This guide essentially provides an introduction to visual examination of welding. These examinations fall into three categories based on the time they are performed, as follows:
(1) prior to welding,
(2) during welding, and
(3) after welding.
An extensive treatment is provided on weld surface conditions, including reference to frequently
used terminologies associated with preferred and nonpreferred conditions. Visual examination may be performed by different people or organizations. Personnel performing welding examination include welders, welding supervisors, the contractor’s welding inspector, the purchaser’s examiner, or the regulatory inspector. For the purpose of simplicity, these individuals referred to as visual inspectors in the remainder of this standard in that they perform visual inspection. Fabrication documents, contract specifications, and regulatory agencies mayspecify who performs final inspections.