Welder Certification

Welder / Welder Certification BNSP, KEMNAKER, MIGAS

Welder Certification Services – The aim of welder certification in the manufacture of a product/fabrication that contains welded joints, is one of the most important parts that determines whether the quality of the product meets the desired product specifications.

In international terms contained in the ASME code Sec. IX, AWS D.1.1, welder certification is known as Welder Performance Qualification (WPQ) or in API Standard 1104 it is called Qualification of Welders. Both WPQ and qualification of welders can be interpreted as a test process to show whether a welder has sufficient knowledge and ability to make welded joints that pass tests based on code / standard requirements.

Types of Tests in Welder Certification:
For example, in ASME Sec. IX, a welder is said to be qualified if he passes the visual inspection test and mechanical test or alternative volumetric NDE.

• Visual Inspection (QW-194)
  Performance test coupons must show no cracks and complete joint penetration with complete fusion of the weld metal and base metal (inside and outside).
• QW-302.1 Mechanical Test and table 452.1(a)
  If the thickness of the base metal is equal to or greater than 10 mm, the mechanical test is in the form of side bending of 2 specimens (see QW-302.3)
  If base metal thickness is less than 10mm:
  Root bend : 1 specimen (H <10mm)
  Face bend: 1 specimen (H < 10mm)
• Volumetric NDE (QW-190)
  Radiographic Test (RT), with RT acceptance criteria, see QW-191.1.2
  Ultrasonic Test (UT), with UT acceptance criteria, see QW-191.2.3

Welder Qualification Regulations in Indonesia

For welding work in oil and gas business activities, until now Government Regulation Number 11 of 1979 in accordance with Article 32 paragraph (1), states that “Welding work may only be carried out by welders appointed by the Head of Engineering and authorized by the Head of Inspection” The Head of Inspection in this case is the Director of Oil and Gas Engineering and Environment.

Welder qualifications in the workplace are regulated more specifically in Minister of Manpower and Transmigration Regulation No: PER.02/MEN/1982. A welder is considered expert/skilled if he has taken a welding test with satisfactory results and is proven by having a welder’s certificate. If the welder continuously does not carry out welding work in accordance with what is stated in the certificate for 6 months, then the skilled predicate is no longer valid.

Referring to article 6, welders are classified into: Class I (one), Class II (two), and Class III (three) with the following conditions:

• Class 1 (one) may carry out welding work carried out by class II (two) welders. and class III (three).
• Class II (two) may carry out welding work carried out by class III (three) welders but is prohibited from welding the type of work that may be carried out by class I (one).
• Class III (three) is prohibited from carrying out welding work that may be carried out by class II (two) or class I (one) welders.

The practical exam for each class of welder is explained further in article 10, with the following provisions:

• Class I (one) must pass welding experiments, 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, and 6G.
• Class II (two) must pass 1G, 2G, 3G and 4G welding experiments.
• Class III (three) must pass 1G and 2G welding experiments.

The classification of welding positions in butt joints / groove joints can be seen in the following figure.