# Weld Inspection Checklist for Fit-Up, In-Process and Final Inspection > Source: https://netray.co/tools/weld-inspection-checklist > Publisher: Netray (netray.co), AI and integration engineering for ERP and manufacturing systems. > Section: Free Tools ## Short answer A four-stage checklist for weld inspection: documents, fit-up, in-process control and final visual and NDT checks. ## Category quality ## Industry Fabrication ## Audience - Weld inspector - Quality engineer - Welding supervisor ## Tool **Kind:** checklist **Groups:** #### Documents and qualifications (before welding) **Items:** **Text:** Approved WPS available at the work location and matches the joint **Critical:** true **Text:** Supporting PQR referenced and covers thickness and material **Critical:** true **Text:** Welder qualification valid for process, position and material **Critical:** true Welder continuity confirmed within code period Drawing and weld symbols reviewed at current revision **Text:** Material certificates match the specification and heat numbers are recorded **Critical:** true Filler metal type, lot and storage condition verified #### Fit-up and preparation **Items:** **Text:** Joint type, angle, root gap and root face within WPS tolerance **Critical:** true Edges clean of oil, paint, rust, moisture and mill scale **Text:** High-low misalignment within limit **Critical:** true Tack welds sound, made by qualified welder, and free of cracks Backing, purge or gouging arrangements as specified **Text:** Preheat applied and measured before welding **Critical:** true Equipment calibrated and in date (ammeter, voltmeter, temperature gauges) #### In-process control **Items:** **Text:** Interpass temperature within WPS maximum **Critical:** true Current, voltage, and travel speed within WPS range Shielding gas type and flow rate correct, no drafts **Text:** Root pass inspected before filling where required **Critical:** true Interpass cleaning removes slag and spatter Low hydrogen electrodes kept in a heated holding oven Bead sequence and heat input consistent with procedure #### Final visual inspection **Items:** **Text:** No cracks on weld or heat affected zone **Critical:** true **Text:** No lack of fusion or incomplete penetration visible **Critical:** true Undercut within acceptance limit Reinforcement height and weld profile within limit No excessive spatter, arc strikes or surface porosity Weld size and leg length measured with gauge for fillets Dimensional checks and distortion within drawing tolerance #### NDT, repairs and records **Items:** **Text:** NDT method and extent as specified (VT, MT, PT, UT, RT) **Critical:** true NDT personnel qualified for method and level **Text:** Defects recorded, repaired by approved procedure and re-inspected **Critical:** true Weld map with welder IDs and weld numbers completed **Text:** PWHT performed and recorded where required **Critical:** true Inspection report signed and filed in the quality dossier **Scoring Note:** Any critical item that fails should stop the job until it is corrected. Acceptance criteria come from the applicable code or specification. ## Content **Intro:** Most weld defects are prevented before the arc is struck. This checklist walks an inspector or supervisor through documents, fit-up, in-process control, final visual inspection and NDT records so nothing is skipped. **Sections:** #### How to use the checklist **Body:** Work through the groups in order for each joint or weld lot. Tick items as they are verified and note exceptions. Critical items are flagged because failing them often means a rejected weld or unqualified work. Export the completed list to PDF to attach to the traveler or inspection record. **Bullets:** - Run the first two groups before welding starts - Do in-process checks on the first joint of every shift - Keep the weld map beside the checklist - Use the acceptance level from your code #### What each stage catches **Body:** Document checks prevent welding with the wrong procedure or an unqualified welder. Fit-up checks catch gap and alignment faults that cause lack of fusion and distortion. In-process checks control preheat, interpass and heat input, which drive cracking and toughness. Final inspection finds surface defects, and NDT finds the internal ones. #### Acceptance criteria **Body:** This list does not give limits because they depend on the code, such as ISO 5817 quality levels, AWS D1.1 or ASME fabrication codes, and on service conditions. Pull the limits from your contract specification and write them on the inspection plan so every inspector uses the same numbers. #### Common mistakes **Body:** Inspection is often reduced to a quick look at the finished bead. Common gaps are no check of the WPS at the workstation, no record of preheat temperature, welders assigned outside their qualification, and repairs welded without an approved repair procedure. **Bullets:** - Inspecting only after welding is complete - No temperature measurement record - Repair without re-inspection - Missing welder identification on the weld map **Cta:** Netray can help turn inspection checklists into structured records in your ERP or quality system, linked to the work order and material lot. **Faq:** #### Is this checklist tied to a specific code? **Answer:** No. It follows a general inspection flow common to ASME, AWS and ISO based work. Acceptance limits come from your code and contract, so add them to your inspection plan and customize the list for your product. #### Who should perform weld inspection? **Answer:** Qualified inspectors, for example certified to CSWIP, AWS CWI or equivalent, usually perform visual inspection. NDT must be done by personnel qualified to the method and level required, such as under ISO 9712 or SNT-TC-1A practice. #### When should inspection happen? **Answer:** Before, during, and after welding. Pre-weld checks prevent defects, in-process checks control temperature and parameters, and final checks verify the finished weld. Waiting until after welding only finds problems when repair is expensive. #### How long should I keep inspection records? **Answer:** Retention depends on contract, code and regulation. Pressure equipment, structural and nuclear work often need many years or the life of the asset. Follow your quality management system and customer requirements. ## Search terms weld inspection checklist, welding inspection checklist pdf, visual weld inspection checklist, weld quality checklist, cswip visual inspection checklist, welding quality control checklist, pre weld inspection checklist, weld inspection report --- Talk to an engineer: https://netray.co/contact?intent=erp_ai | Machine catalog: https://netray.co/agent/catalog.json