The welding processes and the creation of permanent joints are managed through specific procedures (WPS/BPS) by the organization, typically the manufacturer, who will be responsible for them. The WPS, which has been qualified by this organization in accordance with the standard of construction of pressure equipment, requires the qualification of welding processes and permanent joints.
The PED Directive and the SPVD Directive require these procedures to be approved by a Notified Body (NoBo) or a Member State-Recognised Third Party (RTPO). The certification process in the regulated field (PED Directive) follows the requirements indicated by the ISO 17020 accreditation standard according to which C&P is accredited.
C&P is a Notified Body authorized in accordance with Annex I art. 3.1.2 of the PED Directive for the qualification of procedures for the execution of permanent joints.
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In the various industrial sectors where welds are used as permanent joints on metal materials, it is required that the welding process used be qualified and certified by an authorized body (NoBo or RTPO) in accordance with specific technical standards. C&P S.r.l. is able to provide support for qualification and certification service in accordance with the major recognized welding standards, among which the most widespread are UNI EN ISO series 15614, UNI EN ISO 15613, ASME IX, AWS D1.1
In Europe, the certification service for welding procedures must be issued by a Notified Body in the European Community and operate in accordance with the ISO 17020 accreditation standard. CP S.r.l., through its specialized and qualified technicians in accordance with specific requirements, can provide you with a qualification and certification service that is not limited to meeting the requirements, but is also support in the application and interpretation of the technical standards of the sector.
A WPAR/PQR is the qualification of the welding procedure written and prepared to provide guidance to the welder to carry out production welds according to the requirements of the applicable standard. The completed WPAR/PQR shall indicate all essential and non-essential variables and, when required, the additional essential variables required for each welding process used in the WPS. These variables are indicated in specific qualification standards such as ASME IX, ISO 15614 series of standards, AWS etc.
How to get certified...
In order to access the certification service, the manufacturer must:
- Define the welding procedures and welding beads necessary to cover the required qualification field. C&P S.r.l. staff is able to provide support for the definition of qualification fields;
- Request an offer from C&P. for the certification service, or request the service in accordance with the schedule of rate through forms to be requested from the administrative staff of C&P;
- Submit the application for certification;
- Agree with the assigned C&P technician on the welding dates and the documents to be prepared.
The qualification process takes place through the following steps:
- Preparation of the Welding Preliminary Specification (WPS);
- Preparation of the welding bead;
- Verification by the C&P technician of the welding preparation;
- Verification by the C&P technician of the base materials used to prepare the weld coupon and of the filler materials to be used during welding (when required by the process);
- Welding of test coupon the witnessed by C&P. technician, during the welding the manufacturer with the support of the C&P technician will record all the main parameters used in the execution of the sample weld on a specific form. All measuring instruments used must have been calibrated in accordance with recognized national and/or international standards. C&P is able to provide the necessary tools on request;
- Visual inspection of the welded bead by the C&P technician and preparation with the manufacturer of the sampling list where to indicate all the necessary tests to be carried out in accordance with the standard applicable to the qualification.
- Execution of the tests by a specialized laboratory approved by C&P. C&P is able to provide the service of tests and examinations through partners accredited ISO 17025 laboratories;
- Upon successful completion of the required tests and examinations, C&P will issue the certification in accordance with the applicable standard in compliance with ISO 17020 accreditation;