qws best practices guide

8/12/2019 QWS Best Practices Guide

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EUROPEAN TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR COMPLETING

THE REQUIREMENTS FOR QUALITY WELDINGUNDER STANDARD SERIES EN ISO 3834

Best practices for

implementation of ISO 3834

GOOD PRACTICES GUIDE

REV. 1

30/11/11


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BEST PRACTICES GUIDE

Project n:ES/09/LLP-LdV/TOI/ 149046Edition: Rev. 1Date:30/11/11Page: 2 from 34

LEONARDO DA VINCI

EUROPEAN TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR COMPLETING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR

QUALITY WELDING UNDER STANDARD SERIES EN-ISO 3834

INDEX

A. OBJECTIVE ........................................................................................................................................................ 3

B. CONTENT ........................................................................................................................................................... 3

1 GENERAL ..................................................................................................................................................... 4

2 REASONS FOR USING ISO3834 .................................................................................................................... 4

3 CHOICE OF QUALITY REQUIREMENT LEVEL ................................................................................................... 5

4 PROCEDURES AND FORMS ............................................................................................................................. 6

4.1 General ............................................................................................................................................... 6

4.2 Purpose and content ........................................................................................................................... 6

4.3 Relevant procedures and forms/check lists ......................................................................................... 74.4 Review of requirements....................................................................................................................... 9

4.5 Technical review ............ ............ .............. ............ ............. ............. ............ .............. ............. ............ 10

4.6 Sub-contracting ................................................................................................................................ 13

4.7 Welding and the associated personnel ............................................................................................. 16

4.8 Inspection and testing personnel ...................................................................................................... 19

4.9 Equipment ......................................................................................................................................... 19

4.10 Welding and related activities .......................................................................................................... 20

4.11 Storage and handling of welding consumables ................................................................................ 22

4.12 Storage of parent materials .............................................................................................................. 23

4.13 Post-weld heat treatment .................................................................................................................. 24

4.14 Inspection and testing ....................................................................................................................... 24

4.15 Non-conformances and corrective actions ....................................................................................... 26

4.16 Calibration and validation of measuring, inspection and testing equipment ................................... 28

4.17 Identification and traceability .......................................................................................................... 29

4.18 Quality records ................................................................................................................................. 30


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Best practice for implementation of ISO 3834

a. Objective

To provide companies intending to apply the standard ISO 3834 dealing with the qualitymanagement of welding, advice on the kind of procedures and forms that might be beneficialto them and on the content of such procedures.

b. Content

1 General

2 Reasons for using ISO 3834

3 Choice of quality requirement level

4 Procedures and forms

4.1 General

4.2 Purpose and content

4.3 Relevant procedures and forms/check lists

4.4 Review of requirements

4.5 Technical review

4.6 Sub-contracting

4.7 Welding and associated personnel

4.8 Inspection and testing personnel

4.9 Equipment4.10 Welding and related activities

4.11 Storage and handling of welding consumables

4.12 Storage of parent material

4.13 Post- weld heat treatment

4.14 Inspection and testing

4.15 Non-conformance and corrective actions

4.16 Calibration and validation of measuring, inspection and testing equipment

4.17 Identification and traceability

4.18 Quality records


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1 General

Welding is a general production method for manufacturing of metal products. Welding

has a considerable impact on both the products costs and quality. Consequently, it isimportant that the welding is carried out as efficiently as possible, meeting all specifiedquality requirements.

Weld quality is achieved by sound welding, not by inspection. Inspection, however,provides a check of the reliability of the product, but cannot improve poor quality. Weldingrequires continuous control and/or to follow documented procedures. On this basis, theISO 3834 series of welding standards has been prepared.

The purpose of the ISO 9000 series is that the company designates as a special processany work where the final quality of the product cannot be verified only by inspection. Ifquality requirements are specified for the welds in the product, it is appropriate to definewelding as a special process.

It shall be observed that ISO 3834 is not a quality control standard that replaces ISO9001, but more an auxiliary tool for applying ISO 9001 in companies which carry outwelding as a special process. In such a case, the additional compliance with ISO 3834will be included by a reference in the ISO 9001 quality system. It is also possible toobtain certification under ISO 3834 without any linkage to the ISO 9001 quality system.

The standards are general and not fixed to any certain product. The series of standardsrefers to three different levels of quality requirements: ISO 3834-2 Comprehensive quality requirements ISO 3834-3 Standard quality requirements ISO 3834-4 Basic quality requirements.

Guidance for the choice of level of quality requirements is given in ISO 3834-1. ISO3834-5 specifies documents and standards necessary to consider in order to claimconformity to ISO 3834-2, 3, or 4.

2 Reasons for using ISO 3834

RegulationsRegulations, eg, EU directives, define safety requirements on products and structures.Product standards present the technical solutions that serve to fulfill the safetyrequirements specified in the directives.

Product standards

Many European and some International product standards refer to the different parts ofISO 3834 regarding welding. For example, the standard concerning pressure vessels(EN 13445) states that the manufacturer of the pressure vessel is obliged to fulfill as aminimum the welding quality requirements given in ISO 3834-3.


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Water tube boilers (EN 12952-5) Recommends parts of ISO 3834-2

When applying ISO 3834, it should be noted that all of the items presented in thestandards do not need to be implemented, if they are not relevant. In such cases clear

reasons shall be given for such a decision.

As a basis, it might be appropriate for a company to start applying the ISO 3834 byadopting the requirements of ISO 3834-2 and identifying those items that are relevantfrom the company's point of view. Care shall, however, be taken to ensure that the qualityrequirements specified are not lower than those presented in ISO 3834-4.

The company may also apply different levels of quality requirements for differentproducts. Although the company may have adopted the standard ISO 3834-2, it maydecide to apply lower quality requirements according to ISO 3834-3 or ISO 3834-4 inrespect of certain products or certain production lines.

4 Procedures and forms

4.1 GeneralQuality control may be described at three different levels: at the general level, a description of the companys organisation, areas of

responsibility, operation, equipment, personnel, etc. is given at the procedure level, the way in which the activity has to be performed is described

as well as responsible persons at the level relating to forms, the necessary forms, lists, reports, records, certificates

and detailed working instructions are prepared.

Often the company is not familiar with preparing procedures. The procedures should be

as simple as possible. A good procedure fits onto a single A4 sheet and is clear andconcise enough to be read without sitting down.

Not every item needs a procedure. Sometimes it is enough just to know how things haveto be done. It is often difficult to decide whether only knowing how to do things is enoughor whether written procedures are needed. Written procedures are needed, when peopleask a lot of questions, different people do the same task or when lots of mistakes aremade.

4.2 Purpose and contentThe purpose of procedure is to: ensure harmonised and effective working establish responsibilities in respect of tasks and work activities

act as the practical starting point for preparatory work provide information act as a channel for exchanges of experience.

Procedures include e.g: purpose and scope of the work activity what is to be done and who does it (content of the procedure and the person


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responsible for it) when, where and how the work activity is carried out (content of activity, person

responsible for it)

materials, equipment and documents that are in use how the work activity is managed and documented.

4.3 Relevant procedures and forms/check listsTable 2 gives procedures and forms that are appropriate according to different clauses ofISO 3834-2. Where necessary, they can also be used when applying ISO 3834-3 andISO 3834-4.

It may not be necessary to apply everything that is presented in Table 2; the companyhas fairly free hands to make the appropriate choices. Under no circumstances must thetable be used as audit requirements.

The procedures provide examples of who could be the person responsible for certain

work activity. The examples are completely arbitrary. It is important to nominate theperson and ensure that the person is aware of his or her responsibilities and is also giventhe appropriate power to act.

Table 2 Useful procedures and forms/check l ists

Clause in ISO 3834-2 Procedure Form/check list

5 Review of requirementreview and technicalreview

5.2 Procedure for requirementreview

5.3 Procedure for technical review

5.2 Check list for assessment

5.2 Check list for assessment6 Sub-contracting 6.1 Procedure for sub-contracting of

welding works6.2 Procedure for subcontracting of

heat treatment6.3 Procedure for sub- contracting oftesting and inspection

6.4 Procedure for subcontracting ofmaintenance

6.5 Procedure for subcontracting ofcalibration

6.6 Procedure for acceptance testing

6.1 Form for ordering/checking





6.6 Form

7 Welding personnel 7.2 Procedure for welders andwelding operators 2)

7.3 Procedure for weldingcoordinators

7.4 Procedure for other personnel

7.2 File with certificates7.3 File with CV, copies of

diplomas etc.7.4 File

8 Inspection and testingpersonnel

8.2 Procedures for testing andinspection personnel

8.2 File with copies ofqualifications


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9 Equipment 9.2 Procedure for capacity andcapability of equipment

9.3 Procedure for acceptance ofequipment

9.4 Procedure for starting to useequipment and recording

9.5 Procedure for maintenance ofequipment

9.2 Capacity list

9.3 Acceptance reports

9.4 List of equipment

9.5 Maintenance anddimensional reports

10 Welding and relatedactivities

10.1.1 Procedure for subassemblies10.1.2 Procedure for flow chart10.2 Procedure for preparation of

welding procedure specifications10.3 Procedure for qualification of

welding procedures10.4 Procedure for preparation of

work instructions10.5 Procedure for welding relatedmaintenance and support

10.1.1 Welding plan10.1.2

Flow chart10.2 Welding procedure

specifications10.3 Welding procedure

qualification record

10.4 Work instructions

11Welding consumables 11.3 Procedure for storage andhandling of welding consumables

11.3 Stock list

12Storage of parentmaterials

12 Procedure for storage of parentmaterials

12 Stock list

13Post-weld heattreatment

13 Procedure for preparation of heattreatment procedurespecifications

13.1 Heat treatment procedurespecifications

13.2 Heat treatment records14 Inspection and testing 14.2 Procedure for activities prior to

welding14.3 Procedure for control duringwelding

14.4 Procedure for final inspection14.5 Procedure for preparation of an

inspection plan

14.2 Check form

14.3 Check form

14.4 Check form14.5 Inspection plan

15Non-conformance andcorrective actions

15.1Procedure when the WPS has notbeen used

15.2 Procedure for non-conformances by inspection

15.3 Procedure for non-conformances found afterdelivery

15.1 Non-conformance report




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16Calibration andvalidation of

measuring, inspectionand testing equipment

16.1 Procedures for calibration andvalidation of thermometers

16.2 Procedures for calibration andvalidation of electrical measuringdevices

16.3 Procedures for calibration andvalidation of measuring devices

16.4 Procedures for calibration andvalidation of flow meters

16.1 Calibration and validationreport




17Identification andtraceability

17.1 Procedure for markings17.2 Procedure for transfer of

markings17.3 Procedure for identification of

welders17.4 Procedure for acceptance tests

17.1 Material card17.2 Routing cards

18Quality records 18 Procedure for preparing andfiling of quality records 18 Record forms

4.4 Review of requirementsThe procedure for conducting the review of requirements concerns the part of thecontract that deals with welding. The purpose of the review is to ensure: that the company is technically and otherwise capable (e.g. delivery schedule) to fulfil

all the requirements and wishes presented by the customer and to check that all the fundamental requirements relating to the welding of the product

are recorded.

The review of requirements shall be conducted before any offer is submitted.

The review of requirements is the responsibility of the person, e.g. sales manager orproject manager, who goes through the orders and the proposed contract. It is importantfor the welding coordinator to be present when matters concerning welding in thecontract are dealt with.

If there are ambiguities in the order or in the proposed contract, the person in chargesolves them together with the other parties and with the customer.

In the review of requirements the relevant items presented in clause 5.2 in ISO 3834-2are reviewed. It is useful to draft a form for dealing with the matters below. If thecompany has previously supplied an identical or similar product, it is not essential tocomplete the form in respect of each individual contract.

a) Product standard to be used, together with any supplementary requirements: does the product relate to any directive? does a product standard exist (e.g. ISO-, EN- or national standard)? does the customer have an existing product standard? quality level and acceptance criteria? the mechanical, thermal and/or chemical characteristics set for the welded joints


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any additional requirements?

b) Statutory and regulatory requirements

does the product relate to any regulation?c) Any additional requirement determined by the manufacturer any additional requirements?

d) The capability of the manufacturer to meet the prescribed requirements new project? review of resources?

4.5 Technical reviewThe purpose of the procedure for the technical review is to look at the matters that shallbe taken into account when reviewing the contract. The procedure deals with mattersconcerning welding.

Each company has to nominate the person who will take responsibility for these matters.That person may be, for instance, the main project designer. The welding coordinatorshall be present whenever any welding matters are discussed.

The following issues should be resolved before the procedure is prepared: has a technical review been conducted previously (have earlier experiences been

taken into account)? what are the differences in relation to previous requirements? (any fundamental

changes?)

The technical review should cover at least the matters presented in clause 5.3 of ISO3834-2, as described in the list below. If the product in question has been manufactured

in the past, it is not always necessary to review these matters again.

a) Specification of parent material(s) and welded joint properties: weldability chemical composition strength ductility (impact, tensile) thickness of material corrosion resistance wear resistance high temperature characteristics quality of parent material surface other characteristics

b) Quality and acceptance requirements for welds: quality level acceptance level acceptance criteria for welding tests


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c) Location, accessibility and sequence of welds, including accessibility for inspectionand for NDT:

appropriate welding positions

welding equipment being used, including feasibility of automated welding significance of the welding sequence due to distortion of the work piece at which stage of manufacturing shall inspection be performed?

d1) Welding procedures: do all necessary welding procedure specifications exist? are welding procedure specifications required for all the joints?

d2) Written procedures for non-destructive testing (NDT): will non-destructive testing (NDT) be conducted? will the company perform the necessary non-destructive testing itself? do the necessary written procedures exist, e.g. NDT standards, for the NDT methods

to be performed?

d3) Heat-treatment procedures: are procedures needed for pre-heating and/or post-welding heat treatment? will the company perform the necessary pre-heating/heat treatment itself? are there appropriate procedures for pre-heating/heat treatment?

e) The approach to be used for the qualification of welding procedures: how should the welding procedures be qualified (e.g. ISO 15607)? additional requirements (e.g. product standards)? acceptance criteria for the welding procedure test are there any appropriate qualification records available?

f) Qualification of personnel: is there a responsible welding coordinator? do the welders have valid certificates for the job in hand according to ISO 9606/EN

287 or other applicable standards? Are additional requirements necessary (e.g.product standards)?

are the welding operators qualified according to ISO 14732/EN 1418 or otherapplicable standards?

are the NDT inspectors certified according to ISO 9712 or EN 473 are there any requirements for qualification of persons carrying out heat treatment?

g1) Selection of material, identification and/or traceability: what is the parent material?, availability?, weldability/special characteristics? supplier, approved?, known? how is the parent material identified (transfer of marking)? should the parent material used in the product be traceable? are material certificates required? (what level?) approved parent material/filler material filler material? (test reports?)


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g2) Selection of welders: does the work require a welder who has a valid certificate for that particular welding

job?

g3) Identification of welds: do the welds have to be identifiable? (to the welder?)

h) Quality control arrangements, including any involvement of an independent inspectionbody:

is external quality control required during manufacture?- customer?- third party?- when?

i) Inspection and testing: which parts will be inspected or tested?

- scope of inspection- inspection methods- inspection stages- reporting level (everything, deviations, errors)

j) Sub-contracting: welding work (required competences and licences) NDT testing post-weld heat treatment does the customer approve the sub-contractor? how should sub-contractors be audited? previous experience of sub-contracting, approved suppliers

k) Post-weld heat treatment: has the company taken into account the quality requirements presented in ISO 17633

concerning heat treatment in connection with welding?

l) Other welding requirements: production weld tests batch testing of welding consumables determination of ferrite content of weld metal ageing hydrogen content sufficient information on permanent backing peening surface finish weld profile (undercuts, smooth transition, shape of root, convex weld (grinding) welding plan

m) Using special methods: root opening root gas


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buttering

n) Dimensions and details of joint preparation on completed weld:

type of joint type of joint preparation groove preparation tolerances

o) Welds which are to be made in workshop, or elsewhere: where final installation takes place (on site)? are the components produced in different workshops?

p) Environmental conditions relevant to the application of processes: low temperature wind moisture lightening

q) Handling of non-conformances: how to act in case of a non conformance?

- additional inspections (can the number of inspections be reduced?)- alternative inspection methods- how to proceed if modifications are required after the contract stage?- who is authorised to approve the changes?- documentation of changes?

4.6 Sub-contractingIf the company intends to use sub-contracting services (e.g. in welding, inspection, NDT,

heat treatment, calibration, maintenance), he shall provide the subcontractor with all therelevant specifications and requirements. The sub-contractor shall provide thedocuments and records specified by the manufacturer concerning the sub-contractedwork.

4.6.1 Sub-contracting of weldingThe procedures on sub-contracting shall ensure that the sub-contractor has the technicaland qualitative capabilities (capacity and know-how) to manufacture the product suchthat the product meets the requirements specified by the actual customer, comply withthe appropriate items of ISO 3834 and that the timetable requirements will be met.

The person responsible for the sub-contracting matters of the company has theresponsibility to ensure that the sub-contractor meets the technical preconditions

required of manufacturing. This person should use experts in the company, e.g. theresponsible welding coordinator.

Scope of sub-contractor assessmentOnly the part of the subcontractor's technical know-how has to be assessed as requiredfor the sub-contracting work. The scope of the assessment depends on what kind ofquality system the sub-contractor has in use. If the subcontractor works according to a


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certified quality system including ISO 3834-2, it will be enough just to conform thetechnical competence (capacity) and to check the equipment. A sub-contractor withoutany documented quality system should be subjected to a separate quality audit

conducted by the company.Items to be addressed with the sub-contractor

Review o f requirementsA review of requirements with the sub-contractor may be performed together with thetechnical review. A review of requirements may include the following.

a) Product standard and possible additional requirements to be applied: the sub-contractor needs to know what standard and requirements the product has to

fulfil.

Technical review

A technical review shall be performed with the sub-contractor wherein all the essentialaspects related to the sub-contractor's work will be addressed. Consideration should alsobe given to any earlier technical reviews or similar reviews. If there is significancedifferences or changes in resources of the sub-contractor an assessment is necessary. Atechnical review may include the following.

1) Welding procedure specifications:

the sub-contractor's welding procedure specifications need to be checked. If they arenot suitable for the product to be welded, the sub-contractor shall qualify new weldingprocedures to comply with the product and based on these qualifications newwelding procedure specifications shall be prepared

assessment to be made whether it is possible to use the main company's weldingprocedure specifications (standard procedures)

2) Non destruct ive testing procedures: will NDT be performed and if so, what is the extent? will this be done:

- by the sub-contractor- by the company itself- by a testing company chosen by the sub-contractor- by the testing company used by the main company, which will also inspect the main

company's own manufacturing- for which authority shall the results be presented, and who will present them?

3) Heat-treatment procedures:

is heat treatment needed? who will be the expert for heat treatment: The main company or the sub-contractor?

4) Qualification of welding procedures:

the sub-contractor's welding procedures shall be qualified by the method required bythe quality requirements of the product to be manufactured

5) Qualification of personnel:


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are the qualifications of personnel adequate or does the sub-contractors personnelneed new qualifications for the product to be manufactured, eg, welders and weldingoperators?

has a responsible welding co-ordinator been nominated and what is his task? is the responsible welding co-ordinator employed by the sub-contractor?

6) Material:

does the main company deliver materials to the sub-contractor and how are theseidentified and separated from the subcontractor's own materials?

If the subcontractor buys the material, the following need to be specified:- type of material (e.g. standard, composition, dimensional tolerances, etc.).- quality requirements for materials- approvals, material certificates required- requirements for identification and traceability of the material

7) Selection and identif ication of welders:

where necessary, the same level as applied by the main company

8) Inspection and testing:

the sub-contractor needs to be informed about what kinds of destructive and nondestructive testing is required and what the quality requirements are for the productmanufactured by the sub-contractor

customers inspections inspections performed by others (is there a quality plan?)

9) Post-weld heat treatment:

if the product requires post-weld heat treatment, it is necessary to agree how the sub-contractor deals with post-weld heat treatment and on the quality requirements

10) Other requirements related to welding:

the sub-contractor must be provided with all the necessary information in order to beable to do the required work

11) Handling of non-conformances:

what to do and who makes the decisions concerning non-conformances? who conducts possible necessary negotiations with the main customer and as

necessary with the authorities (or equivalent)?

12) Other information

Design data

The sub-contractor shall be provided with clear workshop drawings and instructions, suchas the following: material backing details and dimensions of joint preparations permitted welding processes and consumables where necessary, welding sequence specification of parent material and characteristics of welded joints


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quality of the welds and acceptance requirements possible special instructions

Quality recordsWhen required by the main company, the subcontractor shall provide or presentdocuments such as the following: welding procedure specifications welding procedure qualification records welders' qualification test certificates measurement records test reports from NDT and possible destructive testing records of repairs and other non-conformance reports documents related to the delivery

The quality documents to be filed either by the sub-contractor or by the main company asagreed.

4.6.2 Sub-contracting of heat treatmentAn assessment of the sub-contractor will be performed during which the items listed inclause 4.13 will be checked.

4.6.3 Sub-contracting of inspection and testingAn assessment of the sub-contractors will be performed during which the items listedbelow will be checked.a) Sub-contractors competence are there any requirements for accreditation?

b) Inspection plan see clause 4.14.5

c) Qualification of NDT personnel (ISO 9712 or EN 473)

4.6.4 Sub-contracting of maintenance worksAn assessment of the sub-contractor will be performed during which the items listed inclause 4.9.5 will be checked.

4.6.5 Sub-contracting of calibrationAn assessment of the subcontractor will be performed during which the items listed inclause 4.16 will be checked.

4.7 Welding and the assoc iated personnel

4.7.1 GeneralThe purpose of the procedure is to ensure that the company has the required competentpersonnel capable to fulfil the tasks required by the contract, by the regulatoryrequirements, and by codes and orders of other bodies concerned.

The procedures apply to qualification of personnel and their various tasks.


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The responsibility for the skill of the personnel can, for example, be allocated to thecompanys HR manager or production manager. In the welding matters, the responsible

welding co-ordinator will be contacted.At technical reviews, personnel required for various projects are discussed along withtheir qualifications.

4.7.2 Welders and welding operatorsThose doing welding work are required to be qualified according to the relevant part ofISO 9606-1 or EN 287, ISO 14732 or EN 1418 unless otherwise required by the productstandard or in the contract. The procedures show how qualifications and possiblerenewal including possible special requirements are to be dealt with. In some cases, aproduction test on site is required before the welder can start to work.

The welder's job description could also include the following activities:

joint preparation (according to instructions) fitting (according to instructions) maintenance (according to instructions).

4.7.3 Welding coordinatorThe company shall nominate at least one welding coordinator (responsible), who has theoverall welding responsibility and the necessary authorisations (e.g. to stop production).It is possible for one responsible welding coordinator to be responsible for several sub-contractors.

If the field of activities of the company is broad, the tasks can be shared, e.g. betweenthe lead welding coordinator and other welding coordinators or welding foremen. Wherenecessary, the welding coordinators and welding foremen report to the lead coordinator.

The qualifications of the welding coordinators need to be demonstrated through sufficientexperience or training (e.g. International Institute of Wleding).

ISO 14731 shall be taken into consideration for the choice of welding coordinators' tasks.

Responsible welding coordinator (often the only welding coordinator in a company)

When defining tasks for the responsible welding coordinator, the following list can beused as guidance (see also ISO 14731): organising of welding quality management according to ISO 3834 coordination of qualification of welding procedures updating and distribution of files with welding procedure qualification records preparation and signing of welding procedure specifications publication of a table with qualified welding procedure specifications general instructions for welders' qualification updating and publication of a centralised welder register expert tasks connected to purchasing of welding equipment and materials coordination of welder's training training of examiners for welder's qualification tests


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technical welding expert services for different departments and units in the company(including the Design Department and Requirements Review).

Where necessary, a competence requirement may be specified for the responsiblewelding coordinator (e.g. IWE/IWT/IWS).

Welding coordinator(can also be responsible)When preparing procedures for assisting welding coordinators, the following list can beused as guidance (see also ISO 14731): department-specific organising and preparation of procedures and forms

concerning quality management in welding acting as the responsible welding coordinator of various projects having welding tests done according to the needs of the department preparing and releasing of welding and heat-treatment procedure specifications to be

used ensuring functioning of welders' qualification systems welders training nominating of personnel for transfer marking on materials controlling validity of welders' qualifications controlling to ensure that transfer of markings takes place according to instructions reserving of welding equipment reserving of welding consumables

Where necessary, a competence requirement may be specified for the weldingcoordinator (e.g. IWT).

Welding foremanA welding foremans tasks include:

work planning organising and control of welding work ensuring welding is carried out in accordance with WPS organising and control of heat treatment organising and control of inspections.

Where necessary, a competence requirement may be specified for the weldingcoordinator (e.g. IWS).

4.7.4 Other personnel(not in ISO 3834)

Designer

Designers tasks include, e.g.: preparation of manufacturing and welding drawings design of welded joints preparation of prefabrication drawings determination of manufacturing tolerances and appropriate choice of reference points

and reference levels for dimensioning.


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Heat-treatment personnelThe heat-treatment operators tasks include, e.g.: heat treatment according to specifications

calibration of temperature measuring and recording equipment validation of the furnace controlled temperature zone control of temperatures documentation of heat treatments loading, supporting, protection, installation of measurement sensors, insulators and

heating elements.

4.8 Inspection and testing personnelThe purpose of the procedure is to ensure that the qualifications of the NDT personnelare of a required level and in accordance with the ISO 9712 or EN 473 or as specified inthe product standard or contract.

4.9 Equipment

4.9.1 GeneralThe purpose of the procedures is to ensure that the welding equipment can be used asrequired by the welding procedure specifications. Defective equipment shall not be used.

The procedures apply to description, acceptance, use and maintenance of equipment.Machine cards shall be kept of each equipment item showing the following: type and capacity manufacturer and machine number machine number used by the company or some other unique mark acceptance tests regular maintenance.

The responsibility for the maintenance of the equipment could be given to themaintenance manager or service manager. The responsibility may also be delegated tousers.

4.9.2 Procedure for capacity and capability of equipmentThe procedure dealing with the description of the equipment shall specify what thecapacity list includes, e.g. number and capacity of welding equipment, such as maximumwelding current.

4.9.3 Procedure for acceptance of equipmentBefore equipments are accepted, it may be necessary to perform an acceptance test. Ifno acceptance standard is available, the necessary procedures may be prepared

together with the equipment supplier.

4.9.4 Procedure for starting to use equipment and recordingBefore the use of new or refurbished equipment, the following checks are necessary: external integrity condition of cables operating functions.


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Furthermore, a welding test should be performed to ensure that the equipment functionsnormally.

4.9.5 Procedure for maintenance of equipmenta) Maintenance interval, responsible person and the person performing the maintenance.The maintenance report of a welding machine may show the following, for example: inspections related to electrical safety condition of welding cables condition of wire feeding devices condition of welding gun or welding torch output capacity condition of measuring devices.

b) In daily maintenance of welding machines the following shall be observed: condition of wire feed roller and correct compressive force condition of current and gas nozzles condition of insulator sleeve of gas nozzle condition of protection hose of welding gun condition of earthing gas flow of shielding gas condition of valves.

4.10 Welding and related activ itiesThe purpose of the procedures is to ensure that welding and the related activities takeplace as planned.

The responsibility for welding activities may be given to the responsible welding

coordinator, production manager, manufacturing manager or the welding foreman.The procedures may apply to the production plan, preparation and qualification ofwelding procedures, preparation of work instructions, maintenance work and auxiliarywork, daily planning and performance of welding, maintenance or supporting activities.

4.10.1 Procedures for preparing the production planISO 3834-2 can be applied as such for procedures concerning the production plan.Separate procedures could be prepared for individual work stages, e.g. cleaning,nestling, joint preparation, post-weld treatment and inspection of welds. A routing cardcan also be used to assist the preparation of the production plan.

4.10.2 Procedures for preparation of welding procedure specifi cations

The procedure for preparing of welding procedure specifications may include thefollowing: which items shall be included and to what degree of accuracy? tolerances (for joint preparations; for welding parameters) for which products may the procedures be used? method of qualification choice of welding consumables (based on performed tests, experience or customer's


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requirements taking into account additional recommendations given by theconsumable manufacturer and possible authority requirements)

who has the right to sign welding procedure specifications?

special procedures- Cleaning- tacking- buttering- root opening- pre-heating (measurement according to ISO 13916)?- repair welding.

4.10.3 Procedures for qualif ication of welding proceduresThe preparation of welding procedure qualification records (WPQR) shall be included inthe procedure for qualification of welding procedures.

a) The WPQR for qualification by tested welding consumables (ISO 15610) may be

based on the following: inspection body's (e.g. TTK, TV, DNV, Lloyds, etc.) lists of parent materials and filler

materials welding consumable manufacturers list (e.g. Esab, Elga, Bhler, etc.), which may

include filler material specific approvals.

b) The WPQR for qualification by previous experience (ISO 15611) may consist of thefollowing:

test reports customer's statement that the product has been in use the last five years without any

need for weld repair. This statement may be done e.g. in connection with maintenanceat the customer.

c) Standard welding procedure (ISO 15612): WPQR prepared by the organization which performed the welding procedure test (if

available).

d) Welding procedure tests (ISO 15614) and pre-production tests (ISO 15613): procedures for examination of tests (what to do before, during test, and after the tests) inspection and test reports.

The signatory of the qualification will be nominated in all cases.

4.10.4 Work instructionsThe procedure for preparing of work instructions may include the following:

which items of the welding procedure specification and to what extent? who has the right to sign the work instructions? who may use work instructions?

4.10.5 Procedure for welding maintenance and supporting activitiesThe welder shall be able to understand the maintenance procedures (daily maintenanceand periodic maintenance) for the equipment and its parts. See clause 4.9.5.


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4.11 Storage and handling of welding consumablesThe purpose of the procedure is to ensure that the handling and storage of welding

consumables has been sufficiently addressed in order to prevent them from becomingmoist, oxidised and damaged or mixed with one another. The procedure for storage,drying, baking and handling needs to comply with the recommendations of themanufacturer of welding consumables.

ResponsibilityThe person responsible for the storage and handling of the welding consumables is theperson in charge of welding in the company, e.g. responsible welding coordinator or aperson authorised by the coordinator, e.g. the stock keeper.

ContentsThe procedure for storage of welding consumables may include the following:

a) Sufficiently detailed information for ordering welding consumables: is it enough to use the classification and then choosing other welding consumables

with the same classification? is it mandatory to purchase only welding consumables with specific trade names? is, in special cases, a material certificate necessary?

b) Acceptance of welding consumables: conforming that the purchased welding consumable is what was ordered check that sufficient markings are in place.

c) Storage of welding consumables: temperature range in the storehouse shall be defined existing maximum relative humidity in the storehouse shall be defined where necessary, other conditions in the storehouse shall be reported consumables to be stored in unopened original packages, and opened packages

always to be used first sequence of giving out of consumables from the storehouse: oldest consumables to

be used first (first in, first out) the number of consumables that can be given out from the storehouse for use at the

work place shall be specified.

d) Handling of welding consumables: the consumables shall not become mixed up during use where necessary, they shall be marked, e.g. with stickers or colored markings where necessary, the welding consumables shall be dried

where necessary, holding ovens or quivers shall be used where necessary, the maximum storage time at the work place shall be specified after

which the consumables need to be re-dried or scrapped a minimum number of opened packages shall be permitted at the work place proper discipline required on the work place: e.g. covered electrodes shall not be left

around.


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e) Drying and storage of welding consumables: devices used for drying need to be available consumable specific instructions for drying based on the consumable

manufacturer's instructions (temperature and drying time) shall be given the maximum holding time in holding oven shall be taken into account mixing of welding consumables shall not be possible.

4.12 Storage of parent materialsThe purpose of the procedure is to ensure that the parent materials used for weldedproducts meet the requirements specified for the product.

The procedure applies to the storage and handling of the parent materials.

The person responsible for manufacturing in the company is responsible for the storageof parent materials. The person responsible organises and ensures that the storage ofparent materials does not cause damage or that they become mixed during storage.

It is important to prevent wrong materials from being used.

ContentsThe requirements specified for a product, or by a contract or a standard or the authoritiesshall be observed in the identification of materials.

a) If the material supplier provides or is required to provide an order confirmation, thisshall be checked with care and expertise also in regard to its technical part.

b) Care shall be taken during acceptance inspections to ensure that all of therequirements in the order have been fulfilled and that all of the markings are asrequired.

c) Care shall be taken in the storage that the materials will not be damaged or mixed up.

d) In nestling, care shall be taken in marking to ensure that the materials will not becomemixed up. The marking system shall correspond to the product standards. Marksmade using crayons, paint or stamps or batch-specific identifier cards may be used asnecessary. For example, the transfer of the markings of the pressure vessel materialsshall be made before nestling. A person appropriately trained will transfer the followingmarkings:

material quality cast and test numbers stamp of the person transferring the markings.

Small parts may be marked using code markings.

e) During manufacturing care shall be taken to ensure that the identification of thematerials is retained.


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f) Where necessary, and according to the product standard, the customer shall beprovided with information about the materials used, and as necessary also withmaterial certificates.

4.13 Post-weld heat treatmentThe purpose of the procedure is to ensure that the welds are heat-treated in a specifiedmanner in order to fulfil the requirements of the welded product.

The procedure applies to the heat treatment after welding.

The responsibility for the heat treatment can be allocated to the person responsible formanufacturing or to the welding coordinator.

ContentsISO 17663 describes heat treatment as a special process. It includes the following: review of requirements and technical review

subcontracting personnel inspection and testing equipment for heat-treatment heat treatment activities heat treatment records non-conformance and corrective actions quality records

4.14 Inspection and testing

4.14.1 ContentsThe purpose of the procedure (Inspection and Testing Plan) is mainly to ensure thatquality control is in place before welding, during welding, and after welding.

Procedures are prepared for visual inspection and for both destructive and non-destructive testing.

The overall responsibility for inspections lies with a person who is independent ofproduction, e.g. the quality manager. The person or organisation performing theinspection is responsible for the actual inspection work and its results. The inspectors'visual acuity should be checked at regular intervals. The majority of inspections do notrequire an outside inspector, e.g. a welder trained for inspection tasks can do the visualinspection of the welds he has made. The general principle is that the person doing thework is responsible for that work.

4.14.2 Inspect ion and testing before weldingThe procedure may include:

a) Inspection of the welders qualifications: validity suitability (range of qualification)


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b) Welding procedure specifications/work instructions: necessity suitability

correct welding procedure specification parent material and material thickness identity of parent material welding consumable(s) (marking, storage, and condition) dimensions of joint preparations (method of preparation, bevel angle, gap, depth of

root face) fit-up, jigging and tacking setting of welding parameters (welding current, voltage, wire feed rate) measurement of preheating temperature environmental conditions (e.g. temperature and draught)

c) Production tests: extension parts to be welded for destructive testing

d) Non-conformances

4.14.2 Inspection during weldingThe procedure may include:

a) Control of welding parameters (that they are in use): welding current arc voltage travel speed gas flow rate contact tube distance

b) Temperature measurements:ISO 13916 may be used when measuring the pre-heating temperature, the interpass

temperature, and preheat maintenance temperature.

c) Use and handling of welding consumables

d) Cleaning, shape and number of runs

e) Welding sequence

f) Back gouging

g) Control of distortion

h) Required intermediate examinations

i) Non-conformances

4.14.3 Inspection after welding


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The procedure may include:

a) Implementation of the testing plan (destructive and non-destructive testing)

b) Checking of test reports: written instructions (e.g. a specific standard) acceptance levels qualifications of inspection personnel

c) Checking the shape, profile and dimensions of the structure d) Results of post-treatment:

grinding post-heating-treatment record ageing

e) Non-conformances

Sometimes there could be a need to prepare testing plan (ITP). It might include: test object extent of testing testing time test methods/equipment subcontracting test instructions testing conditions (e.g. lighting, viewing angle, viewing distance) acceptance levels (e.g. corresponding to quality levels) recording instructions or report forms.

4.14.4 Inspection and testing statusThe inspection or test status of the welded structure is given in an appropriate manner,e.g. by means of a marking on the object itself or a traceability card.

4.15 Non-conformances and corrective actionsThe purpose of procedures is to ensure that a nonconforming product does not go forward into production, for use or to be

delivered to the customer correction is taken to correct the nonconformance corrective actions are taken to avoid repetition of the fault.

The procedures concern welding, inspection and non-conformances found after delivery.

It is important to define what a non-conformance is.

All parties are obliged to report of any non-conformance they have noted. Depending onthe nature of the non-conformance, the welder shall have the right, if necessary, tointerrupt his/her work.


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A designated person shall be given the responsibility for ensuring that thecorrections/repairs are made according to instructions and completed, and that therequired quality has been reached.

4.15.1 Procedures when the welding procedure specification has not beenfollowed or is impossible to follow

If the welding procedure specifications/work instruction was not followed, the welder shallinform e.g. the foreman/responsible welding coordinator about it. A non-conformancereport shall be made of this type of non-conformance.

The contents of the report should include e.g. of the following items: description of the non-conformance proposed action (correction of welding procedure specifications or work instructions?) decision control of implementation corrective action.

The procedure should describe how to proceed, e.g.

a) No action

b) Correction without permission

c) Correction with permission from a certain person d) Classification for alternative use

e) Scrapping.

Any repair welding shall be done according to the qualified welding procedures.

4.15.2 Procedures for non-conformances found during inspectionThe following may be mentioned in procedures for how to handle weld imperfectionsfound during inspection: the way in which the imperfection has to be marked acceptance of the non-conformance increasing the extent of testing and additional test methods (see, technical review) corrective actions (see, technical review) reporting (see 4.15.1).

4.15.3 Procedures for non-conformances found after deliveryProcedures for dealing with non-conformances found after delivery may include thefollowing:

classification of the non-conformance NDT heat treatment does the welding procedure specification really meet the requirements for the work to

be done? has the welding procedure specification been wrongly prepared?


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has the welding procedure specification been qualified by previous weldingexperience according EN ISO 15611 (the qualification of WPS to be withdrawn?)

what method has to be followed in corrective and preventive actions?

reporting others

4.16 Calibration and validation of measuring, inspection and testing equipmentThe purpose of the procedures is to ensure that the measurement instruments andequipment in use meet the required technical and other criteria for fulfilling therequirements specified by the customer. Requirements for calibration and validation ofequipment used for welding, including ancillary activities are given in ISO 17662.

The procedures refer to the measurement instruments and equipment used inmanufacture and inspection.

The company shall nominate a person responsible for calibration and validation. The

company is responsible for the appropriate calibration or validation of inspection,measurement and testing equipment for welded products. The extent and level ofaccuracy of the calibration or validation and the interval between these activities shall bedefined by the company according to required product standards. It shall be observedthat tight production tolerances cause a greater need for accuracy of calibrated orvalidated equipment. Generally, calibration concerns instruments and equipment (masterinstruments) used for validation of instruments used in testing the final properties of aproduct. For products requiring great accuracy, the degree of measurement uncertainty(accuracy) shall be known and it is necessary to ensure the companys ownmeasurement equipment is traceable to international measurement standards.

The company shall prepare the necessary calibration or validation procedures forinstruments and equipment.

The most common objects of calibration or validation in the welding industry include:

a) The equipment required for inspection by measuring of finished products or, ifnecessary, parts, e.g.:

measuring tapes for final inspections caliper gauges and micrometers gauge blocks dial indicators angle gauges measuring instruments for throat thicknesses rulers

matrices thickness gauges theodolites and measuring machines

b) Gauges and meters used in welding and flame cutting, e.g.: ammeters and voltmeters tachometers


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gas flow meters (rotameter) wire feed regulator

c) Measurement equipment required in heat treatment and pre-heating, e.g.: plotters regulators thermoelements thermometers pyrometers

d) Equipment used in non-destructive testing, e.g.: magnetization equipment magnetic field gauge light intensity meters x-ray equipment viewing devices densitometers ultrasonic equipment and calibration blocks

e) Destructive testing: the equipment should be subject to official calibration inspection, e.g. hardness,

tensile testing machines and impact hammers.

4.17 Identifi cation and traceabilityThe purpose of the procedures is to ensure that the identification and traceability of thewelded product or its parts are maintained throughout the whole manufacturing process.

The procedures concern organizing and documenting the identification and traceability of

welding and related activities.

The company is responsible for planning, managing and documenting identification andtraceability at the product level.

Identification and traceability relating to welding should include, if necessary, dependingon the structure and its application: identification of production plans (see also clause 4.10.1) identification of routing cards or a list identification of weld locations, e.g. by a drawing of the actual situation identification of non-destructive testing procedures and personnel (for which object?) identification of welding consumables, e.g. designation, trade name, manufacturer of

welding consumables and batch or cast number, if required identification and/or traceability of parent material, e.g. type, cast number, if required identification of location of weld repairs identification of location of temporary attachments traceability for fully mechanized or automatic welding units to specific welds traceability of welders and welding operators to specific welds traceability of welding procedure specifications to specific welds.


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4.18 Quality records

4.18.1 General

The quality records are an essential part of the companys quality assurance system.They provide the basis for its quality policy, quality objectives and working methods andthey ensure the repeatability of procedures. With the help of the quality records andsystematic working methods, it is possible to get customers and possible third parties,already interested at the first contact. At the same time they may also be convinced ofthe companys ability to manufacture and deliver the required product.

The records should be used by all those whose work is affected by the document inquestion. The quality records can be divided into two groups:

1) The documents relating to the companys own activities e.g. operational and workinstructions for the organization, distribution of responsibilities and operations of thecompany.

2) Quality files derived from the documents, reports and check lists (forms) on actionsrelating to the product and documents delivered to the customer together with theproduct.

4.18.2 Records relating to the companys own operationsIn a welding company records are, for example, the organizational description/chart,responsibilities and authorizations within the organization, the equipment list anddocuments specified in ISO 3834-2.

These include instructions relating to document management and procedures for: how perform certain operations references to standards, if possible the person performing the operation the timing of the operation signing the completion of operation.

In addition to table 2 the following records may be useful: correspondence with the customer, inquiries, offers/tenders, orders, confirmations of

orders documents and confirmations of orders relating to purchasing drawings approved subcontractors non-destructive and destructive testing procedures and reports procedures for acceptance of parent materials and transfer of marks

material certificates

4.18.3 Quality f iles regarding a specific productA contract, product standard or law may require that certain quality records have to bedelivered together with the product to the purchaser and in some cases also to therelevant authorities.


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Quality files should also be retained in order to demonstrate the achievement of therequired quality and the efficient functioning of the quality procedures.

The documents should be prepared at the stage of manufacture or inspection concernedand collected so that they can be collected immediately when the product has beencompleted. The welding coordinator or the person responsible for quality should checkand approve the documents before sending them to the customer.

The documents should be sufficiently clear, accurate and easily identifiable as belongingto a specific product, so that it can be proved afterwards that the requirements ofmanufacture and inspections have been fulfilled.

The manufacturer files the documents in accordance with its own archiving procedures.

Another way of ensuring that the necessary documents are created on schedule is tohave a production or quality plan covering the stages and operations involved in the

products manufacture and inspection, signed by the responsible person when therequired actions have been completed.

The documents specified in the contract shall be submitted together with the product.The documents to be delivered may include the following: records of requirement/technical reviews production/quality plan material certificates information on welding consumables reports of material testing routing cards relating to inspection measurement and other test reports list of welding procedure specifications used list of qualified welders used heat treatment procedure specifications and reports records of repairs and non-conformance reports.

The periods for retention of individual records shall be defined and documented and therecord holders identified.

4.18.4 Document managementThe manufacturer should create an easily usable list-based or other equivalent procedurefor document control, in order to verify their validity and to prevent the use of invalidand/or outdated documents.

The documents shall be provided with an identification number, a revision number,signature and date of approval. The persons to whom the documents have beendelivered to shall be listed, and at the same time it is ensured that all have the latestrevised version at their disposal. The documents may be filed as a hard copy or in anelectronic format, for example for 10 years. The person who has approved the originaldocument should also approve any changes made. The points changed are to be markedin a suitable manner.


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1) Need for certificationFulfillment of the requirements of ISO 3834 can be demonstrated in different ways. Oftenthe requirement may be a certification of the system. The company should be able to

choose itself whether it wants certification to promote marketing, to improve overallquality and efficiency and to increase the credibility of its operations from the customersor stakeholders perspective.There are several ways of showing the customer or a potential customer that thecompanys welding quality requirements have been met. These are: a method bilaterally agreed on between the customer and the company auditing by the customer auditing by a third party chosen by the customer.

Quality is always a question of agreement between the customer and the supplier, whichdoes not necessarily require certification.

2) Adoption of ISO 3834 in a company

The adoption of ISO 3834 in a company may, for example, be carried out in as a projectin three stages.

At the fi rst stage the company has to carry out a survey of the current situation. Thisstage should be performed with great care and sufficient time should be spent on it, as itforms the basis for the success of the whole project. The current situation should beexamined as thoroughly and as truthfully as possible. It is human at this stage toembellish the actual situation in the company. Such embellishment, however, makesthe actual advantage gained from the project smaller than expected. Very often only therequirements of the standard will be met, but the possibilities for improving the qualityand efficiency of the production will be lost already at the beginning of the project.

In many cases the examination of the initial situation is useful, if consultation with an

outside expert is used, because the expert has no need to describe the situation asbetter than it actually is. Neither is an outside expert subject to workplace blindness,which is only human for people who have worked for a long time at the same workplace.

When real quality improvement is defined as the goal, it is important to gain thecommitment of personnel at all levels in the companys hierarchy to the project. Theexecutive management of the company shall give and demonstrate its full support for theproject from the beginning to the end. This is supported by informing and training thepersonnel at the earliest possible stage.

It has been found useful to arrange training of the stuff in connection with the survey of thecurrent situation. The number of companys staff, products and company culture areimportant factors making the organizing of a training event beneficial. Separate training

events can be organized for clerical staff and welding personnel, or all personnel groupscan be gathered together in one event. The advantage of the first alternative is that thecontent of the training can be tailored accurately to meet the needs of target group. Forexample, for welders, the items of the standard on Equipment, Welding activities andWelding consumables can be highlighted. For the clerical staff it would be useful toconcentrate, for example, the item Requirement and technical reviews.


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The advantage of a common training event organized for the whole personnel would bethat it would be possible to examine matters from different perspectives. The variouspersonnel groups would gain an overall picture of all the operations affecting quality

management in welding as required by the standard. The personnel groups would getknowledge of items dealt with in other groups areas of responsibility and understand theactions required by themselves and others and the linkages and dependencies betweenthem.

The number of participants in the training events should be restricted to enable an openand controlled discussion of matters. In large enterprises it is better to arrange severalevents than to bring together the whole personnel or personnel group in one trainingevent. There is no reason to underestimate the importance of training or informationevents, because the basic requirement for a successful project is that the whole personnelare involved in developing the activities.

The main objective of the first stage is to identify and record items needing improvement.

After this stage it is often useful to update the project plan, in order to ensure a realisticschedule for implementation.

At the second stage, on the basis of the initial survey, an action plan shall be preparedfor addressing the items needing development and the planned actions shall beperformed. These actions may be split into separate tasks, for example, according to thelist of contents in the standard or to the companies own quality manual. Chronologicallythe separate tasks may be carried out either simultaneously or successively. Themethod of implementation depends on the resources available for the project and howresponsibilities are assigned in the company. At latest at this stage of the project, it isrecommended to nominate a responsible person(s) for each item to be developed.

Training of the companys personnel continues at this stage. While the first stage mainly

gives information on the content of ISO 3834 and the actions regarding neededprocedures and documentation to meet the requirements, at this stage the objective isfocused on the technical content of actions and procedures. Activities and traininggiven at this stage are to a large extent decisive as regards the technical andeconomic benefits that adopting ISO 3834 will bring the company.

When the items according to ISO 3834 are used as a tool for measuring the qualityproducing capacity of the company, and the weaknesses and disadvantages found as aresult of using the standard are addressed properly, the productivity of welding can beimproved and quality costs cut, so that the expenditure and effort put into the ISO 3834project will be found as an excellent investment.

The duration of the second stage depends very much on the size and initial situation of the

company. If the company has a certified ISO 9001 quality system in place and it has, forexample, successfully manufactured standardized products, it has in practice already hadto operate according to many of the items of ISO 3834-2. Readiness for certification can inthis case be achieved quite quickly and with a very reasonable amount of work. Theadditional work may be limited to revising of a few operational procedures to bring theminto the form required by ISO 3834.


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The work is considerably more demanding if the company does not have a certified qualitysystem, or a well documented quality management system has not been required for theproducts it manufactures, especially as regards welding. The work of preparing

procedures is in any case quite extensive even though an effort is made to minimize thenumber of procedures to what is appropriate. Time and resources shall also be reservedfor understanding the purpose of the procedures and for learning the tasks involved inpractice and establishing them on all levels of production.

Typically, 618 months shall be reserved for the second stage. In order to achieve atimetable of 6 months, the ISO 3834 work shall be done by teams of several (> 3) peoplesimultaneously in the different areas of operations. If the implementation of the standardwill be done in a team, as small as possible, (e.g. in addition to normal workload), theproject will easily take more than a year.

The estimates above mainly concern companies with a wide production program. If thecompany manufactures a clearly limited range of products, where the welding work is

similar, and the requirements are clearly established, the timetable for adopting ISO 3834may be much shorter.

The third stage involves checking the functional effectiveness of the quality managementsystem for welding and its compliance with standards, so that any remainingdisadvantages are found before the real audit by an external party. This pre-audit couldbe carried out by an expert in the project, who has not participated in developing theprocedures of the company concerned. The pre-audit could also be done by an outsideexpert familiar with ISO 3834. The idea here is to avoid a situation where a person couldassess the results of his or her own work. Any disadvantages found will, of course, becorrected, after which the company can ask for an audit by an accredited certificatingbody. The end goal is an effectively functioning quality management system for welding,and at this stage all the procedures will comply with the appropriate requirements

according to ISO 3834.

ProblemsThe most common problems occurring with the implementation of ISO 3834 are: purchasing or ordering status of the responsible welding coordinator in the company handling of welding consumables following the welding procedure specifications validation of ammeters and voltmeters range of qualifications.

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