a a AWS F4.1:2007 An American National Standard Safe Practices for the Preparation of Containers and Piping for Welding and Cutting Gp eam Society @‘AWS F4.1:2007 ‘An American National Standard ‘Approved by the American National Standards Institute August 24, 2007 Safe Practices for the Preparation of Containers and Piping for Welding and Cutting Sth Edition Supersedes AWS F4.1:1999 Prepared by the American Welding Society (AWS) Committee on Labeling and Safe Practices Under the Direction of the AWS Commiitice on Safety and Health Approved by the AWS Board of Directors Abstract ‘This standard informs the reader of the necessary safe practices to be followed in the cleaning and preparation of containers and piping for welding or cutting. It describes various methods for cleaning, including water, steam, hot chemical, and mechanical, and techniques to be used for their proper preparation, such as inerting merican Welding Society 126 7 LeJeune Road, Miami,AWS F4.1:2007 International Standard Book Number: 978-0-87171-078.9 American Welding Society 550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL. 33126 © 2007 by American Welding Society ‘All ights reserved Printed in the United States of America Photocopy Rights. No portion of this standard may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, including mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner. Authorization to photocopy items for intemal, personal, or educational classroom use only or the internal, personal, or educational classroom use only of specific clients is granted by the American Welding Society provided that the appropriate {ee is paid to the Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, tel: (978) 750-8400; Internet: -.AWS F4.1:2007 Statement on the Use of American Welding Society Standards All standards (codes, specifications, recommended practices, methods, classifications, and guides) of the American Welding Society (AWS) are voluntary consensus standards that have been developed in accordance with the rules ofthe ‘American National Standards Institute (ANSI). When AWS American National Standards are either incorporated in, or ‘made part of, documents that are included in federal or state laws and regulations, or the regulations of other govern- ‘mental bodies, their provisions carry the full legal authority of the statue. In such eases, any changes in those AWS standards must be approved by the governmental body having statutory jurisdiction before they can become a part of those laws and regulations. In all cases, these standards carry the full legal authority of the contract or other document that invokes the AWS standards, Where this contractual relationship exists, changes in or deviations from requirements of an AWS standard must be by agreement between the contracting partis. AWS American National Standards are developed through a consensus standards development process that brings together volunteers representing varied viewpoints and interests to achieve consensus. While AWS administers the process and establishes rules to promote faimess in the development of consensus, it does not independently test, evaluate, or verify the accuracy of any information or the soundness of any judgments contained in its standards. AWS disclaims liability for any injury 10 persons or to property, or other damages of any nature whatsoever, whether special, indirect, consequential or compensatory, directly or indirectly resulting from the publication, use of, or reliance fon this standard. AWS also makes no guaranty or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any information published herein, In issuing and making this standard available, AWS is neither undertaking to render professional or other services for or ‘on behalf of any person or entity, nor is AWS undertaking to perform any duty owed by any person or entity to someone clse, Anyone using these documents should rely on his or her own independent judgment or, as appropriate, seek the advice of a competent professional in determining the exercise of reasonable care in any given circumstances, ‘This standard may be superseded by the issuance of new editions. Users should ensure that they have the latest edition, Publication of this standard does not authorize infringement of any patent or trade name. Users of this standard accept any and all abilities for infringement of any patent of rade name items. AWS disclaims liability forthe infringement of any patent or product trade name resulting from the use of this standard, Finally, AWS does not monitor, police, or enforce compliance with this standard, nor does it have the power todo so. On occasion, text, tables, or figures are printed incorrectly, constituting errata, Such errata, when discovered, are posted fon the AWS web page (www.aws.org).. Official interpretations of any of the technical requirements of this standard may only be obtained by sending a request, in writing, o the appropriate technical committee. Such requests should be addressed to the American Welding Society, Attention: Managing Director, Technical Services Division, $50 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126 (see Annex B). With regard to technical inquiries made concerning AWS standards, oral opinions on AWS standards may be rendered. ‘These opinions are offered solely as a convenience to users of this standard, and they do not constitute professional advice. Such opinions represent only the personal opinions of the particular individuals giving them. These individuals do not speak on behalf of AWS, nor do these oral opinions constitute official or unofficial opinions or interpretations of AWS. In addition, oral opinions are informal and should not be used as a substitute for an official interpretation. ‘This standard is subject to revision at any time by the AWS Safety and Health Committee. It must be reviewed every five years, and if not revised, it must be either reaffirmed or withdrawn. Comments (recommendations, additions, or deletions) land any pertinent data that may be of use in improving this standard are required and should be addressed to AWS Headquarters. Such comments will receive careful consideration by the AWS Safety and Health Committee and the author of the comments will be informed of the Committee’s response to the comments. Guests are invited to attend all meetings of the AWS Safety and Health Committee to express their comments verbally. Procedures for appeal of aan adverse decision concerning all such comments are provided in the Rules of Operation of the Technical Activities Commitee. A copy of these Rules can be obtained from the American Welding Society, 550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126.AWS F4.1:2007 ‘This page is intentionally blank.AWS F4.1:2007 Personnel AWS Safety and Health Committee D.E. Clark, Chair J.M. Antonini, Ist Vice Chair J.D. Jennings, 2nd Vice Chair 8. P. Hedrick, Secretary M.S. Anderson K. Bancroft S.E, Ferree D.A. Fink S.R. Fiore K.A.Lyttle A. F. Manz A.A. Odermatt Ldaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory ‘National tnstinte for Occupational Safety and Health Miller Electric Manufacturing Company American Welding Society Consultant US. Geological Survey ESAB Welding & Cutting Products The Lincoln Electrie Company Edison Welding Insitute Praxcir, Incorporated ALF. Manz Associaes Hobart Brothers Advisors to the Safety and Health Committee K.L. Brown J.F. Hinrichs. R. J. Simonton D.H. Sliney RJ. Tucker ME. Wallace The Lincoln Electric Company Friction Stir Lin, Incomporated US, Departmen of Energy US. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine Consultant US. Public Health Service AWS Subcommittee on Labeling and Safe Practices A.F. Manz, Chair S.P. Hedrick, Secretary M. Amata JW. Dimler SLE. Ferree D.A. Fink C. Frey JL. Hege J.D-Jennings M.P. Snyder D. Werba W.G. Wuest D.G. Anderson G.C. Bames. K.L. Brown D. Diaz C.W. Philp A.B, Spencer J. Steinmetz ALF. Manz Associates American Welding Society Consultant JWD Associates ESAB Welding & Cutting Products The Lincoln Electric Company 3M Company ESAB Welding & Cutting Products Miller Electric Manufacturing Company US. Department of Labor Miller Electric Manufacturing Company Sulzet Metco (US), Incorporated 1's to the AWS Subcommittee on Labeling and Safe Practices, Retired Consultant The Lincoln Electric Company ‘ETMS Consultant National Fire Protection Association Marine Technology ServicesAWS Fa.1:2007 ‘This page is intentionally blank.AWS F4.1:2007 Foreword ‘This foreword is not part of AWS F4.1:2007, Safe Practices for the Preparation of Containers and Piping for Welding and Cutting, but is included for informational purposes only. {In 1940, the AWS Committee on Safety Recommendations published Recommended Procedure to Be Followed in Pre- paring for Welding or Cutting Certain Types of Containers which have Held Combustibles. The title of the document changed several times on subsequent revisions in 1952, 1965, 1980, 1988, 1994, and 1999. This document addresses one ‘ofthe leading causes of accidents among welders and cutters, that is, work on closed containers where previous contents are unknown, It provides the safety precautions necessary for prevention of such accidents, and the techniques used for ‘preparation of containers, including piping, and represents current practice in various segments of U.S. industry. ‘Comments and suggestions for the improvement of this standard are welcome. They should be sent to the Secretary, AWS Safety and Health Commitee, American Welding Society, 550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126.AWS Fa.1:2007 ‘This page is intentionally blank.AWS F4.1:2007 Table of Contents Page No. ee aoleenlesalartan) Co a Foreword. Vil 1. Introduction and Scope... rh er nl 1.1 Introduction a 12 Scope. 1 2 Definitions . 1 2.1 Hazardous Substances 2.2 Qualified Person. 3. Preparing the Container for Cleaning 3.1 Determination of Hazardous Characteristics of Contents, 3.2. Unknown Substances, 3.3 Designation of Cleaning Procedure. 3.4 Cleaning Containers. 3.5. Other Precautions. 4. Methods of Cleaning and Guidelines for Selection ... 4.1 Water Cleaning.. be 4.2 Hot Chemical Solution Cleaning... 4.3 Steam Cleaning. 44 Mechanical Cleaning 4.5 Chemical Cleaning, 4.6 Combination of Methods. 5. Preparation for Welding and Cutting... 5.1 Guidelines. 5.2. Safe Practices, Annex A (Informative) Bibliography Annex B (Informative)—Guidelines for the Preparation of Technical InquiriesAWS Fa.1:2007 ‘This page is intentionally blank.AWS F4.1:2007 Safe Practices for the Preparation of Containers and Piping for Welding and Cutting 1. Introduction and Scope 11 Introduction. Explosions, fires, and health hazards may result if welding, cutting, or other hot work is per- formed on containers that are not free of hazardous sub- stances, such as combustible, reactive, or toxic solids, liquids, vapors, dusts, and gases. No container shall be presumed to be clean or safe, but containers can be made safe for work, provided the safe practices prescribed herein or their equivalent are followed. 1.2 Scope. These safe practices shall apply to the prepa- ration for welding of metal containers and piping. For the purposes of this document, references to precautions for welding are also intended to apply to all metal working. ‘operations (such as cutting or brazing) involving the application of heat. Cleaning of used containers is neces- sary im all cases before welding. The term container, as used herein, ineludes piping, ‘The safe practices presented here are not intended 1 replace either regulatory standards or more stringent practices of industries that have expert knowledge of handling hazardous substances. Consequently, safe prac~ tices presented here are not intended to apply 10 the following:! (1) Containers and confined spaces that can be entered by workers (see ANSI Z117.1, Safety Require- ‘menus for Confined Spaces?) Q) Containers that have contained radioactive substances (3) Compressed gas containers (4) Containers that have held explosive substances (auch as nitrocellulose, pyroxylin solution, ete.) See Annex, Bibliography, for other standards and practices. 27This ANSI standard is published by the American Society of Safety Engineers, 1800 East Oakton Stret, Des Plaines, IL 60018. (5) Tanks, bunkers, or compartments on ships (6) Gasometers or gas holders for natural and manu- factured gases (7) Outside, above-ground, vertical petroleum storage tanks (8) Containers holding flammables that are to be repaired while in service 2. Definitions 2.1 Havardous Substances. Hazardous substances include, but are not limited to, those that are explosive, ‘combustible, toxie, or corrosive. They may be present in container having previously held one of the following: (1) Volatile liquid that can release potentially hazard- ‘ous flammable or toxic vapors, or any combination thereof. (2) An acid or alkaline material that reacts with ‘metals to produce hydrogen, (3) A nonvolatile liquid or solid that at ordinary tem- peratures will not release potentially hazardous vapors, but will do so if the container is heated. (NOTE: Com- bustible vapors or hacardous decomposition products ‘may be generated by the heat of welding or eutting.) (4) A dust cloud or finely divided airborne particles that may stil be present in an explosive concentration, (5) A flammable or toxie gas. (6) Corrosion by-products due to reaction of the con- tainer with its contents 22 Qualified Person. A person designated by the employer or contractor, in writing, as capable by edu- cation or specialized training, or both, of anticipating, recognizing, and evaluating employee exposure to haz- ardous substances or other unsafe conditions. ThisAWS Fa.1:2007 person shall be capable of specifying the necessary Control and protective action for worker safety. 3. Preparing the Container for Cleaning 34 Determination of Hazardous Characteristics of Contents. Before any container is cleaned, the hazardous, characteristics of the substance previously held by the container shall be determined by a qualified person. The container label shall not be solely relied upon to identity its contents. When in doubt, tests shall be made to deter- ‘mine the identity. Applying an improper cleaning ‘method might not remove the hazardous substance from the container, or it might cause a more hazardous sub- stance to be produced. For example, arbitrary application of rinsing and cleaning with water may leave peroxides that may explode if heat, friction, or impact were applied to the container. 3.2 Unknown Substances. Cleaning and welding a con- tainer that has held unknown substances shall not be done since this practice involves unknown risk. If the source and identity of the material in the container can- not be determined, and if chemical analysis cannot be performed, the container shall be disposed of according, to local, state, and federal regulations. 3.3 Designation of Cleaning Procedure. A qualified person shall designate the cleaning procedure to assure that the cleaning can be carried out safely in an environ- ‘mentally responsible manner and can render the con- tainer free of all hazardous concentration of materials 34 Cleaning Containers. Cleaning of containers that hhave held hazardous materials shall be performed only by a qualified person familiar with the hazardous char- acteristics of the contents and the proper method of cleaning. 3.5 Other Precautions. Appropriate steps shall be taken to proteet personnel cleaning the container against expo- sure to hazardous substances that may be present during, the cleaning operation. Safety equipment may include, but is not limited to, an airline respirator, appropriate air-purifying respirator, rubber apron, face shield, imper~ vious gloves, impervious boots, rain suit, and safety lasses. 35.1 Container Location. The container shall be moved outdoors, if practical. If the container is cleaned indoors, the room shall be well ventilated so that hazard- ‘ous vapors will not accumulate and will be carried away from the worker's breathing one quickly and safely. 38.2 Container Contents. The container shall be ‘emptied and drained thoroughly, including all internal piping, traps, and standpipes. Sludge and sediment shall be removed. All residue and used cleaning agents shall be disposed of in an environmentally safe manner according to local, state, and federal regulations. 38.3 Container Connections. The same safe prac- tices shall be used on adjacent or interconnected con- tainer compartments regardless of which compartment is tobe welded. 3.84 Container Coatings. Containers with metal lis ‘ers and internal and external coatings of plastic, refrac- tory, and other materials shall be handled carefully. The ‘coatings or liners themselves may release vapors. or fumes when heated, or liquids may be trapped between the coating or liner and the container wall, Because of the possibility of hazardous products being released and ‘of damage to the coating, hot work on stich containers shall only be performed under the supervision of persons with knowledge of the container contents and of the coating of liner. 4. Methods of Cleaning and Guidelines for Selection ‘The choice of cleaning method depends upon the charac- teristics of the substance previously held by the con- tainer. Common methods use water, hot chemical solutions, and steam, If these methods are not satisfac- tory, other procedures may be used, some of which are described later in this clause. Refer to MSDSs (Material Safety Data Sheets) for additional information, 4.1 Water Cleaning. Where the substance is known to be safely and readily soluble in water, the residue can be removed by completely filling the container with water ‘and draining several times. For example, a water-soluble acid or alkaline material may be handled this way, thus climinating the hazard of hydrogen produced by a reac tion between the acid or alkaline material and metal ‘Care shall be taken to ensure that the flushing is thorough so that all traces of the acid or alkaline material are removed because diluted acid frequently reacts with metal to produce hydrogen where concentrated acid may not. Examples of other water-soluble compounds are acetone and alcohols, When the substance originally in the container is not readily soluble in water, the container shall be treated by ‘one of the following methods. 4.2 Hot Chemical Solution Cleaning. This method gen- crally uses trisodium phosphate (strong washing powder) ‘ora commercial caustic cleaning compound dissolved inhot water. When cleaning by this method, care shall be taken to guard against injury from vapors, gases, oF con- tact with the cleaning compounds. Suitable goggles, face shield, gloves, and other personal protective equipment shall be used and adequate ventilation shall be provided. 43 Steam Cleaning, This method generally uses low~ pressure steam and a hot soda or soda ash solution. Solu- tion agitation is used (0 flush the inside surfaces, and steam is used fo promote a good cleaning action, Care shall be taken to avoid injury from vapors, steam, and cleaning solution. Suitable goggles, face shield, gloves, and other personal protection shall be used, and adequate ventilation shall be provided. Where spray noz- ale devices are employed and where an explosive atmo: sphere is possible, the tank and nozzle shall be grounded during steam cleaning to minimize the possibility of static charge buildup and spark discharge. 44 Mechanical Cleaning. Mechanical cleaning is gen- cally used when scaly, dry, or insoluble residues are left ‘on the surface. A disadvantage of mechanical cleaning is that access must be provided for the cleaning equipment, and all contaminated areas shall be visually inspected either direcily or by use of optics. Access to the interior ccan be provided by mechanically cutting the container in half or, for large containers, cutting an opening in the shell. A cutting method requiring the application of a flame or arc to the container shall not be used, nor shall a ‘method that will create sparks or other sources of igni- ton be used before the container is cleaned, Excessive fiction heat shall be prevented by cooling with water or a suitable fluid, The container shall be grounded to minimize the possibility of static charge buildup and spark discharges during mechanical clean- ing. Where openings have been cut in rubber oF plastic coated containers, suitable fire protection (including, internal) shall be provided during rewelding to prevent or immediately extinguish fire Mechanical cleaning may be performed by scraping, sand or grit blasting, high-pressure water washing, brushing, filling the container 1/4 full of clean dry sand and rolling it on the floor, oF any method in which the contaminant can safely be dislodged. Following clean- ing, the container shall be inspected and recleaned as necessary, 4.5 Chemical Cleaning. Chemical cleaning is generally used when the container holds deposits insoluble in water, or when it eannot be mechanically cleaned. Care shall be used in selecting @ chemical solvent; some solvents may be as hazardous as the deposits they are intended (o remove. If chlorinated solvents are used, all AWS F4.1:2007 residue shall be removed before welding or cutting beains. ‘When selecting chemical solvents, consultation with the manufacturer of the material to be removed would be helpful. Chemical manufacturers may recommend a solvent to use and detail a cleaning procedure. 4.6 Combination of Methods. Occasionally, combi- nations of the methods of cleaning prior to welding or cutting must be used. Care shall be exercised when com- Dining some of the cleaning methods to protect personnel and prevent hazardous reactions. 5. Preparation for Welding and Cutting 5.1 Guidelines. This clause presents guidelines for ensuring that the containers and work area are safe for welding and cutting. The guidelines are intended to pro- tect personnel and equipment by ensuring that the hazards are understood and adequate precautions are properly taken. The qualified person responsible for the work done on the container shall ensure that the guide- Tines are followed. ‘5.2 Safe Practices. The following steps shall be taken to ‘ensue that the work area and container are maintained safe for welding: ‘5.2.1 Area, The immediate area outside and inside the ‘container shall be cleared of all obstacles and hazardous ‘materials, When repairing containers in place, care shall be taken to prevent entry of hazardous substances released from the floor or soil beneath the container. 5.2.2 Equipment. Personal protection equipment and fine protection equipment shall be available, serviceable, and in position for immediate use. 5.2.3 Ventilation. Ventilation shall be adequate for providing a sale work atmosphere prior to and during welding. It may be necessary to test for toxic or flamma- ble vapors and to verify that the oxygen content of the atmosphere in the work area is maintained within accept- able limits. Where adequate ventilation is not available, ‘an independent source of breathing air shall be provided. 5.24 Inspection. Qualified persons shall inspect the used container to verify thatthe cleaning is adequate. All test equipment shall be suitable for the intended mea- surement, In addition to visual checks, tests (which mea- sure flammability or toxicity, or both, of the atmosphere) shall be made just prior to welding (0 ensure that the atmosphere inside the container is safe for welding,AWS Fa.1:2007 5.2.5 Pressure Relief, Provision shall be made to pre- vent pressute buildup in the container during welding, Exhaust gases and other gases produced during welding shall be discharged in a safe and environmentally accept- able manner. 5.2.6 Testing. The container shall be tested for haz- ardous gases, fumes, and vapors periodically to ensure that the container and work area are safe during welding. 52.7 Inerting, An alternate method to provide and ‘maintain the container in a welding condition, free from Aammable or explosive hazards, isto fll i¢ with an inert ‘medium such as water, inert gas, or sand, 5.2.7.1 Water Method. When the water-filled ‘method is used, the container shall be placed so that it cean be kept filled to within a few inches (25 mm to 75 mm) of the point where welding is to be done. The space above the water level shall be vented so the heated air can escape from the container: 5.2.7.2 Inert Gas Method. As an alternate to the water-filled treatment, the container can be filled with inert gas. When this method is used, the qualified indi vidual shall be informed of the percentage of inert gas that must be present and how ( safely produce and maintain this percentage during welding, as well as be alert for suffocation hazards. 5.2.7.3 Sand Method. Sand can be used as an alternate to displace the hazardous atmosphere inside a container. The container shall be completely filled with sand before welding. 52.74 Jacketed Containers. These ‘guidelines are particularly suitable for use with metal- Tined jacketed containers that might be difficult to clean thoroughly, 5.2.8 Isolation. The container shall be isolated from further entry of hazardous substance. When work is to be performed on piping in place, valves in that line shall be closed and locked out. The pipe shall be disconnected and drained. The open end of the pipe seetions not being worked on shall be blanked off (see 5.2.1)AWS F4.1:2007 Annex A Bibliography ‘This annex is not part of AWS F4.1:2007, Safe Practices for he Preparation of Containers ‘and Piping for Welding and Cutting, but is included for informational purposes only. American Gas Association (AGA).* Purging Principles ‘and Practices, Catalog No. XKO775-INI, Washing- ton, DC: American Gas Association, ‘American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Safty in Welding, Cuting, and Allied Processes, ANSI 749.1 (current edition). Miami: American Welding Society American Petroleum Institute (API). Cleaning Mobile Tanks in Flammable or Combustible Liquid Service, Publ. 2013, Sixth Edition, Washington: American Petroleum Institute, 1991 American Petroleum Institute (APD. Safe Entry and ning of Petroleum Storage Tanks, Std 2015. Sixth Edition. Washington: American Petroleum Institute, 2001. American Petroleum Institute (API). Preparing Tank Bottoms for Hot Work, Publ. 2201, Fifth Edition. Washington, DC: American Petroleum Institute, 1998, ‘American Petroleum Institute (APD). Safe Hot Tapping Practices in the Petroleum and Petrochemical Indus- tries, Publ. 2201, Fifth Edition, Washington, DC: ‘American Petroleum Institute, 2003, SAGA standards are published by the American Gas Asso- ciation, 400 N. Capitol Street N.W., Washington, DC 20001 SAWS’ standards are published by the American Welding Society. $50 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126 SAAPI standards are published by the American Petroleum Institute, 1220 L Street N.W., Washington, DC 20008. American Petroleum Institute (API). Repairing Crude Oil, Liquified Petroleum Gas and Product Pipelines, RP 2200, Third Edition. Washingion, DC: American Petroleum Institute, 1994, American Petroleum Institute (API). Safe Welding, Cut- ting, and Other Hot Work Practices in the Petrotewm ‘and Petrochemical Industries, Publ. 2009. Washing- ton, DC: American Petroleum Institute, 2002. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Standard for the Control of Gas Hazards on Vessels, NFPA No. 306, Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Standard for Fire Prevention During Welding, Cutting, and Other Hot Work, NFPA No, S1B, Quiney, MA National Fire Protection Association, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Standard Procedures for Cleaning or Safeguarding Small Tanks and Containers Without Entry, NFPA No. 327, Quiney, MA: National Fire Protection Association. CGA Publications, Publications of the Compressed Gas Association, 1725 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arling- ton, Virginia 22202-4102. NFPA standards are published by the National Fire Protection terymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269,AWS Fa.1:2007 ‘This page is intentionally blank.AWS F4.1:2007 Annex B Guidelines for the Preparation of Technical Inquiries ‘This annex is not part of AWS F4.1:2007, Safe Practices for the Preparation of Containers and Pipi B1. Introduction “The American Welding Society (AWS) Board of Directors has adopted a policy whereby all official interpretations (of AWS standards are handled ina formal manner. Under this policy, all interpretations are made by the committee that is responsible for the standard, Official communica- tion concerning an interpretation is directed through the AWS staff member who works with that committee. The policy requires that all requests for an interpretation be submitted in writing. Such requests will be handled as expeditiously as possible, but due to the complexity of the work and the procedures that must be followed, some interpretations may require considerable time. B2. Procedure All inguities shall be directed to: Managing Director Technical Services Division American Welding Society 550 N.W. LeJeune Road Miami, FL 33126 Al inquiries shall contain the name, address, and affiia- tion of the inquirer, and they shall provide enough infor- ‘mation for the committee to understand the point of concern in the inquiry. When the point is not clearly defined, the inquiry will be returned for clarification. For efficient handling, all inquiries should be typewritten and, inthe format specified below, 1B2.1 Scope. Each inquiry shall address one single provi- sion of the standard unless the point of the inquiry involves two of more interrelated provisions. The provi- sion(s) shall be identified in the scope of the inquiry .for Welding and Cutting, but is included for informational purposes only. along with the edition of the standard that contains the provision(s) the inquirer is addressing, B2.2 Purpose of the Inquiry. The purpose of the inquiry shall be stated in this portion of the inquiry. The purpose ‘can be to obtain an interpretation of a standard’s require ment oF to request the revision of a particular provision inthe standaed. B2.3 Content of the Inquiry. The inquiry should be concise, yet complete, to enable the committee to under- stand the point of the inquity. Sketches should be used whenever appropriate, and all paragraphs, figures, and tables (or annex) that bear on the inquiry shall be cited. If the point of the inquiry is to obtain a revision of the stan- dard, the inguiry shall provide technical justification for that revision, B2.4 Proposed Reply. The inquirer should, as a proposed reply, state an interpretation of the provision that isthe point ofthe inquiry or provide the wording for 1 proposed revision, if this is what the inquirer seeks. B3. Interpretation of Provisions of the Standard Interpretations of provisions of the standard are made by the relevant AWS technical committee, The secretary of the committee refers all inquiries to the chair of the par- ticular subcommittee that has jurisdiction over the por- tion of the standard addressed by the inquiry. The subcommittee reviews the inquiry and the proposed reply to determine what the response t0 the inquiry should be. Following the subcommittee’s develop response, the inquiry and the response are presented 10 the entire committee for review and approval. Upon approval by the commitie, the interpretation is an official of theAWS Fa.1:2007 interpretation of the Society, and the secretary transmits the response to the inquirer and to the Welding Journal for publication B4. Publication of Interpretations All official interpretations will appear in the Welding Journal and will be posted on the AWS web site BS. Telephone Inquiries Telephone inquiries to AWS Headquarters concerning, AWS standards should be limited to questions of a gen- eral nature or to matters directly related to the use of the Standard. The AWS Board Policy Manual requires that all AWS staff members respond to a telephone request for an offical interpretation of any AWS standard with the information that such an interpretation can be obtained ‘only through a writen request. Headquarters staff cannot provide consulting services. However, the staff can refer ‘caller to any of those consultants whose names are on file at AWS Headquarters. B6. AWS Technical Committees ‘The activities of AWS technical committees regarding interpretations are limited strictly to the interpretation of provisions of standards prepared by the committees or 10 ‘consideration of revisions to existing provisions on the basis of new data or technology. Neither AWS staff nor the committees are in a position to offer interpretive or ‘consulting services on (1) specific engineering problems, (2) requitements of standards applied to fabrications ‘outside the scope of the document, or (3) points not specifically covered by the standard. In such cases, the Inquirer should seek assistance from a competent engi- reer experienced in the particular field of interest