The American Welding Society’s D1.1 Structural Welding Code: Steel (commonly known by its Technical Standard Classification, “D1.1”), is the cornerstone of all welding standards. As the most widely used welding code in North America and internationally, this 664-page publication is specified in hundreds of contract documents annually. In Spring, 2020, after a rigorous 5-year review conducted jointly by the AWS D1 Committee on Structural Welding and D1Q Subcommittee on Steel, D1.1/D1.1M:2020 Structural Welding Code: Steel was published.
Most Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) candidates test to the D1.1 codebook, which means that every 5 years, the CWI exam must be updated to reflect the modifications made during the review process. As a result, over a period of months CWI exam questions are typically transitioned to be compatible with both the previous (2015) and new (2020) editions of the D1.1 codebook, allowing for a smooth changeover for test takers and training providers.
“Welding codes and standards ensure consistency and quality across products, processes and industries,” said Peter Portela, Director of AWS Standards. “By regularly updating these standards to clarify or include new technologies and having CWI candidates test to these most recent codes – especially our premier standard of D1.1 Structural Welding Code: Steel – we’re making the world a safer place to live and work.”
Because the onset of the COVID pandemic coincided with the release of D1.1/D1.1M:2020 Structural Welding Code: Steel, AWS is frequently asked which edition of D1.1 is being used for the CWI exam; can candidates still test to the 2015 edition of the D1.1 codebook? Now that D1.1 has been in circulation for over a year, CWI candidates are being tested only to the 2020 code requirements.
D1.1:2020 includes important changes in both the text and commentary that improve clarity and understanding of the code’s provisions. It spells out the requirements for design, procedures, qualifications, fabrication, inspection and repair of steel structures made of tubes, plate and structural shapes that are subject to either static or cyclic loading.
For more information regarding D1.1 Structural Welding Code Steel, visit aws.org/d1. If you would like to become involved in one or more of over 200 AWS technical committees (such as the D1 Committee on Structural Welding), visit aws.org/committees. To learn about the CWI exam, visit aws.org/certification or contact AWS at 1-800-443-9353, Option 4.
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About AWS: The American Welding Society is the worldwide authority in the development of standards, certifications and educational programming for the welding, allied joining and cutting community. We are a notfor-profit organization committed to connecting the welding industry to our extensive collection of resources, informing our members of technological advancements and developing the next generation of welding professionals with the help of the AWS Foundation. AWS serves over 60,000 members worldwide and is composed of 22 Districts with 250 Sections and Student Chapters. For more information, visit the American Welding Society's website at aws.org.