Atema

Welding for Seismic Applications

Parts of seismic requirements are finding their way into more projects in many parts of the country where they have not been seen before. Reviewing these contracts turns into more of a puzzle game than usual. The burdens on the fabricator or erector can be significantly different if one of these documents is referenced.

There are a growing number of stories about taking down erected steel in tons because the fabricator, erector, or EOR is not seismic savvy. There is extra time, skill and cost considerations for detailing, purchasing, welder qualification, welding consumables, machining, fabrication techniques, and QC on a project with seismic requirements.

What you will take away?

Skills to interpret requirements.
Discussion topics include the additional requirements for drawing
Material and consumable control techniques
WPS and welder qualification from AWS D1.8

Why you need to attend THIS ONE!

Not only learn to interpret requirements, but learn to communicate them to other parties.

Who Should Attend?

Fabrication and Erection Mangers
Puchasing and Planning managers responsible for contract requirements
Inspection and Supervision personnel who direct others in fabraction and erection phases of projects.
Welding professionals and supervisors interested in application of AWS D1.8 or AWS D1.1, AISC 341
Engineers and CWIs who need PDHs

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DISASTER! : Do you know the two unbreakable rules of auditing after a tragedy? 5/15

In 2007, Minnesota experienced an unpredictable disaster. The Minneapolis I-35W Bridge collapsed over the Mississippi River. There was public turmoil as traffic was immobilized and rumors spread through the public and the media, the most frightening of which was the suspicion of a terrorist threat. In the end, 13 people were killed and 145 were injured.

After such a tragedy, auditing the suppliers to the Owner of the bridge becomes a great challenge. Suddenly everything changes at all levels of an organization. An auditor must face a new raw and volatile environment.

Above all an auditor must remember two unbreakable rules of auditing after a disaster:

1. DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT TALK ABOUT THE DISASTER AT ANYTIME DURING THE AUDIT.

As an auditor, it is tempting to fall into the vortex of emotion that surrounds such an event. The auditor is often the first "face of the agency" a supplier sees after a disaster, and sometimes the disaster is the reason for the audit. Auditees may look to an auditor for answers to why the disaster happened, or auditees may expect the disaster to be the scope of the audit. Everyone is watching with more acute vision and listening with sharper ears. Anything you say or do as an auditor can and will be construed as the official opinion of the Owner you represent. Keep off the subject of the event.

2. Stick to audit criteria

It is paramount that the auditor keeps a professional façade. Mixed emotions likely will permeate the staff of a fabrication shop after a tragic event. Guilt, Blame, and generally bad feelings inspire auditees to look for direction. As we mentioned above, that direction should not be driven by the disaster itself. The codes, standards, and specifications set forth as the sources for audit criteria remain the driving force behind audit observations. The purpose of the audit is not to find all the things that went wrong in the disaster; it is to assure that requirements are met and procedures are in place to produce a good product.

P.S. On May 22, 2012, Terry Logan, our Vice President, will be giving his presentation "How to Audit After a Disaster" at the ASQ World Conference in Anaheim, CA. He will discuss in detail and from experience the critical things that must be considered by auditors in trying times.

If you’ve see Terry speak before, you know that his presentations are always lively, no matter the topic! If you haven’t seen him speak, what are you waiting for? More information on the conference can be found here:

ASQ World Conference.

P.P.S. Be sure to keep up with us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for more information about this and other upcoming events!