Welding and fabrication
ISO 3834: Quality requirements for fusion welding of metallic materials
The framework for controlling welding as a special process in fabrication shops.
Reference noteThis page is an independent plain-language summary written by QUALITAS TR. It does not reproduce the standard. Always work from the current official edition, available from ISO, the International Organization for Standardization, and national standards bodies such as TSE in Turkey (official page). QUALITAS TR supports organisations against this standard; it does not certify them.
01Purpose
ISO 3834 defines quality requirements for fusion welding of metallic materials, both in workshops and at field installation sites. It is not a QMS standard but can be integrated into one.
02Scope
Part 2 (comprehensive), Part 3 (standard) and Part 4 (elementary) define three levels; the appropriate level is chosen by product criticality or by the design code. Part 5 lists the documents needed to claim conformity.
03Main requirements
- Review of requirements and technical review
- Subcontracting control
- Welders, welding operators and welding coordination personnel
- Inspection and testing personnel
- Equipment and maintenance
- Welding procedure specifications and qualification
- Welding consumables and their storage
- Parent material storage
- Post weld heat treatment
- Inspection and testing before, during and after welding
- Nonconformity and corrective action
- Calibration, identification, traceability and quality records
04Typical applications and industries
Required or referenced by EN 1090, EN 15085 for railway, pressure equipment codes and many project specifications.
05Audit and inspection considerations
- Is there a responsible welding coordinator with adequate competence?
- Are WPS and welder qualifications current and covering production?
- Are consumables stored and handled correctly?
06Common nonconformities
- Welding coordination on paper only
- Consumable baking and holding not controlled
- WPS not available at the workplace
- Traceability of welders to welds missing
07How QUALITAS TR can support
We assess fabricators against ISO 3834 in process audits and inspect production through welding inspection.