These documents can also provide a useful source of data for applications where

codes do not exist. It should be remembered, however, that the principal criteri
on in the codes listed is the quality of the joint in relation to the service co
nditions. There are other applications where success is judged by different crit
eria, such as dimensional accuracy.
Another important consideration is controlling the cost of welding. Variations i
n weld times and quantities of consumables can readily result if the method of m
aking a weld is left to the welder to decide.
The continuous and satisfactory performance of weldments made to various codes r
equires that specific guidelines are laid down to cover all variables. These gui
delines are usually grouped under the general heading of a Weld Procedure.

CODE OF PRACTICE
A code of practice is a set of rules for manufacturing a specific product. It sh
ould contain:
Design Requirements
e.g. fit-up, preparation and typ
e of joints
Materials
e.g. types, thickness ranges
Manufacturer s Working Practice
Inspection Criteria
e.g. 100% visual, percentage oth
er NDT
Acceptance Criteria
e.g. defect size, limits, etc.
Welding Process
e.g. type, consumables
Types Of Tooling
e.g. use of strongbacks
Contractual Information
The difference between a code and a standard is that a code states how to do a s
pecific job and does not contain all relevant information, but refers to other s
tandards for details.
A code or standard generally mentions three parties - the customer or client, th
e manufacturer or producer and the inspection authority. In a code the term shall
means mandatory - must be done, and the term should means recommended - not compul
sory.
A concession is an agreement between the contracting parties to deviate from the
original code requirements. (BS 5135)

THE WELDING PROCEDURE

A welding procedure is a way of controlling the welding operation.
Purpose
1)
2)
3)

of procedure:
To prove a joint can meet design procedure - consistency
Instruction for welder
Ensure repeatability

Weld procedures are approved to ensure they are functional and fulfil the physic
al and mechanical properties necessary to reach the required standard (to establ
ish the essential variables for contractual obligations).
Welders are approved to ensure a particular welder is capable of welding to a p
rocedure and obtaining a result that meets specification.
The task of collecting the data and drafting the documentation is often referred
to as writing a weld procedure. In many ways this is an unfortunate term as the w
riting of documents is the last in a sequence of tasks.
Producing a weld procedure involves;
Planning the tasks
Collecting the data
Writing a procedure for use or for trial
Making test welds
Evaluating the results of the tests
Approving the procedure of the relevant code
Preparing the documentation
In each code reference is made to how the procedures are to be devised and wheth
er approval of these procedures is required. In most codes approval is mandatory
and tests to confirm the skill of the welder are specified. Details are also gi
ven of acceptance criteria for the finished joint.
The approach used depends on the code, for example:
BS 2633 (Class 1 arc welding of ferritic steel pipe work for carrying fluids) pr
ovides general comments on various aspects of a suitable weld procedure.
AWS D.1.1 (Structural welding code - steel) favours more specific instructions f
or different joints and processes that are, in effect, pre-qualified procedures.
Other codes do not deal specifically with the details of the weld procedure but
refer to published documentation, e.g. BS 5135 process of arc welding carbon and
carbon manganese steels .