The state usually adopts laws from the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors as far as ppressure vessels go. I don't know if there are any Non-Code states left.

The american national standards institute has various codes that address repair of piping and also indicate how it is to done properly.

I would be concerned with not only the quality of the welds but what materials are used, are the welds inspected, is stress relief being done when required, is the epiping properly tested after repairs etc.

The ANSI B31 codes address the requirements for various type of piping including welder qualification, inspection and testing, design, and other aspects.

OSHA has a very good search engine for their site. And you may be able to find something.

Here is a 29CFR 1910 section on Pressure vessels http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9823

The OSHA Site is at http://www.osha.gov.

Have a nice day

Gerald Austin

Hi Tom

I am not from America so I may be missing something, but I believe that if you are "coded" and you are performing welding as part of a quality system (which will ensure the correct inspection and NDE is applied, the personnel are welding on work they are coded for while following qualified welding procedures etc. etc.) then things should be OK from a legal and safety point of view.

I am just concerned that you have doubts about your own welding ability, because this uncertainty could lead to mistakes. (Self fulfilling prophecies.) If I was you, I would perform more test welds and have them tested, untill I became confident that my welding was in fact good enough.

I am not sure if there are political or union issues here, but I would say that it is always a good thing when one is given the opportunity to broaden your skills base. As such, I would embrace the new role and give it my best shot. Some time in the future it may just be the edge that gives you the dream job over somebody else. In the mean time, it may just mean that you will have to work harder.

Hope this helps

Regards
Niekie Jooste

As said by Neike . Your craft has nothing to do with it. If your organization already has a system in place for welding pressure containing components and the welders have been tested and certified in accordance with those requirements then thats fine. However if people "regardless of craft" are welding without proper certification/qualification then thats a problem.

If I am a laborer and can pass the test even if I have only welded in High School, as far as codes are concerned that is fine.

The various codes indicate what qualified ranges a person can weld. If for instance you only welded a 4G plate 1/2" thick with a given process and you are required to weld a 10" Schedule 160 Pipe groove weld than you are not certified.

The various codes and standards indicate what a person is qualified to weld on. If your plant complies with those codes, and your qualified then all should be fine.

In my first response I may have overlooked some of your question.

Gerald Austin

There are state laws governing boiler and pressure vessel safety. This would also address qualification of welding procedures and welders. For your state of Ohio, the website is:

http://www.com.state.oh.us/ODOC/dic/DICBOILERS.htm

The answer to your question may be in the link to Laws, Regulations and Guidelines on their home page.

Marty

i agree w/ all of the above replies. and just to be even more on the safety side, I'd want to be qualified in the 6G position instead of just the 5G, just 'cause you never know what you're gonna be welding on. Pipe certifications will qualify you for welding plate, but plate certs will not qualify you for pipe. also, there are LOTS of other certs within pipe welding-- uphill open root, downhill open root, uphill backing ring, 6GR (welding in 6G w/ a restriction ring obstructing you from direct access to the weld), welding high strength pipe, alloy pipe, TIG open root, flux core, etc. I think I'd be very afraid if I worked where you're working!