WHAT IS A CODE?

A code consists of a set of conditions and requirements relating to a

particular subject. It will indicate appropriate procedures to determine
whether or not the requirements have been met.
A code is intended to be mandatory. It is a legal document that must be
used when it is required by a governmental authority or when specified by
other mandatory documents. "Other mandatory documents" could be
documents issued by purchasing departments, trade associations,
insurance companies, or any buyer who wants his product to be
constructed under the requirements of that code.
The verb "shall" is used in codes because compliance is not a matter of
choice. A code must be precise and unambiguous. Interpretation is not left
to the user. Other alternatives may be stated but the code will almost
always indicate clearly who will
(1)
(2)
(3)

Make the choice in the materials to be purchased.

Schedule operations.
Test and inspect the products.

The most important thing to remember about a code is that it has legal
standing. The inspections you perform under a code may be used as
evidence in a product or other liability lawsuit. The code, if used and
enforced properly, protects the purchaser as well as the contractor from
casual or sloppy work.
Major codes for welding have been written by the American Welding
Society, the American Society of mechanical Engineers, and the American
Petroleum Institute. Codes published by the American National Standards
Institute, such as ANSI B31.1, were prepared by committees in other
technical societies or trade organizations.
Codes are sometimes adopted by other organizations, such as state and
municipal governments, who wish to control the quality of products within
their jurisdiction. Insurance companies and purchasing departments do not
write codes but do state that work done for them shall be in accordance
with a particular code written by a technical society.

The purchaser is the one who decides how his product is to be built. If a
certain welding code assures him product quality, he will designate that
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code as the control to be applied. The contractor or supplier for the job
must then use that code.
In a city or state that has adopted the AWS Structural Welding Code, the
purchaser does not have a choice. His product must be built to the adopted
code.

As a welding inspector, you are responsible for seeing that all work is done
in accordance with the governing code. The engineers and personnel in
charge of design, materials, and fabrication tell the welders how to do the
work, usually in the form of job specifications and procedures, but if you
suspect that a mistake is made, you must refer to the code that applies. If
you find a mistake in the specifications and procedures that are used, you
must report it to the management for correction.

WHAT IS A STANDARD?
The term "standard," as used by AWS, ASTM, and ANSI, is applied
collectively
to
codes,
specifications,
recommended
practices,
classifications, methods, definitions of terms, and graphic symbols that
have been approved by a sponsoring committee of the technical society
and adopted by it. Standards may be either mandatory or non mandatory.
Examples of mandatory standards are ASME Section III, Nuclear Power
Plant Components; AWS D1.1, Structural Welding Code Steel; and ASME
Z49.1, Safety in Welding and Cutting.
A mandatory standard is precise, unambiguous, and suitable for adoption
as part of a law or regulation. A mandatory standard uses the verb "shall"
because its requirements are not a matter of choice.
Examples of non-mandatory standards are "recommended practices."
These may provide alternative ways in which objectives can be
accomplished. Their requirements are recommendations and use the verb
"should."
Standards exist in a variety of types, each having different purposes.
Specifications clearly and accurately describe the technical requirements of
any given product or process and are used heavily by purchasing
departments for controlling the quality of incoming materials.

Standards are used by fabricators and contractors. They are only required
to use a standard under mandate from a customer or when the standard is
referenced in a code or specification governing their work. Uniformity,
reliability, reproducibility, and safety are benefits gained from using a
standard.

What is a Specification?
A specification is a standard that clearly and accurately describes the
essential and technical requirements for a material, product, system, or
service. It indicates the procedures, methods, qualifications, or equipment
that are to be used to determine if the requirements have been met. A
specification is mandatory when it is referenced by other mandatory
documents.
A great number of specifications are published by ASTM for ferrous and
nonferrous alloys and materials. Purchasing departments rely heavily on
ASTM specifications for controlling the quality of incoming materials.
Specifications are also written by the very same groups that produce
standards. Users frequently write their own purchasing specifications,
defining their requirements for a material, product, system, or service. A
user's specification frequently lacks a statement on how compliance is to
be recognized. Your experience as a welding inspector will alert you to such
loose ends. You should urge your client to reach an agreement with the
specification writer regarding the conditions for compliance. This will help
avoid expensive, unwanted developments after welding has begun.
A fabricator of weldments must use many specifications. They are usually
essential to the success of the venture. A fabricator does not feel forced to
comply with a specification but is often grateful for it.
A specification provides definite requirements so that very little is left to
chance. If the material meets the specification, it's something that doesn't
require additional concern.

WELDING RELATED CODES

The following are specific codes and specifications that you will deal with on
the job.

AWS B3.0, Welding Procedure and Performance

Qualification
This standard, previously entitled "Standard Qualification Procedure," is
intended for use in any welding situation where a specific product
specification does not exist. It should not be used to replace qualification
requirements of AWS or other recognized codes and specifications.
Section 4 of this standard gives requirements for qualifying a welding
procedure, and Section 5 gives the method of qualifying welders and
welding operators.

To assure that predictable results are reached with any Joint welding
procedure, the variables of the procedure must be controlled. Limits are
fixed by the written qualified procedure. When you inspect work under this
standard, you will be concerned with seeing that the limitations are
observed. Departures from the procedure that might affect the predicted
results are called "changes in essential variables." In this standard, the
essential variables are all listed, with stated tolerances for whatever
changes would affect the mechanical properties of the weldment. Any
changes in the process or welding operation that would affect the ability of
the welder or welding operator to perform as planned are also stated. If
these limitations of variables are exceeded, a new performance
qualification is required. This concept of essential variables for procedure
and performance qualification testing is also used by Section IX of the
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code.

AWS D1.1, Structural Welding Code Steel

This code is published by the American Welding Society. The code is
revised each year,, but prior editions are frequently used in welding
contracts and they, of course, govern that particular job. The code carefully
defines the responsibilities and duties in your role as welding inspector.
This code contains an extended section on qualification of welding
procedures, welders, welding operators, and tack welders. These are the
standard procedures used for all major structural steel work and other
miscellaneous steel fabrication using shielded metal arc, gas metal arc, flux
cored arc, electroslag, electrogas, and stud arc welding. Specifications are
included for qualifying on plates, pipe, and on structural tubing. Attention is
given to welds in new buildings, new bridges, and new tubular structures.
The code also covers the repair of existing structures.

AWS D1.3, Specification for Welding Sheet Steel in

Structures
This specification is important for engineers and fabricators of structures
made with sheet metal parts. No codes have covered materials thinner than
one-quarter inch prior to AWS D1.3

AWS D1.4, Structural Welding Code Reinforcing Steel

This code provides qualifying procedures and requirements for welders and
welding operators, for making reinforcing bar splices, bar connections, and
insert connections. The code covers five welding processes commonly
used on reinforcing steel: shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc
welding, flux cored arc welding, pressure gas welding, and thermit welding.

AWS D10.91 Standard for Qualification of Welding

Procedures and Welders for Piping and Tubing
This standard provides three different levels of procedure and welder
qualification. Fabricators and specification writers may select the level that
best meets their needs. The standard covers the materials most commonly
used in welding piping and tubing. They are aluminum, copper, nickel, steel,
and their alloys. The materials are grouped in ways that eliminate having to
requalify a procedure when changing from one material to another material
of similar weldability.

AWS D14.1 Specification for welding industrial and Mill

Cranes
This specification contains requirements for qualifying procedures, welders,
and welding operators for the fabrication of all load-bearing weldments
used in the manufacture of industrial cranes and mill cranes. This includes
overhead cranes, gantry type cranes, pillar cranes, and electric travelling
cranes, but excludes construction cranes.

API Standard1104, Standard for Welding Pipelines and

Related Facilities
This standard is published by the American Petroleum Institute. The
standard requires qualification of welding procedures, welders, and welding
operators. The standard covers the gas and arc welding of butt, fillet, and
socket joints in piping used in the compression, pumping, and transmission
of crude petroleum, petroleum products, and fuel gases. It covers
distribution systems, where applicable. The welding may be done by
shielded metal arc, submerged arc, gas tungsten arc, gas metal arc, and
oxyacetylene welding. API 1104 determines the quality of the welds by
destructive tests, including tensile tests, nick-break tests, and root-bend,
face-bend, and side-bend tests. The number and variety of tests vary
according to a schedule for procedure or operator qualification.
As an option, welders may be qualified by radiographic examination of their
welds.

ASME B31.1, Power Piping

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This code is one section of the Code for Pressure Piping (ASME B31)
published by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. The
provisions of this code for boiler external piping are the same as those in
Section I of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. The allowable
stress values for power piping are generally consistent with those assigned
for power boilers.
As an inspector, you should note that this code contains prohibitions only in
areas where practices or designs are known to be unsafe. In other areas,
the code contains warnings where caution is known to be necessary, but
where a direct prohibition is felt to be unwise. 'You should discuss
deviations with the engineer.
Chapter VI of ASME B31.1 includes requirements for examining,
inspecting, and testing of elements before assembly or erection and of the
completed systems after erection. Materials or practices that are not
specifically approved under this code, but which are not prohibited by the
code, must be qualified for use as stated in the paragraphs that apply.
Welding and brazing are covered in paragraphs 127 and 128 of Chapter V
of ASME B31.1.

ASME B31.3. ASME B31.3

Petroleum Refinery Piping

Chemical

Plant

and

This standard provides the minimum requirements for the design,

materials, fabrication, assembly, erection, examination, inspection, and
testing of piping for chemical piping systems. This Code applies to all fluids.
The following is a list of typical fluids:
Raw, intermediate, and finished chemicals
Petroleum products
Gas, steam, air, and water
Fluidized solids
Refrigerants
B3 1.3 requires that all welding/brazing procedures and welders/brazers
that are used in the welding or brazing of chemical piping must be qualified
in accordance with the requirements of ASME Section IX.

The Fabrication, Assembly, and Erection chapter of this code identifies the
acceptable weld joint configurations for the typical weld joints that are listed
below:
Welds that join slip-on and socket-weld fittings to piping
Welds that join members that are of unequal thicknesses
Welds that attach branches to piping and are suitable for 100% radiography
The Inspection, Examination, and Testing chapter of B31.3 identifies the
weld inspection acceptance criteria for visual, magnetic particle, liquid
penetrant, ultrasonic, and radiographic examinations of weldments.

ASME B31.4. Liquid Transportation Systems for

Hydrocarbons Liquid Petroleum Gas, Anhydrous
Ammonia, and Alcohols
This standard provides the minimum requirements for the design,
materials, construction, assembly, inspection, and testing of piping that is
used to transport liquids such as crude oil, condensate, natural gasoline,
natural gas liquids, liquefied petroleum gas, liquid anhydrous ammonia, and
liquid petroleum products. This code covers the piping between the
producer's facilities, tank farms, natural gas processing plants, refineries,
stations, ammonia plants, terminals (marine, rail, and truck), and other
delivery and receiving points. Piping, as used in this code, includes pipe,
flanges, bolting, gaskets, valves, relief devices, fittings, hangers, supports,
and the pressure-containing parts of other piping components.
B31.4 requires that all welding procedures and welders that are used in the
welding of liquid transportation system piping must be qualified in
accordance with the requirements of API Standard 1104 or ASME Section
IX.
The Construction, Welding, and Assembly chapter of this code identifies the
acceptable weld joint configurations for the following typical weld joints:
Welds that join pipe to pipe
Welds that join members that are of unequal thicknesses
Welds that join flanges to pipe
The Inspection and Testing chapter of B31.4 identifies the weld inspection
acceptance criteria for the visual inspection of weldments. When
radiographic testing is required, the acceptance criteria of weldments must
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be in accordance with the "Standards of Acceptability - Nondestructive

Testing" Section in API 1104.

ASME B31.8. Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping

Systems
This standard covers the design, fabrication, installation, inspection, testing
and safety aspects of the operation and maintenance of gas transmission
and distribution systems (including gas pipelines), gas compressor stations,
gas metering and regulating stations, gas mains, and service lines up to the
outlet of the custorner's meter set assembly.
B31.8 requires that all welding procedures and welders that are used in the
welding of gas transmission and distribution piping must be qualified in
accordance with the requirements of API Standard 1104 or ASME Section
IX.
The Construction, Welding, and Assembly chapter of this code identifies the
acceptable weld joint configurations for the following typical weld joints:
Welds that join pipe to pipe
Welds that join members that are of unequal
thicknesses
Welds that join branches to pipe
The Welding Chapter of B3 1. 8 requires that the radiographic acceptance
criteria of weldments be in accordance with the "Standards of Acceptability
- Nondestructive Testing" section in API 1104.

API 620. Design and Construction of Large, Welded,

Low-Pressure Storage Tanks
This standard covers the design and construction of large, welded,
low-pressure carbon steel above-ground storage tanks that have a single
vertical axis of revolution. These field-assembled tanks contain petroleum
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intermediates (gases and vapors), finished products, and other liquid

products that are commonly handled and stored by the various branches of
the industry. The tanks that are covered by this standard are designed for
metal temperatures that do not exceed 250 F and for pressures that do not
exceed 15 psig.
API 620 requires that all of the welding procedures and welders that are
used in the welding of low-pressure storage tanks must be qualified in
accordance with the requirements of ASME Section IX.
The Design Section of API 620 identifies the acceptable weld joint
configurations for the following typical weld joints:

Welds that join nozzles and other connections to the tank

Welds that join members that are of unequal thicknesses
Welds that join shells to bottom plates
Welds that join the compression ring to the top of the shell
Welds that join flat heads to the shell
Welds that join flush-type connections to the tank

The Inspection and Testing Section of API 620 provides the visual weld
inspection acceptance criteria. The acceptance criteria of weldments that
are examined by radiography, liquid penetrant, or magnetic particle
methods must be in accordance with the applicable sections of ASME
Section VIII. When ultrasonic examination is used, the acceptance criteria
must be by agreement between the purchaser and the manufacturer.

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API 650. Welded Steel Tanks, for Oil Storage

This standard covers material, design, fabrication, erection, and testing
requirements for vertical, cylindrical, above-ground atmospheric tanks.
These field-assembled tanks store petroleum and petroleum products that
are commonly handled and stored by the various branches of the industry.
API 650 requires that all of the welding procedures and welders that are
used in the welding of atmospheric storage tanks must be qualified in
accordance with the requirements of ASME Section IX.
The Design Section of APT 650 identifies the acceptable weld joint
configurations for the following typical weld joints:
Welds that join vertical shell members
Welds that join nozzles and manholes to the tank
Welds that join members that are of unequal thicknesses
Welds that join the roof and the bottom plate to the shell
Welds that join flanged and screwed nozzles to the roof
Welds that join flush-type connections to the tank
The Methods of Inspecting Joints section of APT 650 requires that the
acceptance criteria of weldments that are examined by radiographic, liquid
penetrant, or magnetic particle examination must be in accordance with the
applicable sections of ASME Section VIII. When ultrasonic examination is
used, the acceptance criteria must be by agreement between the purchaser
and the manufacturer.

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ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code

This code is published by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
As a welding inspector acting on behalf of an employer constructing
equipment under the jurisdiction of this code, you will have the
responsibility of determining the adequacy of both procedure and operator
qualifications and their proper application to the construction of the
equipment.

You may be required to ascertain that required nondestructive examinations

and other mandatory inspections have been made. To assist in the
performance of these duties, you should be familiar with the sections of the
code listed below, along with their mandatory appendices. Also, you should
be aware of and have the latest addendum to the code. A new code is
published every three years and will include all of the addenda published in
summer and winter of the previous three years.
(1) Section I, Rules for Construction of Power Boilers. This section
of the code covers the rules for the construction of power, electric,
miniature, and high temperature water boilers to be used in stationary
service, and also includes those power boilers used in locomotives, power,
and traction service.
(2) Section II, Material Specifications (Part A - Ferrous and Part B Nonferrous). This section is a joint effort of ASME and ASTM (American
Society for Testing and Materials) in the preparation of material
specifications adequate for safety in the field of pressure equipment for
ferrous and nonferrous materials. Those ASME material specifications that
are identical to the ASTM material specifications will be so indicated under
the title. Any differences between the ASME and ASTM material
specifications will also be indicated.
(3) Section III, Nuclear Power Plant Components. This section of
the code defines the rules for the construction of nuclear power plant
components and is composed of the following eight books, comprising
Divisions I and 2 of this section.

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Division 1
Subsection NB - Class 1 components
Subsection NC - Class 2 components
Subsection 14D - Class 3 components
Subsection NE - Class MC components
Subsection NF - Component supports
Subsection NG - Core support structures
Appendices
Division 2
Code for concrete reactor vessels and containments. Since a limited
number of you will be performing inspections to this section of the code, a
more precise description will not be made of the eight books involved.
(4) Section V, Nondestructive Examination. This section of the
code describes the nondestructive examination methods and standards
that are referenced by the other sections of the code. Included in this
section are radiographic, ultrasonic, liquid penetrant, magnetic particle,
eddy current, and visual examinations, along with leak testing.
(5) Section VIII, Pressure Vessels. As a welding inspector, you will
become more familiar with this section of the code that contains all the
rules for the construction of pressure vessels, including containers for the
containment of pressure either internal or external. The pressure may be
obtained from an external source, by the application of heat from a direct or
indirect source, or by any combination thereof. Included are pressure
vessels for petrochemical heat exchangers and a large variety of other
vessels.
(6) Section IX, Welding and Brazing Qualifications.This section of
the code provides requirements for the qualification of welding procedures,
welders, welding operators, brazers, and brazing operators. This section
identifies essential, nonessential, and supplementary essential variables for
each welding process and provides rules on the qualification of procedures
and personnel. This includes the tests and examinations that are performed
on the weldments and the acceptance criteria. This section is referenced by
other sections of the code, such as Section I, III, and VIII for welding and
brazing procedure and performance qualification testing.

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SUMMARY
Codes, standards, and specifications must be understood by you and
carried out according to the precepts of your job as inspector, since they
govern the legal.aspects of welding and fabrication. You need to recognize
and be able to locate any code or standard essential to each individual
project, and to be thoroughly familiar with specification details.

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