Weld joints are critical components in infrastructure and industrial projects. Discover why certified weld inspectors are indispensable.
Weld joints are the backbone of industrial structures. Whether it is pipelines, pressure vessels, offshore platforms or bridges — the quality of the welds largely determines the safety and service life of the installation. Certified weld inspectors play a crucial role in this.
What does a weld inspector do?
A Welding Inspector (also known as Welding Quality Inspector) oversees all welding-related activities on a project. This includes:
- Pre-qualification: Verification of welding procedures (WPS) and qualification certificates (PQR, WQT)
- In-process inspection: Checks on preheat, interpass temperature, weld sequence and consumables used
- Post-weld inspection: Visual inspection per EN 5817 or AWS D1.1, followed by NDT if required
- Documentation: Maintaining weld registers, weld maps and inspection reports
Certified vs. non-certified
The difference between a certified and non-certified weld inspector can be significant. Certifications such as IWI (International Welding Inspector) from the IIW or CWI (Certified Welding Inspector) from the AWS guarantee that the inspector has sufficient technical knowledge and is up to date with the latest standards.
For major industrial and infrastructure projects, a certified weld inspector is in many cases contractually required. Q4S has an extensive network of certified Welding Inspectors with experience across a range of sectors. Contact us for more information.