Welder and plastic joiner identification and qualification.

(1)All welding procedures and welders, except welders listed in (a) of this subsection, must be qualified to API Standard 1104 or section IX of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code.#

(a)Oxyacetylene welders may qualify under 49 C.F.R. § 192 Appendix C, but may only weld the following size pipe:#

(i)Nominal two-inch or smaller branch connections to nominal six-inch or smaller main or service pipe.#

(ii)Nominal two-inch or smaller below ground butt welds.#

(iii)Nominal four-inch or smaller above ground manifold and meter piping operating at 10 psig or less.#

(b)Appendix C welders must be requalified at least twice annually, but not to exceed seven and one-half months between qualification tests.#

(c)When testing welders or qualifying procedures, each gas pipeline company must use the testing equipment necessary to measure the amperage, voltage, and speed of travel. All essential variables, as defined by the applicable procedure, must be recorded and documented as performed during the welder and procedure testing.#

(d)For the purposes of (c) of this subsection, "essential variable" is defined as any variable in the welding procedure, which, according to the procedure being used, would require the requalification of the procedure if changed from or performed outside a specified range. "Speed of travel" is defined as the actual per pass welding time in minutes divided by the length of the weld in inches.#

(e)Qualified written welding procedures must be located on-site where welding is being performed.#

(2)Personnel qualified to join plastic pipe must be requalified at least once annually, but not to exceed fifteen months between qualifications.#

(a)Qualified written plastic joining procedures must be located on-site where plastic joining is being performed.#

(b)Plastic joiners must be requalified under an applicable procedure, if during any twelve-month period that person has not made any joints under that procedure.#

(c)In order to ensure compliance with (b) of this subsection and Title 49 C.F.R. Part 192.285(c), each gas pipeline company must either have a method of tracking production joints or requalify each person qualified to join plastic pipe at a frequency not to exceed twelve months. The method used to track production joints must be outlined in the gas pipeline company's procedures manual.#

(3)Welders and plastic joiners must carry appropriate identification and qualification cards or certificates showing the name of the welder or joiner, their qualifications, the date of qualification and the gas pipeline company whose procedures were followed for the qualification. Welder and plastic joiner qualification cards are subject to commission inspection at all times when qualified personnel are working on facilities subject to commission jurisdiction.#