AWS B5.17:2014

An American National Standard

Specification for the Qualification of Welding Fabricators

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AWS B5.17:2014

An American National Standard

Approved by the American National Standards Institute

September 12, 2014

Specification for the Qualification of Welding Fabricators

4th Edition

Supersedes AWS B5.17:2008

Prepared by the American Welding Society (AWS) B5G Subcommittee on Qualification of Welding Fabricators

Under the Direction of the AWS Technical Activities Committee

Approved by the AWS Board of Directors

Abstract

This standard establishes the minimum requirements necessary to qualify as a Welding Fabricator. The qualification is determined based on an examination of the implementation of the fabricator’s Quality Manual to verify compliance to the requirements defined in this specification. This document also defines the Welding Fabricator's functions and lists the minimum reference materials that the Welding Fabricator should possess.

Statement on the Use of American Welding Society Standards

All standards (codes, specifications, recommended practices, methods, classifications, and guides) of the American Welding Society (AWS) are voluntary consensus standards that have been developed in accordance with the rules of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). When AWS American National Standards are either incorporated in, or made part of, documents that are included in federal or state laws and regulations, or the regulations of other governmen- tal bodies, their provisions carry the full legal authority of the statute. In such cases, any changes in those AWS standards must be approved by the governmental body having statutory jurisdiction before they can become a part of those laws and regulations. In all cases, these standards carry the full legal authority of the contract or other document that invokes the AWS standards. Where this contractual relationship exists, changes in or deviations from requirements of an AWS standard must be by agreement between the contracting parties.

AWS American National Standards are developed through a consensus standards development process that brings together volunteers representing varied viewpoints and interests to achieve consensus. While AWS administers the pro- cess and establishes rules to promote fairness in the development of consensus, it does not independently test, evaluate, or verify the accuracy of any information or the soundness of any judgments contained in its standards.

AWS disclaims liability for any injury to persons or to property, or other damages of any nature whatsoever, whether special, indirect, consequential, or compensatory, directly or indirectly resulting from the publication, use of, or reliance on this standard. AWS also makes no guarantee or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any information pub- lished herein.

In issuing and making this standard available, AWS is neither undertaking to render professional or other services for or on behalf of any person or entity, nor is AWS undertaking to perform any duty owed by any person or entity to someone else. Anyone using these documents should rely on his or her own independent judgment or, as appropriate, seek the advice of a competent professional in determining the exercise of reasonable care in any given circumstances. It is assumed that the use of this standard and its provisions is entrusted to appropriately qualified and competent personnel.

This standard may be superseded by new editions. This standard may also be corrected through publication of amend- ments or errata, or supplemented by publication of addenda. Information on the latest editions of AWS standards includ- ing amendments, errata, and addenda is posted on the AWS web page (www.aws.org). Users should ensure that they have the latest edition, amendments, errata, and addenda.

Publication of this standard does not authorize infringement of any patent or trade name. Users of this standard accept any and all liabilities for infringement of any patent or trade name items. AWS disclaims liability for the infringement of any patent or product trade name resulting from the use of this standard.

AWS does not monitor, police, or enforce compliance with this standard, nor does it have the power to do so.

Official interpretations of any of the technical requirements of this standard may only be obtained by sending a request, in writing, to the appropriate technical committee. Such requests should be addressed to the American Welding Society, Attention: Managing Director, Technical Services Division, 8669 NW 36 St, # 130, Miami, FL 33166 (see Annex A). With regard to technical inquiries made concerning AWS standards, oral opinions on AWS standards may be rendered. These opinions are offered solely as a convenience to users of this standard, and they do not constitute professional advice. Such opinions represent only the personal opinions of the particular individuals giving them. These individuals do not speak on behalf of AWS, nor do these oral opinions constitute official or unofficial opinions or interpretations of AWS. In addition, oral opinions are informal and should not be used as a substitute for an official interpretation.

This standard is subject to revision at any time by the AWS Personnel and Facilities Qualification Committee. It must be reviewed every five years, and if not revised, it must be either reaffirmed or withdrawn. Comments (recommendations, additions, or deletions) and any pertinent data that may be of use in improving this standard are required and should be addressed to AWS Headquarters. Such comments will receive careful consideration by the AWS Personnel and Facilities Qualification Committee and the author of the comments will be informed of the Committee’s response to the comments. Guests are invited to attend all meetings of the AWS Personnel and Facilities Qualification Committee to express their comments verbally. Procedures for appeal of an adverse decision concerning all such comments are provided in the Rules of Operation of the Technical Activities Committee. A copy of these Rules can be obtained from the American Welding Society, 8669 NW 36 St, # 130, Miami, FL 33166.

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Personnel

Personnel & Facilities Qualification Committee

W. F. Behnke, Chair Fairbanks Morse

P. A. Grimm, Vice Chair Modern Welding Company

1. E. Dines, 2nd Vice Chair United Technical, LLC

2. P. Hedrick, Secretary American Welding Society

3. P. Colley Tampa Tank, Incorporated

1. W. Coryell Consultant

   1. A. Cross Valiant Machine and Tool, Incorporated

F. J. Fascenda Mitsubishi Power Systems

K. M. Gilgenbach Airgas

V. Kuruvilla Genesis Quality Systems

B. W. Phillips Aker Solutions

J. R. Reid Reid Consulting

1. T. Smith Fluor Enterprises, Incorporated

2. L. Twitty Dona Ana Community College

AWS B5G Subcommittee on Welding Fabricators

P. A. Grimm, Chair Modern Welding Company

S. P. Hedrick, Secretary American Welding Society

H. B. Brummel Public Building Commission of Chicago

J. D. Hollison Performance Mechanical, Incorporated

G. M. Lane Marathon Petroleum Company LP

D. Logan The Alloy Engineering Company

1. Werncke USACE, Lakes and Rivers Division

   
   

   Advisor to B5G Subcommittee on Welding Fabricators

   1. Z. Yu Tectonic Engineering

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Foreword

This foreword is not a part of AWS B5.17:2014, Specification for the Qualification of Welding Fabricators, but is included for informational purposes only.

This specification was developed by the AWS Personnel and Facilities Qualification Committee in response to an indus- try demand for a qualification document for welding fabricators. This specification establishes the qualification require- ments from which a central certification agency or an employer may develop a certification program for welding fabricators.

This is the fourth edition of this specification. Editorial changes were made to the Scope (Clause 1). A significant change in this edition is the provision that allows the use of other codes or specifications not published by AWS as specified in AWS QC17, Standard for Accreditation of Welding Fabricators for AWS Certified Welding Fabricator Program (Clause 6). A new requirement for verification at least annually of welding machine electrical characteristics was added (Clause 6).

The Qualification and Certification Committee of the American Welding Society was formed in 1973. In 1996, it was di- vided into two committees. The Personnel and Facilities Qualification Committee is now responsible for creating Amer- ican National Standards for welding personnel and welding facility qualification requirements. The AWS Certification Committee is now responsible for creating certification programs based on these and other recognized standards.

Comments and suggestions for the improvement of this standard are welcome. They should be sent to the Secretary, AWS Personnel and Facilities Qualification Committee, American Welding Society, 8669 NW 36 St, # 130, Miami, FL 33166.

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Table of Contents

Page No.

Personnel v

Foreword vii

1. Scope 1

2. Referenced Documents 1

3. Terms and Definitions 2

4. Qualification 3

5. Quality Management System 3

6. Quality Manual Requirements 3

   1. Cover Page 3

   2. Management Support and Responsibilities 3

   3. Organization 4

   4. Document Control 4

   5. Material Control. 5

   6. Welding 5

   7. Inspection 6

   8. Nonconformance. 6

   9. Measuring and Testing Equipment 7

   10. Internal Quality Audits 7

   11. Sample Forms 7

7. Library 8

Annex A (Informative)—Guidelines for the Preparation of Technical Inquiries 9

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