WQT – what is it and why do we need it?
A Welder Qualification Test (WQT) is a qualification certificate that verifies that a welder has successfully completed the verification of competence test using a specific welding process, in a particular welding position and has demonstrated the ability to produce a sound weld to a welding procedure.
A welder will produce a weld on test coupons using a specified procedure. The test is witnessed to verify it is done in accordance with the standard. The test sample is then examined visually to determine compliance and then sent for additional testing based on the standard requirements which may include radiography, ultrasonic examination or destructive tests.
The test confirms a welder is competent to produce the weld required by the standard, providing confidence that the welding produced by them will be consistently compliant to ensure the quality of your project and reduce rework.
Many of our clients were frustrated by expiring welder qualifications, trying to understand the best way and were sick of the hassle around it, until they invited us to help.
How often do they have to be updated to stay compliant?
There are a number of different standards which have become increasingly complex over the last few years which can be used to qualify welders for structural applications. ASNZS 1554 suite of standards was traditionally used for welder qualifications.
For a few years, we have suggested to our clients to use AS/NZS 2980 as it provides a better range of coverage and less ongoing maintenance to keep them in date. Now with the mandating of AS/NZS 2980 qualifications by AS/NZS 5131 for CC3, it makes more sense to use this purpose-developed standard.
AS/NZS 2980 has become a little more difficult to navigate, since the update in 2018 with it primarily referencing ISO 9606, but still holds a number of benefits over 1554 qualifications.
Selecting the right option within ISO9606 for extension of qualification can minimise the ongoing maintenance aspects and reduces the risk of finding out at the last minute your welder’s qualifications are out of date.
Typically, the welder’s qualification begins from the date the satisfactory test piece is welded and needs to be verified every six months. The means of verification can vary depending on the option selected. This can be achieved when the person responsible for welding (Welding Supervisor etc) confirms on the test certificate, that the welder has worked within the range qualified for the previous six months.
WQTs typically need to be periodically reverified, they have an expiry date dictated by the welding code, and your welder may need to undergo re-testing when the period of validity is up.
It may be that a particular welder is no longer employed with your organisation, or that you no longer use a particular welding procedure. If this is the case, you can simply let the certificate lapse.
Professional Welder Qualification Testing and Certification
If you are a customer of Technoweld, contact us and we can update your WQT register accordingly or discuss requalifying your welders.
If you are not yet a customer of Technoweld, please contact us to arrange to have your welders undergo Welder Qualification Testing. This can be completed at your premises or our state-of-the-art facility in Wingfield, South Australia. Our Technical team are internationally qualified professionals, and we can service customers nationally and internationally.
When assisting our clients we determine the most efficient way to get the largest range of qualification with the minimum number of test coupons, to reduce cost.
To find out more about how we can help or to book a WQT call 1300 00 WELD or get in touch online.