How to Be Structural Welding Inspector - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Nov 29, 2021 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

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The Structural Welding Inspector is responsible for ensuring that all welds meet the safety and quality standards set by the industry. By closely examining the welds and performing tests, they detect any potential flaws that could lead to structural failure. This is critical since if the welds are not strong enough, it can have serious consequences such as building collapse, which can lead to physical injury and even death.

Furthermore, faulty welds can also compromise the overall integrity of a structure and reduce its lifespan. The Structural Welding Inspector ensures that all welds are properly done in order to guarantee the safety of the public and the longevity of a structure.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a high school diploma or equivalent. In order to become a Structural Welding Inspector, you must have a high school diploma or GED.
Earn a welding certification. To become a Structural Welding Inspector, you must have experience and expertise in welding. You can obtain a welding certification by attending a welding school and taking welding classes, such as arc welding, gas welding and oxy-fuel welding.
Obtain a Structural Welding Inspector certification. The American Welding Society offers several types of Structural Welding Inspector certifications, including the Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) and the Senior Certified Welding Inspector (SCWI). To obtain these certifications, you must pass an exam.
Acquire work experience. Many employers require applicants for Structural Welding Inspector positions to have at least two years of experience in welding and inspection. You can gain this experience by working as an apprentice or assistant to a certified inspector.
Maintain your certifications. Once you become a Structural Welding Inspector, you must keep up with industry developments and maintain your certifications. The American Welding Society requires CWIs to renew their certifications every three years. SCWIs must renew their certifications every five years.

In order to stay ahead and qualified as a Structural Welding Inspector, it is important to stay up-to-date with the latest welding codes and standards. This means regularly reviewing the American Welding Society (AWS) code, attending welding seminars and conferences, and participating in welding related workshops. it is important to continuously review welding safety guidelines and ensure that all welders are properly trained on the correct processes and techniques.

Having a good understanding of the welding process and its associated safety guidelines can help to ensure the quality of any welds being inspected. By staying ahead and qualified, Structural Welding Inspectors can provide a valuable service to their clients and help to ensure the highest quality welds.

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Job Description

Inspect welded structures for accuracy and conformance with applicable codes, standards, and specifications.
Monitor welding operations to ensure that welders are following proper safety and welding procedures.
Perform visual inspections of welds to detect flaws and defects.
Maintain and monitor welding equipment to ensure proper functioning.
Review blueprints, drawings, and other documents to determine welding requirements and procedures.
Prepare reports and documentation on the progress, quality, and safety of welded structures.
Provide technical guidance and instruction to welders and other personnel involved in welding activities.
Communicate with supervisors, managers, designers, and other stakeholders to ensure compliance with welding requirements.
Monitor and test the mechanical properties of welded materials and components.
Investigate non-conformance complaints and provide recommendations for corrective action.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of welding processes, materials, and equipment.
Ability to read and interpret drawings and specifications.
Knowledge of relevant codes and standards, such as AWS D1. 1 and AWS D1. 2.
Knowledge of relevant safety practices and procedures.
Ability to inspect welds for quality and compliance with specifications.
Ability to record and report inspection results accurately.
Proficiency in using non-destructive testing methods, such as magnetic particle testing, dye penetrant testing, X-ray, or ultrasonic testing.
Ability to use measuring tools and instruments, such as calipers, micrometers, and other metrology instruments.
Knowledge of metallurgy principles and their application to welding processes.
Ability to troubleshoot welding problems and recommend corrective action as needed.

Having a Structural Welding Inspector with the right skills is essential for any organization involved in welding projects. It is important that they have an in-depth understanding of the welding process, including proper preparation, welding techniques, and inspection methods. This understanding will ensure that all welds meet the required standards, and that the integrity and safety of the structure is maintained.

The inspector must have strong communication skills to be able to effectively communicate with other members of the welding team, as well as customers, to ensure that all parties understand the scope of the project and their respective roles. they must be able to interpret drawings and codes to accurately identify any discrepancies between the actual welds and what is specified in the plans. Finally, having a good eye for detail is also important for ensuring that any defects are quickly identified and rectified before they become a safety issue.

With these skills in place, a Structural Welding Inspector can ensure that all welding projects are completed correctly and safely.

Structural Project Manager, Structural Steel Detailer, and Structural Carpenter are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in structural welding inspections?
How do you ensure that all welds meet code requirements?
What methods do you use to identify non-conforming welds?
How do you manage the safety of welders and other personnel during inspections?
Describe your experience with NDT methods such as radiography and ultrasonic testing.
What processes do you use to ensure accuracy and consistency in weld inspections?
How do you keep up to date with changes to welding codes and standards?
What techniques do you use to detect any potential defects in welds?
Explain how you would document your findings after each inspection?
What steps do you take to ensure that all welding is within proper tolerances?

Common Tools in Industry

Magnetic Particle Testing (MPT) Equipment. Used to detect cracks and other imperfections in welds. (Eg: Magnaflux)
Ultrasonic Testing (UT) Equipment. Used to detect internal defects in a welded joint. (Eg: Olympus Epoch 600)
Visual Welding Inspector. Used to examine the surface of a weld for any visible defects. (Eg: Seward Stomacher)
Radiography Equipment. Used to detect hidden defects in welded joints. (Eg: NDT Systems MDR-1000)
Calipers and Other Measuring Tools. Used to measure the size of welds and ensure they meet the required specifications. (Eg: Digital Micrometer Calipers)
Welding Gauges. Used to ensure the correct size and shape of fillet welds. (Eg: Fillet Weld Gauge)
Hardness Testing Equipment. Used to measure the hardness of a weld and ensure it meets required specifications. (Eg: Rockwell Hardness Tester)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Welding Society (AWS)
American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC)
International Institute of Welding (IIW)
International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental, and Reinforcing Iron Workers (IABSORIW)
American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
International Code Council (ICC)
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors (NBBI)
American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT)

We also have Structural Materials Technician, Structural Engineer Technician, and Structural Superintendent jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

AWS D1. 1. American Welding Society (AWS) D1. 1 is the welding code for structural welding used in the United States. It covers welding of steel structures, including bridges and buildings.
Structural Steel. Structural steel is a type of steel used in construction that is designed to form specific shapes and support loads.
Welding Symbols. Welding symbols are symbols used to indicate the type of weld, size of the weld, and other details about the weld on engineering drawings.
Welding Procedure Specification (WPS). A welding procedure specification (WPS) is a written document that describes the welding processes and parameters used to complete a weld joint.
Weld Joint. A weld joint is the junction between two separate pieces of metal that have been joined together by welding.
Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW). Shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) is a manual arc welding process that uses a consumable electrode to form an electric arc between the electrode and the base material.
Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW). Flux cored arc welding (FCAW) is a semi-automatic arc welding process that uses a continuously fed consumable electrode that contains a flux core inside.
Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW). Gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), also known as TIG welding, is an arc welding process that uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode to form an electric arc between the electrode and the base material.

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifications are required to become a Structural Welding Inspector?

To become a Structural Welding Inspector, one must have a minimum of three years of experience in welding and welding inspection or related fields, as well as a current AWS Certified Welding Inspector certification.

What job duties do Structural Welding Inspectors perform?

Structural Welding Inspectors are responsible for inspecting and verifying the quality of welds in construction projects. This involves examining welds for compliance with engineering drawings and specifications, conducting tests on welds, and writing inspection reports.

What safety measures must Structural Welding Inspectors follow?

Structural Welding Inspectors must follow safety protocols such as wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) while inspecting welds, such as safety glasses, gloves, and hard hats. They must also be familiar with the safe operating procedures of tools and equipment used in welding and inspection.

What tools do Structural Welding Inspectors use?

Structural Welding Inspectors use various tools and instruments to inspect welds, including magnifying glasses, calipers, depth gages, and ultrasonic testing equipment. They may also use X-ray and radiography equipment.

How often do Structural Welding Inspectors receive training?

Structural Welding Inspectors must stay up-to-date on the latest welding codes and standards. They should attend continuing education courses or seminars at least once a year to ensure that their knowledge and skills remain current.