I'm in the process of bidding 2 structural steel up fit jobs. The structural prints details call for AWS D1.1 certification, one to be supplied to the Architect. They offer no WPS requirements or test shop. I have a shoe box full of certs, mostly 6-G, but all were specific WPS for said jobs and employers. What do I need to satisfy said requirements? Do I have to set up and pay for an independent test with a CWI to qualify? Who provides the WPS?
AWS D1.1 Certifications ???
wagin
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I'm in the process of bidding 2 structural steel up fit jobs. The structural prints details call for AWS D1.1 certification, one to be supplied to the Architect. They offer no WPS requirements or test shop. I have a shoe box full of certs, mostly 6-G, but all were specific WPS for said jobs and employers. What do I need to satisfy said requirements? Do I have to set up and pay for an independent test with a CWI to qualify? Who provides the WPS?
Hello wagin, most CWI's should be able to accommodate you with getting tested for this. Likely it will be what is referred to as an Unlimited thickness 3G 4G (vertical, overhead) test. This is done on 1" thick plate with a backing and the WPS is for a pre-qualified joint configuration so it should be readily available as well. Are you going to be using SMAW, FCAW-S, FCAW-G. The test will be specific for SMAW and if you are using either FCAW-S or FCAW-G you can test for either and be qualified for both. The only caveats to the FCAW testing will be if you are required to qualify for seismic applications. Moment connections done with FCAW-S generally also require testing with the same filler metal type and brand that welding will be done with and sometimes a "special" test regimen is required as well. If you are self-employed, the jurisdiction that you will be performing the work in will likely let you know if they require a local testing agency or CWI to satisfy their requirements, otherwise a current AWS D1.1 card with the correct process listed on it should be enough. Best regards, Allan
I would check your certs and see if you have any that qualify for the joints detailed on the prints. Just make sure they are current via continuity log. Then go to AWS publications and see if there is a standard WPS offered for that process and metal thicknesses. If so, they cost less than 200 dollars and buy it or them. The print may also list the process. Your 6g certs may qualify all the positions required for the job. A CWI could confirm that for you if you don't have a copy of D1.1.
Depending on the certs you carry, you could do smaw, gmaw, gtaw, fcaw, whatever Preapproved SWPS they have available. You will have to provide it if the customer chooses not to. CWI will want to see it before the job is bought off.
The job may require constant inspection by a CWI, but that should be listed as level of inspection on the print or bid request.
It would help if you yourself obtain a copy of AWS D1.1 and study it. Many obsolete copies are form sale on Amazon for cheap, or you could buy the current copy from AWS that costs just under $500.
Good luck.
Depending on the certs you carry, you could do smaw, gmaw, gtaw, fcaw, whatever Preapproved SWPS they have available. You will have to provide it if the customer chooses not to. CWI will want to see it before the job is bought off.
The job may require constant inspection by a CWI, but that should be listed as level of inspection on the print or bid request.
It would help if you yourself obtain a copy of AWS D1.1 and study it. Many obsolete copies are form sale on Amazon for cheap, or you could buy the current copy from AWS that costs just under $500.
Good luck.
Thanks guys for the great info.. Nothing like an experienced pro to seek knowledge from.
I have, pieces, of a 2005 AWS d1.1. could not find a definitive answer to customer owned certs vs. private certs.
Basically, if CWI or ARCh wants to see required cert,,,can I show a cert I achieved for another company,customer?
If not, I think I should be including the cert costs in estimates, quotes...??
I have, pieces, of a 2005 AWS d1.1. could not find a definitive answer to customer owned certs vs. private certs.
Basically, if CWI or ARCh wants to see required cert,,,can I show a cert I achieved for another company,customer?
If not, I think I should be including the cert costs in estimates, quotes...??
The operator certs that you have cards for are yours that you own and allow you to weld the job per the customer's WPS or a SWPS that you can purchase. Both of those combined will be approved by the customer or their engineering. You should obtain an approval in advance with the documents listed on the approval.
Yes I would quote extra for whatever document costs are to do the job. If you purchase the SWPS from the AWS bookstore, you could elect to keep it or forward it to the customer who may round file it. I keep everything.
The first thing however is you need to look over the job requirements, see if you have the operator certs to cover it, then see the material types, thicknesses, and filler requirements to see if AWS bookstore offers one a Standard Weld Procedure Specification(SWPS). If not you have to write a preliminary WPS for test, and do the metalurgical, destructive, nondestructive, and document process to produce a Weld Procedure Specification (WPS) on your own. In addition you will have to purchase the latest copy of D1.1 to follow the procedure requirements and write a procedure qualification report and then the Production WPS. I charge some $2000 and it is a major PIA to do, so I avoid if I can. I am just a dumb weldor. This being steel I think you are golden.
I’d write an RFI to the engineer / architect on record, along with a copy of your latest 6-G cert, and ask if he / she will accept it.
I wouldn’t be surprised if they do. But I’ve done a lot of welding on construction sites for the Navy, and they could care less where you’ve been and what type of certs you have. You are going to take their test, and they will watch you do it.
Here is an AWS D1.1 test. I’ve taken hundreds of them. No big deal really, especially for someone who can pass 6-G.
I wouldn’t be surprised if they do. But I’ve done a lot of welding on construction sites for the Navy, and they could care less where you’ve been and what type of certs you have. You are going to take their test, and they will watch you do it.
Here is an AWS D1.1 test. I’ve taken hundreds of them. No big deal really, especially for someone who can pass 6-G.
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