Metal Fabrication Resources by Blackstone Advanced Technologies

Blackstone Advanced Technologies Blog
Jun 28, 2019 7:29:08 AM

How to Design for Meeting Tech Pub 278 Standards

Welding as an industry is critical to design, construction, and architecture. Beyond that, it's also an essential economic consideration. In fact, some experts estimate that welding accounts for about 50% of the nation's gross national product.

Because it's such an important pillar for so many industrial processes, it's critical for welders within the industry to adhere to quality safety standards.

 

Technical Standards in the Welding Industry

Most of the technical standards implemented in the welding industry have been established to ensure safety. When welding is low-quality, it puts the welders at risk, as well as endangering the future safety of people who use the welded item. The latter is especially troubling in cases where the welded material is used in gas pipes or buildings, for example.

Because of this, welds are held to safety standards and inspected by quality inspectors to identify and prevent issues down the road.

 

What to Know About Welding Tech Standards

 

Wondering where welding standards come from? Here are some of the most common sources:

 

The American Welding Society (AWS)

 

This is probably the single largest source of welding codes in the United States. The AWS publishes documents each year that address the type and quality control of welding projects in the country.

 

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)

 

This society is the genesis of the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, which concerns the thequality of welding on boilers and pressure vessels. ASME also oversees the welding codes surrounding pressure piping.

 

The American Petroleum Institute

 

The American Petroleum Institute, or (API) publishes documents that provide guidelines for petroleum production. The most famous among them is known as API Std 1104, which governs how welding pipelines should be produced.

 

Tech Pub 278 Standards

Some standards, like Tech Pub 278, have been canceled in recent years. If you've been called to produce a job that adheres to such standards, your best bet is to look up the closest pertaining standards. In this case Mil-Std 278. To be sure you're targeting the correct standard, speak to your local inspector about the process. He or she will be able to provide you with the necessary guidelines and ensure you don't run astray.