Quality Standards

WTIA TECHNICAL NOTE 24 CHAPTER 3 Page 8

3. QUALITY STANDARDS

3.1 EN 729 Part 1 to 4 - The European Way

EN 729 is the European standard specifying quality requirements for welding. Morespecifically, the standard specifies provisions for control of welding as a special process.

EN 729 comprises of four parts:

EN 729 Part 1 defines the three different approaches detailed in Part 2, Part 3 & Part 4 andguides in the selection of the part most appropriate to a company;

EN 729 Part 2 is intended to be used where the product form, materials, processes andprocedures vary and/or where welding quality is critical or difficult to achieve. It can also beused as a stand-alone document or used as a supplement to ISO 9001 or IS0 9002requirements;

EN 729 Part 3 is intended to be used where weld quality is important but materials,processes and procedures change only frequently;

EN 729 Part 4 is intended to be used when neither of the following conditions apply:

an ISO 9000 quality system is not present; the combination of welding processes, procedures and the requirements for the final

welds are such that documented welding control has only a minor importance withrespect to the overall integrity of the product.

It is intended for use where welding is perhaps only an incidental joining process with verylimited and simple technical options.

EN 729 does not impose any unnecessary limitations on the way control of welding isorganised. According to the standards, the manufacturer shall have at his disposalappropriate welding coordination personnel such that the welding personnel can be suppliedwith the necessary welding procedure specification or work instructions, and that the workcan be properly performed and controlled. Such persons having responsibility for qualityactivities shall have sufficient authority to enable any necessary action to be taken. Theduties, interrelationships and limits of responsibility of such persons should be clearlydefined.


Table 3.1 Comparison of Welding Quality Requirements with Regard to E729-2,EN 729-3 and EN 729-4

Elements EN 729-2 EN 729-3 EN 729-4

Contract Review Fully documentedreview

Less extensive review Establish that capabilityand information is available

Design Review Design for welding to be confirmed As aboveSubcontractor Treat like a main fabricator Must comply to standardWelders/operators Approved to EN 287 or EN 1418Welding coordination Welding coordination personnel with appropriate

technical knowledge according to EN 719 orpersons with similar knowledge

Not demanded butpersonal responsibility ofmanufacturer

Inspection personnel Sufficient and competent personnel to beavailable

Sufficient and competentaccess for externalinspectors, as needed

Production equipment Required to prepare, cut, weld, transport, lift,together with safety equipment and protectiveclothes

No demands

Equipment maintenance Has to be carriedout, maintenanceplan necessary

No specific demands-must be adequate

No demands

Production plan Necessary More restricted plannecessary

No demands

WPS Instructions to be available to welder (EN 288) No demandsWelding procedure approval To EN 288-2 - Approved as application standard

or contract demandsNo demands

Work instructions WPS or dedicated work instructions to beavailable

No demands

Documentation Necessary Not specified No demandsBatch testing of consumables Only if specified in

contractNot specified No demands

Storage of raw materials Protection required from influence by theenvironment

No demands

PWHT Specification andcomplete record

Confirmation tospecification necessary

No demands

Inspection before, during, afterwelding

As required for specified operations Responsibilities asspecified in contract

Non-conformances Procedures must be availableCalibration Procedures must be

in operationNot specified

Identification Not specifiedTraceability

If demanded by contract onlyNot specified

Quality records Must be available to meet the rules for productliability, retained for five years minimum

As required by contract


3.2 ISO 3834 Part 1 to 4 - The International Way

The standard is published in four parts. Figure 3.1A and Table 3.2 assists in the properselection of the welding quality requirements. Table 3.3 summarises the comparison of thethree parts of ISO 3834.

Figure 3.1: Flow diagram for selection of welding quality requirements(Source: AS/NZS ISO 3834:1999 Part 1)

Table 3.2 Selection of Welding Quality Requirements

Quality requirementsISO 9001/2 utilised ISO 9001/2 not utilised

Welding requirements forcontract

Welding Quality Requirements to ISO 3834Comprehensive Part 2 Part 2Standard Part 2 Part 3Elementary Part 2 Part 4

Note: When used in conjunction with ISO 9001/2 specifications the requirements of ISO 3834Part 2 may be minimised to a level appropriate to the product.


Table 3.3 Summary Comparison of Welding Quality Requirements with regard toISO 3834-2, ISO 3834-3 AND ISO 3834-4

Elements ISO 3834-2 ISO 3834-3 ISO 3834-4

Contract Review Fully documentedreview

Less extensive review

Design Review Design for welding to be confirmed

Establish that capabilityand information isavailable

Subcontractor Treat like a main fabricator Shall comply with allrequirements

Welders, operators Approved in accordance with ISO 9606Welding coordination Welding coordination personnel with appropriate

technical knowledge or persons with similarknowledge

Not required but personalresponsibility ofmanufacturer

Inspection personnel Sufficient and competent personnel to be available Sufficient and competentaccess for third parties,as needed

Production equipment Required to prepare, cut, weld, transport, lift,together with safety equipment and protectiveclothes

No specific requirements

Equipment maintenance Shall be carried out,maintenance plannecessary

No specific requirements,shall be adequate

No requirements

Production plan Necessary Restricted plan necessary No requirementsWPS Instructions to be available to welder (ISO 9956-2) No requirementsWelding procedure approval In accordance with the appropriate part of ISO

9956, approved as application standard orcontract demands

No specific requirements

Work instructions WPS or dedicated work instructions to beavailable

No requirements

Documentation Necessary Not specified No requirementsBatch testing of consumables Only if specified in

contractNot specified No requirements

Storage and handling ofwelding consumables

According to suppliers' recommended minimum

Storage of parent materials Protection required from influence by theenvironment; identification shall be maintained

No requirements

PWHT Specification andcomplete recordnecessary

Confirmation tospecification necessary

No requirements

Inspection before, during, afterwelding

As required for specified operations Responsibilities asspecified in contract

Non-conformances Procedures shall be availableCalibration Procedures shall be

availableNot specified

Identification Not specifiedTraceability

Required whenappropriate

Required, when necessaryNot specified

Shall be available to meet the rules for productliability

As required by contractQuality records

Retained for five years minimum

(Source: AS/NZS ISO 3834:1999 Part 1)


3.2.1 Comparison between ISO 3834 and ISO 9001/2

ISO 9001/2 focuses on formal quality management systems with the intention that all aspectsof the organisation and operation of the company are properly documented and controlled byprocedures. Although it does require that all staff are properly trained in the operation ofquality systems, it does not attempt to define the competence of a company or individuals inrespect of special skills and knowledge in relation to "special processes". This is becauseISO 9001/2 was developed on the basis that the conformance of any product ormanufacturing operation involved in production can be verified by inspection after the event.

ISO 3834 is the first of what may be a series of standards developed to define the elementsthat must be properly controlled before and during production operation of the various specialprocesses to provide assurance that the resulting weld, coating etc. will perform as expected.

Inevitably there is considerable overlap as many elements involved in the control of weldingare similar to the general quality management system requirements. Some elements of ISO9001/2 however are missing from ISO 3834 as noted below.

Quality Policy Statement and Manuals and Full Documented ProceduresISO 3834 does not require a Quality Policy Statement or the development of a QualityManual although it is obviously much easier to demonstrate compliance with the standard if amanual is produced. For example, compliance with ISO 14731 for ISO 3834:Part 2 andISO 3834:Part 3 does require that the organisation of welding-related activities bedocumented. There are also requirements for various documented procedures that can mostconveniently be presented in a manual.

Internal Audit and Quality System ReviewBecause ISO 3834 does not set out to be a complete quality management system it does notrequire evidence that the quality system is maintained by a formal internal review system.The requirements of the standard need to be able to be demonstrated from time to time andthus it would be a simple matter to introduce a more regulated review.

TrainingISO 9001/2 requires that all employees are trained for their tasks and functions and thattraining records are kept.

ISO 3834 and ISO 14731 require that employees are competent for their tasks, which maybe achieved by training, job experience, education or a combination of these. It does not askfor training records to be kept and updated.

3.2.2 ISO 3834 "Competence and Capability"

Although ISO 9001/2 requires evidence of training for personnel, it does not attempt torequire evidence of "competence", which in this case means properly qualified, trained andor experienced to be able to perform a particular function and task. Competence can beachieved through training, education and experience.

Capability is rather more difficult to define. It implies competence plus the ability to perform aspecific task, e.g. a welding engineer may be perfectly competent for a specific task but


incapable of performing it because he does not have the necessary resources e.g. buildings,services, equipment, competent staff and labour.

In practice, it is usually assumed that the term "capability" refers to the facilities used i.e. thebuilding, services, major capital plant etc. It is commonly assumed that many operations canbe subcontracted and that even key welding coordination staff can be hired in under contract.

3.2.3 Problems in Complying with ISO 3834

The standard was drafted to detail how fabricating companies in Europe should operate anduse other relevant EN standards. It therefore calls up (or recommends in some cases) otherEN standards such as EN 287 (now ISO 9606) Approval Testing of Welders, EN 288 (ISO9956) Approval of Welding Procedures and similar standards for non-destructive testingprocedures and operation. In the strict sense, it is impossible for a company to comply withISO 3834 if it does not conform to the other related EN or ISO standards. That is, it makes noallowance for nationally or internationally recognised equivalent standards.

Additionally, the standard requires the company only to use subcontractors who themselvescomply with the standard. Obviously at this time, during the period when the standard isbeing introduced and accepted, very few, if any, subcontractors will be able to demonstratecompliance with the relevant subcontracted activities

The solution adopted in Europe is the obvious compromise i.e. if the company has goodreason (including extensive previous activities) for not having adopted all the relatedstandards quoted, but can show evidence that they do adhere to a similar standard (national,international, application codes etc), that will be taken as acceptable evidence of complianceat the present time.

Similarly, in relation to subcontractors, provided the company can show evidence of havingcarried out some form of vendor assessment on the subcontractor, that will also be acceptedas within the spirit of the standard.

These transition arrangements are of course all the more relevant outside Europe. Theintention within Europe, however, is to persuade all companies to progressively adoptEuropean or ISO standards in preference to others.

3.2.4 Selection of Appropriate Part of ISO 3834 (with ISO 9001 Part 2)

Where a company has, or is developing, an ISO 9001:Part 2 Quality Management system,then Table 3.2A and Figure 3.2A, both show that the company must develop a systemagainst the requirement of Part 2, irrespective of the welding complexity of the product.

This is not as onerous as it may appear as many of the elements in Part 2 will also havebeen covered in the 9001:Part 2 systems and procedures.

If the welding complexity is more appropriate to Part 3 or 4, then the note to Table 3.2, whichuses the term "minimised to an appropriate level" can be adopted.


The following examples show how the standards may be selected in various circumstances,all of which are in conjunction with ISO 9001:Part 2 system.

A company (with ISO 9001/2) manufacturing pressure vessels, process plant,primary steel structures or high quality jobbing shop fabrication with a wide rangeof capability.

Obviously the requirements of Part 2 in total must be addressed. In particular, the AuthorisedWelding Coordinator (AWC) and the organisation will need to be seen to be competent to beable to implement all the technical requirements involved in the various welds required.

The AWC should be satisfied that he/she is competent to define good practice for the rangeof materials and that the personnel are also competent for the range of elements in Part 2.This may mean reviewing the elements as they appear in the company's ISO 9001/2procedures to ensure that there is adequate emphasis on consideration of the weldingrelated elements by coordinating staff who are properly aware of possible welding problem

Where any gaps or omissions are found, they can be remedied within the existing ISO9001/2 procedures or by drafting new specific procedures. Note that in this case, formalprocedures will be required.

A company (with ISO 9001/2) fabricating simple structures in a limited range ofthicknesses of mild or medium carbon steel, e.g. platforms, walkways, furniture,agricultural equipment, simple vessels and tanks etc.

Here obviously the technical demands upon the AWC are much reduced, as the technicalcomplexity and variability of welding is low. In this case the welding coordinationarrangements will be simpler, the technical demands of contract and design review planning,procedure qualification, equipment, products, NDT and so on will be more akin to Part 3.Preferably, procedures will need to be documented but other objective evidence of goodtechnical control of the elements may be acceptable.

A company (with ISO 9001/2) where the welding activity is secondary to the primeactivity or where the product has a very low specification in terms of weldingtechnology and a low safety criticality e.g. companies designing and supplyingelectrical machines, switch gear consoles, cabinets, racking, shelving, streetfurniture, gratings, fences, guards etc.

Here the welding processes and materials do not change and there may be little or noinspection. The welding coordination activities will be simply routine and not extensive, suchthat the requirements of Part 4 may be used. The arrangements should be incorporated inthe ISO 9001 Part 2 system procedures.


3.2.5 Selection of Appropriate Part of ISO 3834 (without ISO 9001:Part 2)

The guidance given above still applies except for the following.

Part 2: when the product is technically complex in terms of design, range of materials, forms,

thickness, NDT requirements; or the range of welding processes and procedures that can be utilised, requires special

manufacturing sequences, manipulation and in-process inspections to ensure theuniformity of the product; or

when there are significant safety implications involved in any weld failures.Although not strictly required, it is likely that documented procedures will be the mostacceptable way of demonstrating compliance controlled by an AWC who has comprehensivetechnical knowledge and experience.

Part 3:When the welding activities are largely limited and repetitive (if not in terms of product, atleast in terms of the range of materials used, thicknesses, forms, welding processes, andprocedures, NDT requirements) and when weld failure may not have significant safetyimplications.

In such cases, it is clearly not necessary for the AWC to have a very wide technicalknowledge of welding engineering and that experience may be sufficient.

Again, documented procedures will be the most obvious way of demonstrating compliance,but other objective evidence may be accepted.

Part 4:When the welding activity is such that control can effectively be delegated to a charge-hand welder process and products are routine in nature materials, consumables and joint configuration and acceptance criteria are undemanding there are no consequences of failurethen the company should apply the requirements of Part 4


3.3 AS/NZS ISO 3834 Part 1 to 4 - The Australian and New Zealand Way

3.3.1 AS/NZS ISO 3834.1:1999 Quality requirements for welding - Fusion welding of metallicmaterials - Guidelines for selection and use

This standard is identical with, and has been reproduced from, ISO 3834-1:1994.

It is intended to be used for the following purposes:

providing interpretation of the requirements in the ISO 9000 series of standards, as aguideline for specification and establishment of the part of the quality system related tocontrol of welding as a special process;

providing guidelines to establish specifications and welding quality requirements, where aquality system according to ISO 9001 and ISO 9002 is not involved;

assessment of the welding quality requirements mentioned in the cases above.The application of this would typically occur in the following circumstances:

in contractual situations: specification of welding requirements for quality systems; by manufacturers: establishment and maintenance of welding quality requirements; by committees preparing structural codes or other application standards: specification of

welding quality requirements; by interested parties, e.g. third parties, customers or the manufacturers management:

assessment of welding quality requirements.

The standard includes a series of appendices to allow Australian manufacturer's to use othersupporting standards besides ISO Standards eg. AS/NZS, AWS, ASME, API.


3.3.2 AS/NZS ISO 3834.2:1999 Quality requirements for welding - Fusion welding ofmetallic materials - Comprehensive quality requirements

This standard is identical with and has been reproduced from ISO 3834-2:1994.

The requirements contained within this part may be adopted in full or may be selectivelydeleted by the manufacturer if not applicable to the construction concerned. They provide aflexible framework for the control of welding in the following cases.

Case 1To provide specific requirements for fusion welding in contracts which require themanufacturer to have a quality system in accordance with ISO 9001 or ISO 9002.

Case 2To provide specific requirements for fusion welding in contracts which require themanufacturer to have a quality system other than ISO 9001 or ISO 9002.

Case 3To provide specific requirements for fusion welding as guidance to a manufacturerdeveloping a quality system.

Case 4To provide specific requirements for references in application standards which uses fusionwelding as part of its requirements or in a contract between relevant parties. It may howeverbe more appropriate for AS/NZS ISO 3834-3 or AS/NZS/ISO 3834-4 to be used in suchcases.

This standard also provides for the use of Australian, New Zealand and other standards asequivalents to the ISO standards. These equivalents are listed for the following applications:

Table 3.4: Equivalent Australian and New Zealand Standards for Steel Structures Table 3.5: Equivalent American Standards for Steel Structures Table 3.6: Equivalent Australian and New Zealand standards for Aluminium Structures Table 3.7: Equivalent Australian and New Zealand Standards for Pressure Equipment Table 3.8: Equivalent American Standards for Pressure Equipment Table 3.9: Equivalent Australian and New Zealand Standards for Pipelines


Table 3.4: Equivalent Australian and New Zealand Standards for Steel Structures

ISO standards listed in clause Equivalent Australian & New Zealandstandards for AS/NZS ISO 3834-2

3834-1:1994

Quality requirements forwelding- Fusion welding ofmetallic materials, Part 1:Guidelines for selection anduse

AS/NZS ISO3834-1:1999


9712:1992

Non-destructive testing-Qualification and certification ofpersonnel

AS 3998-1992 Non-destructive testing-Qualification and certification ofpersonnel- General engineering

9606-1:1994

Approval testing of welders- Fusionwelding, Part1: Steels

9606-2:1994

Approval testing of welders- Fusionwelding Part 2: Aluminium and aluminiumalloys

9956-1:1995

Specification and approval of weldingprocedures for metallic materials Part 1:General rules for fusion welding

9956-2:1995

Specification and approval of weldingprocedures for metallic materials Part 2:Welding procedures

9956-3:1995

Specification and approval of weldingprocedures for metallic materials Part 3:Welding procedure test for the arcwelding of steels

9956-4:1995

Specification and approval of weldingprocedures for metallic materials Part 3:Welding procedure test for the arcwelding of aluminium and its alloys

13916:1996

Welding - Measurement of preheatingtemperature, interpass temperature andpreheat maintenance during welding

AS/NZS 1554.1:2000

AS1554.2-1993

AS 1554.3-2002

AS/NZS 1554.4:1995

AS/NZS 1554.5:1995

AS/NZS 1554.6:1994

AS 1988-1989

AS 2980-1987

NZS 4711:1984

NZS/ANSI/API650:1993

NZS 4702:1982

NZS 4702:1982

Structural steel welding Part 1:Welding of steel structures

Structural steel welding Part 2:Stud welding (steel studs tosteel)

Structural steel welding Part 3:Welding of reinforcing steel

Structural steel welding Part 4:Welding of high strengthquenched and tempered steels

Structural steel welding Part 5:Welding of steel structuressubject to high levels of fatigueloading

Structural steel welding Part 6:Welding of stainless steel forstructural purposes

Welding of steel castingsQualification of arc-welders forwelding of steels

Qualification of arc-welders forwelding of steel

Qualification test for metal arcwelders

Qualification test for metal arcwelders

Welded steel tanks for oilstorage

Metal arc welding of Grade 275reinforcing bar



Table 3.5: Equivalent American Standards for Steel Structures

ISO standards listed in clause Equivalent American standards forAS/NZS ISO 3834-2

3834-1:1994


AS/NZSISO 3834-1:1999


9712:1992


AS 3998-2002

Non-destructive testing-Qualification andcertification of personnel-General engineering

9606-1:1994

Approval testing of welders-Fusion welding, Part1: Steels

9606-2:1994

Approval testing of welders-Fusion welding Part 2: Aluminiumand aluminium alloys

9956-1:1995

Specification and approval ofwelding procedures for metallicmaterials Part 1: General rules forfusion welding

9956-2:1995

Specification and approval ofwelding procedures for metallicmaterials Part 2: Weldingprocedures

9956-3:1995

Specification and approval ofwelding procedures for metallicmaterials Part 3: Weldingprocedure test for the arc weldingof steels

9956-4:1995

Specification and approval ofwelding procedures for metallicmaterials Part 3: Weldingprocedure test for the arc weldingof aluminium and its alloys

13916:1996

Welding - Measurement ofpreheating temperature, interpasstemperature and preheatmaintenance during welding

AWS D1.1: Structural welding code -1998 steel

AWS D1.3: Structural steel welding -1998 sheet steel



Table 3.6: Equivalent Australian and New Zealand Standards for Aluminium Structures

ISO standards listed in clause Equivalent Australian and New Zealandstandards for AS/NZS ISO 3834-2

3834-1:1994


AS/NZSISO 3834-1:1999


9712:1992


AS 3998-2002


9606-1:1994


9606-2:1994


9956-1:1995


9956-2:1995


9956-3:1995


9956-4:1995


13916:1996


AS 1665-1992

Welding of aluminiumstructures



Table 3.7: Equivalent Australian and New Zealand Standards for Pressure Equipment

ISO standards listed in Clause Equivalent Australian and New Zealandstandards for AS/NZS ISO 3834-2

3834-1:1994


AS/NZSISO 3834-1:1999


9712:1992


AS 3998-2002


9606-1:1994


9606-2:1994


9956-1:1995


9956-2:1995


9956-3:1995


9956-4:1995


AS/NZS3992:1998

AS 1796-1993

Pressure equipment -Welding and brazingqualification

Certification of welders andsupervisors

13916:1996


AS 4458-1997

NZS/BS5500:1997

NZS 1841:1964

NZS/BS2971:1991

Pressure equipmentmanufacture

Specification for unfiredfusion welded pressurevessels

Fusion welded pressuretanks

Specification for Class IIarc welding of carbon steelpipework for carrying fluids



Table 3.8: Equivalent American Standards for Pressure Equipment

ISO standards listed in Clause Equivalent Australian and New Zealandstandards for AS/NZS ISO 3834-3

3834-1:1994


AS/NZS ISO3834-1:1999


9712:1992


AS 3998-2002 Non-destructive testing-Qualification and certificationof personnel- Generalengineering

9606-1:1994

Approval testing of welders- Fusionwelding, Part1: Steels

9606-2:1994

Approval testing of welders- Fusionwelding Part 2: Aluminium andaluminium alloys

9956-1:1995

Specification and approval of weldingprocedures for metallic materials Part1: General rules for fusion welding

9956-2:1995

Specification and approval of weldingprocedures for metallic materials Part2: Welding procedures

9956-3:1995

Specification and approval of weldingprocedures for metallic materials Part3: Welding procedure test for the arcwelding of steels

9956-4:1995

Specification and approval of weldingprocedures for metallic materials Part3: Welding procedure test for the arcwelding of aluminium and its alloys

ASME BPVC IX:1998

Boiler and pressure vesselcode Section IX: Welding andbrazing qualifications

13916:1996


ASME BPVC I:1998

ASME BPVCVIII:1998

ASME ANSIB31.1: 1995

ASME ANSIB31.3: 1996

Boiler and pressure vesselcode Section I: Rules for theconstruction of power boilers

Boiler and pressure vesselcode Section VIII: Rules for theconstruction of pressureboilers

Power piping

Process piping



Table 3.9: Equivalent Australian and New Zealand Standards for Pipelines

ISO Standards listed in Clause Equivalent Australian and New ZealandStandards for AS/NZS ISO 3834-3

3834-1:1994

Quality requirements forwelding- Fusion welding ofmetallic materials, Part 1:Guidelines for selection andUse

AS/NZSISO 3834-1:1999


9712:1992


AS 3998-2002


9606-1:1994


9606-2:1994


9956-1:1995


9956-2:1995


9956-3:1995


9956-4:1995


13916:1996


AS 2885.2-1995

AS 1697-1981

AS 1958-1981

Pipelines- Gas and liquidpetroleum

Gas transmission anddistribution systems

Gas and liquid petroleumsubmarine pipelines



3.3.3 AS/NZS ISO 3834.3:1999 Quality requirements for welding - Fusion welding ofmetallic materials - Standards quality requirements


The requirements contained within this part may be adopted in full or may be selectivelydeleted by the manufacturer if not applicable to the construction concerned. They provide aflexible framework for the control of welding in the following cases.

Case 1To provide specific requirements for fusion welding in contracts which require themanufacturer to have a quality system other than ISO 9001 or ISO 9002.


Case 3To provide specific requirements for references in application standards which uses fusionwelding as part of its requirements or in a contract between relevant parties. It may howeverbe more appropriate for AS/NZS ISO 3834-4 to be used in such cases.


3.3.4 AS/NZS ISO 3834.4:1999 Quality requirements for welding - Fusion welding ofmetallic materials - Elementary quality requirements


The requirements contained within this part of ISO 3834 may be adopted in full or may beselectively deleted by the manufacturer if not applicable to the construction concerned. Theyprovide a flexible framework for the control of welding in the following cases.

Case 1To provide specific requirements for fusion welding in contracts which require themanufacturer to have a quality system other than ISO 9001 or ISO 9002 and where thedocumented welding control has a minor importance to the overall integrity of the finalconstruction.


Case 3To provide specific requirements for references in application standards which uses fusionwelding as part of its requirements or in a contract between relevant parties.

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