Chapter 17: Welding Codes
Overview
Washington state is home to a diverse set of industries and welding due to its unique geography that includes seaports and large waterways, such as the Columbia River that cuts across the state from Canada traversing down to its southern border, and many different industries.
Fabrications that can injure or kill in failure, such as bridges, buildings, pressure piping, and boilers, all require certified welders by law or by contract. As a welder, you will be certified to welding codes and standards based upon the material(s), joint type and design, welding positions, and in-service use of the fabrication. For example, if you start a career welding on a ferry or cruise ship, you could be welding to three different welding codes from the following organizations: the American Bureau of Shipping for the hull, the American Welding Society for the structure, and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers for any pressure piping and boilers.
This chapter serves two main purposes: first, to provide general information on how welding codes and standards are used and, second, to highlight the many professional welding career options that may best match your skills and interests.
Welding codes and standards are living documents, meaning they are revised and updated on a regular basis, and it takes hours of study and application of the code to fabrications to fully understood them. You are encouraged to reach out to your welding instructor, career placement office, or perform internet searches to find out more information about the welding opportunities discussed.
Objectives
After completing this chapter, students will be able to:
- Know where and how Washington Association of Building Officials (WABO) code is applied
- Know where and how American Welding Society (AWS) codes are applied
- Know where and how American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) codes are applied
- Know where and how American Petroleum Institute (API) code is applied
- Know where and how American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) code is applied
Key Terms
The following terms are generically defined to apply to a broad set of welding. Please note that when performing welding to a specific code, you will encounter specific definitions that apply to that specific code that may differ from the definitions listed in this text.
- Bend test
- Career
- Charpy V-notch test
- Committee
- Dihedral angle
- Fabrications
- Grievance
- Shore up
- Society
- Welding codes
- Weldment
Attributions
- Chapter opening image: WA State Ferry Chimacum by Dicklyon is released under CC BY-SA 4.0
An object that a tradesperson such as a welder has made using their skills
a document containing rules and requirements for welding fabrications]
A part of your life devoted to a trade or other profession where you grow your knowledge and skill into something you can be proud of
