WELDING PROCEDURE

QUALIFICATION
ISO 15614-1/2017
Welding Procedure Approval
The key document is the Welding Procedure Specification (WPS) which details the
welding variables to be used to ensure a welded joint will achieve the specified
levels of weld quality and mechanical properties.

The WPS is supported by a number of documents (eg, a record of how the weld
was made, NDE, mechanical test results) which together comprise a welding
approval record termed the WPAR (BS EN ISO 15614) or PQR (ASME).

In both the European and ASME standards, there are a number of 'essential
variables' specified which, if changed, may affect either weld quality or mechanical
properties. Therefore, a change in any of the essentials will invalidate the welding
procedure and will require a new approval test to be carried out. The essential
variables are detailed in the relevant specification but include material type,
welding process, thickness range and sometimes welding position.
WHAT'S NEW IN ISO 15614-1:2017 ?
The main change is that ISO 15614-1:2017 includes two levels of welding procedure tests,
designated by levels 1 and 2. Level 1 is based on requirements of Section IX of the ASME
Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (ASME IX) and Level 2 is based on the previous issues of
ISO 15614-1.
The introduction to the standard explains that this approach was introduced “in order to
permit application to a wide range of welded fabrication”. In Level 2, the extent of testing is
greater and the ranges of qualification are more restrictive than in Level 1. Hence,
procedure tests carried out to Level 2 automatically qualify for Level 1 requirements, but
not vice-versa. It should also be noted that when no level is specified in a contract or
application standard, the requirements for Level 2 apply.

Industry sectors and standard development organisations have been pushing towards
harmonisation and convergence between international standards, including those for
welding qualifications. At the start of the revision process, the relevant ISO subcommittee
carried out a comparison between corresponding requirements in ISO 15614-1 and ASME
IX to evaluate the possibility to develop a ‘one-size-fits-all’ standard. This exercise showed
that the differences were such that these two standards could not be merged into one,
hence the decision to include a two-level approach