CSA W178.1-14

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Preface

This is the sixth edition of CSA W178.1, Certification of welding inspection organizations. It supersedes the previous editions, published in 2008, 2002, 1996, 1990, and 1973 (as W178-73, Qualification Code for Welding Inspection Organizations).

This Standard provides industry and public authorities with a set of requirements to appraise the capability of organizations supplying services in the welding inspection field. It is to be used in conjunction with CSA W178.2, Certification of welding inspectors.

The requirements of this Standard are intended to be applied in conjunction with quality management system standards, such as the CAN/CSA ISO 9000 Standards, and with product category standards as listed in Annex A.

Scope

1.1
This Standard specifies the requirements for establishing and maintaining the certification of welding inspection organizations.

1.2
This Standard specifies the requirements for the maintenance and calibration of inspection equipment, as well as the requirements for the management of records of its welding inspection personnel and inspection records and other documents.

1.3
This Standard includes specific clauses that integrate the requirements of certification with those of the Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) with respect to personnel performing radiographic, ultrasonic, magnetic particle, liquid penetrant, and eddy current examinations.

1.4
This Standard does not address safety issues associated with welding. It is the responsibility of the users of this Standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations.

Note: CSA W117.2 addresses safety in welding, cutting, and allied processes.

1.5
In this Standard, "shall" is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the standard; "should" is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and "may" is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the standard.

Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material.

Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements.

Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (nonmandatory) to define their application.