COURSE OVERVIEW

This practical and highly-interactive course includes various practical sessions and exercises. Theory learnt will be applied using our state-of-the-art simulators.
The course is designed to provide participants with a comprehensive overview of ASME Section IX: Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS), Procedure Qualification Records (PQR) & Welder Performance Qualification (WPQ). It covers the ASME boiler and pressure vessel code, scope and application of Section IX, overall welding technology and key definitions and terminologies; the code organization and interpretation, code organization techniques, work responsibilities, responsibilities of fabricators and inspectors, welding process and welding processes in Section IX; and the procedure qualification record (PQR) requirements, essential variables for PQR, supplementary essential variables (toughness) and nonessential variables and their flexibility.
Further, the course will also discuss the test coupons and test positions covering dimensions and preparation, grove, fillet, and overlay coupons, welding positions and role of ASME Section IX figures; the testing methods and acceptance criteria, writing and reviewing a welding procedure specification (WPS) and essential variables for WPS (by process); the range of qualification covering thickness ranges for base and weld metal, diameter limits for pipes, multiple processes and joint types and qualification for production use; supporting multiple WPS with one PQR; the variables for prequalified WPS (code cases) and welder/welding operator qualification; and the essential variables for welder qualification.
During this interactive course, participants will learn the WPQ test methods and acceptance criteria covering visual inspection, bend test, radiographic and ultrasonic examination and fillet weld break, macro-etch, discontinuity limits and defect rejection; the WPQ recordkeeping and certification, multiple process qualifications and performance qualification exercises; the brazing and other special processes, qualification of non-destructive examination personnel and nonconformities and common errors in Section IX and welding inspection technology; the auditing and compliance verification covering internal and external audit expectations, checklist for code compliance, handling NCRS and observations and roles of QA/QC during ASME audits; and the Section I pressure part qualification, Section VIII vessel manufacturing considerations, Section B31.3 piping system welding and harmonization and cross-reference of variables.