Behind every safe steel building is a stack of welding inspection records. If a project skips this step, problems show up only when something fails — usually expensively.
Why Welds Matter More Than You Think
Steel structures only work because their joints work. A column rated for 50 tonnes is only as strong as the weld holding it to the base plate. A bad weld doesn’t announce itself — it just fails when loads hit a critical point.
What a QC Programme Actually Covers
- Welder qualification: Each welder is tested and certified for the joint types they’ll be running.
- Drawing review: The correct revision is on site before fabrication starts.
- Material check: Stock matches spec — correct grade, thickness, mill certificates verified.
- Pre-weld prep: Joint geometry, fit-up and cleanliness inspected before strike.
- Visual inspection: Every completed weld checked for porosity, undercut, spatter and cold lap.
- Marker & sign-off: Each accepted weld marked with the welder’s number; engineer counter-signs.
When Things Get Caught
On a recent factory build, a welder was running joints at slightly low amperage — not visible to the eye, but the resulting fusion was weak. Caught at the visual stage, the welds were ground out and re-run before any cladding went up. Cost: an afternoon. Cost if missed: potentially a roof collapse years later.
What to Ask Your Contractor
Before signing a steel fabrication contract, ask:
- Do your welders carry current qualifications for this joint type?
- Will inspections be documented per joint, with sign-offs?
- Who is the engineer of record for QC?
- What’s your repair/rework procedure if a weld fails inspection?
If the answers are vague, look elsewhere.
Need a fabricator with documented QC? Get in touch — every joint we deliver is inspected, marked and signed off.