11/28/2023
ASME SECTION IX SEMINAR
Bureau Veritas Inspection & Insurance Company
MODULE 2
PART QG - GENERAL
REQUIREMENTS
For the benefit of business and people
PART QG
QG-100(a):
Scope: This Section contains requirements for the
qualification of welders, welding operators, brazers, brazing
operators, plastic fusing machine operators; and the material
joining processes they use during welding, brazing, and
fusing operations for the construction of components under
the rules of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, the
ASME B31 Codes for Pressure Piping, and other Codes,
standards, and specifications that reference this Section.
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PART QG
Structure: This Section is divided into four parts.
(1) Part QG- general requirements for all joining processes.
(2) Part QW- requirements for welding.
(3) Part QB- requirements for brazing.
(4) Part QF- requirements for plastic fusing.
QG-100(b): “Whenever the referencing Code, standard, or
specification imposes requirements different than those given in
this Section, the requirements of the referencing Code, standard, or
specification shall take precedence over the requirements of this
Section.”
PART QG
It is important to remember that Section IX is a reference
code, that only applies to the extent that it is referenced by
another code, standard, or specification.
Most of the required documentation and records specified by
Section IX are described in Part QG.
Each subsequent Part will further describes records specific to
those joining methods.
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PROCEDURE SPECIFICATIONS
QG-101:
“A procedure specification is a written document
providing direction to the person applying the material
joining process.”
“Details for the preparation and qualification of
procedure specifications for welding (WPS), brazing
(BPS), and fusing (FPS) are given in the respective parts
addressing those processes.”
PROCEDURE SPECIFICATIONS
“Procedure specifications used by an organization having
responsibility for operational control of material joining
processes shall have been qualified by that organization, or
shall be a standard procedure specification acceptable under
the rules of the applicable Part for the joining process to be
used.”
This means the Organization is responsible for performing
the qualification of their joining specifications.
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PROCEDURE SPECIFICATIONS
Procedure specifications address the conditions (including
ranges, if any) under which the material joining process must
be performed. These conditions are referred to as
“variables”.
Variables will be further defined in a few more slides.
The unique variables and their limitations for each joining
method, and for each technique within those joining methods,
are described in each Part.
A procedure specification shall address, as a minimum, the
specific essential and nonessential variables that are
applicable to the material-joining process to be used in
production.
PROCEDURE SPECIFICATIONS
When the referencing code, standard, or specification
requires toughness qualification of the joining procedure,
the applicable supplementary essential variables shall also
be addressed in the procedure specification.
When toughness testing is not required for procedure
qualification, supplementary essential variables may be
ignored.
Be careful, because in some cases a supplementary
essential variable may also be a nonessential variable that
still applies even when toughness testing is not required for
procedure qualifications.
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PROCEDURE QUALIFICATION
RECORDS
QG-102: The purpose of qualifying the procedure specification
is to demonstrate that the joining process proposed for
construction is capable of producing joints having the required
mechanical properties for the intended application”
The procedure qualification record (PQR) documents what
occurred during the production of a procedure
qualification test coupon and the results of testing that
coupon.
As a minimum, the PQR shall document the essential
procedure qualification test variables applied during
production of the test joint, and the results of the required
tests.
PROCEDURE QUALIFICATION
RECORDS
When toughness testing is required for qualification of the
procedure specification, the applicable supplementary
essential variables shall be recorded for each process.
The organization shall certify the PQR by a signature or other
means as described in the organization’s quality program.
Procedure qualifications are not primarily intended to qualify
the performance of the person applying the joining process in
the procedure qualification test, but the performance of the
person preparing the qualification test coupon may also be
qualified.
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PERFORMANCE QUALIFICATION
QG-103: “The purpose of qualifying the person who will use a
joining process is to demonstrate that person’s ability to produce
a sound joint when following a procedure specification.”
QG-104: “The performance qualification record documents what
occurred during the production of a test coupon by a person
using one or more joining processes following an organization’s
procedure specification.”
It is easy to confuse a Procedure Qualification Record (PQR)
with Performance Qualification Records, which are
designated as a WPQ (welding), BPQ (brazing), or FPQ
(fusing). In each case the “R” is not added to the abbreviation
for a Performance Qualification Record.
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VARIABLES
QG-105 defines the different types of variables.
(Procedure) Essential variables are conditions where
changes affect the mechanical properties (other than toughness)
of the joint.
(Performance) Essential variables are conditions where
changes affect the ability of the person to make a sound joint.
(Procedure) Supplementary Essential Variables are
conditions where changes affect the toughness properties of the
joint, heat-affected zone, or base material.
Nonessential variables are conditions where changes do not
affect the mechanical properties of the joint.
Special process variables apply only to special processes
described in the Part addressing those joining methods.
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ORGANIZATIONAL
RESPONSIBILITY
QG-106: Personnel performing supervisory activities specified in this
Section shall:
(a) be designated by the organization with responsibility for
supervision, control, evaluation, and acceptance of qualification
testing. (usually described within the QC Program)
(b) have a satisfactory level of competence in accordance with the
organization’s quality program. As a minimum, this person shall be
qualified by education, experience, or training in the following areas:
(1) knowledge of the requirements of this Section for the
qualification of joining procedures and personnel applying them
(2) knowledge of the organization’s quality program
(3) the scope, complexity, or special nature of the joining
qualification activities to which oversight is to be provided
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ORGANIZATIONAL
RESPONSIBILITY
(c) have a record, maintained by the organization, containing
objective evidence of the qualifications, training, or experience of the
individual who has been designated.
QG-106.1: Procedure Qualification.
Each organization is responsible for conducting the tests
required by this Section to qualify the joining procedures used in
component construction.
Personnel producing test joints for procedure qualification shall
be under the full supervision and control of the qualifying
organization, and shall be either direct employees or personally
engaged by contract for material-joining services, except as
permitted in QG-106.4.
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ORGANIZATIONAL
RESPONSIBILITY
Production of procedure qualification test joints under the
supervision and control of another organization is not
permitted, except in QG-106.4.
If the effective operational control of procedure qualifications
for two or more different companies exists under the same
corporate ownership, the companies shall describe in their
quality programs the operational control of procedure
qualifications.
Preparation of test coupons and test specimens, and
mechanical testing or NDE may be subcontracted.
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ORGANIZATIONAL
RESPONSIBILITY
QG-106.2: Performance Qualification.
Each organization is responsible for conducting the tests
required by this Section to qualify the joining personnel used
in component construction.
Personnel producing test joints for procedure qualification
shall be under the full supervision and control of the
qualifying organization.
Production of performance qualification test joints under the
supervision and control of another organization is not
permitted, except in QG-106.4.
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ORGANIZATIONAL
RESPONSIBILITY
The performance qualification test may be halted at any time
by the supervisor if it is clear the person does not have the skill
to pass.
Personnel successfully completing joints for procedure
qualification may also be granted performance qualification
within the observed range of the variables specified for
performance qualifications.
Personnel successfully qualified shall be assigned an
identifying number, letter, or symbol which shall be used to
identify their work.
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INTER-COMPANY
QUALIFICATIONS
QG-106.1(c): If the effective operational control of procedure
qualifications for two or more companies of different names
exists under the same corporate ownership, the companies
involved shall describe in their Quality Control System the
operational control of procedure qualifications.
In this case, separate procedure qualifications are not
required, when all other requirements of this Section are met.
Similar provisions for performance qualifications of joining
personnel is found in QG-106.2(g)
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SIMULTANEOUS
QUALIFICATIONS
QG-106.3 provides rules for simultaneous performance
qualification of joining personnel by multiple organizations.
Organizations may participate in an association to
simultaneously qualify the performance of joining personnel.
Each participating organization shall be represented by an
individual meeting the requirements of QG-106.
The participating organization’s representative shall:
• positively identify the person being tested.
• verify markings on the coupon correspond to the person
tested.
• verify positional orientation markings on coupon reflect the
test position as needed for specimen removal.
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SIMULTANEOUS
QUALIFICATIONS
• perform a visual examination of each completed test coupon
to determine its acceptability.
• perform a visual examination of the test specimen after
mechanical testing or review the NDE examination report for
each test specimen to determine its acceptability.
• prepare a performance qualification record for each person
who successfully completes the qualification test.
The performance qualification record shall be certified by the
individual identified in the QC system.
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SIMULTANEOUS
QUALIFICATION
QG-106.4 provides rules for simultaneous procedure
qualification by multiple organizations.
Only when expressly permitted by the referencing code,
standard, or specification.
Each organization
accepts full responsibility for any such qualifications
shall be represented by an individual meeting the
requirements of QG-106
The participating organization’s representative shall:
review and accept a prepared preliminary joining
procedure addressing the variables to be applied.
review and accept any variables revised during the test.
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SIMULTANEOUS
QUALIFICATION
supervise and oversee the joining of the test coupon(s).
• perform a visual examination of the completed test
coupon(s) to verify acceptability.
• review the report of mechanical testing for each test
specimen to verify determine its acceptability.
• prepare a PQR, documenting the procedure qualification
was conducted under the provisions of QG-106.4.
The performance qualification record shall be certified by the
individual identified in the QC system.
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OWNERSHIP
TRANSFERS
QG-107: When ownership of an organization changes, the
procedure specifications, procedure qualification records,
and all performance qualification records remain valid.
The new owner must
take responsibility for all of the welding documents.
revise the welding documents to show the name of the
new owner.
describe in the QC system the “original source” of the
welding documents.
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QUALIFICATIONS TO
PREVIOUS EDITIONS
QG-108: Previously stated that qualifications completed after the
1962 Edition remain valid.
With the 2023 Edition, the reference to 1962 is removed.
Joining procedure specifications and their qualifications, and
performance qualifications completed in compliance with any
earlier Edition (and Addenda) may continue be used when
compliant with the code rules.
Procedure specifications written to later Editions using
previously qualified PQRs are acceptable, but they must contain
all essential variables of the later Edition.
Compliance with the current construction code rules is still
required as previously discussed in QG-100(b).
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DEFINITIONS
QG-109: Provides definitions of material joining terms.
The listed terms have definitions specific to ASME Section IX
Several definitions are modified slightly from the definitions in
AWS A3.0 to reflect their context and intent in ASME Section IX.
Some of the defined terms are not present in AWS A3.0.
In the 2023 Edition, the definition of “organization” is revised
to read:
organization: as used in this Section, an organization is a
manufacturer, contractor, assembler, installer, or other entity
having responsibility for operational control of the material-joining
methods used in the construction of components in accordance
with the codes, standards, and specifications which reference this
Section.
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OTHER
2023 EDITION CHANGES
QG-101, QW-101, QW-200, QB-200 and QF-200 have
been revised to permit outside organizations to prepare
WPS/BPS/FPS and supporting PQR documents.
Final certification by the qualifying organization is still
required. This is a significant revision.
Article VI: New Article that provides rules for qualifying
GMAAW, a wire-additive welding process for additive
manufacturing (AM) of parts. This is a VERY significant
revision.
QG-109.2: Established new terms and definitions for the
GMAAM process of additive manufacturing (3D printing).
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REVIEW QUESTIONS
ON
PART QG
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QUESTION 1
What is the purpose of a Procedure
Specification?
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ANSWER 1
QG-101
A procedure specification is a written
document providing direction to the
person applying the material joining
process.
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QUESTION 2
What is the purpose of qualifying a
procedure specification?
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ANSWER 2
QG-102
The purpose of qualifying the procedure
specification is to demonstrate that the
joining process proposed for construction is
capable of producing joints having the
required mechanical properties for the
intended application.
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QUESTION 3
When the Code of Construction requires
toughness testing, what variables must be
included in the procedure qualifications?
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ANSWER 3
QG-102.
Supplementary Essential Variables
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QUESTION 4
Define essential variables for procedures.
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ANSWER 4
QG-105.1
Essential variables are conditions in which
a change, as described in the specific
variables, is considered to affect the
mechanical properties (other than
toughness) of the joint.
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QUESTION 5
Define essential variables for performance.
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ANSWER 5
QG-105.2
Essential variables are conditions in which a
change, as described in the specific variable
list, will affect the ability of the person to
produce a sound joint.
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QUESTION 6
Define supplementary essential variables?
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ANSWER 6
QG-105.3
Supplementary essential variables are
conditions in which a change will affect the
toughness properties of the joint, heat-affected
zone, or base material. Supplementary
essential variables become additional
essential variables in situations where
procedure qualifications require toughness
testing.
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QUESTION 7
Define nonessential variables.
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ANSWER 7
QG-105.4
Nonessential variables are conditions in
which a change, as described in the
specific variables, is not considered to
affect the mechanical properties of the
joint. These variables shall be
addressed in the procedure
specification.
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QUESTION 8
Under what conditions may two or more
companies use each others procedures
without requalification?
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ANSWER 8
QG-106.1(c)
If the effective operational control of procedure
qualifications for two or more companies of
different names exists under the same corporate
ownership, the companies involved shall describe
in their QC System the operational control of
procedure qualifications. Separate procedure
qualifications are not required, provided all other
requirements of this Section are met.
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THE END OF MODULE 2
Any questions?
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