Overview
EN ISO 15609-2:2019 - Specification and qualification of welding procedures for metallic materials - Welding procedure specification (WPS) - Part 2: Gas welding - defines the required content and variables for WPSs that cover gas welding processes. Adopted by CEN as EN ISO 15609-2:2019, this second edition (2019) updates the 2001 version and aligns WPS content with other parts of the ISO 15609 series and ISO 15607 general rules.
Key topics and requirements
The standard prescribes the technical content that a Welding Procedure Specification (WPS) or preliminary WPS must include. Core elements are:
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Manufacturer and identification
- Identification of the manufacturer, WPS reference and links to the Welding Procedure Qualification Record (WPQR) or other supporting documents.
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Parent material
- Material designation and reference standards, material group numbers (per ISO/TR 15608), and thickness/pipe diameter ranges.
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Welding process and joint details
- Gas welding process identification (ISO 4063), joint design sketches and run sequence, applicable welding positions (ISO 6947).
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Preparation and technique
- Joint preparation including surface condition and cleaning, jigging and tack welding, left/rightward welding, blowpipe or wire/strip angles.
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Back operations and consumables
- Back gouging method, backing type and dimensions, consumable designation, manufacturer/trade name, size and handling.
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Flame and equipment parameters
- Nozzle size, fuel gas type/pressure, oxygen pressure, flame type, travel speed and feed ranges for mechanized/automatic setups or explicit machine settings.
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Thermal control
- Pre-heat, interpass and maintenance temperatures, and post-weld heat treatment requirements where applicable.
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Ranges and tolerances
- Specification of permissible ranges and tolerances per ISO 15607 and manufacturer practice. Annex A provides an example WPS format.
Applications and users
This standard is essential for:
- Welding engineers and procedure writers preparing WPSs for gas welding
- Quality managers and inspectors ensuring documentation meets regulatory and contract requirements
- Fabrication shops, shipyards, pressure-vessel and pipeline contractors using oxy-fuel and other gas welding techniques
- Certification bodies and auditors verifying WPQR/WPS compliance
Practical uses include procedure development, production planning, vendor qualification, procurement specifications, and conformity evidence during inspections and audits.
Related standards
Keywords: EN ISO 15609-2:2019, gas welding, welding procedure specification, WPS, WPQR, welding qualification, gas welding procedures.
