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Up Topic Welding Industry / Processes / Structural bolting exam
- - By ross (***) Date 06-26-2008 19:39
Beta Test Candidates Wanted 

AWS is seeking candidates to participate in a beta test for the AWS Structural Bolting & Structural Drawing Reading exams. There is no charge for the exams, and those who are selected and successfully pass the exams will receive an endorsement or endorsements to their CWI/SCWI credentials. Candidates must be willing to take both exams. You must be a current CWI or SCWI to qualify and participate in these beta tests. The exams will take place on July 12, 2008, at the Welder Training and Testing Institute in Allentown, Pa.

There are 20 openings for the exam and candidates will be selected on a first-come, first-qualified basis. Interested candidates should complete the endorsements application, which can be found at

http://files.aws.org/certification/EndorsementApp-Beta-b.pdf

All completed applications should be submitted for processing to the: American Welding Society
Attn: Peter Howe
550 NW LeJeune Rd.
Miami, FL 33126

Fax:  (305) 443-6445
Parent - - By G.S.Crisi (****) Date 06-26-2008 21:01
Mr. Ross,
I won't take part on the exams, but please clarify me what's exactly a BETA test.
Giovanni S. Crisi
Sao Paulo - Brazil
Parent - - By ross (***) Date 06-26-2008 21:05
It's a new credential with a new examination, so it is tested with human subjects before it is released as a product.  Like beta versions of software that are released free before they are packaged for sale.

Ross
Parent - By KLipphardt Date 07-14-2008 00:09
Just got back from Allentown, PA after taking the Beta Test mentioned. It was a very good experience and I enjoyed the opportunity to be a human guinea pig for AWS. If you ever get the chance to take one of these Beta Tests I suggest that you try it. I for one will be signing up again.
Parent - - By Bob Garner (***) Date 10-08-2008 17:15
I like this idea and recommend that everyone in the building industry check this out.  Currently, in building construction, most specifically in seismic areas, there are no qualifications for bolt installation and tightening.  Lots for welding, but not for bolting.  I appreciate that AWS is taking this on and see it as an additional opportunity for welders (like we need more stuff to learn?  Unfortunately, YES.  But look at the opportunity$).  It would be great to go onto a jobsite, check the welder's certs, the wps's, and now the welder's bolting certs, and rest that night that the job was done right.  Right now this work is done by Iron Workers who are good, but don't have a similar program that I am aware of.

Bob Garner
Parent - - By hogan (****) Date 10-08-2008 17:30
I agree. The special inspection certification is lacking in regards to bolting
Parent - - By eekpod (****) Date 10-08-2008 19:07
I'm curious how this newBeta test went, did anyone pass?  I was going to go, but then something came up and I had to cancel.
Parent - By 803056 (*****) Date 10-09-2008 14:17
I took the Beta a couple of months ago and passed comfortably.

The test is difficult in that I needed a reference source to find many of the answers. Not that there aren't some really intellegent people with experience that have this information committed to memory. I'm not one of them and elected to use the 13th edition of the AISC SC Manual and did fine.

It was a matter of knowing how to navigate through the manual to find the information needed to answer the question.  The other reason to use the reference text is, why blow a question that is asking for very specific information. It's the weasel words in the manuals that catch you off guard. You know, do this unless that applys or if this condition exists, do this.

I understand the Beta was given on the East Coast, Chicago, and the West Coast. I have no idea what the pass/fail ratios were.

Best regards - Al
Parent - - By clutch (*) Date 01-29-2009 04:59
Hogan,
Why do you feel the SI cert is lacking in bolting? The SI Cert is broken into two parts S1 and S2. S1 is dedicated to framing and bolting. I have a S1 cert and I agree the test was a walk in the park only because of my committment to research and study. If I walked off the street never knowing the AISC manual and or field experience the test would have been alot harder. there could always be more involvment with the testing but between the questions asked and the hard to read plans, I guess they figured if you pass you should know something or another. Besides in the area Im in I know too much and it bothers me when the projects I work on dont even come close to code. I've even been consulted by Engineers on the code. not saying Im the sh#$ but its just the lack of education and attention paid to the code that scares me. When the new madrid fault decides to act up the whole city of STL. is comming down.
Parent - - By hogan (****) Date 01-29-2009 14:51
clutch,
When I took my SI test I had no experience with bolting, maybe a little ASME bolted flanges not more than a few hours. I passed just fine. As I became more experience I realized how much I did not know. Never seen a skidmore, never seen a load indicating washer, spent about 20 minutes looking over ASTM325-490. I should not have passed in my opinion.
Parent - By clutch (*) Date 01-29-2009 22:45
I get your point I'd feel the same if I was in that situation but it sounds like you did your home work and you atleast had genreal knowledge.
it's not like you just walked off the street as a carpet salesman and took/passed the test. Even though you never seen the items in question, you knew what to do or where to look to find the answer, and I think thats ICC's goal not to train you; thats your employers job, but to verify (by questions of their choosing) your capibilites and manuvering through the manual. I see where your comming from but I believe the cert has its justification. Besides I believe it takes a certin kind of individual who wants to persue more out of it. the test is like a stepping stone or foundation. It opens doors for further curiosity and investigation, its all what you want to do with it. And like it or not it seems like your one of thoes individuals.
Parent - By hogan (****) Date 01-29-2009 14:57
Bob,
When the pre-installation verification test is performed it is like a certification. Similar to stud welding.
Up Topic Welding Industry / Processes / Structural bolting exam

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