CSA W186 Welding of Reinforcing Bars Company ÒõAPPµ¼º½

CSA W186 Welding of Reinforcing Bars Company ÒõAPPµ¼º½

This standard sets the criteria for companies seeking certification for Welding of Reinforcement Bars in Reinforced Concrete Construction for steel. Companies who wish to be certified under this standard are required to qualify their Welding Supervisors and their Welding Engineers, submit for review and approval their Company’s Welding Procedures and qualify their Welding personnel (welders or operators).

ÒõAPPµ¼º½ Process

ÒõAPPµ¼º½ to CSA Standard W186 is obtained upon completion of the following 6 elements.

1. Provide Company Documentation

Each new company receives a "ÒõAPPµ¼º½ Binder" which contains all of the necessary materials to complete the certification process. Included in this package are several forms that must be completed and returned to the Bureau. The forms are used to designate and list personnel and to document the welding related experience of the welding supervisors and engineers. Also included in the binder are the applicable CSA Welding Standards, study guides and other relevant documents.

2. Qualify Welding Supervisor(s)

Each company must employ an adequate number of Welding Supervisors to control its welding operations. Each Welding Supervisor must have welding related experience and complete written examinations on welding symbols, weld faults, quality control and inspection methods and the following standard(s):

  • CSA Standard W186, Welding of Reinforcing Bars in Reinforced Concrete Construction

In addition each Welding Supervisor is given a brief verbal examination on the following subjects:

  • welding equipment
  • drawings
  • welding procedures

The qualification examinations on welding symbols, weld faults and quality control and inspection methods may be waived if the Welding Supervisor holds a diploma from a recognized course in welding fundamentals or weld quality control and inspection. Examinations are normally held in each of ÒõAPPµ¼º½'s regional offices. Seminars are provided occasionally on each of the subjects required for qualification. To help Welding Supervisors prepare for the exams, a copy of the applicable CSA Standards plus a number of study guides are provided to each applicant company.

3. Qualify Professional Engineer(s)

Each company applying for certification must designate and qualify a Welding Engineer who is responsible for welding related activities as specified by the company. The engineer(s) must meet the minimum educational and experience requirements of the applicable standard and complete the written examinations on the following standards:

  • CSA Standard W186, Welding of Reinforcing Bars in Reinforced Concrete Construction

If the educational requirements of the applicable standard have not been met, additional courses may be required. Each designated engineer's educational and experience qualification information must be submitted to the ÒõAPPµ¼º½ for review. An interview will be conducted to review the material submitted and discuss the engineer's experience and educational background.

4. Submit for Approval the Company's Welding Procedures

Each company must prepare and submit to the ÒõAPPµ¼º½ for acceptance, a detailed set of welding procedures consisting of:

  • Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) for each welding process used.
  • Welding Procedure Data Sheets (WPDS) for each welding process used, joint configuration, electrode type, etc.

In certain circumstances, based on the welding procedure submission, procedure qualification tests may be required to verify the acceptance of the welding procedure data sheets.

5. Qualify Welders

All welders, welding operators and tack welders employed by the company must be tested for the processes and positions of welding which they use in production.

6. Review and Recommendation for ÒõAPPµ¼º½

From time to time, a ÒõAPPµ¼º½ Representative will visit each company to complete an audit report and provide assistance. Once all of the above are completed and all other items such as electrode storage facilities (shop and field), general appearance of welding, etc. are acceptable, then the company is recommended for certification.

Upon satisfactory completion of the final review procedure, the company is issued a Letter of ÒõAPPµ¼º½, Letter of Validation and a Document of ÒõAPPµ¼º½. Permission is also granted to use the ÒõAPPµ¼º½ registered trademark on the company's letterhead and promotional material.