Welding and Fabrication Quality
WPS, PQR and welder qualification review
Confirm that every production weld is covered by a qualified procedure and made by a welder qualified for that range, before welding starts.
01What the service involves
A welding procedure specification (WPS) gives the welder the parameters for a joint. It must be supported by a qualification record (PQR in ASME and AWS terms, WPQR in ISO terms) that proves the procedure produces sound welds with the required properties. Welders and welding operators must hold qualifications covering the process, material group, thickness, diameter and positions used.
QUALITAS TR reviews WPS, PQR/WPQR and welder certificates against the applicable standard, checks ranges of qualification and essential variables, verifies certificate validity and revalidation, and witnesses procedure and welder qualification tests on behalf of the buyer.
02Why buyers need it
Procedure and qualification gaps are among the most common findings at fabricators: a WPS used outside its qualified thickness range, welder certificates expired or not covering the position, impact testing missing for low temperature service. Each one can invalidate the welds.
Reviewing the welding documentation before production starts avoids the much higher cost of cutting out and rewelding.
03Typical applications
- Pre-production review for new fabricators
- Pressure equipment to ASME or EN codes
- Structural steel to EN 1090 or AWS D1.1
- Low temperature and impact tested applications
- Stainless, duplex and nickel alloy welding
- Railway vehicle welding
04Methodology
Joint list
Production joints listed with material, thickness, process and position.
WPS coverage
Each joint matched to a WPS; WPS variables checked against the PQR or WPQR.
Qualification range
Essential and supplementary essential variables and ranges verified.
Welder coverage
Welder certificates checked for range, validity and continuity records.
Witnessing
Qualification test welding and testing witnessed where required.
05Applicable standards and references
ISO 15614 parts cover welding procedure qualification by test for different materials and processes; ISO 9606 covers welder qualification; ASME Section IX covers both for ASME code work; AWS D1.1 contains its own qualification requirements for structural steel.
06Deliverables
- WPS and PQR review report
- Joint to WPS coverage matrix
- Welder qualification matrix
- Witnessing report for qualification tests
- List of gaps and required actions
07Customer benefits
- Every weld covered by valid qualification
- No surprises at final document review
- Lower risk of weld cut-outs
- Correct impact and hardness requirements
- Audit ready welding documentation
08How QUALITAS TR supports you
We review welding documentation in its original form, including Turkish language test reports, and report findings in English with references to the relevant clauses.