SERVICES
Assist with EN 1090 and EN ISO 3834 Certification
The new European standard for the CE Marking of structural steelwork, EN 1090-1, came into force in January 2011. Steelwork contractors now have to CE Mark their fabricated steelwork. Since 1st July 2014, it has become a legal requirement to CE Mark all structural steelwork. In order to be able to CE Mark their steelwork, contractors have to implement a certified Factory Production Control (FPC) system.
- Provide assistance to steelwork contractors on the CE Marking requirements from an initial review right through to CE marking assessment.
- Develop company procedures and factory production control manual(Up to Execution Class 4).
- WQMS can provide the services of a Responsible Welding Coordinator (RWC) to ensure companies comply with the mandatory regulation of CE marking for structural steel.
- CE marking for structural steel became mandatory for products sold on the EU construction market as of July 2014. Under the regulation, all companies that manufacture or supply structural steel for the EU are required to have a documented factory production control system in place and will need to either employ or have access to an RWC.
Subcontract Responsible Welding Coordinator (RWC)
As part of the CE Marking process, it is necessary for a fabricator to have a Responsible Welding Coordinator (RWC). This individual must be suitably competent in terms of knowledge, experience and the fabrication scope for a specific Execution Class (EXC) and fabricator. The role of the RWC is to control all welding activities and ensure the welding processes meet the technical requirements of the mandatory standard.
Most companies do not have a requirement for a full-time RWC, and could benefit from the potential cost savings of hiring a RWC only as and when required. WQMS can develop a tailor-made service to suit the actual requirement of the company regardless of the company size. WQMS provides this service for numerous fabricators around the Ireland for all Execution Classes.
Typical activities undertaken by a subcontract RWC include;
Requirements & Technical Reviews, Welder Qualifications, Welding Procedure Specifications, Welding Procedure Qualification Records, Quality Plans & Inspection and Testing Plans, Review Steelwork Specifications, Welding Engineering Advice, Assist with compiling technical variations to ensure full cost recovery, Assist with certification audits. Etc.
Fees are charged on a monthly basis, spreading the cost of the service over the year. These fees include an amount of telephone and email support as well as the regular visits at 3 monthly intervals. A report is produced after each visit as confirmation of the RWC involvement for presentation to clients and Notified Body assessors when requested.
Specific project support (this is typically something out of the ordinary), if required, is charged additionally.
There is no minimum period of involvement and the RWC service agreement can be cancelled at any time.
Welding Procedure Qualification Records
Many manufacturers need independent approval for their welding procedures – either for compliance with international standards and codes or to comply with project requirements. WQMS understands the codes or standards that are applicable to verify welding procedures and, as part of the 3rd party witnessing process, we can:
- Create a Preliminary Weld Procedure Specification (pWPS) – a work instruction that documents how to produce a weld.
- Arrange non-destructive testing and destructive testing on the weld test piece produced under the WPS.
- Verify the weld test piece meets the applicable codes or standards.
- Issue a Weld Procedure Qualification Record (WPQR) for the weld procedure, which qualifies the WPS
Welding Procedure Specification (WPS)are produced from a validated WPQR. This is the work instruction used by the welder to weld the parts within a defined range. WQMS can review your WPSs or a subcontractor’s WPSs (and WPQRs) in accordance with the standard and produce a set of comments to be acted upon if required. WQMS can write your WPS (using your WPQR) documents and supply a PDF version for use in production.
Welding Procedure Specifications
A WPQR has a derived document called a Welding Procedure Specification (WPS), this is the work instruction used by the welder to weld the parts within a defined range. WQMS can review yours or a supplier’s WPSs (and WPQRs) in accordance with the standard (and a customer standard if necessary) producing a set of comments to be acted upon if required. WQMS can write your WPS (using your WPQR) documents and supply a PDF version for use in production.
Welder Qualification Certificates
A welder must hold a qualification certificate to perform welding on structural steel. WQMS can certify the welder to an approved weld procedure by witnessing the welder during the welding test, and submitting the test piece to the lab for the relevant testing required by the standard. The certification of a welder is valid for three years, after which there would be a requirement for re-certification of the welder.
We can also create a welder qualification certificate from a test witnessed by the company’s RWC and issue on company headed paper.
Quality Plan (QP) & Inspection & Testing Plan (ITP)
EN 1090 requires an Inspection & Testing Plan that is specific to the works be in place. An Inspection & Test Plan (ITP) is document which describes the plan for managing the quality control and assurance of the steelwork providing information on the requirements, overview of the method(s) to be used, responsibilities of relevant parties, and documentary evidence to be provided to verify compliance. WQMS can prepare an ITP that covers the requirements of the specific project for submission to the client.
The primary intention of a Quality Plan is to demonstrate how the quality system is applied to a specific project. It is also used to meet customer requirements. Where this requirement is specified WQMS can assist with the development of the plan.
Responsible Welding Coordinator (RWC) Training
The WQMS Welding Coordinator course is designed for welders, supervisors, weld inspectors, and engineers who carry out the welding coordination tasks. It is also suitable for welding quality control staff and anyone who needs basic training in welding coordination.
The elearning material for this WQMS Welding Coordinator Online Course eliminates the classroom-based training days.
The online material covers the theory element of the course. The material will be provided after payment is received.
Each candidate will receive a Certificate of Completion after successful completion of the 12 – Module course and a Welding Coordinator Certificate (up to and including Execution Class 2 of EN 1090-1) following a successful assessment by WQMS.
The course content is accepted by the Notified Bodies, The National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) and The Steel Construction Certification Scheme (SCCS).
Independent Inspection Authority
WQMS can act Sas an Independent Inspection Authority whose role is to ensure the steelwork fabrication is completed in accordance with EN 1090 and the project specification. This is very important as the design codes are only valid where the manufacture is performed in accordance with the technical requirements of the standard and steelwork specification.
We can also assist engineers and specifiers to develop steelwork specifications in compliance with the standard EN 1090 that is adequate for the specific project.
Audits of Steelwork Contractors
The main should undertake a review to confirm that the steelwork contractor’s technical capability and competence is sufficient for the execution of the works. The review should include supporting evidence that includes but not be limited to:
- Details demonstrating compliance with I.S. EN 1090-2
- Type and size of construction works
- Product forms and thicknesses
- Material grades
- Welding processes
- Welding procedure specifications and welder qualifications
- Painting processes
- Level of welding control in accordance with the relevant part of I.S. EN ISO 3834
Miscellaneous Services
WQMS can provide the following services as required by EN 1090-2 and project specifications;
Checks on the Thermal Cutting Capability
Checks on the Punching Hole Capability
Surface Profile Check on Blasted Steel
Assist with achieving EN ISO 9001 Certification