Hi, need you opinion on welding procedure qualification test.
A CWI was called to conduct the welding procedure qualification test based on D1.1 or ASME IX for SMAW process & A36 material.
The entire welding of test coupon is estimated to complete in less than 3hrs without break time.
If the welder wanted to stop in the mid of welding for an hour lunch break before completing the entire welding, my questions are:-
1. Will you allow the welding to stop? If Yes, will you ask the contractor to revise the WPS and indicate the maximum time between completion of weld bead and the start of the next beads? Again if Yes, what the welder must do on uncompleted weld before and after taking his break?
2. If you will not allow the break time, why?
3. Why increase in maximum time between passes constitute essential variable in some code?
Thank you

Joey