| Procedure
Qualificaton Record
We know that welders should have the proper Welding Procedure Specification (WPS) at their workstations when making a weld. We addressed prequalified WPSs in this column in the Summer '04 issue of Inspection Trends, but what if you need to weld some less common materials or joint configurations not contained in AWS D1.1, Structural Welding Code — Steel, Figs. 3.3 or 3.4? No weld is disallowed by AWS as long as it is qualified in accordance to the requirements of the applicable code. This qualification is accomplished/ documented by use of the Procedure Qualification Record (PQR). The PQR precedes the WPS and is a record of exactly how the weld was made. The PQR contains no tolerances or ranges for essential variables. Following successful qualification of the weld procedure by testing, a WPS should be developed. The easiest and most efficient way to develop a WPS is by applying the maximum allowable tolerances/ranges to the essential variables. These ranges are found in D1.1, Tables 4.5, 4.6, and 4.7. By using this approach to WPS development, you can get the broadest range of variables and applications from a single PQR, thereby minimizing paperwork and costs while maintaining compliance with code requirements. A single form is
available
to use as a PQR or WPS in D1.1, Annex E (see figures below). You are
not required to use this exact form, but the form used must contain all
of the applicable information shown in Annex E.
Lyndsey Deckard (Deckard@pbworld.com) is Quality Manager of the Vehicle Division of Parsons Brinckerhoff Transit & Rail Systems Inc. He is an AWS Senior Certified Welding Inspector, an ASQ Certified Quality Auditor, and a member of the AWS Certification Committee, the Examination Question Bank Subcommittee, and chairman of the Ethics Subcommittee. |
