CSA Standard W178.1-02 Certification of Welding Inspection Organizations

Scope and Application: The standard covers requirements for establishing and maintaining welding inspection organizations. The standard includes requirements for all welding inspection and testing done by a certified welding inspection organization. It also specifies minimum requirements for the certification of organizations engaged in welding inspection.

The standard includes specific clauses to integrate the requirements of certification with those of the Canadian General Standard Board with respect to personnel performing radiographic, ultrasonic, magnetic particle, liquid penetrant and eddy current examination. It also includes requirements for maintenance and calibration of inspection equipment, and management of inspection records.

The standard is administered by the Canadian Welding Bureau (Bureau). Certification shall be issued to the chief executive officer (CEO) and to eligible personnel of the certified organization.

Requirements for obtaining certification are outlined in the standard and summarized as follows:

• the named, qualifications and designated responsibilities of all the personnel to be involved;

• the certification plan detailing the product category and weld inspection methods; • copies of weld inspection procedures for approval; • description of the type, capacities and locations of the welding inspection

equipment; • a description of the organization’s training program where applicable; • a description of the system providing control of the inspection records.

Requirements for maintaining certification is detailed in the standard. Certified organizations shall:

• use only personnel qualified welding inspections, The Bureau shall be notified if any changes occur;

• perform inspection in the product categories use only the inspection methods that is certified for;

• use only inspection procedures approved • report to the Bureau changes in the equipment or facilities.

The organizations are subject to annual audit by the Bureau. Corrective actions may be requested as a result of the audit, followed by a re-audit. The Bureau may de-certify an organization if it does not adhere to the requirements.

Welding Inspection Personnel Required - Each welding inspection centre is required under the standard to have the following welding inspection personnel:

• a qualified welding inspection supervisor employed at the centre; • qualified welding inspectors, where applicable; • qualified equipment operators for the facilities and equipment provided, where

applicable.

The welding inspection supervisor shall have the technical control over the organization’s welding inspection work. The supervisor must be a Level 3 welding inspector, with certification to include at least one code or standard from the categories over which the supervisor has control, as detailed in the CSA standard W178.2. The supervisor shall demonstrate knowledge of the standard by written examination and performance.

Duties of the welding inspector supervisor include: • supervision of Level 2 and 1 welding inspectors • report writing of inspections • possess knowledge of the inspection procedures of the organization. (Over)

(cont’d) Welding inspectors shall be certified as per CSA Standard W178.2 with endorsement of the codes and standards under which they are to conduct inspections for the product category identified. Refer to the CSA W 178.2 for details on different levels of certifications (standards information sheet available).

Equipment operators for non-destructive testing shall be certified in accordance with the CGSB Standard CAN/CGSB-48.9712.

Mechanical and mettallographic testing operators shall satisfy the Bureau that they are suitably qualified.

Product categories shall be as follows: (a) buildings, bridges, industrial structures, machinery, cranes, and rails and road

vehicles; (b) ships and floating marine structures ; (c) mobile drilling units and steel fixed offshore structures; (d) industrial pipes; (e) pipelines (f) pressure vessels, boilers, and heat exchangers; and (g) storage tanks.

Weld inspection methods are classified under the standard in:

(a) Non-destructive methods of testings: a. Visual examination b. Radiographic examination c. Ultrasonic examination d. Magnetic particle testing e. Liquid penetrant testing; f. Eddy current testing; and g. Alternating current field measurements (ACFM).

(b) Other methods of testing: a. Mechanical testing; b. Chemical testing; and c. Positive material identification

Weld inspections procedures shall be in writing along with the work instructions and checklists. The standard recommends basic operations to be included in the welding inspections and these are, as applicable:

(a) Checking the contractor qualifications and their personnel; (b) Identification and inspection of base materials, welding procedures, and filler metals

to be used; (c) Inspection of fill-up period of welding; (d) In progress monitoring and inspection; (e) Visual examination of completed weld products according to specific criteria; (f) Nondestructive testing. (g) Physical identification and description of nonconformance; (h) Mechanical testing and metallographic examination; (i) Verifications; (j) Inspection reports.

Equipment maintenance and calibrations - this section of the standard refers to the labeling of equipment, the necessity to have it calibrated by acceptable government or industrial agencies, and used and maintained as per manufacturer recommendations.

Records required under the standard are: personnel training and qualifications, equipment calibration procedures and history; inspections and test procedures, inspection and test results.

The inspection and test results records shall be current, accurate, and traceable to the item, process or stage of production; equipment use; identify the inspector and his/her qualifications. They shall be retained for further reference and audit.

This bulletin contains a summary of excerpts taken from the Standard, for general information purposes only. This bulletin is not reflective of the complete

requirements that the Standard prescribes.

Note: Manitoba Regulation M.R. 217/2006 Section 1.4 inconsistency: If there is an inconsistency between this regulation and a requirement contained in a publication, code or standard referenced in this regulation, the provisions in this regulation prevail.