference numbers)
- EN ISO 14175 (Welding consumables - Gases and gas mixtures for fusion welding and allied processes)
Source: hwc.com.vn
