QG-106, Personnel Performing Supervision of Weld Test Coupons (Procedure and Performance)

In the ASME BPVC Section IX, a new opening paragraph was introduced to QG-106, defining requirements for personnel performing supervision of the welding of procedure and performance test coupons. These requirements apply exclusively to Section IX activities and do not extend to other welding activities covered under the Codes of Construction.

Since this new paragraph was introduced, Section IX has addressed a number of interpretation inquiries, and HSB’s Codes & Standards group has provided numerous opinions. Many of the questions relate to how these requirements may be met. This article will explore this topic, along with some interpretations addressing related questions.

When these rules were developed, the Section IX Committee tried to ensure that the requirements were as broad as possible to provide ASME code users with wide flexibility to meet intent of the requirements.

To support these requirements, the Committee has published a guideline, recently updated for the 2021 edition of the Code. This guidance provides recommendations on how competency may be demonstrated. There are no mandated or prohibited methods to meet the requirements. The Organization should define in its quality program the criteria for meeting the requirements to the satisfaction of the Inspector.

The criteria in QG-106 can be met through education, experience, or training. Note that this is an “or” sentence — only one method is required, though multiple methods may be used.

QG-106 defines what should be addressed to meet the requirements, including:

(1) Knowledge of the requirements of Section IX for the qualification of procedures and/or joining personnel. (2) Knowledge of the Organization’s quality program. (3) The scope, complexity, or special nature of the activities to which oversight is to be provided.

Let’s consider each in turn:

For item (1), a CWI certification is one way to meet the requirement. This qualification covers weld inspection, which is a key aspect of supervising performance and procedure testing.

However, if the certification lacks a Section IX endorsement, the inspector may require additional evidence that the requirements of Section IX are understood, as the tests are conducted in accordance with Section IX.

This could be shown in many ways:

• Prior experience: Prospective supervisors may have previously conducted procedure or performance tests and documented the required records. This can be verified through résumés, training records, or job history summaries.
• Training (internal or external): For example, HSB offers both virtual and on-site seminars on Section IX, as well as an online course that users can complete at their own pace.

They (the nominated person) could demonstrate knowledge by preparing WPS/PQR/WPQR, which the inspector or other independent party (e.g., a client) has reviewed and approved, that demonstrates the prospective supervisor understood the rules.

• Self-Education/Training: Has the nominated supervisor (person) independently reviewed the Code? This approach can be validated through conversations about Code aspects, where the individual can reference specific requirements directly from the text.
• Practical Application: The individual may have previously supervised production welding, not just test welds, which provides an understanding of process controls and consumables.
• Professional Credentials: College degrees or professional registrations, such as a Certified Welding Engineer administered by the (AWS) or International/European Welding Engineer diploma administered by the International Institute of Welding and the European Welding Federation, respectively, would also show demonstrable knowledge.

Item (2) should show documented evidence that the individual has read the relevant sections of the quality manual related to their activities.

Item (3) depends on the complexity of the work. If it is all carbon steel, with no impact testing requirements, it may be. However, it may be more complicated when working with materials like Grade 91 (P-No. 15E), which might involve process controls, preheat, interpass temperature, and required impact testing. Also, the organization must determine if supervising personnel are familiar with requirements of the referencing Code, standard, or specification, which may have rules that override Section IX; e.g., qualification of single-sided welds in Section I, thickness limits for certain materials when postweld heat treatment is exempted, in Sections I, VIII Division 1, B31.1, etc.

The method of qualification is open to the organization’s discretion but should include:

• Résumés demonstrating prior experience
• Formal qualifications or professional diplomas
• Attendance of training courses/seminars
• Internal training
• Self-training

Ultimately, if the inspector is satisfied the requirements are met and the individual can demonstrate the required knowledge, then the intent is met.

The Section IX guidance includes some example forms that can be used as a single record for the designated person to validate the requirements have been met. These forms can be adapted to suit the organization. For example, a line item could be added to state the person has read and acknowledged the relevant parts of the quality manual and any relevant procedures.

The other lines can be changed to suit the organization, e.g., résumé on record demonstrating prior experience, validated self-training, demonstrated assessed proficiency, or others.

Finally, the organization can have one or multiple personnel identified as Supervisors based on the needs of the business.

As noted earlier, Section IX has issued several interpretations related to QG-106. A summary of the questions and answers is reviewed below:

(For interpretations, ASME Section IX, ©American Society of Mechanical Engineers. All rights reserved.)

• IX-20-11: This item asks two questions, one about personnel supervising the actual welding and those certifying qualification documents:
  • Question (1): Does QG-106 require supervisory personnel administering a welder/welding operator performance qualification test to meet the requirements of QG-106?
    • Reply: Yes.
  • Question (2): Does QG-106 require the individual certifying the qualification documents to meet the requirements of QG-106?
    • Reply: No. See QG-102 and QG-104.
• IX-20-24 asks about expiration of the qualification of supervisory personnel:
  • Question: Do the qualifications of individuals required by QG-106 expire?
    • Reply: No.
• IX-19-26 asks about supervision of production welding used for the purposes of continuity maintenance:
  • Question: Must the supervision of welding specified in QW-322.1(a) for the purpose of welder/welding operator continuity maintenance be performed by personnel who are “designated” in accordance with QG-106?
    • Reply: No.

For the last interpretation, IX-19-31, there were a number of questions related to QG-106(b) about supervision of welding, but question and Reply 2 touch on who may be the Supervisor.

• Background: An organization issues a purchase order with written instructions and criteria for a WPS qualification or performance qualification to a Welding Test Laboratory. Test materials are provided by the Organization, and the welder welding the coupon is employed by the Organization. Monitoring of the welding, NDE, and mechanical testing is performed by the certified test laboratory.
  • Question 1: For procedure qualifications as described in QG-106.1, must the welding of the coupon be performed in the presence of a representative of the Organization?
    • Reply: Yes.
  • Question 2: For procedure qualifications as described in background, may the Organization supervising representative be the welder welding the coupon, provided they meet the requirements of QG-106?
    • Reply: Yes.
  • Question 3: For performance qualifications as described in QG-106.2, must the welding of the coupon be welded in the presence of a representative of the Organization?
    • Reply: Yes.
  • Question 4: For performance qualifications as described in QG-106.2, may supervision of the welding be delegated to the organization performing the NDE or mechanical testing?
    • Reply: No.