Welder qualification

Welder testing

DWK is an examination body approved by DNV and is authorised to carry out welder certification according to the following standards:

EN ISO 9606 series
EN ISO 14732
ASME BPVC Section IX
AWS D.1 series

To show that a welder is able to weld according to a specific procedure, a WPQR (Welder Performance Qualification Record) or WOPQR (Welding Operator Performance Qualification Record) is drawn up.

Approved welders and welding procedures are important for delivering a high-quality product. They are even required in several sectors, for example:

Welded structures and structural steelwork
Shipbuilding
Manufacturing of lifting and hoisting equipment
Manufacturers of pressure vessels and boilers
Manufacturing of storage tanks
Pipelines, pipes and fittings
Equipment for transporting dangerous goods

Testing the welder

During the test, the welder welds a test piece according to the required standard criteria, in the presence of a DWK inspector. After welding and recording the parameters, the DWK inspector carries out a visual inspection to check whether the test piece meets the necessary criteria. After a positive visual inspection, further non-destructive and/or destructive tests are carried out in the laboratory, as described in the standard that applies.

When all laboratory tests give a positive result, the welder receives a certificate.

Before the test can start, the customer supplies the test pieces to be welded and gives the DWK inspector all documents related to the qualifications of the welder being tested. The customer also provides a safe welding area with enough light to carry out the test properly.

Complaints procedure

You can send any complaints to: [email protected]

Standards

The tests are carried out on the basis of the standards that apply in the sector.
The most common standards are:

EN ISO 9606 (welder qualification)
Qualification of welders, divided into steel; aluminium; copper and copper alloys; nickel and nickel alloys; titanium, zirconium and their alloys)
EN ISO 14732 (operator qualification)
Qualification of welding operators and weld setters.
ASME BPVC Section IX
The ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) is a set of rules and guidelines developed by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) to guarantee the safe design, construction and operation of boilers and pressure vessels. Of the different sections of the BPVC, Section IX plays a critical role in defining the standards for welding qualifications.
AWS D.1 series
AWS D1.1 is an essential standard for welding steel structures, written by the American Welding Society. This standard sets strict requirements for the design, fabrication and quality control of welding work. It is a widely used standard that guarantees that welded steel structures are safe and reliable.