Íâ¹úÃÀŮɫÇéƬ

Mandatory Íâ¹úÃÀŮɫÇéƬ

There are several codes, standards and regulations in Canada that require mandatory CWB certification for companies involved in welding operations.

Buildings & Structural Steel

Buildings and structures falling under the jurisdiction of the National Building Code of Canada (NBCC) – and its provincial versions – must be welded by CWB Certified companies.

The national and provincial building codes have an indirect link to requirements for certification of fabricators and erectors. The building codes reference specific design standards and fabrication standards, which then reference the certification requirements. The requirements for welding certification of fabricators and erectors are done via the mandatory requirement in the NBCC that specific design standards shall be used for design of all structural steel.

These specified design standards have clear provisions for mandatory welding certification required for fabricators and erectors conducting any work in accordance to the NBCC.

Below are the references in the NBCC to the design standards:

  • Section 4.3.4.1 states: "Buildings and their structural members made of structural steel shall conform to CAN/CSA S16-09, Design of Steel Structures."
  • Section 4.3.4.2 states: "Buildings and their structural members made of cold formed steel shall conform to CSA A136, North American Specification for the Design of Cold Formed Steel Structural Members."
  • Section 4.3.3.3.1 states: "Buildings and their structural members made of plain, reinforced or prestressed concrete shall conform to CSA A23.3, Design of Concrete Structures."
  • Section 4.3.3.3.1 states: "Buildings and their structural members made of aluminum shall conform to CSA 157, Strength Design in Aluminum."
  • Section 4.3.5.1 states: "Steel Building Systems shall be manufactured by companies certified in accordance with the requirements of CSA A660, Íâ¹úÃÀŮɫÇéƬ of Manufacturers of Steel Building Systems."

CSA A660, CSA S16, CSA A23.3, CSA A136 and CSA S157 have mandatory provisions requiring fabricators and erectors to be CWB Certified to one of the following standards:

  • CSA Standard W47.1 "Íâ¹úÃÀŮɫÇéƬ of Companies for Fusion Welding of Steel"
  • CSA Standard W47.2 "Íâ¹úÃÀŮɫÇéƬ of Companies for Fusion Welding of Aluminum"
  • CSA Standard W186 "Welding of Reinforcing Bars in Reinforced Concrete Construction"
  • CSA Standard W55.3 "Íâ¹úÃÀŮɫÇéƬ of Companies for Resistance Welding of Steel and Aluminum"

Download this guide that shows the linkages between buildings codes and CWB certification.

Other Mandatory Applications

A number of other safety and product codes have direct reference to CWB certification. These include:

  • Bridges
  • Cranes
  • Elevators and escalators
  • Hoists and manlifts
  • Antenna structures
  • Wind turbine towers
  • Mobile homes
  • Concrete structures (Reinforcing bar)

Reference Guides

There are many CSA standards that directly reference CSA Welding Íâ¹úÃÀŮɫÇéƬ Standards. To make it easier for you, we have created reference guides that include relevant excerpts from all currently published CSA standards.

These reference guides will inform and encourage consultants, building officials, purchasers, government departments and other authorities to use these standards, and specify and enforce certification requirements where applicable.

View the reference guides

General Contractors and Steel Brokers

Normally, General Contractors and brokers of fabricated structural steel or buildings do not require to be certified by the CWB. Only the organization that is responsible to conduct the welding operation is normally the only organizations that are required to be CWB certified. However, General Contractors and brokers must ensure that when welding work is awarded to other parties on behalf of the project owner, that those organizations involved in welded fabrication or erection be appropriately certified by the CWB in accordance with the relevant design standard(s).

Not sure about your specific situation? Contact us for assistance.