ISO 3834-6:2024
(Main)Quality requirements for fusion welding of metallic materials — Part 6: Guidelines on implementing the ISO 3834 series
Quality requirements for fusion welding of metallic materials — Part 6: Guidelines on implementing the ISO 3834 series
This document gives guidelines for the implementation of requirements given in the other parts of the ISO 3834 series. It is intended to help users select the appropriate part of the ISO 3834 series. It is expected that users will already be familiar with the ISO 3834 series as a whole. This document does not provide additional requirements to those in ISO 3834-1 to ISO 3834-5.
Exigences de qualité en soudage par fusion des matériaux métalliques — Partie 6: Lignes directrices pour la mise en application de la série ISO 3834
Le présent document donne des lignes directrices pour la mise en application des exigences données dans les autres parties de la série ISO 3834. Il est destiné à aider les utilisateurs à choisir la partie appropriée de la série ISO 3834. Il est entendu que ces derniers sont déjà familiers avec la série ISO 3834 dans son ensemble. Le présent document ne fournit pas d'exigences supplémentaires par rapport à celles des normes ISO 3834-1 à ISO 3834-5.
General Information
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
International
Standard
ISO 3834-6
First edition
Quality requirements for fusion
2024-02
welding of metallic materials —
Part 6:
Guidelines on implementing the ISO
3834 series
Exigences de qualité en soudage par fusion des matériaux
métalliques —
Partie 6: Lignes directrices pour la mise en application de la série
ISO 3834
Reference number
© ISO 2024
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ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Abbreviated terms . 1
5 Using the ISO 3834 series . 1
5.1 General .1
5.2 Product standards .2
5.3 Purchasers and users .2
5.4 Quality management systems in accordance with ISO 9001 .2
5.5 Quality management systems other than ISO 9001 .2
5.6 Manufacturers .2
6 Incorporating the ISO 3834 series in product standards . 2
7 Using other documents with the ISO 3834 series . 2
8 Documentation and quality systems . 3
8.1 Documentation .3
8.2 Quality management system .3
9 Selecting the level of quality requirements . 4
10 Implementation in fabrication . 6
10.1 General guidelines for implementation .6
10.1.1 Basic principles .6
10.1.2 Implementation .6
10.1.3 Control of welding .8
10.1.4 Production procedures .8
10.2 Organization .9
11 Interpretation of particular clauses in the ISO 3834 series .10
11.1 Requirements review and technical review .10
11.2 Subcontracting .10
11.3 Welding coordination .11
11.3.1 General .11
11.3.2 Welding coordinator .11
11.3.3 Welding inspection personnel . 12
11.3.4 NDT personnel . 12
11.3.5 Correlation between ISO 14731 and ISO 3834 series quality levels . 12
11.4 Equipment . 13
11.5 Welding activities . 13
11.6 Storage of parent metal . 13
11.7 Calibration and validation . 13
11.8 Identification and traceability .14
12 Assessment and certification . 14
Annex A (informative) Examples of documents for the control of welding-related activities .15
Bibliography .18
iii
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee
has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations,
governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely
with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent
rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a)
patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that
this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 44, Welding and allied processes, Subcommittee
SC 10, Quality management in the field of welding, in collaboration with the European Committee for
Standardization (CEN) Technical Committee CEN/TC 121, Welding and allied processes, in accordance with
the Agreement on technical cooperation between ISO and CEN (Vienna Agreement).
This document cancels and replaces ISO/TR 3834-6:2007, which has been technically revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— document changed from a Technical Report to an International Standard;
— references to IIW and IAB removed;
— Clause 11 updated to address visual testing of welds;
— text aligned with ISO 14731.
A list of all parts in the ISO 3834 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s
national standards body. A complete listing of these bodies can be found at
www.iso.org/members.html. Official interpretations of ISO/TC 44 documents, where they exist, are
available from this page: https://committee.iso.org/sites/tc44/home/interpretation.html.
iv
Introduction
Welding is a special process in that it is not always possible to verify the final result by testing. The quality
of the weld is manufactured into the product, not inspected. This means that welding normally requires
continuous control or that specific procedures be followed, or both. The ISO 3834 series deals with quality
requirements in welding and has been prepared in order to identify those controls and procedures.
The ISO 3834 series is not a quality system standard intended to take the place of ISO 9001, but a useful,
additional tool for use when ISO 9001 is applied by manufacturers, in which case the meeting of its
requirements needs to be recorded in certificates or documentation. However, the ISO 3834 series can be
used independently of ISO 9001.
The ISO 3834 series is intended for the fusion welding of metallic materials, and its application is independent
of the products manufactured. However, its principles and many of its detailed requirements are also
relevant for other welding and welding-related processes.
One of the aims of the ISO 3834 series is to specify requirements in the field of welding so that contracting
parties or regulators do not have to do this themselves. A reference to a particular part of the ISO 3834
series should be sufficient to demonstrate the capabilities of the manufacturer to control welding activities
for the type of work being done. This concept also applies to committees responsible for drafting product
standards.
The ISO 3834 series does not in itself require external assessment or certification. However, assessments
by customers and certification by independent bodies are growing trends in commercial relations and the
series can serve as a basis for these purposes, as well as for the demonstration of performance by those
manufacturers implementing it.
Other International Standards covering resistance welding and thermal spraying include the ISO 14554
series and ISO 14922, respectively.
v
International Standard ISO 3834-6:2024(en)
Quality requirements for fusion welding of metallic
materials —
Part 6:
Guidelines on implementing the ISO 3834 series
1 Scope
This document gives guidelines for the implementation of requirements given in the other parts of the
ISO 3834 series. It is intended to help users select the appropriate part of the ISO 3834 series. It is expected
that users will already be familiar with the ISO 3834 series as a whole.
This document does not provide additional requirements to those in ISO 3834-1 to ISO 3834-5.
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
3 Terms and definitions
No terms and definitions are listed in this document.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
4 Abbreviated terms
For the purposes of this document, the following abbreviated terms apply.
NDT non-destructive testing
PWHT post-weld heat treatment
pWPS preliminary welding procedure specification
WI work instruction
WPQR welding procedure qualification record
WPS welding procedure specification
5 Using the ISO 3834 series
5.1 General
ISO 3834-1 provides criteria for the selection and use of the ISO 3834 series. The following subclauses
identify different ways that the manufacturer can select or be required to adopt a part of ISO 3834.
5.2 Product standards
Where product standards require control of fusion welding, the ISO 3834 series should be used to organize
those welding activities.
5.3 Purchasers and users
Purchasers and users of welded products can specify in contract documents that manufacturers demonstrate
their competence by conformity with a part of ISO 3834.
5.4 Quality management systems in accordance with ISO 9001
Since ISO 9001 does not include specific requirements for welding activities, ISO 3834-2, ISO 3834-3 and
ISO 3834-4 can be used.
5.5 Quality management systems other than ISO 9001
For welding activities in quality management systems other than ISO 9001 that do not include specific
requirements for welding activities, ISO 3834-2, ISO 3834-3 and ISO 3834-4 can be used.
5.6 Manufacturers
Whenever manufacturers wish to give evidence of their competence in fusion welding activities, the
appropriate part of ISO 3834 can be used.
6 Incorporating the ISO 3834 series in product standards
An important group of users of the ISO 3834 series is committees that draft product standards at
international, regional or national level. ISO 3834-2, ISO 3834-3 and ISO 3834-4 provide a range of quality
requirements for welding. Committees drafting product standards are encouraged to select a part, or parts,
of ISO 3834 that provide the appropriate quality requirements for the products to be manufactured. This
should take into account the selection criteria given in ISO 3834-1. Each part of ISO 3834 is designed to
provide a complete set of quality requirements. Additional requirements should not need to be specified
unless compelling reasons exist. In case of doubt, or where additional requirements are being considered,
consultation with ISO/TC 44/SC 10 is recommended.
Where welding is involved in the manufacture of a product, the standards committee may specify the
documents to be applied or else take them from the ISO documents specified in ISO 3834-5. The committee
should also select the appropriate quality requirement standard or standards to be applied. Where a series
of levels exist in the ISO documents in ISO 3834-5, for example for welding procedure qualification, it is
satisfactory for the standardization committee to select only those that are acceptable. The development
of tables linking parts of ISO 3834 (with or without other quality-related standards, such as ISO 9001) to
requirements other than those given in ISO 3834 is strongly discouraged.
7 Using other documents with the ISO 3834 series
Full conformity with ISO 3834-2, ISO 3834-3 and ISO 3834-4 can be achieved either by adopting the ISO
documents in accordance with ISO 3834-5 or applying other standards that provide equivalent technical
conditions.
Standards that do not provide equivalent conditions may be adopted if they are referenced in product
standards that are used by the manufacturer.
Product standards that have been used satisfactorily in service may be considered by a manufacturer as
being recognized for application with the ISO 3834 series. Where a manufacturer bases its demonstration of
conformity to a part of ISO 3834 on product standards, it is the responsibility of the manufacturer to apply
the corresponding standards – whether separately specified or incorporated in the product standard – in
their totality. It is the responsibility of the manufacturer to demonstrate technically equivalent conditions
when standards other than the ISO documents in accordance with ISO 3834-5 are applied. Certificates
issued following assessment by independent certification bodies or claims of conformity by a manufacturer
with any part of ISO 3834 should clearly identify the documents used by the manufacturer and provide or
reference evidence of technical equivalence as applicable.
8 Documentation and quality systems
8.1 Documentation
In any control system there is a need for documentation, a term which embraces a range of different types of
documents, such as procedures, records, instructions and certificates (see Table 1).
ISO 3834-2, ISO 3834-3 and ISO 3834-4 require certain documents to be produced. Annex A gives examples
of the types of documents which may be used by manufacturers.
Table 1 — Examples of different types of welding-related documents
Type of
a
Description Examples of welding coordinator
document
Description of the role (tasks, responsibilities and authority) of
welding coordinator
Description of the handling of welding consumables and parent
Description of welding-related
Procedure
metals
activity
Description of how welding procedure tests are carried out
Description of how welder’s qualification is carried out
Record from a procedure test (WPQR)
Record Report of welding-related activity Record from a welder qualification test
Welding record
Welding procedure specification (WPS)
Description of welding-related
Instruction
operation
Work instructions
Welder’s qualification test certificate
Verification of welding-related
Certificate
operation
Material test report
a
Not to be confused with a definition of the terms.
8.2 Quality management system
The ISO 3834 series does not specifically require a quality management system. However, ISO 3834-1
identifies those elements that could be considered as complementing the ISO 3834 series if a quality
management system were to be adopted. Of these, one of the most important is document control, and
manufacturers are expected to implement a document control procedure ensuring that:
a) documents are kept up to date;
b) those in receipt of documents are identified;
c) the latest issues of the documents are available at locations where they are used;
d) obsolete documents are withdrawn;
e) records are archived to avoid deterioration and to enable retrieval;
f) records are not destroyed without authorization.
Some records generated as part of this system can require updating at periodic intervals. These include
calibration or validation records and welder qualification records.
Manufacturers who operate a quality management system conforming to ISO 9001 are expected to have a
documented system in place covering those elements identified in ISO 3834-1.
The effectiveness of the welding control system will depend to a large extent on the management input and
their role in monitoring performance and implementing action when weaknesses are detected. Applying
management review and internal audit ensures senior management involvement in the welding control
system and enables the monitoring of performance and introduction of measures to overcome identified
deficiencies. Figure 1 provides a summary of critical measures in the welding control system to assist
management review of the performance of the welding control system.
9 Selecting the level of quality requirements
The ISO 3834 series incorporates three levels of quality requirements that may be included in product
standards, regulations and contracts or selected by a manufacturer. The level selected will depend on the
nature of the product being manufactured, the conditions under which it is to be used and the range of
products manufactured. In ISO 3834-1, it is stated that the standard can be applied in a variety of industrial
situations. The following criteria are identified as being those applying in the selection of the most suitable
level:
a) the extent and significance of safety-critical products;
b) the complexity of manufacture;
c) the range of products manufactured;
d) the range of different materials used;
e) the extent to which metallurgical problems can occur;
f) the extent to which fabrication imperfections (e.g. misalignment, distortion, weld imperfections) affect
product performance.
Product standards that require conformity with a part of ISO 3834 emphasize two critical areas in the
choice of the level of quality requirements: the safety-critical nature of the products and the significance of
dynamic loading in the product service environment.
In general, the standard level of quality requirements should be suitable for a broad range of products
having a normal safety-critical component and that could experience dynamic loading. Such products are
manufactured from conventional materials where the weldability is known and the precautions to be
taken to ensure mechanical performance and defect-avoidance are well documented. Products having a
very limited safety component and that are subjected to only moderate static loads with minor dynamic
components would normally only require the elementary level of quality requirements.
Where there are significant safety factors with high static and dynamic loadings and the materials are
designed for high-performance applications, the comprehensive level of quality requirements is appropriate.
However, there can be situations where, because of the innovative nature of the design or the use of novel
production processes, the comprehensive level of quality requirements is selected in place of the standard
level.
It is not possible in this document to allocate specific parts of ISO 3834 to particular types of product. This is
because there can be different levels of complexity in the design, materials and fabrication processes in any
product group. Selection of these levels is the responsibility of product standards committees or of those
purchasing or manufacturing particular constructions or groups of constructions.
Figure 1 — Summary of welding system control measures
The sequence of activities involved in the selection of the welding quality requirements is summarized in
the flow chart shown in Figure 2.
ISO 3834-1 states that a manufacturer conforming to a particular level of quality requirements also
conforms with lower-quality levels. Thus, a manufacturer demonstrating conformity with ISO 3834-2 also
conforms with ISO 3834-3 and ISO 3834-4. This could be relevant for a manufacturer producing a range
of products, some of which can require comprehensive quality requirements, while others require only
standard or elementary quality requirements. Consequently, a manufacturer can apply comprehensive
quality requirements to those products where that comprehensive level is applicable, while applying the
requirements of the standard or elementary parts to products where these are more appropriate.
10 Implementation in fabrication
10.1 General guidelines for implementation
10.1.1 Basic principles
The ISO 3834 series specifies requirements for a number of different categories of activity, notably those
relating to:
a) the manufacturer’s procedures for the overall control of welding as a special process;
b) technical instructions for production (e.g. WPSs for ISO 3834-2 and ISO 3834-3);
c) demonstration of personnel competence, capability and suitability (e.g. welder’s qualifications).
Each category is considered more fully in the following subclauses. Further comments relate to the
manufacturer’s organization, the implementation in an ISO 9001 environment and, finally, individual
elements of the control.
10.1.2 Implementation
Many manufacturers apply requirements relating to procedures and instructions for production as well
as the documentation of competence, capability and suitability of personnel. For such manufacturers, the
ISO 3834 series should not incur major change or cost. However, some manufacturers can require more
significant action, for one or more of the following reasons:
a) Where the implementation of a part of ISO 3834 coincides with a transition to new national or
internationally recognized product standards, such transitions can require new measures that have not
been previously applied, such as qualification of welders and welding procedures and the training or
employment of welding coordination personnel, to ensure a knowledge base for the types of product
manufactured.
b) Customers can require that manufacturers which have previously operated using different practices
conform with a part of ISO 3834.
c) National or regional regulations could require that manufacturers conform with a part of ISO 3834 in
specific industrial sectors in order for their products to be granted approval for use in that country or
region. Such demands can involve significant changes to previously applied practices.
Figure 2 — Welding quality requirements — Flow diagram
Where such actions become necessary, it should be noted that the ISO 3834 series reflects good practice
in the manufacture of products where welding is an important production process. Conformity with a
part of ISO 3834 confers confidence for the manufacturer, and the customer alike, that the product will be
manufactured properly. The product should not suffer premature failure during service life as a result of
manufacturing deficiencies, provided a suitable programme of inspection and maintenance is undertaken.
10.1.3 Control of welding
Because welding is a special process and the consequences of poor welding can be severe, it is necessary
to exercise controls to ensure that the welding is performed correctly and that required inspections are
carried out thoroughly on the products manufactured. These controls and their subjects include:
a) verification of welding procedures;
b) verification of the capabilities of welding personnel;
c) availability, suitability and maintenance of equipment;
d) identification of product requirements;
e) the manner in which subcontracting is carried out;
f) the level of production planning;
g) storage and handling of parent metals and welding consumables;
h) operation and performance of inspection;
i) identification and traceability of product and work in progress;
j) correction of product non-conformity;
k) the extent and storage of quality records.
Such controls should specify:
— what it is that is to be controlled;
— how it is controlled (if necessary, by reference to one or more procedures or standards);
— who has been allocated tasks and responsibilities for the control system, and;
— how individual aspects of the control system are to be reported and documented.
10.1.4 Production procedures
10.1.4.1 Technical documentation
The ISO 3834 series specifies a number of technical instructions, proced
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