INDUSTRY & FACILITIES

Pressure and Welding Technical Management Center

GM PW 192 - Qualification of inspectors in charge of issuing qualifications of

welders and welding procedures

rev.: 09

Date of 1st Edition : 1993

Last Revision date : 16/11/2010

Classification

 Category 1 - Pressure and Welding technical Centre

 Sub-category 4) Welding

Quality Actors

Editor(s) : Jean-François Adam, Christelle Tokmakidis

Editor Manager : Jean-François Adam
Checker : Jean-François Adam, Alain Henckes
Approval Manager : Alain Chandèze

Rev 09 : Modify references and §2.4 Updating of monitoring conditions and add A2 Appendix

Head Office: 67/71 Boulevard du Château – 92200 NEUILLY SUR SEINE - Tél : 01 55 24 70 00 – www.bureauveritas.com

Joint stock company with Directorate & Supervisory board - RCS Nanterre B 775 690 621
 SUMMARY

1. GENERAL............................................................................................................................................ 3

1.1. PURPOSE................................................................................................................................................3
1.2. SCOPE OF APPLICATION........................................................................................................................3
1.3. RESPONSIBILITY FOR IMPLEMENTATION..............................................................................................3
1.4. REFERENCES..........................................................................................................................................4
1.5. TERMINOLOGY......................................................................................................................................5
1.6. IDENTIFICATION AND FILING................................................................................................................5
1.7. REVISION...............................................................................................................................................5
1.8. DISTRIBUTION.......................................................................................................................................5

2. SECTIONS........................................................................................................................................... 6

2.1. LEVELS OF QUALIFICATION..................................................................................................................6

2.2. BASIC TRAINING AND WORK EXPERIENCE...........................................................................................8
2.3. QUALIFICATION PROCEDURE................................................................................................................9
2.4. MONITORING PROGRAMME................................................................................................................12

3. APPENDIX......................................................................................................................................... 13

3.1. APPENDIX A1 - DEFINITION OF LEVELS FOR INSPECTORS' ABILITY.................................................13

3.2. Appendix A2 - Monitoring of technical staff – Guidelines...................................................................14

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 1. GENERAL

1.1. Purpose
This Methodological Guide describes the principles and conditions for qualification of inspectors for permanent
joining employed by Bureau Veritas to perform one or more of the following services :
- inspection of welded constructions (e.g. regulated pressure vessels ...);
- qualification of welders and welding procedures, personnel for permanent joining, permanent joining and
procedures other than welding ...

1.2. Scope of application

The provisions of this guide apply to qualification of the specific abilities of inspectors responsible for :

* inspection services for welded constructions, not including pressure vessels subject to regulation, for which
reference should be made to GM PW 191 (“Pressure equipment and transport of dangerous goods equipment
- Qualification of inspectors”),

* inspection services of welded constructions/equipment according to PED/TPED, with eventual

complementary qualification (refer to GM PW 191).

* qualification of welders and welding procedures covered by GM PW 127 (“Qualification of welding

procedures in accordance with EN 15614-X and ASME IX”) and GM PW 128 (“Qualification of welders or
welding operators in accordance with EN 287-1, EN 9606-2, EN 9606-3, N 9606-4, N 9606-5 EN 1418 and
ASME IX”), which may be connected with Bureau Veritas approvals granted under the terms of regulatory
texts (statutory approval) or not (voluntary approval); such regulatory texts include :
- Pressure Equipment Directive;
- Transportable Pressure Equipment Directive;
- RID, ADR, IMDG, regulations for the transport of dangerous goods :
- French order of 24 March 1978 concerning welding regulations for the manufacture of Nuclear Pressure
Equipment (specifically designed for nuclear use, failure of which may cause an emission of radiation) and
repair of pressure vessels, articles 16 and 17bis;

Other documents may be used after being examined by the Metallurgy-Welding Manager in PWTC, to
guarantee that Bureau Veritas services conform to the contents of the document, and that Bureau Veritas has
approval to perform the assignment, if required.

As regards regulatory inspection or qualification services specific to France, as defined in GM PW 127 and
128, any further guidelines that may be needed are available from the Metallurgy-Welding Manager in PWTC,
who is in possession of specifically French documents.

1.3. Responsibility for implementation

Regional Technical Managers, and those delegated by them, are responsible for proper implementation of the
relevant aspects of this Guide.

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 1.4. References
Other

Bureau Veritas Business Model

Bureau Veritas Group Quality Manual
Technical, Quality and Risk (TQR) Bureau Veritas Group Policies

- NF EN ISO/IEC 17020 "General criteria for the operation of various types of bodies performing inspection".

- Quality of services.

- GM PW 305 Inspection of welded constructions

- GM PW 127 Qualification of welding procedures in accordance with EN 288-4 and EN 15614-X

- GM PW 128 Qualification of welders or welding operators in accordance with European Standards EN 287-
1, EN 9606-2, EN 9606-3, N 9606-4, N 9606-5, EN 1418 and ASME IX.

- GM PW 320 Conditions of prolongation of test approval of welders and preparation of files.

- GM PW 191 Pressure equipment and transport of dangerous goods equipment - Qualification of inspectors.

- GM PW 200 Organisation of statutory Bureau Veritas services in relation to the application of the PED.

- Directive 97/23/EC of 29 May 1997 relating to pressure equipment.

- Decree nr 99 -1046 of 13 December 1999 implementing directive 97/23/EC, and subsequent official order of
21 December 1999 relating to the classification and the conformity assessment of pressure equipment.

- Directive 1999/36/EC of 29 April 1999 on Transportable Pressure Equipment.

- French Decree 2001/ 386 transposing the Directive 1999/36/CE relating to the Transportable Pressure
Equipment.

- Official orders relating to the notification of BVSA for PED and TPED activities.

- Official orders of 18 September 2000 and 10 October 2000 relating to user inspectorates.

- French homologated standards implementing the European harmonized standards applicable to pressure
equipment.

- European approvals for materials.

- Codes relating to pressure equipment, with the exception of parts thereof not being in compliance with the
essential safety requirements of directive 97/23/EC.

- Directive 67/548/EEC of 27 June 1967 on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative
provisions relating to the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous substances.

- Council Directive 94/55/EC of 21 November 1994 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States
with regard to the transport of dangerous goods by road, including its modifications.

- ADR : European agreement concerning the international carriage of dangerous goods by road .

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 - Council Directive 96/49/EC of 23 July 1996 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States with
regard to the transport of dangerous goods by rail, including its modifications.

- RID : European agreement concerning the international carriage of dangerous goods by rail as per annex I
of appendix B of the International convention for international transportation by rail COTIF, including its
modifications.

- French official order ADR of 1 June 2001 modified, on the transportation of dangerous goods by road.

- French official order RID of 5 June 2001 modified, on the transportation of dangerous goods by rail.

- IMDG Code (chapters 4.2 and 6.7).

- 411 Division - Ships Safety Rules (Appendix of the ordinance of 21st June 2004, item 411-6.08).

- International Convention for Safe Containers (CSC) Appendix 1(Official Order of 21st June 2004.

Note: For undated references, the latest edition of the publication referred to applies (including amendments).

1.5. Terminology
Definitions used in the Bureau Veritas Business Model. The following definitions also apply :

Qualification: All capabilities required for a person to be entitled to perform given functions or carry out given
assignments. The term also applies to the process of acquiring such capabilities.

Welded construction inspector: Inspector responsible for inspecting or testing welded constructions and
pressure vessels, and for qualification of welders and welding processes.

Re-qualification: Procedure carried out every five years to ensure that the inspector remains capable of
performing properly the various services corresponding to his level of qualification.

I&F TQR D : Industry & Facilities – Technical Quality and Risk Direction

Regional Technical Management: Regional Technical organisation which is the correspondent of Technical
Division for key services.
TQR: Technical Quality Risk (manager).

1.6. Identification and filing

Identification : GM PW 192 (corresponding to the French PRT SD 003).
Filing : Electronic, in the DOQ base.

1.7. Revision
This guide is revised by the Metallurgy/Welding activities Manager at I&F TQR D, on the initiative of inspectors
or personnel involved in its management and application, and/or of the notifying authority.

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 1.8. Distribution
Electronic distribution (DOQ system).
Notifying Authority : Ministère de l'Industrie, Paris.

2. SECTIONS

2.1. Levels of qualification

2.1.1 GENERAL

There are three levels of qualification for inspectors of welded constructions. Each relates to certain
tasks corresponding to specifications and other contract documents such as rules, codes, standards or
duly stipulated conditions, and corresponds to the certification practices for Bureau Veritas France
welding inspectors.

2.1.2 QS1 Qualification: Inspection associated to welding

QS1 Inspectors are qualified to perform the following tasks:

in the field of welding procedure and welder qualifications :

- Supervision of performance of welding operation and recording of actual operating conditions;
- Monitoring and examination of destructive and non-destructive tests;

in the field of inspection of welded construction :

- performance of tasks specified above together with;
- checking the presence and suitability of preliminary manufacturing documents;
- verifying that the proposed welding operations and associated controls are in conformance with
specified requirements;
- preparing reports indicating the findings and observations associated with the above tasks.

These services may be performed only on welded constructions that are not subject to regulatory
control.

Note: QS1 is equivalent to old CS1 or Level I according to previous version of GM PW 192.

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 2.1.3 QS2 Qualification: Issue of welder's qualification certificates and
inspection of welded constructions

QS2 Inspectors are qualified to perform the following tasks:

in the field of welding procedure and welder qualifications :

- Performance of tasks assigned to QS1 inspectors;
- issue of welders qualifications certificates;
- Requalification and possible conversions of existing welder qualification.

in the field of inspection of welded construction :

- Performance of tasks assigned to QS1 inspectors;

- Verification that the requirements for acceptance of base and filler materials have been observed,
and that the relevant documents in evidence comply with these requirements;

- Performance of the inspection activities specified in the applicable technical documents during
and after production;

Note : QS2 is equivalent to old CS2 or Level II according to previous version of GM PW 192.

2.1.4 QMOS3 Qualification: Issue of welding procedure qualification

certificates and complete inspection of welded constructions

QMOS3 Inspectors are qualified to perform the following tasks :

in the field of welding procedures and welder qualifications :

- Performance of tasks assigned to QS2 inspectors;

- Issue of welding procedure qualification certificates (WPQR: Welding Procedure Qualification

Records);

- Conversion of existing WPQRs in accordance with new/revised rules.

in the field of inspection of welded construction :

- Performance of tasks assigned to QS2 inspectors;

- suitability of welding procedures, appropriate NDT and destructive testing procedures and
personnel, inspection and testing procedures including those to be employed in process and the
final assessment ;

- Verification of drawing according to requirements in force;

- Study of contractual documents in the field of inspection (codes, standards, specifications,

specific documents ...) issuance and application of appropriate inspection planning.

These services may be performed on all types of welded constructions including regulated equipment
according to PED/TPED/ADR/RID/...

Note : QMOS3 is equivalent to old CS 3 or Level III according to previous version of GM PW 192.

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 2.1.5 EXTENSION / RESTRICTION OF SCOPE

2.1.5.1. Extension of scope

When an inspector has a specific knowledge of a permanent joining technique, other than welding (e.g.
tube expansion into tube sheets, lock-seam forming, use of adhesives, riveting, etc...), an extension of
scope to include this technique can be considered. Such extensions for each additional technique will be
included on the certificate of authorisation.

2.1.5.2. Restriction of scope

When there are specific reasons to restrict the range of qualification, this restriction is clearly indicated
on the certificate of authorisation. Per following example:

- Obligation of checking by a QMOS3 inspector, each welder/welding procedure qualification certificates

before issue.

Where the scope of authorisation is restricted, the traceable supporting evidence of its application must
be available.

Note : the QMOS3 inspector who checks certificates must be qualified without any restriction. In the
case where a Regional BV office has no similar QMOS3 inspector, all certificates must be sent
before issuing to the I&F TQR D Metallurgy-Welding Manager for checking and be appropriately
documented.

2.2. Basic training and work experience

2.1. GENERAL

The I&F TQR D grants qualification to inspectors of welded constructions who meet the following
requirements, concerning:

- basic training;

- work experience;

- appropriate Bureau Veritas training;

- results of examinations;

- undertaking to attend courses to update knowledge, as needed to keep up with changes in

standards, regulations and techniques.

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2.2. BASIC TRAINING AND WORK EXPERIENCE

Depending on the type of qualification required, each applicant must first meet the following requirements
concerning his basic training and work experience, in order to be permitted to sit the relevant qualification
examination.

BASIC TRAINING WELDING EXPERIENCE REQUIRED BY TYPE OF QUALIFICATION

(Qualification obtained or
educational level attained)

QS1 QS2 QMOS3

Secondary education 2 years 3 years 4 years

level

Vocational diploma 18 months 2 years 3 years

Secondary level 1 year 18 months 2 years

certificate

Higher technical diploma 6 months 1 year 18 months

Engineering degree or Direct direct 1 year

equivalent (EWT, IWT)

Higher engineering Direct direct 6 months

degree (EWE, IWE)

2.3. Qualification procedure

2.3.1. QUALIFICATION REQUEST

Applicants required to be qualified are selected by their RTM, on the basis of the minimum criteria
defined above. It is necessary to submit to the Metallurgy-Welding Manager of I&F TQR D the
following documents :

- applicant’s Curriculum Vitae ;

- documents in evidence of basic training ;
- documents in evidence of in-house and external training ;
- documents in evidence of applicant’s work experience.

2.3.2. REQUIREMENTS

A level of qualification may be obtained on the basis of either of the following :

- in-house training course;

- external training recognized as equivalent;
- professional skill of this inspector in equivalent function in equivalent structure.

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 2.3.3. TRAINING COURSES

An applicant must attend training courses for each level of qualification (cf. 2.3 above). The list of
courses organized by the I&F TQR D Metallurgy-Welding Manager is available on request. Courses
lead to the issue of a course certificate signed by the trainers on the basis of attendance sheets
validated by applicants attending the courses.

Note : Specific training courses may be considered if necessary.

2.3.4. QUALIFYING EXAMINATION

After each training course, knowledge acquired by the applicant during the course is tested by
examination. This may consist of written tests, an oral test or a practical test. The qualifying
examination may comprise technical questionnaires and questionnaires concerning the applicant’s
knowledge of Bureau Veritas.

Examination papers are submitted to the I&F TQR D Metallurgy-Welding Manager to be corrected.

The applicant is considered to have passed if he obtains a mark of at least 70/100. When the
applicant twice fails the examination for a particular course, he must wait one year before resetting the
same examination.

2.3.5 PRE-QUALIFICATION

A pre-qualification can be delivered by the I&F TQR D Metallurgy-Welding Manager according to

following :

- a file justifying thorough knowledge and professional competence is to be given ;

- the pre-qualification can be limited to part of the scope of qualification ;

- all reports and/or documents issued during pre-qualification are subject to systematic supervision,
(e.g. countersignature of each certificate) by a QMOS3 qualified inspector, with transmission to
PWTC of identified non-conformities. This pre-qualification is followed by an official qualification after
training and examination, during the following 12 months.

2.3.6 QUALIFICATION ON FILE

An inspector may be qualified by I&F TQR D without attending the Bureau Veritas internal training
course or passing the related examination, if he has attended external training leading to qualification
recognized as equivalent (for example, an inspector holding the equivalent scope of qualification with
his former company). The validity of the Bureau Veritas certificate issued in such cases is :

- either the same scope of the obtained qualification in his former Company;

- or limited scope ;

- or shorter period (less than five years) ;

In any case, the inspector will undergo training to understand the applicable Bureau Veritas
procedures.

The content of the file to be considered for such qualification will be :

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 applicant's Curriculum Vitae,

documents in relation with basic knowledge and associated diploma,

documents in relation with specific knowledge in welding and associated diploma,

document in relation with external training and associated certificate of qualification (previous
company employer).

2.3.7 QUALIFICATION CERTIFICATE

When the applicant has obtained satisfactory results in the qualifying examination, the I&F TQR D
Metallurgy-Welding Manager issues the qualification certificate which is sent to the country Chief
Executive of the inspector, and a copy for information is sent to the TQR

When the applicant has failed in the technical exam, the I&F TQR D Metallurgy-Welding Manager
informs, by note, the country Chief Executive of the inspector about the reason for the qualification
refusal, and a copy is sent to the TQR

The Metallurgy-Welding Manager keeps an updated list of qualified inspectors.

A qualifying certificate doesn't remain valid more than 5 years, and is reviewed each 2 years to verify
that the inspector is regularly performing this activity. The TQR Manager must inform PWTC where
there is insufficient level of work to justify continuation (see Section 4.2).

2.3.8 RENEWAL OF QUALIFICATION

Each 5 years a file applying for qualification renewal is forwarded by the TQR to the I&F TQR D
Metallurgy-Welding Manager three months before the date of expiry of the certificate. This file
contains:

- copy of the qualifying certificate;

- detailed report of services performed by the inspector within the framework of qualification;

- copies of documents prepared and issued by the inspector within the framework of qualification, and
which are representative of the period under consideration (two documents for each year of activity);

- documents in evidence of monitoring of the inspector Bureau Veritas services (see section 4 of GM
192);

- report on treatment of any non-conformities;

- documents in evidence of attendance at any further training and retraining courses.

If examination of the recertification file shows it to be satisfactory, the I&F TQR D Metallurgy-Welding
Manager issues an up dated certificate for a period of not more than 5 years, if the activity of the
inspector has been demonstrated sufficiently consistent during the previous period. Otherwise, he
informs the Regional Technical Manager of the refusal to re-issue the certificate, with the reasons for
such refusal.
According to the BV Regional Technical Management, the TQR Managers responsible for the
maintenance of these qualifications.

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 The TQR Manager may suspend the qualification of the inspector, or ask I&F TQR D for withdrawal,
where the exposure of the inspector to welder/welding procedure qualification issue is not sufficient
with regard to the criteria of minimum activity.

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 2.3.9 LOSS OF QUALIFICATION

The I&F TQR D Metallurgy-Welding Manager may withdraw or suspend an inspector’s qualification at
any time :

- on request of TQR of the inspector;

- after examining a supervision report;
- after examining a report examination datasheet;
- after examining specialized audit report;
- after examining a report of the relevant regulatory authority, if appropriate;
- following a client’s significant complaint;
- following any other relevant information or event;
- if activity is insufficient (see Section 4, paragraph 4.2).

In addition, any inspector no longer carrying out tests and inspections of welded constructions for
Bureau Veritas (because of transfer, departure from the company, or other reason) forfeits his
certification, and must return his certificate to his TQR.

2.4. Monitoring programme

2.4.1. MONITORING OF QUALIFIED INSPECTORS AND MAINTENANCE OF

THEIR QUALIFICATION

This monitoring programme defines the specific monitoring subject to the general approach by BV
Portal, <Business Model> , <Group Documents> , <Lever 6 Quality> , <Guideline : Monitoring of
Technical Staff>.
In this approach, a specimen of document “example of support” for Supervision Report is proposed in
appendix.

During the qualification period of five years, the monitoring of an inspector in welding is carried out by
his TQR or a QMOS3 inspector designed by him. A qualified inspector must justify:

- Minimum annual activity (*),

- Continuous survey : reports selected at random per inspector, per year and per type of activity must
be checked and filed, this check being made by a supervisor having at least the same level of
qualification (cross checks are possible), without any important comments,
- Results of audit (internal, technical or by regulatory authorities) without any comments,
- Absence of any claim from clients calling into question the knowledge of the inspector.

(*) : “minimum annual activity” means :

- For QS1 inspectors: activity assessment (e.g. CV),

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 - For QS2 inspectors: two interventions per year in the field of their defined assignment,

- For QMOS3 inspectors: two interventions per year in the field of their defined assignment, as for
qualifications of welding processes as for qualification of welders.

Any major problem revealed by the monitoring must be notified to PWTC, which will cancel
immediately the qualification.

2.4.2. ABSENCE OF ACTIVITY

Absence of activity will cancel the qualification.

Insufficient activity (less than four qualifications certificates per two years : 4 WPQR or 2 WPQR + 2
WPQ must be issued by the QMOS3 inspector ; 4 WPQ must be issued by the QS2 inspector) may
lead the inspector to attend complementary technical training. The I&F, TQR D Metallurgy / Welding
Manager will determine this need according to the quality of issued qualifications (procedures or
welders).

3. APPENDIX

3.1. Appendix A1 - Definition of levels for inspectors' ability

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3.2. Appendix A2 - Monitoring of technical staff – Guidelines

Monitoring of
technical staff_Refdoc Rev 2[1].0 January 2010 GB.pdf

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