ASME Section IX focuses on the qualification of welders, as well as the procedures they use. The code’s Quality Assurance (QA) requirements are integrated into how an organization manages these documents to ensure compliance with the broader ASME piping code (B31 series). Under ASME IX, the manufacturer or contractor is responsible for the quality of the welding performed by their organization.
The core QA requirement of ASME IX is that the Manufacturer or Contractor maintains full responsibility for all qualifications.
- Operational Control: You cannot “buy” a Procedure Qualification Record (PQR) from another company. The organization must supervise and control the welding of the test coupons.
- Subcontracting: While certain services like non-destructive examination (NDE) or mechanical testing can be subcontracted to labs, the responsibility for the results and compliance remains with the manufacturer.
A robust QA program must track three (3) primary documents. These must be accurate, signed, and dated by a designated company representative:
| Document | Purpose | QA Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| WPS | Welding Procedure Specification | The “recipe” for welding. Must be available to the welder at the work station. |
| PQR | Procedure Qualification Record | The supporting data for the WPS. Must record actual values used during the test (amps, volts, travel speed). |
| WPQ | Welder Performance Qualification | Proof that the welder can produce a sound weld. Must be traceable to the specific welder. |
From a QA standpoint, one of the most critical maintenance requirements is the Welder Continuity Log.
- To keep a qualification “active,” a welder must use the specific process (e.g., GTAW, GMAW) at least once every six months.
- Audit Trail: A QA manual must define how the company tracks this activity. If a welder hasn’t used a process for over six months, their qualification expires, and they must be re-tested.
- Procurement: The QA system must ensure that the filler metals purchased match the specifications required by the WPS.
- Storage: Low-hydrogen electrodes must be stored in ovens (per Section II or the manufacturer’s specs) to prevent moisture pick-up, which is a common focus of ASME audits.
- Welder Identification: Each qualified welder must be assigned a unique identifying number, letter, or symbol.
- Traceability: Every code weld must be traceable back to the welder who performed it, typically by stamping the material or recording the ID on a weld map.
Many organizations now use software to manage ASME IX compliance. If digital signatures or electronic records are used, the QA manual must describe the security measures in place to prevent unauthorized changes to WPSs or WPQs.