A weld can look right and still be wrong: welded to an unqualified procedure, by a welder whose qualification has lapsed, or outside the parameters the procedure allows. Certified weld inspection covers both the weld and the documentation behind it.
- Covers
- Visual weld acceptance, WPS and PQR review, welder qualification and continuity, weld procedure compliance
- Typical use
- Structural steel and building fabrication, bridges, pressure work, shipbuilding, in-process construction QA
What a CWI inspection covers
Before welding
- Drawings, weld symbols and the governing code
- Welding procedure specifications (WPS) and the procedure qualification records (PQR) behind them
- Welder qualification records and continuity
- Material, consumables, joint preparation and fit-up
During welding
- Compliance with the WPS: process, preheat and interpass temperature, technique
- Cleaning between passes and in-process visual checks
After welding
- Visual acceptance: cracks, porosity, undercut, overlap, size and profile
- Coordination of any NDT the specification calls for
- Inspection reports and records
Where a specification calls for more than a visual examination, we supply technicians certified in ultrasonic, magnetic particle, penetrant or radiographic testing for the same job.
Where it’s used
- Structural steel and building fabrication
- Bridges and other infrastructure
- Pressure vessel and piping work
- Shipbuilding and maritime repair
- In-process quality assurance on construction projects
Codes and standards
- AWS D1.1 (steel), D1.2 (aluminum), D1.5 (bridges) and D1.6 (stainless steel) structural welding codes
- ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section IX, for welding procedure and welder qualification on pressure work
- ASME Section VIII and ASME B31.3, for pressure vessels and process piping
- API 1104, for pipeline welding
- Project specifications and the engineer of record’s requirements
Who does the work
Certified weld inspection is performed by a Certified Welding Inspector, certified by the American Welding Society. The CWI examines the welds and reviews the procedure and welder records against the code the work is built to.
When the job also needs NDT, the NDT is performed by technicians certified in that method under a written practice that follows SNT-TC-1A, or NAS410 for aerospace and defense work, with a Responsible Level III overseeing the program.
Training
The CWI certification itself is issued by AWS after its own examination. Midgard trains in visual testing and in the other major NDT methods used on welds, at Level I, II and III, by certified Level III instructors, with examinations at your facility or ours. See training and certification.
Common questions
What does a certified welding inspector do?
A CWI checks that welding is done to a qualified procedure by qualified welders, inspects the welds before, during and after welding, judges them against the acceptance criteria of the code, and documents the result.
What are a WPS and a PQR?
A welding procedure specification (WPS) tells the welder which parameters to use. A procedure qualification record (PQR) documents the test weld that proved those parameters produce a sound weld. A CWI checks that each WPS is qualified, or prequalified where AWS D1.1 allows it, that it covers the joint being welded, and that the welders are qualified to it.
Does a CWI need to be on site for the whole job?
Not always. The code, the contract and the engineer of record decide which inspections are required and when. Some jobs need continuous in-process inspection; others need inspection at hold points and a final visual. We scope the visits to what your documents require.
Can the same visit include NDT?
Yes. Where the specification calls for ultrasonic, magnetic particle, penetrant or radiographic testing as well as visual inspection, we can supply technicians certified in those methods for the same visit.
Send us the drawings or scope, the welding code and project specification, and the schedule. Call 1-844-MIDGARD, email contact@midgardscientific.com, or use the contact page.