The primary purpose of all the codes is to secure safe boilers, pressure vessels, and piping through minimum construction standards. Welding codes also provide means that will disclose inherent defects in methods of welding and lack of competency on the part of welding operators, since defective welds are almost invariably due to lack of control of the welding procedure.
No two codes are exactly alike with respect to the provisions for qualifying welding operators. It is therefore necessary, when seeking detailed information as to the types of tests required, and the method of test supervision, to consult the specific code or specification governing the particular type of work