ISO 15618-1:2016

Overview

ISO 15618-1:2016 - "Qualification testing of welders for underwater welding - Part 1: Hyperbaric wet welding" defines the requirements for qualifying welder-divers performing fusion welding of steel in hyperbaric wet conditions. The standard specifies essential requirements, ranges of qualification, test conditions, acceptance criteria and the recommended certificate format (Annex A). It covers manual and partly mechanised fusion welding processes used underwater (not fully mechanised or fully automatic processes).

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and applicability
  • Applies to hyperbaric wet welding on steel and to all new qualifications from the date of issue.
  • Does not invalidate previous national qualifications if they meet the intent of the technical requirements.
• Essential variables for qualification
  • Welding processes (manual and partly mechanised)
  • Joint types (butt and fillet welds)
  • Material groups and filler materials
  • Test piece dimensions, welding positions, visibility and hyperbaric environment
• Range of qualification
  • Defines how a single test can qualify a welder-diver for a range of easier or equivalent conditions within the scope of the standard.
• Examination and testing
  • Details on shapes/dimensions of test pieces, test methods, destructive and non‑destructive examinations and acceptance requirements for test pieces.
  • Test reporting and certificate issuance are the responsibility of the examiner or examining body.
• Certification lifecycle
  • Rules for re-tests, validity period, revalidation and recommended certificate format (Annex A).
• Job knowledge
  • During testing the candidate may be required to demonstrate knowledge of welding processes, materials and safety (Annex B).
• Normative references
  • Integrates established test and inspection standards (e.g., ISO 15609-1, ISO 5817, ISO 17636/17637/17640, ISO 17639).

Practical applications and who uses this standard

ISO 15618-1:2016 is used by:

• Offshore and subsea welding contractors and diving companies performing hyperbaric wet welding.
• Certification bodies, examiners and examining bodies responsible for welder-diver qualification.
• QA/QC engineers, class societies and asset owners in oil & gas, marine repair, pipelines and shipbuilding.
• Training organizations that prepare welders for underwater welding qualification tests.

Practical benefits include harmonised test methods, greater mutual recognition of qualifications, clearer acceptance criteria for underwater welds on steel and guidance on job knowledge and safety.

Related standards

• ISO 15618-2 (hyperbaric dry welding)
• ISO 15609-1 (welding procedure specification - arc welding)
• ISO 17636 / ISO 17637 / ISO 17640 / ISO 17639 (NDT and metallographic examinations)
• ISO 5817, ISO 5173, ISO 9017

Keywords: ISO 15618-1:2016, hyperbaric wet welding, underwater welding, welder-diver qualification, certification, test pieces, acceptance requirements, welding standards.