What does ISO 3834 cover?
ISO 3834 sets welding quality requirements at different levels. The selected part and the work performed define the preparation needed. Welding quality involves controlling the process, not simply inspecting the finished weld.
Who it is for
Manufacturers performing fusion welding of metallic materials.
Key areas to understand
Start with these areas. Identify which requirements apply to your activities and who is responsible for them.
- 1Select the appropriate quality requirement level.
- 2Establish competent personnel and suitable welding procedures.
- 3Control materials, execution, inspection and repair.
Evidence to prepare
This list is a starting point. Check the standard for all required documents. For each item, record who is responsible, the activity or site it relates to, and a recent example showing how it works.
- Applicable ISO 3834 part and scope
- Welding procedure and qualification records
- Welder and operator qualification records
- Material and consumable traceability
- Inspection, repair and acceptance records
Keep records that explain what was checked, which requirement was used and who checked it. Include any action taken when a requirement was not met. Link each record to the work it supports.
An internal audit example
Suggested checks from 4Auditee
Choose a weld from a completed job. Reconstruct the material, procedure, qualified personnel and inspection route. If it was repaired, trace the approved repair and subsequent inspection rather than stopping at the original acceptance record.
Choose a sample that suits your activities and risks. If you find a gap, record the requirement, the evidence and what was missing. Check more examples if the first results suggest a wider problem.
A common problem to check
A welder qualification alone does not demonstrate that the welding procedure, material and operating conditions were suitable for the work.
Prepare for assessment
The assessment type for this guide is welding quality certification. Confirm the requirements, what will be assessed and how the assessment will work with the responsible body or customer. These steps help you prepare. You must also follow the scheme’s official rules.
- Define what is covered. List the products, services, activities and sites. Record the standard edition, additional scheme rules and customer requirements.
- Find what is missing. Compare the requirements with current work. Prioritise gaps by risk. Assign someone responsible and a completion date.
- Keep records of everyday work. Check a sample of actual records and speak with the people involved. Make sure they understand their responsibilities.
- Check the results. Complete internal reviews and audits. Check that corrective actions worked before closing problems.
From one site to many
Make it easy to find who is responsible at each site. Keep company policies separate from records of local work. Link each site’s records to its activities, risks and requirements so you can spot gaps at individual sites.
Sites that share a management system do not automatically qualify for one certificate or assessment. Confirm which sites can be included and how they will be checked with the assessment body.
About this guide and its sources
4Auditee wrote this guide using the public source below. The evidence list, audit example and preparation steps are our suggestions. Read the official standard and scheme rules for the full requirements. This guide does not include the standard’s full text or provide certification.
DNV: ISO 3834 reference information