Certification Guide for Applicant Companies to CSA Standards W47.1, W47.2 and W186
You’ve received your certification binder from the CWB Group, now what?
Your “Certification Binder” contains all necessary materials to complete the certification process. To help you understand the process, information about the applicable CSA Welding Standards, study guides and other relevant documents are also included.
Certification to CSA Standards W47.1, W47.2 and W186 is obtained upon completion of the following 6 steps.
1. Complete the Necessary Documentation
Included are several forms that must be completed and returned to the CWB. This will help us identify your personnel and list the experience of your welding supervisors and engineers. If you need any assistance completing these forms, please contact us at 1-800-844-6790 or email us at info@cwbgroup.org .
Link to form 151
Link to form 155
Link to form 159
2. Qualify your Welding Supervisor(s)
Each company is required to employ an adequate number of Welding Supervisors, with welding related experience, to control welding operations. The supervisors will need to complete written examinations on welding symbols, weld faults, quality control and inspection methods and the applicable standard(s).
To purchase a standard, click here.
To check the availability of Welding Supervisor courses and seminars in your area click here.
3. Qualify a Welding Engineer if Required
Under the CSA certification programs, the required duties of welding engineers include the development of new welding procedures, preparation of the corresponding welding procedure specifications (WPS) and welding procedure data sheets (WPDS), and periodic reviews of a company’s welding practices.
Having a welding engineer gives a company the ability to be certified in Divisions 1 or 2, opening up the markets which are covered by design and product standards which requiring certification to these divisions.
In addition, welding engineers can provide knowledge and guidance in areas, which can include;
• design of components for welding
• weld connection design
• weld detailing
• filler metal / base metal selection
• welding solutions (e.g. cracking)
• determination of preheat requirements
• various other services
Be sure to ask your prospective welding engineer what other services they can provide which may be of value to your organization.
How do I know what division is right for me?
Depending on the type of work you are doing, some design and product codes are specific about the Division required, while others are unspecified. In certain cases, the owner of the project/structure/final product may specify the Division in the contract documents.
For information on what division is right for your company or for a list of qualified engineers in your area, please contact us at 1-800-844-6790 or email info@cwbgroup.org.
Step 4. Submit your Company’s Welding Procedures for Approval
Each company must prepare and submit to the CWB for acceptance, a detailed set of welding procedures consisting of: Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) for each welding process used. Welding Procedure Data Sheets (WPDS) for each welding process used, joint configuration, electrode type, etc. Companies applying for certification to CSA Standard W47.2 must also include a Welding Engineering Standard (WES). Each company applying for certification in Divisions 1 and 2.1 of CSA Standard W47.2 must also include in their WES an “Appraisal of Limitations and Suitability of Joints”.
Click here to download a free easy to follow guide to the preparation of welding procedure data sheets (WPDS). Click here for a blank WPDS form in PDF or Excel format.
Step 5: Qualify your Welders
All welders, welding operators and tack welders employed by the company must be tested for the processes and positions of welding which they use in production. To schedule welder testing please contact us at 1-800-844-6790 or email us at info@cwbgroup.org
Step 6: Review and Recommendation for Certification
From time to time, a CWB Representative will visit each company to complete an audit report and provide assistance.
Once all of the above are completed and all other items such as electrode storage facilities (shop and field), general appearance of welding, etc. are acceptable, then the company is recommended for certification.
At this time the Chief Executive Officer or his/her designate of the company applying for certification must review and sign the CWB Service Agreement (which is included in the Certification Binder) or Form 150 (CWB Application for Certification) is acceptable.
Upon satisfactory completion of the final review procedure, the company is issued a Letter of Certification, Letter of Validation and a Document of Certification.
Permission is also granted to use the CWB’s registered trademark on the company’s letterhead and promotional material.
Certification Guide for Applicant Companies to CSA W55.3-08
Certification under this standard applies to companies involved with resistance welding of steel and aluminum without limitation of applications. (Note that the application of W55.3 was previously restricted to fabricators of structural metals used in buildings.)
These are the steps for certification:
1. Establish and implement a Welding Quality System that includes:
General elements:
- Defining the scope of the resistance welding work, including if it covers steel and/or aluminum.
- Defining the number of welding operators;
- Identifying the organizational structure of your company (i.e. organization chart);
- Creating welding inspection and test plans;
- A description of the equipment;
Documented Procedures and/or Work Instructions:
- That describe how the company qualifies WPS and WPDSs ;
- On equipment maintenance;
- That describe how the company resolves issues resulting from the assessments made by the welding engineer regarding the company's resistance welding operations, if applicable;
- That describe the evaluation and repair process of unacceptable welds, and;
- Welding-related work instructions, if applicable;
Records:
- Of training for welding operators;
- That confirm that repairs and corrections to product have been carried out;
- Of inspection that confirm that all welding met the requirements of the inspection plan and contract requirements;
- Of inspection for “Routine checks” and “Periodic testing” as identified by the Standard
- Calibration for measuring devices;
- Of qualification tests for all new and modified or repaired equipment.
- Welding quality records;
Welding data:
- WPSs and WPDSs with accompanying PQRs for each qualification test;
2. Complete the Necessary Documentation:
Included are several forms that must be completed and returned to the CWB. This will help us identify your personnel and list the experience of your welding supervisors and engineers. If you need any assistance completing these forms, please contact us at 1-800-844-6790 or email us at info@cwbgroup.org .
Link to form 150
Link to form 151
Link to form 108
Link to form 155
Link to form 159
3. Qualify your Welding Supervisor(s)
Each company is required to employ an adequate number of Welding Supervisors, with welding related experience, to control welding operations. The supervisors will need to complete written examinations on welding symbols, weld faults, quality control and inspection methods and the applicable standard(s).
To purchase a standard, click here.
To check the availability of Welding Supervisor courses and seminars in your area click here.
4. Qualify a Welding Engineer if Required
Under the CSA certification programs, the required duties of engineers include the development of new welding procedures, preparation of the corresponding welding procedure specifications (WPS) and welding procedure data sheets (WPDS), and periodic reviews of a company's welding practices.
5. Approve your Company's Welding Procedures
You are not required to submit or have witnessed WPSs, WPDSs, PQR and PQTs by CWB. However, you must have documented procedures that describe how the company qualifies WPS and WPDSs and have records to demonstrate that your organization has followed the procedures for all the processes in use.
6: Review and Recommendation for Certification
From time to time, a CWB Representative will visit your company to complete an audit report and provide assistance.
Once all of the above are completed and all other items such general appearance of welding, etc. are acceptable, then the company is recommended for certification.
At this time the Chief Executive Officer or his/her designate of the company applying for certification must review and sign the CWB Service Agreement (which is included in the Certification Binder) or Form 150 (CWB Application for Certification) is acceptable.
Upon satisfactory completion of the final review procedure, the company is issued a Letter of Certification, Letter of Validation and a Document of Certification.
Permission is also granted to use the CWB's registered trademark on the company's letterhead and promotional material.
Home > CWB Certification > Certification Guide for Applicant Companies