A Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) is a quality professional certified by the American Welding Society (AWS) to perform visual inspection of welding operations. On chemical plant construction projects, the CWI is the first line of defense against weld defects that could compromise pressure-containing systems.
Before Welding Starts
- Review welding procedure specifications (WPS) for ASME Section IX compliance
- Verify procedure qualification records (PQR) support the WPS
- Confirm welder qualifications match the procedures and materials
- Review joint fit-up and preparation against drawings
During Welding
- Monitor welding parameters (amperage, voltage, travel speed)
- Verify correct filler metal and shielding gas
- Inspect root and intermediate passes on critical welds
After Welding
- Perform visual inspection against acceptance criteria
- Coordinate NDE (RT, UT, MT, PT)
- Review NDE results and disposition indications
- Issue NCRs for rejected welds
- Document everything on the weld map
ASME B31.3 vs. AWS D1.1
Chemical plant projects typically involve both codes. ASME B31.3 governs process piping. AWS D1.1 governs structural steel. The acceptance criteria differ significantly between them, and the CWI needs to know both.
Key takeaway: The CWI isn't just looking at welds — they're managing a quality system from procedure review through final documentation.
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