Qualification Requirements for Pressure Welders
Directive
Directive: Qualification Requirements for Pressure Welders
September 12, 2023
Reference Number:
D-BP 2023-01
Scope
The following directive is being issued to clarify the requirements for obtaining and maintaining a pressure welder certificate of qualification under the Safety Standards Act (the Act) and the Power Engineers, Boiler, Pressure Vessel, and Refrigeration Safety Regulation (the Regulation).
Definitions
Performance qualification test: the demonstration of a welder’s or welding operator’s ability to produce welds meeting prescribed standards.
Pressure welder: an individual holding a class A, IT or R pressure welder certificate of qualification issued under section 41 of the Regulation and includes both welders and welding operators.
Recognized test administrator: an individual or organization recognized by Technical Safety BC as competent to administer performance qualification tests conforming to CSA B51 and ASME Section IX.
Regulated product: includes boilers and boiler systems, pressure vessels, pressure piping, and refrigeration systems and equipment.
Regulated work: the assembly, manufacture, construction, installation, operation, testing, maintenance or repair of a regulated product, and the alteration of a regulated product.
Specific Details
General
Individuals performing welding on regulated products in British Columbia must possess the appropriate pressure welder certificate of qualification issued under section 41 of the Regulation and must be employed by or possess a valid contractor’s license. Additionally, pressure welder certificate of qualification holders must maintain a valid performance qualification(s), conforming to CSA B51, for the welding procedure specifications used while performing regulated work.
Pressure Welder Certificates of Qualification
The Regulation has established three classes of certificate of qualification under section 41. In order to qualify for a certificate of qualification, individuals must meet the testing and application requirements for that class of certificate of qualification as detailed below:
Class A Pressure Welder Certificate of Qualification
An applicant for a Class A Pressure Welder’s Certificate of Qualification must successfully complete a performance qualification test acceptable to the provincial safety manager. For the purposes of obtaining a Class A Pressure Welder’s Certificate of Qualification, the Class A syllabus establishes the criteria for a performance qualification test that is acceptable to the provincial safety manager.
In addition to completing an acceptable performance qualification test, applicants for a Class A Pressure Welder’s Certificate of Qualification must meet the conditions for qualification set out in section 41(3) of the Regulation.
A Class A Pressure Welder’s Certificate of Qualification allows the holder to perform any type of pressure welding for a licensed contractor.
Class IT (In Training) Pressure Welder Certificate of Qualification
An applicant for a Class IT Pressure Welder’s Certificate of Qualification must successfully complete a performance qualification test acceptable to the provincial safety manager. For the purposes of obtaining a Class IT Pressure Welder’s Certificate of Qualification, the Class IT syllabus establishes the criteria for a performance qualification test that is acceptable to the provincial safety manager.
In addition to completing an acceptable performance qualification test, applicants for a Class IT Pressure Welder’s Certificate of Qualification must meet the conditions for qualification set out in section 41(4) of the Regulation.
A Class IT Pressure Welder’s Certificate of Qualification allows the holder to perform pressure welding for a licensed contractor while under the supervision of a Class A Pressure Welder Certificate of Qualification holder that is employed by the licensed contractor.
Class R (restricted) Pressure Welder Certificate of Qualification
An applicant for a Class R Pressure Welder’s Certificate of Qualification must successfully complete a performance qualification test acceptable to the provincial safety manager. For the purposes of obtaining a Class R Pressure Welder’s Certificate of Qualification, the Class R syllabus establishes the criteria for a performance qualification test that is acceptable to the provincial safety manager.
In addition to completing an acceptable performance qualification test, applicants for a Class R Pressure Welder’s Certificate of Qualification must meet the conditions for qualification set out in section 41(5) of the Regulation.
A Class R Pressure Welder’s Certificate of Qualification allows the holder to perform a limited scope of pressure welding for the licensed contractor named on the certificate for a period of up to six months from the date the certificate is issued.
Pressure Welder Certificates of Qualification Renewal
Class A Pressure Welder Certificate of Qualification
The Class A Pressure Welder’s Certificate of Qualification is valid for three years and expires on the date noted on the certificate.
Prior to renewal, the Class A Pressure Welder Certificate of Qualification holder must successfully complete a performance qualification test in accordance with the term and condition attached to their certificate. The Class A renewal syllabus establishes the criteria for a performance qualification test that is acceptable for the purposes of renewal.
Class IT and R Pressure Welder Certificates of Qualification
Pursuant to section 2.2 of the Safety Standards General Regulation, Class IT and R Pressure Welder Certificates of Qualification are subject to the following term and condition:
Class IT and R Certificates of Qualification are not eligible for renewal.
Individuals that apply for a subsequent Class IT or R Certificate of Qualification must provide a written explanation of the circumstances requiring an additional qualification term in addition to any information normally required through the application process.
Class IT and R Certificates of Qualification are limited term certificates, additional qualification terms will only be granted in exceptional circumstances. Individuals required to perform pressure welding in BC beyond the initial issuance period of a Class IT or R Certificate of Qualification are encouraged to pursue a Class A Pressure Welder Certificate of Qualification.
Performance Qualification Tests
Performance qualification tests for pressure welding in British Columbia are approved by Technical Safety BC and comply with CSA B51 section 4.5.2 when administered by a recognized test administrator. Find a Recognized Test Administrator on our website.
For more information on performance qualification tests and recognized test administrator requirements see directive D-BP 2012-01 Recognition to Administer Welder Qualification Tests.
Continuity of Performance Qualifications
Performance qualification tests remain valid so long as continuity is maintained in accordance with ASME Section IX. Pressure welders must maintain evidence demonstrating that the welding process(es) that the individual is qualified to have been used at least once every six months since the completion of the performance qualification test.
The welder’s logbook is used to document the continuity start and end dates and the welding process(es) used during that period. The entry must be completed by the licensed contractor’s quality control personnel responsible for supervision of the welding as outlined in the licensed contractor’s quality control manual. Alternatively, a recognized test administrator may sign the welder’s logbook for this purpose.
Renewal of Performance Qualifications
Renewal of an expired performance qualification requires retesting for that welding process in accordance with ASME Section IX. A successful performance qualification test renews the pressure welder’s previous performance qualifications for that welding process including the materials, thicknesses, diameters, positions, and other variables for which they were previously qualified.
Provincial Safety Manager – Boiler, Pressure Vessel, and Refrigeration
References:
Power Engineers, Boiler, Pressure Vessel, and Refrigeration Safety Regulation