Standards and classifications

Job knowledge64:
A review of the application of weld symbols
on drawings - Part I
Weld symbols have been used for many years and are a simple way of
communicating design office details to a number of different industrial shop floor
personnel such as welders, supervisors, and inspectors. Subcontractors are often
required to interpret weld symbols on engineering drawings, from perhaps the main
contractor or client. It is essential that everyone should have a full understanding of
weld symbol requirements to ensure that the initial design requirement is met.
There are a number of standards which relate to weld symbols including British,
European, International and American (American Welding Society) standards.
Most of the details are often similar or indeed, the same, but it is essential that
everyone concerned knows the standard to be used. One of the first requirements
therefore is:
Which standard?
The UK has traditionally used BS 499 Part 2. This standard has now been superseded
by BS EN 22553, however in many welding and fabrication organisations there will
be old drawings used that make reference to out of date standards such as BS 499
Pt 2.
BS EN 22553 is almost identical to the original ISO 2553 standard on which it was
based. Therefore we can say, for at least this article's scope, there are no
significant differences, but it is essential that the reader consults the specific
standard. The American system is also similar in many respects but will not be
covered here.
Basic requirements
All the standards have the same requirements in relation to the following items:
Arrow line and arrow head
Reference line
The arrow line can be at any angle (except 180 degrees) and can point up or
down. The arrow head must touch the surfaces of the components to be joined
and the location of the weld. Any intended edge preparation or weldment is not
shown as an actual cross sectional representation, but is replaced by a line. The
arrow also points to the component to be prepared with single prepared
components. See Figs. 1-4.







Fig. 1. Fig. 2.

Fig. 3. Fig. 4.

Symbol types
To the basic set-up of the arrow and reference line, the design draughtsperson can
apply the appropriate symbol, or symbols for more complex situations.
The symbols, in particular for arc and gas welding, are often shown as cross
sectional representations of either a joint design or a completed weld. Simple,
single edge preparations are shown in Fig. 5.
For resistance welding, a spot weld and seam weld are shown in Fig. 6:
Fig. 5. Fig. 6.


Joint and/or weld shape
The above examples can be interpreted as either the joint details alone or the
completed weld, however, for a finished weld it is normal to find that an appropriate
weld shape is specified. Using the examples above, there are a number of options
and methods to specify an appropriate weld shape or finish.
Butt welded configurations would normally be shown as a convex profile (Fig.7 'a',
'd' and 'f') or as a dressed-off weld as shown in 'b' and 'c'. Fillet weld symbols are
always shown as a 'mitre' fillet weld (a right angled triangle) and a convex or

concave profile can be superimposed over the original symbol's mitre shape. See
Fig. 7.
Fig. 7.


























Part 2 of this explanation of weld symbols covering more complex situations will
appear in the next issue. Copyright 2004 TWI Ltd
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