European Welding Inspection Personnel: EWF Guideline
European Welding Inspection Personnel: EWF Guideline
European Welding Inspection Personnel: EWF Guideline
EWF-IAB-041r3-08/SV-00
EWF – EUROPEAN WELDING FEDREATION
EWF-IAB-041r3-08/SV-00
Preface
This document is based upon the European Welding Inspection Personnel Guideline as
developed by the European Federation for Welding, Joining and Cutting (EWF), through
an Agreement first signed 19 July, 1997, at the Annual Meeting of the International
Institute of Welding (IIW) in San Francisco, California, USA and which has been
renewed and further developed since then. It has been established in that Agreement
that the International/European Welding Inspection Personnel Diploma is equivalent to
the European Welding Inspection Personnel Diploma.
The International Institute of Welding IIW has delegated the responsibility for the
management of the qualification and certification systems to the International
Authorisation Board (IAB).
The Guidelines that were developed by the European Federation for Welding, Joining
and Cutting (EWF), have been adopted by IIW.
The present EWF guideline for European Welding Inspection Personnel (former doc.
EWF-450), is based on the equivalent International Authorisation Board (IAB) guideline.
EWF ANBs can issue the EWF and IIW equivalent diplomas (E/IWI-C, E/IWI-S and
E/IWI-B).The EWF Diploma shall be awarded via the automatic route.
Copies of this document are available from the EWF Secretariat or their designated
distributor. A short version can be downloaded from the EWF web site: www.ewf.be.
Endorsement Notice
The content of the IAB/IIW Guideline, doc. IAB-041r3-08, has been approved as the
EWF guideline, doc. EWF-IAB-041r3-08, without any change (when International
diploma designation is mentioned, this has been replaced by International/European).
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(IWIP)
Tel: +351.21.4211351
Fax: +351.21.4228122
E-mail: ewf-iab@isq.pt
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preface……………………………………………………………………….……………...…….……… 4
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Preface
This document is based upon the European Welding Inspection Personnel Guideline as
developed by the European Federation for Welding, Joining and Cutting (EWF), through an
Agreement first signed in 19 July, 1997, at the Annual Meeting of the International Institute of
Welding in San Francisco, California, USA and which has been renewed and further developed
since then.
Any EWF ANB is permitted to issue EWF diplomas equivalent to IIW ones that have been
issued by the same ANB.
Copies of this document are available from the IIW IAB Secretariat or their designated
distributor.
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1. Introduction
Section 1 of this guideline covers the minimum requirements for education and training, agreed
upon by all national welding societies within the IIW, in terms of themes, keywords and times
devoted to them. It will be revised periodically by the WG A3b to take into account any changes
that may affect the “state of the art”. Students having successfully completed this course of
education will be expected to be capable of applying welding inspection technology as covered
by this guideline. Section 2 of this document covers examination and qualification.
This Guideline sets out the education for three levels of personnel, as follow:
STANDARD (IWI-S): A candidate completing the “Standard” level of training under this
programme shall possess an advanced knowledge of welding and inspection theory and
application. This knowledge base will enable the candidate to understand and apply the
knowledge in the areas of:
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BASIC (IWI-B): A candidate completing the “Basic” level of training under this program shall
posses a general knowledge of welding and inspection application and theory. This knowledge
base will enable the candidate to effectively understand the following topics:
Non-destructive, mechanical testing and visual inspection techniques
Material specifications
Consumable specifications
Engineering drawings, joint fit up and workmanship tolerances
Welding procedure specifications
Inspection procedures and acceptance criteria
Identification of weld imperfections associated with pre-production, fabrication and
post fabrication
3.1 Route 1 is for those fulfilling the access conditions defined in Fig. 1 at the relevant level.
Candidates may decide, after self-assessment on the basis of prior learning and/or
experience, whether to take the Welding Technology Module first, or proceed directly to
the intermediate examination through the Approved Training Body (ATB) assessment. A
pass in the intermediate examination is required before taken the Welding Inspection
Module examination.
At the description of the ANB, and only for students attending the full stantard courses
training, the Welding Technology Module exam (intermediate examination) can be
performed at the same day of the Welding Inspection Technology Module exam.
3.2 Route 2 is for those already holding an existing IIW qualification who may proceed direct
to the Welding Inspection Module at the relevant level.
The routes to qualification are summarised in Fig. 1 “Standard Route” and in Fig. 2 there
are presented other routes "Routes no. 2, 3 and 4". The figures in brackets are the
recommended minimum number of teaching hours specified for each education module.
A teaching hour will contain at least 50 minutes of direct teaching time.
For IWI-S only the Guideline recognises the current situation in several countries, by
providing entry for inspectors not meeting the full specified access conditions but having
at least 5 years authenticated experience in general engineering inspection (Route 3).
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Such inspectors may decide through self-assessment whether to complete the 40 hours
of Basic Technology Module 0 first or to proceed directly to the intermediate examination
following the Module 0. The Welding Technology Module WT II is mandatory for Route 3.
The Guideline also provides for the experienced IWI-B to progress to IWI-S via Route 4
as shown in Fig. 2. The candidate may decide whether or not to take Module 0 or WT II
on the basis of self-assessment and after ATB assessment. His/her knowledge will be
checked by intermediate examinations and a failure will require that the candidate take a
respective omitted module.
For all routes, if the candidate fails an intermediate examination, having exercised an
option to proceed directly to that examination, he/she must take the omitted training
module before re-sitting the examination failed. Welding Inspection Module examination
can only be taken after passing intermediate examination of Welding Technology
Module (see last sentence for route 1).
The rules for the conduct of final examinations by the Authorised National Body are
prescribed in Section 2 of this Guideline. The intermediate examinations are mandatory
and are the responsibility of the ATB to ensure that those entering the next module have
achieved the required level of knowledge.
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ATB
Check
Welding
Self Inspection
assessment Module WI III IWI-C
(97 h)
ATB
Check
Welding
Self Inspection
assessment Module WI II IWI-S
(63 h)
ATB
Check
Welding
Self Inspection
assessment Module WI I IWI-B
(40)
ATB
Check
- ATB Assessment
- Intermediate examination
Figure 2. Routes no. 2, 3 and 4
- Final examination
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Welding Welding
3 2 years Technology Inspection
experience Module WT III Module WI III IWI-C
(122 h) (97 h)
ATB Welding
Check Inspection
Self Module WI III IWI-C
assessment (97 h)
Holders of an IWI-Standard Diploma
2 Holders of IWS/EWS
ATB
Diploma Check
3 5 years
Welding Welding
experience Module 0
Technology Inspection
4 2 years
(40 h)
! Module WT II
(94 h)
Module WI II
(63 h)
IWI-S
experience
ATB ATB
Check Check
Self Welding
assessment Inspection IWI-S
Module WI II
(63 h)
Holders of an IWI-Basic Diploma
Welding
2 Holders of IWP/EWP Diploma Inspection
Module WI I IWI-B
(40 h)
! - A single examination but module WT II is compulsory for Route 3, optional for Route 4.
ATB
Check - ATB Assessment - Intermediate examination
- Final examination
Standard education IWI-S. Route 3: Inspectors with at least 5 years experience in general
engineering inspection.
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no Professional
At the discretion of the ANB assessment interview
no yes
Paper assessment (of the ANB detailed assessment; see appendix II)
yes
no ANB check
Alternative An applicant must submit to the ANB, together with an application form, the information
described in the item 4 of the Section 1 of this guideline depending of the IWIP level
Route sought
An applicant must submit the following documentation to the ANB with the application form:
IWI-C:
IWT/EWT diploma or evidence of satisfying the access conditions for IWT/EWT.
A curriculum vitae (CV)/ resume containing the following professional information:
- Evidence of at least three years job function in welding and inspection at the technologist
level (in a period of 4 years before application)
- A justification of the candidate’s experience, training, and education to become IWI-C
(may include other test results)
IWI-S:
IWS/EWS diploma or evidence of satisfying the access conditions for IWS/EWS.
A curriculum vitae (CV)/ resume containing the following professional information
- Evidence of at least two years job function in welding and inspection at the specialist
level (in a period of 3 years before application)
- A justification of the candidate’s experience, training, and education to become IWI-S
(may include other test results)
IWI-B:
IWP/EWP diploma or evidence of satisfying the access conditions for IWP/EWP.
A curriculum vitae (CV)/ resume containing professional information
- Evidence that the candidate was working in welding and inspection at the practitioner
level during last two years before application.
- A justification of the candidate’s experience, training, and education to become IWI-B
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The ANB shall determine, by paper check, if the application is suitable for further detailed
assessment.
Those having certification in NDT in accordance with ISO 9712, EN 473 or equivalent
recognised by the ANB may be granted exemption from the NDT parts of the modules for
Welding Inspection on a method by method basis, but not from the final examination. The
approval of such arrangements is at the discretion of the ANB.
7. Definitions
7.1 Education and training: A process of instruction in relevant theory and practice that
takes the form of courses to an approved syllabus and periods of practical work under
qualified supervision (but shall not include the use of specimens used in the practical
examination). All educational courses leading to the award of qualification covered by this
Guideline shall be approved by the Authorised National Body.
7.3 Relevant inspection experience: The period during which the candidate performed
welding inspection as his main activity under qualified supervision including personal
application of inspection to materials, parts or structures but not including tests performed
during training courses.
The inspector’s role begins well before welding starts, continues during the welding operation,
involves action after welding is completed, and is finished only when the results are properly
reported. As part of the quality system, inspection activities are defined in an inspection and test
plan, which clearly describes what is required. The inspector is frequently responsible for
producing documents that ensure traceability of the components and related fabricating action.
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Prior to welding, the inspector must be assured that the materials are correct and that the shop
has approved welding procedures and appropriately qualified welders. Written procedures and
competent operators are important to the production of a quality-welded product, but the actual
execution of the weld is also a critical point for the inspector. Once the inspector is satisfied that
all is in order for the welding to proceed, the task becomes one of witnessing and monitoring.
There are two basic interests at this point: ensuring that the written procedures are being
followed; and, of course, watching for any physical signs of non-conformance of the final
product.
The inspector’s responsibilities are to verify base metals and welding consumables, observe the
fit-up and preparation for the weld, and watch the welding operation itself. Once the welding is
completed, a new series of inspection tasks begin, which starts with executing an inspection
program according to an approved procedure, keeping track of the status of examination and
testing and selecting specific welds for further NDT or mechanical testing.
Heat treatment (such as preheating, post-heating and post-weld heat treatment) can be a
critical parameter in a welding operation and the inspector is often required to ensure that it has
been done properly. Heat treatment must be carried out following an approved written
procedure. The inspector must know enough about the technique, the equipment and the
reports to have confidence in the results.
8.1 Reports
When preparation, production and inspection are over, the inspector must collate the
observations, checklists, and results into a report that is structured to meet the needs of
the client, a jurisdiction, or a code. This report is the document of reference, which could
allow the tracing of a production parameter that proves after years of service to be
contributing to a failure. It allows the tracing of responsibility to a specific supplier or
contractor.
One or more interim reports might well be necessary to show progress during a long or
complicated construction project. Reports must detail the inspection stages, parameters,
and results, including corrective actions if required. It is important to recognise quality
related problems into a contract as early as possible. Interim reports and observations
are extremely valuable as they provide engineering and production personnel with
information they might not otherwise be aware of. The inspector’s observations might
highlight quality problems that could, perhaps, be remedied by design or production
changes if found early enough. The inspector should remember to quantify observations
where possible.
The authority to stop work or call for immediate remedial action to resolve a quality
problem is particularly important in defining the responsibility of the inspector.
9. Syllabus
It is not obligatory to follow exactly the order of the modules and topics given in this Guideline, and
choice in the arrangement of the syllabus is permitted.
However, caution must be exercised by the ANB to ensure that any changes in the order of
presentations of the Welding Technology modules and in the Welding Inspection modules do
not alter the points of entry intended in Figs. 1 and 2.
Note:
This guideline is divided in two main modules they are:
- Welding Technology (WT)
- Welding Inspection (WI)
Each main module is divided in three (3) levels, corresponding the IWIP qualification levels
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WT III WT II WT I
Note: The above syllabus follows the content of that adopted for the core Guideline Personnel with
Responsibility for Welding Coordination. Items which do not apply to welding inspection personnel are
allocated 0 hrs, this will be mention on the complete guideline.
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WI III WI II WI I
2. Testing 1 1 1
3. Weld Imperfections 7 5 3
4. Testing methods 31 25 18
5. Quality Assurance 3 3 1
7. Practical work 49 23 15
This module is only applied for certain applicants who want to be engage on the Standard level
training (see figure 2).
1. Introduction 2
2. Units 2
3. Technical Calculation 7
4. Technical Drawing 12
5. Basics of Electrotechnology 2
6. Basics of Chemistry 2
7. Basics of Materials 5
8. Metal Products 2
9. Machining of Materials 2
Note: This 40 hour course follows the syllabus of Module IWS-0, but only insofar as
engineering knowledge required by the International Welding Inspection Specialist level
is concerned.
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Appendix II
After the candidate has fulfilled the requirements of the ANB check, he will be admitted to the
ANB detailed assessment.
no no
no
Project or
Final Exam
Detailed paper A minimum of 50% yes Professional technical yes IWI-C
assessment of per module is required to assessment interview IWI-S
knowledge proceed further interview yes IWI-B
If he/she has a diploma of IIW ( IWE, IWT, IWS, or IWP) and valid certificates of ISO 9712 cover
the syllabus of the Welding Inspection Modules of the present guideline he/she can proceed to
professional assessment interview for equivalent level of qualification without detailed paper
assessment.
After fulfilling all of the requirements for a (detailed assessment) and b (Professional
assessment interview) and c.1 (Project) or c.2 (Technical Interview) of the ANB detailed
assessment, the candidate will be admitted to the final examination.
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