Preface
This is the eighth edition of CSA W47.1, Certification of companies for fusion welding of steel. It supersedes the previous editions published in 2019, 2009, 2003, 1992, 1983, 1973, 1947 (as W47), and 1938 (as a preliminary standard). Technological advancements have made it necessary to provide an updated version.
This Standard deals with the certification of companies for fusion welding of steel. It is not a product standard and cannot be used to evaluate or approve products. Furthermore, it is not intended to supersede codes and standards that govern specific products, e.g., CSA B51, the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, or the standards of the American Petroleum Institute.
This Standard stipulates minimum requirements that a company must meet and adhere to in order to obtain and maintain certification. Certification is granted by the Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB), the administrative body for this Standard, to companies that comply with the requirements of this Standard. Certification of a company indicates that, consistent with the requirements of the division in which the company is certified, it has the organization, personnel, welding procedures, and equipment required to produce satisfactory welds and weldments.
Production of satisfactory welds and weldments is the responsibility of the certified company. It is the responsibility of the purchaser to ensure, through adequate inspection, that the required quality is attained. Although the CWB makes periodic inspections of certified companies to ensure that they continue to comply with the requirements of this Standard, these inspections do not eliminate the need for a certified company’s quality control methods or a purchaser’s comprehensive inspection program.
This Standard was prepared by the Technical Committee on Certification of Companies for Welding of Steel and Aluminum (with the exception of Annex M, prepared by the Subcommittee on Marine Annex), under the jurisdiction of the Strategic Steering Committee on Construction and Infrastructure, and has been formally approved by the Technical Committee.
Scope
1.1 Certification and qualification requirements for fusion welding of steel
This Standard provides the requirements for the certification of companies engaged in the fusion welding of steel and the qualification of their personnel and welding procedures.
Note: This Standard is not intended for applications governed by codes such as the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code and codes of the American Petroleum Institute.
1.2 Responsibility for welded product quality
The requirements of this Standard are based on the principle that a certified company has full responsibility for the quality of the welded product it produces and this responsibility cannot be transferred to its employed or retained personnel, or to the administrator of this Standard.
1.3 Company certification for welding capability
This Standard governs the certification of companies. Certification pertains to the capability of the company with respect to welding. Certification should not be construed as approving any products or services of the certified company.
1.4 Requirements for welding personnel and documentation
This Standard stipulates requirements for
a) welding engineers;
b) welding supervisors;
c) tack welders, welders, and welding operators; and
d) documentation.
1.5 Qualification requirements for tack welders, welders, and welding operators
The qualification requirements for tack welders, welders, and welding operators specified in this Standard are intended to demonstrate an individual’s basic welding skills and to provide a means of verifying that individual’s continuing ability in the fusion welding of steel.
1.6 Recognition of personnel qualified under other jurisdictions
Provisions for recognition of personnel qualified under other jurisdictions are included in this Standard.
1.7 Qualification of welding procedures and personnel for stainless steel
For welding of stainless steel, Annex K of this Standard specifies provisions for the qualification of welding procedures and personnel.
1.8 Exclusion of welding safety issues
This Standard does not address the safety issues associated with welding and welding practices.
Note: CSA W117.2 addresses safety in welding and should be followed, in addition to any applicable workplace health and safety legislation in effect. It is the responsibility of the user of this Standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.9 Terminology
In this Standard, shall is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the Standard; should is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and may is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the Standard.
Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material.
Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements.
Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (non-mandatory) to define their application.
1.10 Units of measurement
The values given in SI units are the units of record for the purposes of this Standard. The values given in parentheses are for information and comparison only.
