The traditional NZ method for ensuring welding is up to standard on critical structures such as heavy transport equipment, buildings and bridges is to employ a qualified welder.

The most widely-used welder qualification standard for these types of structural work is NZS 4711. NZS 4711 was developed at a time when many fabricators did not qualify welding procedures to any standard or code; the welder often decided on how the weld was made. While much of the material welded was mild steel, this approach has worked quite well. However, relying on the welder to decide how a weld is to be made is now out of step with current international quality assurance practice.

In recent years, there has been significant changes in the types of material welded, and designers have much higher expectations of welds in terms of toughness and fatigue performance for more critical work where the welded joints are subject to forces such as those caused by an earthquake. Quality assurance systems for welding have undergone a considerable amount of development to meet these expectations. Current QA standards such as AS/NZS ISO 3834: Quality Requirements for Fusion Welding of Metallic Materials now set out the responsibilities for all parties involved (e.g. owner, designer, fabricator, welding supervisor, and welding inspector) as well as the welder.

Welder qualification remains a very important factor in the welding QA system, but the roles of the other parties is much more clearly defined. Many of the structures involving qualified welders now come under NZS 3404.1:2009 Steel Structures Standard. This standard covers the design, fabrication, erection and modification of steelwork in structures. Typical applications include buildings, cranes, road, rail and pedestrian bridges with joints subject to seismic and fatigue loads. NZS 3404.1 requires welding to the relevant Part of AS/NZS 1554 Structural Steel Welding and this in turn sets out requirements for not only welder qualifications but also another key role - welding supervision.

NZS 3404.1 is an example of how current QA systems now allocate the responsibilities for weld quality beyond the person doing the practical welding.

The parties involved include:
• The design engineer who is responsible for specifying the size and type of weld, weld inspection, and the approval of the fabricator’s welding procedures prior to the start of welding.
• The fabricator is responsible for the qualification of welding procedures to AS/NZS 1554, providing welding supervision, and the qualification of the welders.
• The inspector whose job it is to check that the welding procedures are followed, perform required inspections, and document all inspection activities.

A key role in the system is that of the welding supervisor - a role that requires a high level of technical competence. Not only do welding supervisors need the ability to instruct welders on the actual practical welding, they also need a thorough grasp of the procedural aspects including the establishment of qualified welding procedure specifications (WPS) in accordance with the application standard.

Where an organization does not have the resources to train staff in all the required aspects of welding quality control as required by the widely used welding standards such as AS/NZS 1554, one of the two courses offered by the NZ Welding Centre is the answer. The HERA Welding Specialist Course has been developed over many years to provide qualifications for people working (or wishing to work) in a supervisory role in our fabrication/welding industries. The course content provides the knowledge necessary to economically and efficiently meet customer requirements and welding quality control standards.

As well as leading to the International Welding Specialist (IWS) qualification, the option of the AS 2214 Welding Supervisor qualification is available. The course duration is 5 weeks with the first one week block held 26th - 30th April 2010. For those whose welding supervision activities are predominantly in structural steel, the more readily achievable qualification is AS 2214-2004: Certification of welding supervisors - Structural steel welding. The course duration is 1 Week and will be held at HERA from 12th - 16th April 2010.

Now is the time to plan your attendance! Full information is available on this website, or contact the Welding Centre on 09 262 4849, email welding @hera.org.nz