A company is fabricating pressure piping that falls under the scope of ASME B31.3, which mandates welder qualifications according to ASME Section IX. A welder is qualified using a SMAW procedure for P-No. 1 material, in the 6G position, utilizing F-No. 4 electrodes. For which of the following scenarios is this welder qualified without needing further ASME Section IX qualification?

Question: A company is fabricating pressure piping that falls under the scope of ASME B31.3, which mandates welder qualifications according to ASME Section IX. A welder is qualified using a SMAW procedure for P-No. 1 material, in the 6G position, utilizing F-No. 4 electrodes. For which of the following scenarios is this welder qualified without needing further ASME Section IX qualification?

Answer options:

• SMAW on P-No. 8 material in the 2G position
• GMAW on P-No. 1 material in the 6G position ✅ SMAW on P-No. 1 material in the 5G position
• GTAW on P-No. 1 material in the 6G position

Correct answer: SMAW on P-No. 1 material in the 5G position

Explanation: Under ASME Section IX, qualification in the 6G (all-position pipe) position with SMAW on P-No. 1 material using F-No. 4 electrodes qualifies the welder for all positions (F, G) for groove and fillet welds within the F-No. 4 classification on P-No. 1 material. Therefore, SMAW on P-No. 1 in the 5G position is covered. Changing to a different process (GMAW, GTAW) or a different P-Number material (P-No. 8) would require a separate qualification.