AccreditedTestingFacility(ATF)

ProgramInformation

(Theencloseddocumentsprovideinformationaboutthe
AWSAccreditedTestFacilityProgram.)

TableofContents
(Pleasescrolldowntoviewalldocumentsorclickonthedocumentname.)

StepstoBecominganATF

ATFInitialAuditApplication
o QualityAssuranceManualChecklist(QAManualChecklist)
o OnSiteAuditChecklist
o ATFFeeSchedule

TechnicalDocuments
(ThesedocumentsareavailablefordownloadingattheAWSwebsite.
PleaseclickonthedocumentnameandyouwillberedirectedtotheAWSWebsite.)

QC489,StandardforAccreditationofTestFacilitiesforAWSCertifiedWelderProgram

QC793,StandardforAWSCertifiedWelders
o SupplementCWelderPerformanceQualificationSheetMetalTestRequirements
o SupplementFChemicalPlantandPetroleumRefineryPiping
o SupplementGAWSPerformanceQualificationTest

B5.42005,SpecificationfortheQualificationofWelderTestFacilities

StepstoBecominganATF
1. Completethefollowingdocuments:
o ATFApplication
o Oneuncontrolledcopyofyourfacility'sQualityAssuranceManual
o QAManualchecklist*
o OnSiteAuditchecklist*
o ApplicationFeeorP.O.Request
*ImportantNote:BesuretoreadtherequirementsontheQAManualChecklistand
OnsiteAuditChecklistastheycontainmoredetailedinformationonwhatisrequired
foryourQAManual.
Mailthesecompleteddocumentsto:AmericanWeldingSocietyAttn:EmilPagoagaAWS
CertificationDepartment8669NW36Street,#130Miami,Florida331666672.
2. Followingasatisfactoryreviewofthefacilitysapplication,checklistsandQuality
AssuranceManual,aninvoicefortheapplicablefeeswillbeissuedtothefacility.Please
clickonthefollowinglinktoviewthecurrentprogramfees:
http://www.aws.org/certification/docs/schedules.html

3. Programfees,alongwithacopyoftheinvoicemustbemailedto:
AmericanWeldingSocietyAttn:CertificationDepartment8669NW36Street,#130
Miami,Florida331666672.
4. Oncetheprogramfeeshavebeenreceived,AWSwillscheduleanonsiteauditofyour
facilitybyathirdpartyauditor.

5. Whentheauditiscompleted,thefacilitywillreceivenotificationoftheirresults
includinganydeficienciesrequiringcorrectiveaction,andafinalinvoicewillbeissuedto
thefacilityfortravelexpensesincurredbythethirdpartyauditor.

6. Iftheauditresultsaresatisfactory,acertificateofconformancewillbeissued.The

certificateallowsyourfacilitytooperateinaccordancewiththeAWSQC489,Standard
forAccreditationofTestFacilitiesfortheAWSCertifiedWelderProgram.

AccreditedTestFacility
InitialOnSiteAuditApplication

AmericanWeldingSociety
8669NW36Street,#130
Miami,Florida331666672
(800or305)4439353,Ext448
Fax(305)4436445

WeherebyrequesttheAmericanWeldingSocietyaccreditthefollowingfacilityasaparticipantinthe
AWSCertifiedWelderPrograminaccordancewiththeprovisionsofAWSQC489,Standardfor
AccreditationofTestFacilitiesforAWSCertifiedWelderProgram.

APPLICANT INFORMATION

NameofFacility:

FacilityRepresentative:

TestSupervisor(s): 1)

CorporateorMailingAddress:

2)

StreetAddress:

City:

Country:

TestingFacilityAddress(Ifdifferentfromcorporateaddress):
StreetAddress:

City:

Country:

State:

Zip:

State:

Zip:

TestingFacilitysContactInformation:
Phone: (

Email:

Website:

Ext:

Fax: (

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AccreditedTestFacility
InitialOnSiteAuditApplication

ONSITEAUDIT

Pleaseallow46weeksforOnSiteAuditscheduling.

PreferredAuditDates:1)
2)

3)

4)

APPLICATIONFEES

InitialOnsiteAudit(NorthAmericanFeeSchedule)*

Fee:

$2,760USD**

*RequiresQAMand,acompletedATFQualityManual&OnsiteAuditChecklists.
**Auditorstravel,lodgingandmealexpenseswillbeinvoicedtotheATFaftertheaudit.

InitialOnsiteAudit(InternationalFeeSchedule)*

Fee:

$1,560USD**

*RequiresQAMand,acompletedATFQualityManual&OnSiteAuditChecklists.
**Auditorsfeesandtravel,lodgingandmealexpenseswillbeinvoicedtotheATFaftertheaudit.

ENCLOSEDMATERIALS

QualityAssuranceManual:

Enclosed

ATFQualityManual&AuditChecklists:

Enclosed

Listanypastorpresentcertifications:

ContactName(Print):

Signature:

Date:
Title:

METHODOFPAYMENT

Check#

Visa
MasterCard
CreditCard#:

Signature:

BillP.O.(StapleP.O.tofrontpageofapplication)

AmericanExpress

DinersClub

Discover

Exp.Date:

AWSUSEONLY
DateReceived:

Account#:

Amount:$2,760.00(NorthAmericanFeeSchedule)
$1,560.00(InternationalFeeSchedule)

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AccreditedTestFacility
InitialOnSiteAuditApplication

Q.A.MANUALCHECKLISTQUESTIONS1TO18
(ImportantNote:BesuretoreadtherequirementsontheChecklistastheycontainmoredetailedinformationonwhatis
requiredforyourQAManual.)

Instructions:Pleaseanswerquestions1through18intheQ.A.M.Indexsectionwiththecorresponding
pageorsectionnumberofyourQualityAssuranceManual.Example:

Topic
17)Whatrecordsareplacedintheweldersfile?

Q.A.M.
Index
Section#
Section8.1

AuditorReview
oftheManual:
Sat./Unsat.

AuditorConfirmation
ofImplementation:
Sat./Unsat.

Topic

Q.A.M.
Index
Section#

AuditorReview
oftheManual:
Sat./Unsat.

1)DoestheQAManualcontainapolicystatementthatclearlyassertsthattheTestFacility
willmeetallrequirementsofcodes,specificationsorcontractdocumentsthattheyusein
theiractivities?

2)Specifically,areQC7andQC4listed?

3)IsthereanOrganizationalChartthatincludesnamesoftheindividualsinvolved?
4)AretheFacilityRepresentativeandtheTestSupervisorspecificallydesignatedonthe
OrganizationChart?

5)IstheTestSupervisor(s)acurrentCWI?IstheCWInumberlisted?
6)Isasingleperson(QAManager,supervisororotherdesignee)assignedthe
responsibilitytoverifytheCompanypolicyisbeingcompliedwith?

7)DoestheQAManagerhavedirectaccesstoExecutiveManagement?
8)AretheoperationalandfunctionaldutiesoftheFacilityRepresentative,TestSupervisor,
andQAManagerclearlydefined?

9)AregeneralQualityControlproceduresspelledoutorincorporatedbyreference?

10)Arewrittenproceduresand/orchecklistsavailableforspecifictestsorinspections?

11)Arethewrittenproceduresspelledoutorincorporatedbyreference?

12)Areallrequiredreferencedocumentslisted?

13)Arethereformalproceduresforhandlingnonconformances?
14)Arethereproceduresfordealingwithtechnicalcomplaints,commentsand
suggestions?

15)Aresubcontractingproceduresdefinedandcontrolled?

16)Arethereproceduresand/orchecklistsfordocumentingandreviewingtestresults?

17)Whatrecordsareplacedintheweldersfile?

18)WhatrecordsaresenttotheAWSCertificationBusinessUnit?

AuditorConfirmation
ofImplementation:
Sat./Unsat.

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AccreditedTestFacility
InitialOnSiteAuditApplication

OnSiteAuditChecklistQuestionsPartItoXII
(ImportantNote:BesuretoreadtherequirementsontheChecklistastheycontainmoredetailedinformationonwhatis
requiredforyourQAManual.)

Instructions:Pleaseanswerquestions1through18intheQ.A.M.Indexsectionwiththecorresponding
pageorsectionnumberofyourQualityAssuranceManual.Example:

PartIIPersonnelQuestions1to10
1)AretheinspectionandtestingservicesoftheTestFacilityundertheauthorityofatechnicalmanager?

Q.A.M.
IndexSection#

Section#14.3

Q.A.M.
IndexSection#

PartIProceduresQuestions1to3
1)Procedureforprocurementofmaterialsincludingfillermetals.

a)Isthereawrittenprocedure?

b)Doesitincludeasamplepurchaseorder?

c)DoestheP.O.requirematerialtestreportsonbasemetalandcertificatesconformanceonfiller
metals?

d)Isthematerialandcertificationscheckedonreceipt?

e)Arethemilltestreportsandcertificatesofconformanceonfile?

2)InitialdiscussionswithcandidateforthecertifiedweldersProgram.

a)Isasampleapplicationavailable?

b)Isitfilledoutsothatitmaybeusedasasample?

c)Isthewelderadvisedofthetestingproceduresincludingsafetyrules,fituptolerances,and
testingrequirements?

3)Pleasedescribeinaseparatesheetofpapertheprocedurefortraceabilityofmaterials.Beginwithuseofcertifiedmaterialsthrough
weldingoftestcouponsandvisualexamination,mechanicalorradiographictesting,andrecordingofresults.

a)Isthecandidatewelderassignedanidentificationcode?

b)Istheidentificationcoderecordedonthecouponandthepaperwork?

c)DoestheTestSupervisorverifythatcertifiedmaterialsareused?

d)Isthetestmaterialsidentificationrecordedonthetestrecords?

e)Isthewelderidentificationcodetransferredtothebendspecimens?

f)Isthewelderidentificationcodeshownonthexrayfilmwhenradiographyisused?

1)AretheinspectionandtestingservicesoftheTestFacilityundertheauthorityofatechnicalmanager?
2)Doesthetechnicalmanagerhaveatleast5yearstechnicalexperienceininspectionandtestingofmetalsor
welding?

3)WhoistheFacilityRepresentative?

4)AretheTestSupervisorsemployeesorcontractors?

5)AretheycurrentlycertifiedasCWIsunderAWSQC1?

PartIIPersonnelQuestions1to10

a)ListtheTestSupervisorsandtheirCertificatenumbers:

6)Ifradiographyisused,aretheNDEpersonnelemployeesorcontractors?

7)IsASNTRecommendedPracticeSNTTC1AfollowedinthequalificationofNDEpersonnel?

8)AreNDEresultsinterpretedbyacertifiedtechnician?

9)ArejobdescriptionsorjobdutiesavailableforthepositionsdescribedinQC4andtheorganizationalchart?

10)WhoperformsfunctionofQualityAssuranceManager?

Q.A.M.
IndexSection#

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AccreditedTestFacility
InitialOnSiteAuditApplication

PartIIIOperationsQuestions1to10

1)Arewritteninstructionsandsketchesavailableforthecandidatetouseinfittingthetestassembly?

2)Isthefitupinspectedpriortowelding?Howisitdocumented?

3)AretheWeldingProceduresavailableforusebythecandidate?

4)Arewrittenproceduresorchecklistsavailableforpreparationandinspectionofbendspecimens?

5)Arewrittenproceduresorchecklistsavailablefortestingandevaluationofbendspecimens?

6)Areradiographicacceptancecriteriaavailabletotheradiographicinterpreter?

7)Aretheresultsofthebendtestorfilminterpretationrecordedonthetestrecords?

8)Doestheweldersfileconsistof:

a)Theweldersinitialapplication?

b)Theweldertestchecklist?

c)Thebendtestreportortheradiographicandtheradiographersreport?

d)ThePerformanceQualificationTestRecord?

9)Ifweldersaretobetestedoffsite,isitcoveredintheQAmanual?

10)Howareoutsidetestingactivitiescontrolled?

1)DoestheTestFacilitymaintainalibrary?

2)AretherecurrentcopiesofapplicableWelderQualificationCodesandStandards?

3)Doesthelibrarycontainthefollowingmandatorydocuments?

a)CertCWCertifiedWelderApplication

b)ATFWPQRBlankForm

c)CertMaintenanceofWelderCertification

AWSQC1StandardforCertificationofInspectors

AWSQC4StandardforAccreditationofTestFacilitiesforAWSCertifiedWelderProgram

AWSQC7StandardforAWSCertifiedWelders(andapplicablesupplements)

AWSSupplementG,AWSPerformanceQualificationTest

1)DoestheTestFacilitymaintainalistofWPSs/PQRsusedforthetestingofwelders?

2)AretherecopiesoftheapplicableWQTRorWPQRintheWeldersrecord?

3)AretheWQTRorWPQRproperlyfilledout?

4)DoesthelibrarycontaincopiesofalltheWPSs/PQRs?

5)DoestheWeldingSupervisor(CWI)understandthesedocuments?
SpecificationKey:

PartIVReferenceDocumentsQuestions1to3

QualificationandCertification

WeldingProcedureSpecifications(WPS*)

Q.A.M.
IndexSection#

Q.A.M.
IndexSection#

Q.A.M.
IndexSection#

Q.A.M.
IndexSection#

WPS=WeldingProcedureSpecifications
PQR=ProcedureQualificationRecord
WQTR=WeldingQualificationTestRecord
WPQR=WeldingPerformanceQualificationRecord

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AccreditedTestFacility
InitialOnSiteAuditApplication

SafetyandHealth

ASCZ49SafetyinWeldingandCutting

Other(s)(Specify):

PartVGeneralQuestions12

Aretheretrainingprogramstomaintainandimproveskills?

DoesmanagementreviewQAProgramonaroutinebasis?

1)DoestheTestSupervisorhaveachecklistforthesetupandadministrationoftheweldingtest?

2)HowistheWPSavailabletothecandidateintheteststation?

3)Issafetyequipmentverified?

4)Ismaterialchecked?

5)Isfitupverified?

6)Howdoyouverifythatthetestplatesarenotrepositionedwithoutapproval?

3)Arenondestructivetestmethodscontrolledbywrittenprocedures?
4)Arecontractednondestructivetestingmethodsproperlydefinedinpurchaseorderstoassureaccurate
testingandtheapplicationoftheproperacceptancestandards?
5)Aresketches,drawings,etc.usedtodefinethestepsinperformingthecuttingandpreparationfor
destructivetesting(bends,nickbreaks,etc.?)

6)Isthereproperdocumentationastothedisposaloftestspecimens?

7)Areinternalnondestructivetechnicianstrained,tested,andcertifiedtoSNTTC1A?

1)Whatrecordsareplacedintheweldersfile?

2)WhatrecordsareforwardedtoAWSCertificationDepartment?

1)SMAW

a.NumberofUnits

b.NumberofAC

c.NumberofDC

d.NumberofAC/DC

2)GMAW

Ifyes,howoften?

Title:

PartVIWeldingTestsQuestions16

PartVIIWeldedTestAssemblyHandlingQuestions17
1)Arewrittenproceduresorothermethodsavailabletodefinethevisualinspectioncriteriatobeappliedto
testassemblies?
2)Arewrittenproceduresorothermethodsavailabletodefinethestepsandexaminationstobeperformed
tocomplywiththeSupplements?

PartVIIIFinalDispositionQuestions1to2

PartIXWeldingEquipmentandControlsQuestions1to6

a.NumberofUnits

Q.A.M.
IndexSection#

Whoisresponsibleforthereview?

Q.A.M.
IndexSection#

Q.A.M.
IndexSection#

Q.A.M.
IndexSection#

Q.A.M.
IndexSection#

Q.A.M.
IndexSection#

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AccreditedTestFacility
InitialOnSiteAuditApplication

PartIXWeldingEquipmentandControlsQuestions1to6(Contd)
3)GTAW

a.NumberofUnits

b.NumberofACHF

c.NumberofDC

d.NumberofAC/DC

4)FCAW

a.NumberofUnits

5)SAW

a.NumberofUnits

6)Otherprocesses(listeach)

PartXCuttingEquipmentQuestions1to4
1)OFC

a.NumberofStations

b.Typefuelgasutilized

4)Mechanicalcutting

a.Mechanical

b.MillingMachines

c.Anglegrinder

d.Lathe

e.Otherequipment(listeach)

PartXIMeasuring&TestingEquipmentQuestions1to6

1)Measuring/TestingItem(Foreachitemofequipmentusedinwelderqualification,thefollowing
informationshallbeprovided)

a.Isamaintenanceprocedureorscheduleestablished?

b.Ismaintenanceloguptodate?

c.Doesequipmentappearabused?

d.Areproperequipmentrecordsmaintained?

i.Isequipmentidentified?

ii.Doesithavecalibrationtag(ifrequired)?

iii.Areoperatingmanualsavailable?

e.Arecalibrationmethodsdefined?

2)CAC

a.NumberofUnits

3)PAC

a.NumberofUnits

Q.A.M.
IndexSection#

Q.A.M.
IndexSection#

Q.A.M.
IndexSection#

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AccreditedTestFacility
InitialOnSiteAuditApplication

PartXIMeasuring&TestingEquipmentQuestions1to6(Contd)

2)BendTestingEquipment

a.Wraparoundfixture?

b.Die&plungerfixture?

c.Adjustableradiusfixture?

3)OtherTestingEquipment

a.Filletbreak/nickbreakfixture?
b.Tensiletestmachine?

c.ImpactTestingMachine?

d.OtherTestingEquipment?

4)Othermeasuringequipmentavailable:(Checkallavailable)

a.Tapelines

b.Micrometers

c.Calipers

d.Scales

e.Opticalaids

f.Filletweldgauge

g.Weldreinforcementgauge

h.HiLowgauge

I.Undercutgauge

5)Doesfacilityperformanychemicaltests?

a.Massspectrometeranalysis

b.Wetchemicalmethod

c.MacroTech

1)Arewrittenproceduresonfileforrecordretention?

2)Arerecordsretainedforthe5yearrequirementperAWSQC489?

3)Arerecordssecured?

d.Arewrittenproceduresavailable?
6)Iftheabovetestsareperformed,aretheapplicablestandardsfromAWS,ASMEandASTMavailablefor
controlofprocedures?

PartXIIRecordsandTestReportsQuestions1to3

Q.A.M.
IndexSection#

Q.A.M.
IndexSection#

*IfmorespaceisneededtoansweranyoftheChecklistquestions,pleasefeelfreetoattachadditionalanswersorrelevant
informationtothebackofthischecklist.

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AccreditedTestFacility
InitialOnSiteAuditApplication

ReviewersComments:(Useadditionalsheetforcommentsifneeded.)

Auditorsrecommendations(TobecompletedbyAuditor):

ApproveforCertification

SubmitCorrectionstoAuditor

ReAudit

Auditor:

Date

Acopyofthiscompletereportshallbeprovidedtothefacilityrepresentativebytheauditor.

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Accredited Test Facility (ATF) Price Schedule*

North American Price Schedule
Initial Audit Fees
Document review
Initial On-site Audit**
Total
Additional Facilities
Document review
Initial On-site Audit**
Total

AWS Price
$720
$2,040
$2,760

Auditor Fee
Included in
AWS Price?
Yes

$600
$1,800
$2,400

Yes

$360
$360

N/A
N/A

Yearly Renewals

Initial Audit Fees

Document review
Initial On-site Audit**
Total

AWS Price
$720
$840
$1,560

Additional Facilities
Document review
Initial On-site Audit**
Total

$600
$600
$1,200

Auditor Fee
Included in
AWS Price?
No***

No***

Yearly Renewals

Annual 1st Year

Annual 2nd Year

Re-accreditation Audit Fee

Document review
On-site Audit**
Total

International Price Schedule

$600
$1,800
$2,400

Annual 1st Year

Annual 2nd Year

$480
$480

N/A
N/A

Re-accreditation Audit Fee

Yes

*Fees are subject to change due to individual circumstances for each facility.
**Applicants are directly responsible for the auditor's travel expenses.
***Auditor fees for international ATFs are as follows:
Each Travel Day
$400
On-site Audit Fee
$800
Total Fee (dependent on # of audit and travel days required)

Document review
On-site Audit**
Total

$600
$600
$1,200

No***