Industry Standards Explained: AWS, ISO, and SANS
01AWS D1.1 — Structural Welding Code
AWS D1.1 governs structural steel welding in North American-influenced codes, covering welder qualification, procedure qualification, and inspection acceptance criteria. A welder holding current AWS D1.1 certification has passed practical tests specific to the joint types and positions they're qualified for.
02ISO 3834 — Quality Requirements for Fusion Welding
ISO 3834 certifies that a fabricator's entire welding operation — not just individual welders — meets documented quality management requirements, from procedure specification through to personnel competence and equipment calibration.
03SANS 2001 & SANS 10162 — South African Structural Standards
SANS 2001 covers construction works execution standards including structural steelwork, while SANS 10162 governs structural steel design. Fabrication to these standards ensures work is acceptable to South African building control authorities and structural engineers.
04Why this matters when choosing a fabricator
Certifications aren't paperwork for its own sake — they're evidence of a controlled, repeatable process. Ask any fabricator quoting structural work for their current welder certifications and quality accreditation before awarding the job.
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