A welding inspection confirms that welds on structural steel, equipment supports, stairs, railings and fabricated components match the drawings and meet the standard the work was built to. We inspect new work in the shop or field, existing welds on older structures, and welds that have been damaged or modified, and we tell you clearly what is acceptable and what needs repair.
Why weld inspection matters
A weld can look tidy and still be undersized, lack fusion, or contain cracks that grow under load or vibration. In Canada, structural steel welding is generally done to CSA W59, by fabricators certified under CSA W47.1, with the project specification setting what inspection and testing is required. Owners, engineers and contractors often want an independent check that the welds in place match what was specified, especially on modifications to existing structures where no one is sure what was done before.
What we look at
- Before welding: drawings and weld symbols, welding procedure data sheets, welder qualifications, joint preparation, fit-up and base material.
- During welding: preheat where required, consumables, technique and interpass cleaning, on shop or field visits.
- After welding: weld size and length, profile, undercut, porosity, cracks, overlap, spatter and distortion.
- Existing structures: condition of older welds, corrosion at welded connections, fatigue cracking and unauthorized modifications.
- Supports and attachments: pipe supports, equipment frames, platforms, ladders, stairs and guards.
- Records: mill certificates, inspection and test reports, and non-conformance records.
How it works
- Clarify the purpose. We ask why you need the inspection: acceptance of new work, a concern about existing welds, a modification, or an insurance or owner requirement.
- Review documents. We review drawings, specifications, procedures and the standard the work is to meet, and confirm the acceptance criteria.
- Visual inspection. We inspect welds with gauges, lighting and magnification, and record measurements and defects.
- Non-destructive testing where needed. If the specification calls for it, or the visual results raise questions, we recommend the right NDT method, such as magnetic particle, dye penetrant, ultrasonic or radiographic testing, and coordinate it with qualified NDT technicians.
- Report. You receive a report listing welds inspected, results against the acceptance criteria and any repairs required.
- Re-inspection. After repairs, we re-check the affected welds and close out the items.
What you get
- A record of which welds were inspected, where and how
- Clear accept or reject results against the agreed criteria
- Photographs and descriptions of defects and their likely causes
- Recommendations for repair, further testing or engineering review
- Re-inspection records once repairs are complete
What the inspector records
An inspection report is only useful if someone else can tell exactly which welds were checked and what was found. For each weld or group of welds, a good record shows:
- An identifier tied to the drawings, such as a connection mark, gridline or piece mark
- The specified weld type, size and length from the weld symbol
- The measured size and length, and the gauge used
- Any defects found, with location, size and a photograph
- The acceptance criteria applied, and an accept or reject result
- Any NDT carried out, by whom, and a reference to the test report
Common defects and what they point to
| Defect | What it usually points to |
|---|---|
| Undersized or short welds | Misreading the weld symbol, or not enough passes |
| Undercut at the toe | Current too high, travel too fast or poor electrode angle |
| Porosity | Contaminated surfaces, damp consumables, or wind blowing away shielding gas |
| Lack of fusion | Poor joint preparation, low heat input, or poor technique |
| Cracks | Restraint, missing preheat on thicker or higher-strength steel, or hydrogen from moisture |
What to have ready
- Drawings with weld symbols, and the project specification
- The fabricator's welding procedure data sheets and welder qualification records
- Mill certificates for the steel, where available
- Safe access to the welds: lifts, ladders or scaffolds, and coatings removed at agreed spots if needed
A typical case
A warehouse adds a mezzanine supported by new columns welded to existing base plates. The general contractor wants an independent check before the deck goes on. Document review confirms the weld sizes on the drawings and the fabricator's procedures. On site, most fillet welds measure to size, but several column-to-base-plate welds are short of the specified length and two show undercut at the toe. The report lists each connection with its result and photographs. The fabricator adds weld length and repairs the undercut, the inspector re-checks the repaired welds, and the records go into the project file for the owner.
Pressure equipment and lifting devices. Welding on boilers, pressure vessels, pressure piping and cranes is subject to provincial requirements, including registered procedures and inspections by the provincial safety authority or its designated inspectors. Our inspection does not replace those. We can help you prepare for them, review documents and follow up on what they find.
Who it's for
- Owners and property managers adding or modifying steel in existing buildings
- General contractors who want an independent check on a fabricator's work
- Industrial facilities with platforms, supports and equipment frames
- Engineers who need field verification of welded connections
Learn more before you book
Our guides cover common welding defects and their causes, the basics of visual weld inspection, an overview of non-destructive testing, and how welders and welding procedures are qualified. To discuss your project, call 1-833-888-0091 or email contact@ehzee.ca.
Common questions
Is a visual inspection enough?
For many welds, a careful visual inspection by a qualified person is the main check and is what the standard expects. Critical welds, or those where the specification requires it, also need non-destructive testing. We tell you which applies.
Can you inspect welds that are already painted or fireproofed?
Coatings hide surface defects. We can review what is visible and recommend removing coating at selected locations if the condition of the welds needs to be confirmed.
What standard do you inspect to?
The one your project specifies. For structural steel in Canada that is often CSA W59, but the drawings and specifications set the actual acceptance criteria, so we confirm them at the start.