Overview
EN ISO 6947:2019 - Welding and allied processes - Welding positions defines standardized welding positions for both testing and production for butt and fillet welds across all product forms. Published by CEN (endorsement of ISO 6947:2019), the standard establishes symbol-based main positions (PA, PB, PC, PD, PE, PF, PG, PH, PJ, PK), formalizes the terms slope (S), rotation (R) and inclined angle (L), and provides rules for designation and recording of welding positions. Annex A gives examples of production limits for slope and rotation; Annex B compares EN ISO 6947 with US designation systems.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Main welding positions: PA to PK illustrated for butt, fillet and pipe welding, including flat, horizontal, vertical, overhead and special pipe/orbital positions.
- Terms and definitions: Clear definitions for welding position, main position, special test position, slope (S), rotation (R) and inclined angle (L).
- Testing tolerances: For welding test pieces, allowable deviations are ±5° slope and ±10° rotation from the main welding position.
- Production ranges: Production welding positions have wider, specified ranges (detailed in the standard’s tables and illustrated in Annex A). When a qualification test is performed outside main position limits, the standard specifies that slope and rotation must be recorded and the allowable production range becomes ±15° in slope and ±15° in rotation.
- Designation format: Main positions use symbols (e.g., PB). Supplementary numeric values for slope and rotation are given in three-digit form (example: PB 015-010 for 15° slope and 10° rotation).
- Special test position (SP): A defined concept for positions not covered by main positions so unusual test orientations can be recorded and qualified.
Applications and users
EN ISO 6947 is directly applicable to:
- Welding engineers and procedure developers - to specify and document welding orientations for procedure qualification.
- Welder qualification bodies and test labs - to define test-piece orientations and allowable deviations.
- Fabrication and construction firms (pressure vessels, piping, structural steel) - to interpret production welding ranges and ensure conformity between shop practice and qualification.
- Inspectors and quality assurance teams - to verify that welding was performed within qualified position ranges.
- Standards committees and spec writers - to reference positional definitions consistently in contracts and specifications.
Related standards
- ISO 9606 series (welder qualification) - references main welding positions.
- ISO 15614 series (welding procedure qualification) - relates to production position ranges.
- Annex B in EN ISO 6947:2019 provides a comparison with US designation systems for cross-reference.
Keywords: EN ISO 6947, ISO 6947:2019, welding positions, butt welds, fillet welds, slope, rotation, welder qualification, welding procedure qualification, production welding.
