If a welding or brazing procedure is required in your project, we help in getting your procedures qualified in accordance with appropriate standards and codes.

Qualification process

Welding and brazing procedure test coupons are normally welded in the producer’s own workshop. This provides the opportunity to display their capability, their facilities, equipment, qualified personnel as well as their quality programme within the organisation.

Qualification is made with references to applicable rules, codes or standards and legislations.

Qualifications may be conducted during the following steps:

  • Developing a preliminary Welding Procedure Specification (pWPS)
  • Welding/brazing a test piece or a series of test coupons necessary
  • Performance of non-destructive testing (NDT)
  • Performance of mechanical and corrosion testing
  • Issue Welding Procedure Qualification Record (WPQR)
  • Developing various Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) for use in production, based on one or more qualified WPQR and its/their range of approval

FORCE Technology Norway AS may supply competent engineering personnel to help out through the entire qualification process

Issue and approval of Welding Procedure Qualification Record (WPQR)

The WPQR document is issued with an accreditation mark, as FORCE Technology Norway AS is the holder of accreditation in accordance with ISO /IEC 17020 for approval of welding procedures.

Welding surveillance is provided by FORCE Technology Norway approved personnel. All personnel assigned are qualified in accordance with national and international approval documents (NS-477, IWI, IWS, IWT and IWE), whose’ goal is to assure that the final Welding Procedure Qualification Record meets the requirements of the applicable standards and specifications selected by the producer or referencing project.

NDT, mechanical testing, approval and final issue is usually made within 3 weeks counted from the date of welding the test coupon. If the welding procedure is to be used in projects which involves a classification society, the society is notified for witnessing the qualification process by FORCE Technology Norway AS.

The approved WPQR is issued in a PDF format, digitally signed by appointed signatory within FORCE Technology Norway.

Standards

Welding procedures may be qualified in accordance with European and international standards:

  • EN ISO 15612 Qualification using a standard welding procedure
  • EN ISO 15613 Qualification based on a production or pre-production test
  • EN ISO 15614 (relevant part) Qualification based on a proper weld test coupon
  • EN 13134 Brazing – Approval of brazing procedures.

Welding procedures may also be qualified with references made to other applications such as:

  • ASME IX Welding, Brazing, and Fusing Qualifications
  • AWS D1.1 Structural Welding Code – Steel
  • AWS D1.2 Structural Welding Code - Aluminium
  • AWS D1.6 Structural Welding Code – Stainless Steel
  • NORSOK M-101 Structural steel fabrication (www.standard.no)
  • NORSOK M-601 Welding and inspection of piping (www.standard.no)
  • Dir. 2014/68/EU [PED (Pressure Equipment Directive.)]

Pressurised equipment

To meet the requirements of the pressure equipment directive the qualification process is to be witnessed by an appointed recognized third-party organisation (RTPO). As an addition to our accreditation, FORCE Technology Norway AS is appointed RTPO in accordance with PED annex 1 section 3.1.2 and 3.1.3.

In addition to the WPQR, an AOPJ (Approval Of Permanent Joining) containing the actual WPQR’s essential variables and range of approval may be issued.