Lawrence, Jon
In D 1.1, and in some other Codes, any issue with Short Circuiting Transfer is problematic. The Essential Variable ranges for amperage,voltage, WFS, Travel Speed and Shielding Gas composition & flow rate, are (In my opinion) necessarily narrow. Joint design and angle limits are probably too restrictive, but not in all cases.
In his OP, Jon did not specify Short Circuiting of solid wire. He could have been referring to Flux Cored Electrode, and many of those formulations can be used to make sound open root welds in all positions.
It is not just the D 1.1 Code that must be considered. The Construction Code, such as the AISC Steel Construction Manual. has a symbiotic relationship to the D 1.1,and any other code that is appropriate. If you consider all the other codes, and specifications that incorporate D 1.1 "By Reference", it becomes more and more difficult to write the D 1.1 Code Book in such a way as to cover all possible permutations and welding conditions. I think it is reasonable to assume that some variations can be made with the consent of the Engineer of Record. Thus you would stick as close to the letter of the Code as possible, then get permission from the EOR to vary the specifics, only as much as necessary to accommodate job needs. Let the EOR confirm that you are only varying the Code enough to perform the job and still maintain adherence to the "spirit" of the Code.
Joe Kane