ISO 3834

The Welding Coordinator plays a central role in ISO 3834 implementation and is mandatory for organizations seeking certification. This person is responsible for overseeing all welding-related activities and ensuring quality requirements are met. Key responsibilities include: supervision of welding procedure specification development and qualification; welder and welding operator qualification management; ensuring proper equipment maintenance and calibration; overseeing inspection and testing of welded joints; managing non-conformities related to welding; and coordination of subcontracted welding activities. The level of knowledge and competence required for Welding Coordinators depends on the materials being welded, the complexity of the operations, and which part of ISO 3834 is being implemented (comprehensive, standard, or elementary). Welding Coordinators typically need to have qualifications aligned with standards like ISO 14731 (Welding Coordination) or equivalent experience and training. In larger organizations, a team of welding coordinators with different levels of responsibility may be established.

Selecting the appropriate part of ISO 3834 depends on several factors related to your products, processes, and market requirements. ISO 3834-2 (Comprehensive) is suitable when: products have high safety implications; welding is complex or involves special materials; there are strict regulatory requirements; or clients specifically require comprehensive quality controls. ISO 3834-3 (Standard) is appropriate when: products have moderate complexity; standard welding processes are used on common materials; quality is important but the highest level of scrutiny isn't necessary; or for general structural applications. ISO 3834-4 (Elementary) fits situations where: products have simple designs with minimal safety implications; basic welding processes are used; or minimal quality documentation is sufficient. Additional factors to consider include customer specifications, applicable product standards (some may require a specific part of ISO 3834), regulatory requirements, and the complexity of your welding operations. Most organizations in industries like pressure equipment, bridges, and critical structures opt for Part 2, while general fabrication and standard structural work often align with Part 3.

The documentation required for ISO 3834 certification varies based on which part of the standard you're implementing (2, 3, or 4), with Part 2 having the most comprehensive requirements. Core documentation typically includes: Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) describing how welding should be performed; Procedure Qualification Records (PQR) validating that welding procedures meet required quality standards; Welder Qualification Records demonstrating welder competency for specific processes; Equipment maintenance and calibration records; and Inspection and testing procedures, reports, and records. For ISO 3834-2, additional documents include contract review procedures, traceability records, detailed quality plans, and non-conformity management procedures. ISO 3834-3 has similar but less detailed requirements, while ISO 3834-4 focuses on basic documentation only. All parts require some form of management responsibility documentation, but the depth varies. Techno Consultant assists clients in developing and organizing all required documentation based on the selected part of ISO 3834 and specific organizational needs.

ISO 3834 works in conjunction with many other welding standards and codes that are specific to industries or applications. For structural steel fabrication, ISO 3834 is often required alongside EN 1090, which governs the execution of steel structures. For pressure equipment, ISO 3834 complements standards like ASME BPVC (Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code), EN 13445, or PED 2014/68/EU (Pressure Equipment Directive). Welding procedure specifications typically follow standards like ISO 15609, while procedure qualification may reference ISO 15614 series standards. Welder qualification often follows ISO 9606 series or equivalent standards like ASME IX. For welding consumables, standards such as ISO 14171, ISO 14341, and others are typically referenced. Welding inspections might follow standards like ISO 17635 for general principles and ISO 17637, ISO 17638, ISO 17640 for specific inspection methods. ISO 3834 doesn't replace these technical standards but provides the quality management framework to ensure they're properly implemented. This integration of ISO 3834 with product-specific codes makes it a versatile standard applicable across many industries.