Information Bulletin: Pressure welding requirements in BC

Scope
 

This bulletin gives guidance on requirements for pressure welding in British Columbia regarding certificate of qualification, welding procedure registration, performance qualification testing, recognized test administrators, continuity and renewal.
 

Regulated products
 

Boilers and boiler systems, pressure vessels, pressure piping, fittings, safety relief valves, refrigeration systems, and refrigeration equipment are all defined as regulated products according to the Safety Standards Act. The information in this bulletin applies to these products.
 

Regulated work
 

The Safety Standards Act defines regulated work as: 

1. the assembly, manufacture, construction, installation, operation, testing, maintenance or repair of a regulated product; and
2. the alteration of a regulated product.

The information in this bulletin applies if you are doing such work.
 

Requirements
 

The following is required to do pressure welding work on a regulated product: The welder must be employed by a contractor that is licensed by Technical Safety BC (Class A, Class Au, Class Ap, Class B, Class REF, Class PW or Class MA).

• The person doing the work must have a current pressure welder certificate of qualification and,
• The welding must be completed following the licensed Contractor’s Welding Procedure Specification for boilers and pressure vessels. All welding procedure specifications must be registered with TSBC’s engineering department.  The welding procedure specification must meet requirements laid out in ASME Sec IX, which is an adopted code within CSA B51 and,
• The welder must have completed a performance qualification test in accordance with the registered welding procedure specification, CSA B51, ASME Section IX and administered by a recognized test administrator. 
   

Pressure Welder Certificate of Qualification
 

To do pressure welding work, an individual must hold a current certificate of qualification as outlined in Section 41 of the Power Engineers, Boiler, Pressure Vessel and Refrigeration Safety Regulation including;  Class A, Class IT, or Class R.

Class A pressure welder certificate of qualification:

To apply for a Class A pressure welder certificate of qualification, the person must have a welder trade qualification (with or without a Red Seal) issued by the Industry Training Authority in BC or a welder trade qualification endorsed with a Red Seal issued by another jurisdiction in Canada.  For details, see the Reference Syllabus.

Class IT pressure welder certificate of qualification:

To apply for a Class IT pressure welder certificate of qualification, the person must be a welding apprentice who is registered with the Industry Training Authority in BC or, an apprenticeship authority in another jurisdiction of Canada. The individual must have completed level 2 technical training of the welding program.  For details, see the Reference Syllabus.

Class R pressure welder certificate of qualification:

To apply for a Class R pressure welder certificate of qualification, the person must hold a valid welder qualification in accordance with CSA B51 and provide proof they are employed by a licensed contractor.  For details, see the Reference Syllabus.
 

Welding procedure registration
 

Welding procedures can be submitted online for registration.
 

Performance qualification testing
 

Performance qualification testing of welders and welding operators must be administered by a recognized test administrator (RTA).  See Technical Safety BC’s website for a list of RTA organizations and information of how to become a recognized test administrator.

The performance qualification test must be completed according to a registered Welding Procedure Specification and following requirements outlined in ASME Section IX.

Once the performance qualification test has been completed, the RTA welding examiner must complete a QW-484 (or equivalent) and enter the essential variables into the Welders Performance Qualification Record Book Section of the Welders Log Book that was issued by the Industry Training Authority.
 

Continuity of qualification for welders and welding operators
 

For continuity, you must provide evidence demonstrating that you have used the welding process at least once every six months since your welding performance qualification test. To qualify, the welding process must have been done under the supervision and control of the qualifying organization or participating organizations as outlined in QW-322.1 of ASME Section IX.

The Welder’s Log Book-Employment Section is used to document the start and end dates and the welding process(es) used during that period.  The entry must be completed by the licensed contractor’s quality control personnel responsible for supervision of the welding as outlined in the licensed contractor’s quality control manual.  Alternatively, a recognized test administrator (welding examiner) may sign the Welder’s Log Book for this purpose.
 

Renewal of qualification for welders and welding operators
 

Renewal of an expired performance qualification requires retesting for that welding process, per QW-322.2 of ASME Section IX.

A successful performance qualification test renews the welder or welding operator’s previous performance qualifications for that welding process. This includes the materials, thicknesses, diameters, positions, and other variables recorded in the WPQR Section of the Welder’s Log Book for which they were previously qualified.
 

Vicky Kang
Provincial Safety Manager

References:
Safety Standards Act
Power Engineers, Boiler, Pressure Vessel & Refrigeration Safety Regulation
Safety Standards General Regulation
Safety Standards Act Repeal and Transitional Provisions Regulations