By yojimbo 
Date 10-06-2017 17:21
Edited 10-07-2017 16:49
Actually that's not what the IBC referenced standard states. It doesn't mention either AISC, AWS or any other organization usually associated with QC. It only states that the fabricator has an audit-able QA/QC manual which has been approved by the EOR. This was also my experience when first being vetted by the WSDOT. The Fabrication Division Supervisor arranged to visit the shop, checked out the equipment I use, looked over some work I was doing for another project, visually checked the welds and fitting, glanced through the generic editable QA/QC manual template I had purchased online and adapted for my own use and we discussed general approaches for ensuring that things got done by the book. Most of the QA/QC procedures/controls that were detailed in the manual were simply practices for self inspection that I had been educated and indoctrinated into when I underwent my training as a welder- nothing as technical as many of the discussions one finds in the forum but broad and comprehensive enough to insure the work was being done correctly. It helped I already had 15 years of technically challenging NDT pipe welding under my belt and had at least a beginners understanding of the what, why and how that constitutes good procedure and quality welding and had dealt with enough CWIs to know the things to avoid. Being a little OCD and a dimension Nazi myself didn't hurt either. Quality is always a result of conscientiousness, enforcement is in place only to keep the slackers from successful mutinies.
As an added note, it was during my introduction to working with the WSDOT that I began to expand my understanding of code requirements beyond the training I'd received and my earlier dependence on the Lincoln Handbook of Welding by signing up for an AWS membership and purchasing the 2010 D1.1 code book. I was particularly in need of that volume in that it was my intention to qualify a down hand GMAW fillet weld procedure to address the production needs for the 2200 LF of pedestrian railing the contract required. The code book was rather ostentatiously placed alongside the QA/QC manual along with a file of various Weld Qualification previously acquired and another file of photographs depicting different earlier projects. Presentation has a somewhat dependable and predictable effect on most peoples perceptions. That voluminous, heavy tome with its red and white cover and clear indication of serious intent sat there as an open challenge to anyone interested in questioning our methodologies begging them to point out their objections and the page, language, specification or table to support their position. I learned early in life, if one goes the extra mile you usually don't have to deal with a lot of traffic and when your ducks are lined up you don't have to listen to a lot of quakery.
