I'll be happy to teach them in the field. It will cost the contractor dearly, but hey, that's how they learn what the real world is all about.

Al

While both have their place in the classroom it would still be prudent to emphasize the importance and function of runoff tabs.  Nothing wrong with teaching them how to be accomplished enough at welding to be one of the rare welders to fool old Al so that they put in a quality weld without runoff tabs.  It can be, and has been, done many times.  But, it is so much faster and easier to complete the work with runoff tabs.  And mandatory in some cases.

Someone else commented about the welding with the weld access hole and it appeared they were saying you would weld from one end to the center, then restart in the center and run on out to the other side.  That is not the established procedure for the application.  You should start at the edge on the runoff tab, run reasonably through the center, stop, restart from the other runoff tab and come back to the end of the other weld.  Then you alternate which one goes through the weld access hole so you don't get all the stops in the same place.

I have had more than one welder try to weld all the way out from one side, stopping exactly in the center under the web and then try to weld out the other side having no way to really clean that center area for the welds to come together properly.  That's why it is a continuous inspection and inspectors need to be there instead of sitting in the office playing cards (Worked with an inspector who would spend most of his day playing solitare on the computer and only went out on the floor when they came to get him to sign off on members completed). 

Have a Great Day,  Brent

Your statement is correct; the third party has no authority to direct the fabricator, i.e., dictate the ways or means.

I rarely offer advice even when the fabricator asks for my opinion. The fabricator is responsible for getting the work done in a timely manner and in accordance with the code. As one of my clients once told me, "You work for me. I am paying you, not the fabricator. If the fabricator needs help, let him hire his own welding consultant."

That being said, when I see the fabricator is not using tabs at the end of the welded joints, I typically ask that one or two joint that I have selected be ground flush with the edges of the member to reveal the weld cross section. It is not unusual to see incomplete fusion, slag, etc. at the ends of the joints where the tabs were not used. I then leave it up to the fabricator to determine how the affected joints will be repaired. After a few time consuming repairs, tabs are used without me having to direct them to do so.

I rarely intercede even when the fabricator is sawing the plank he is sitting on. To interfere only makes me part of the problem and increases my liability. My third party responsibilities are dictated by the code and by the "Statement of Special Inspections". I answer to the Owner and the Engineer, not the fabricator or the general contractor.

I have a brother-in-law from Texas. He says, "Some people are so stupid they shouldn't be allowed to reproduce."

I extend his philosophy to businesses, "Some businesses are so stupid they shouldn't be in business." About then Darwin takes over and usually puts the poor business out of its misery.

As implied by the post, most fabricators do not appreciate third party inspector’s attempts to "help". Rather, the TPI is labeled as hard-nosed, unreasonable, interfering with work, etc. My advice to TPIs everywhere, save your breath, save your sanity and let the fabricator move forward. Report all nonconformance’s to the Owner and the Engineer in a timely manner and let them sort out the problem. It will be more costly in terms of time wasted and money spent, but that is what most fabricators prefer. The fabricator is copied with the reports, so there is ample time for them to take the necessary corrective action without the TPI making demands, providing helpful insight, directing work, or thumping his chest. 

The fall out is that the fabricator will say the TPI is trying to cast the fabricator as inept, but that is a small price to pay if the TPI keeps his sanity. The TPI has a job to do, i.e., he is the eyes for the Engineer on the shop floor or in the field. It is the Engineer's responsibility to accept the noncompliant work "as is" or to insist on corrective actions is taken by the fabricator. It is the fabricator's responsibility to develop corrective action that satisfies the Engineer. The TPI's responsibility is to verify the corrective action was accomplished in a manner consistent with the approved plan.

Best regards - Al