What Is ASME Welding Certification?

For more than a century, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) has set standards and codes for various engineering practices, including welding. ASME welding certification explicitly sets qualifications focusing on the structural integrity of welded products. ASME is a gold standard for welding applications such as:

• Petroleum pipelines
• Boiler and pressure vessels (BPV)
• Chemical refineries
• Power Plants
• Nuclear and thermal Components

ASME has many professional welding certifications, each designed for a specific practice, procedure and code.

What is ASME?

ASME is a non-profit organization that “promotes art, science and multidisciplinary engineering and allied sciences around the globe” while encouraging collaboration across all engineering disciplines. ASME was founded in 1880 and established committees of experts in their fields to set the organization’s standards and codes.

It’s worth noting that ASME doesn’t certify welders. Instead, ASME certification applies to products. The organization sets standards, endorses welding procedure qualifications and approves products fabricated in facilities that meet or exceed ASME standards.

Benefits of ASME welding certification

To receive certification, ASME requires welding and fabrication companies to meet quality and safety standards. Companies must demonstrate that they meet these standards through the design, fabrication and assembly of their welded products and quality control processes. In addition, the welders they employ must be educated and trained at an accredited school. Here are some of the groups that benefit from ASME certification:

• Consumers. Companies that meet and exceed standards can affix ASME’s certification symbol on their products, known as “the mark.” When purchasing products with the mark, consumers and clients can be confident that the products meet local and federal codes and satisfy government regulatory requirements.

• Employees. ASME leads the way in developing quality and safety standards in manufacturing and fabrication. Workplace safety is tantamount to the ASME process, and companies seeking to receive the mark on their products must demonstrate that they protect the health and safety of their workers.

• Manufacturers. ASME standards are recognized in more than 140 countries, enabling manufacturers to compete globally. Certification means welds meet thickness, application and code standards and that material is BPVC, BPE and RTP-1 compliant. ASME welding certification allows a company to transport and install its products almost anywhere worldwide. It keeps companies compliant, efficient and safe while ensuring product quality.

• The public. The ultimate benefit of ASME certification is realized by all end users of the products created with structures, pipes, boilers and other metal products made in ASME-approved facilities.

ASME audits

ASME also regularly audits companies to ensure they meet stringent quality and safety criteria standards and codes over time. Regulatory regulations differ between provinces and countries and are constantly evolving. ASME welding certification means the product was made in a facility that adheres to the industry’s highest quality and safety standards, no matter where the facility operates. The company is committed to continued compliance.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about ASME welding.

ASME-certified welding in Calgary and Western Canada

AdvanTec companies are certified for ASME B31.1, B31.3, B31.4 and B31.9, providing pipe welding services for industrial pipeline projects, thermal heaters, gas and water piping systems and more. Contact us today, and our staff will work with you to ensure your project meets all the established codes and standards.