The profession of a welder is not as simple as a layman might seem at first glance. Otherwise, there would have been no special certification, there would have been no qualification tests of the knowledge of specialists for the extension of the rank or its increase. So we can say that the work of the welder is responsible and difficult, because it is he who performs the laborious and important welded joints and seams. A mandatory element required by specialists with high discharge is the stigma of the welder. We’ll talk about him today.
What is a brand
The stigma is called a hand tool made in the form of a metal rod. It is made of tool steel, the strength of which is 50-60 HRC. The stamp of the welder is made in accordance with GOST 25726-83.
On one side of the instrument, a mirror designation is necessarily knocked out: alphanumeric and digital. The second side is designed to strike, which should result in a smooth relief image.
Type and code
In some cases, the first letters of the welder's name or a series of numbers are used as identification. But most often the welder’s cipher is automatically generated. The date of birth of the specialist, his surname, name and patronymic are taken as the basis. Typically, the stigma does not change either during extension, or during certification, or when changing the welding method.
There are several versions of the tool. For example, numbers in two lines - without a frame or with a frame, numbers in a triangle, rhombus or square. The height of the characters is usually 6 millimeters, however, in cases where the welder performs special work, it is allowed to use a stamp of a larger or smaller size. It is worth noting that this circumstance must first be discussed with the management!
What is the stigma for?
When welding critical metal structures, certified welders make an impression with their stamp next to the welded seam. This procedure is a sign of confirmation of the performance of a particular connection by the welder, whose stamp numbers are applied to this product. That is, the assignment of the welder’s mark can be called the assignment of a kind of signature, which confirms the high-quality performance of welding work.
It is impossible to confuse the welders - each brand is therefore called personal because it bears an individual number. If some kind of defect or defect was suddenly detected, the stigma could determine the performer who performed the low-quality work. By the way, from October 8, 2014, federal norms and rules came into force that govern certain requirements for working at hazardous facilities. Thanks to this innovation, a single database has appeared, which contains information about all certified welders. The database contains information about the position, date of certification and its field, code of the welder’s mark, rank, type of activity.
Where and when are they stigmatized?
According to paragraph 21 of the Federal Welding Program “Welding at the OPO”, welded joints whose walls are thicker than 6 millimeters must be marked with the number of the welder who performed the work. And according to GOST 25225-82, the welder should mark the place of work with his brand.
Where is it customary to brand? First of all, on the following designs:
- metal channels and beams;
- ceiling basics;
- it is possible (but not necessary) to use the mark in fastening reinforcement or welding elements of less than 6 millimeters.
After the completion of welding work at the OPO facilities, the welder is required to affix a mark next to the seam made. After this, it is necessary to fill out the work log, connection test protocols.
How to brand
Each certified welder must know how to apply the mark correctly. It is customary to set it at a distance of 20-50 millimeters from the edge of the weld. It is necessary to put a mark on the outside. In the event that the seams of the outer and inner sides are welded by different specialists, the marks are put on the outside - through the shot. The numerator is the mark of the specialist who welded the parts from the outside, the denominator, in turn, is the welder of the inside.
At longitudinal seams, the welder's mark must be placed at the beginning of the seam and at its end. It is important to keep a distance of 100 millimeters from the circumferential seam. If the welder performed an annular seam, he knocks out the mark at the intersection of the annular seam with the longitudinal. Every two meters the mark is repeated. It should be noted that at each seam there should be at least two marks. The place of marking of each seam must be enclosed in a clearly visible frame made of indelible paint.
Another paragraph of the Federal Norms and Rules states: if all welds at the site are carried out by one welder, it is not necessary to indicate an identification code on each joint. Enough and one brand, located in an accessible place for inspection. At the same time, if several specialists worked on one complex connection, each should leave his own code.
Important information
When stigmatizing, the welder does not have the right to form rivets, tinting on the products, and reduce the thickness of the product. And the print itself must be neat, easy to read - even over a long service life.
How and where to get the stigma
Assigning a stamp to a welder, a sample order of which you can see below, is a rather complicated process. For this, it is necessary to pass certification at NAKS - the National Agency for Welding Control. This agency is a structural unit of SASv - the so-called Certification System for welding production.
In order to pass certification, it is necessary to successfully pass various tests. Only after that, together with the certification certificate, the welder is given the stamp code.
Please note: the stamp that was issued before the Federal Tax Service entered into force is valid only until the next certification. If it is successfully completed, the specialist receives a new one that meets the new standards.
Order on assignment of a mark to a welder: sample, form
Clause 8 of the Federal Tax Code states that after the cipher marks are assigned to welders, they are assigned to these specialists. The order is signed by the organization performing the welding work. We bring to your attention a sample order on the stamp of a welder.
Nothing complicated, as you can see. In addition, the order for the assignment of a personal stamp is usually written in free form. It may indicate the types of structures to be welded, other powers of the welder.