This guidance covers weld inspection before, during and after welding, with typical defects, checking weld size and how nonconforming components are handled.

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Further Reading

Further guidance on weld inspection, release and nonconforming products:

• CE and UKCA Marking
• ISO 9001 Clause 8.6 - Release of Products and Services
• ISO 9001 Clause 8.7 - Control of Nonconforming Outputs
• ISO 9001 knowledge base

How to Download

These files are included in the alphaZ subscription.

Need Help Implementing?

If you'd like hands-on help setting up weld inspection records within your factory production control, our remote support services provide direct expert input from our team, by the day, by project, or on an ongoing basis.

Weld Inspection Guidance

A general guidance document on weld inspection for welders, weld inspectors and welding coordinators. It explains the checks made before welding starts, monitoring during welding, visual inspection of completed welds, typical defects, checking weld dimensions and how nonconforming components are handled.

Topics Covered

• Pre-start inspection and testing - checks on procedures, drawings, calibrated equipment, consumables, materials, fit-up, joint gaps and lighting before welding starts
• In-process inspection - monitoring welding current, voltage, travel speed and preheat and interpass temperatures against the welding procedure specification
• Stray arcs, spatter and temper colour - placing earth clamps carefully, grinding out and crack-testing arc marks, steady wire feed and watching temper colour
• Visual inspection of completed welds - preparing welds so imperfections are not hidden, and inspecting every weld against the acceptance criteria
• Weld defects - typical defects to note, from porosity, undercut and overlap to lack of fusion, penetration problems and cracking
• Checking weld dimensions - confirming leg length and throat thickness meet the drawing or procedure, and parts are fixed in the correct location
• Nonconforming components - recording problems, repairs approved by the responsible welding coordinator, and marking and quarantining nonconforming components

Who Is It For?

Welders, weld inspectors and responsible welding coordinators working to a welding quality management system and factory production control.

Supplied with the Training Talk

This guidance is supplied with the TT-4-01 Weld Inspection training talk, and both are included in the alphaZ subscription.

Using the Guidance

Brief it to welders and inspectors, and keep it as a reference with the inspection and test plan and welding procedure specifications. Record who has received it, for example on the training matrix.

Checks Before the First Weld

Much of the guidance deals with what is checked before welding starts, so that visual inspection can work. The list runs from welding procedure specifications, job cards and drawings to a calibrated welding machine, a suitable weld gauge, the correct grade of parent material, a planned weld sequence, controlled fit-up, acceptable joint gaps, adequate lighting and suitable weather.

Adapting the Guidance

Edit the guidance to match your own arrangements - the names of your inspection and test plan, job cards and inspection sheets, the standards you work to and who approves weld repairs.

Related Documents

Other documents that work alongside this guidance:

• OP-4-01 Factory Production Control BS EN 1090
• F-Q44 Welding Record
• F-Q46 Welder Qualification
• F-Q48 Fabrication Job Card
• GG-4-02 BS EN 1090 Compliance and FPC