How do I become a certified welder? 

You need to take a test. This test is a practical exam that explores your ability to make sound welds. For most codes there is no written test or training requirements.

Can I do the welding at my facility and send the test assembly to you for evaluation? 

Yes, most Codes do allow this.

Which test do I take?

This is the big question. It all depends on what type of work you are doing and which code you are working to. Each code has its own test that, if passed, will qualify you to do work to that code and only that code.

Can you give me some examples of the various tests? 

Yes, they are as follows:

A. If you are welding structural steel like a car trailer, a machine support or a handrail, then probably AWS D1.1 is the right thing to do. If you test and pass on a 3/8" thick plate, using a single vee groove with backing, in the vertical position, you’ll be qualified to weld in the flat, horizontal and vertical positions on 1/8" to 3/4" thick steel members.

B. If you are welding pipe that is being used to contain a fluid or gas, such as a high temperature water line, then ASME Section IX is probably the way to go. If you test and pass on a 5" Schedule 80 (3/8" thick wall) steel pipe in the 6G (45 degree incline position), you will be qualified to weld 2.875" OD pipe, 3/4" wall thickness and less, in all positions.

Is a welder who has passed an ASME Section IX qualification automatically qualified for AWS D1.1?

No, each Code only qualifies for itself. There is no hierarchy. However, sometimes the owner can be persuaded that one Code is as good or better than the other.

Are all welds created equal? 

No, there is no such thing as the perfect weld. All welds contain discontinuities. Each Code determines the extent of the discontinuity before it is classified a defect and must be repaired. For example, B31 .1 does not allow any lack of penetration. While B31 .9 only requires that the lack of penetration does not exceed more than 1.5" in any 6" length of weld and that the incomplete root penetration does not exceed the lesser of 1/32" or 20% of the required thickness.

If the work is being done to B31.1 and the temperature is 300 F at 500 psig,do we have to RT?

No, these conditions require VT only. (See table 136.4 of B31 .1) or read the above Code section, to determine when RT/UT is required.

What do I do if work is being done to B31. 1, and the service conditions only require VT, and the owner requests, outside of the contract, that RT be performed?

Inform him that for the service conditions the Code specifies that only VT be performed. This is due to the fact that the Code has a large enough safety factor built into the design that even if there were discontinuities contained inside the weld, that VT could not detect, that it would still give acceptable service life.

How good do the welds have to be if the contract states that conformance to B31. 1 is required and the service conditions would require only VT by Code, but the contract has a provision that the owner may perform random RT?

A. If the specifications do not specify what the acceptance criteria is to be, then you could make the argument that the acceptance criteria is the same for RT as it is for VT. That is, only root and face conditions will be considered and that any discontinuities contained within the weld will be ignored. This scenario does not raise the cost of producing the welds. It only increases the cost of inspection.

B. If the specifications state the acceptance criteria, then that quality of weld must be present on all welds. This scenario could radically increase the cost of producing the welds.

Do we have to produce a weld map to meet the requirements of B31? 

No, The B31 Codes only require that examination be performed on 100% of the welds. A weld map certainly helps to verify that you have performed this function but it is not required.

Is there a difference between examination and inspection? 

Yes, B31 .1 states that there is a difference between the two. Inspection performs a Quality Assurance function while examination performs a Quality Control function. That is, the examiner is the one who physically performs the NDE and records the results. An inspector has the right to audit any examination, to inspect the piping using any appropriate examination method required by the engineering design of the Code, and to review all certifications and records. The intent of B3.1 is to have the contractor perform the examination and the owner perform inspection

Do we have to hire an outside testing agency to meet the VT requirements for B31. 1?

No, Paragraph 136.3.1 states that examination denotes the function performed by the manufacturer, fabricator, erector or a party authorized by the owner. Paragraph 136.3.2 states the requirements for that examiner. The examiner can be qualified to SNT-TC-1A, CP-189, AWS QC-1 or may be someone that has been qualified in accordance with a program that is based on the following requirements-

a. instruction in the fundaments of the NDE method;

b. on-the-job training;

c. an eye examination performed at least once each year;

d. pass an oral or written examination

e. shall have performed the NDE method at least once per year.

We have a job where the piping system is clearly within the scope of B3 1.9 and outside the scope of B31. 1; however, the contract requires B31. 1. Can we perform the work to B31.9? 

No, if the contract requirements exceed the Code requirements you must meet the contract requirements. In this case the work would have to be performed in accordance with B31 .1. It could benefit both parties to review the requirements after the contract is signed. If the owner is enlightened to the fact that the higher quality requirements will not increase service life, a change to the appropriate code could result in savings to the owner and additional profit to the contractor.