WELDING POSITIONS

The easiest position for welding is the flat or downhand position. Any deviation from this
position, other than small deviations in slope makes successful welding much more difficult.
This is because gravity does not help in positioning of the weld metal.
Positional welding (other than flat) often relies on arc force and surface tension effect;
therefore the welding position may affect the mechanical properties of the weld and the
likelihood of defects.
For simplicity the various welding positions are coded as shown below.

BS 499 Welding Positions.

PE PD

PF

PC

PG

PA PB

PA Flat.
PB Horizontal vertical.
PC Horizontal.
PD Horizontal overhead.
PE Overhead.
PF Vertical up.
PG Vertical down.
ASME Welding Positions.
rotate rotate

45°

45° 45°

1F 1F 1F

rotate

2F 2F 2FR

3F 4F 4F

4F 5F 5F
FILLET WELDS
rotate

1G 1G

2G 2G

3G 4G

45°

5G 6G
BUTT WELDS