This standard specifies how a preliminary welding procedure specification is qualified by welding procedure tests. This standard applies to production welding, repair welding and build-up welding. This standard defines the conditions for the execution of welding procedure tests and the range of qualification for welding procedures for all practical welding operations within the range of variables. The primary purpose of welding procedure qualification is to demonstrate the mechanical properties of the weldment. Two levels of welding procedure tests are given in order to permit application to a wide range of welded fabrication. They are designated by numbers 1 and 2. In level 2, the extent of testing is greater and the ranges of qualification are more restrictive than in level 1. Procedure tests carried out to Level 2 automatically qualify for level 1 requirements, but not vice-versa. When no level is specified in a contract or application standard, all the requirements of level 2 apply. This standard applies to the arc and gas welding of steels in all product forms and the arc welding of nickel and nickel alloys in all product forms. Arc and gas welding are covered by the following processes in accordance with ISO 4063:2009. The sub-groups of the individual processes may be considered. 111 - manual metal arc welding (metal-arc welding with covered electrode); 114 - self-shielded tubular-cored arc welding; 12 - submerged arc welding; 13 - Gas-shielded metal arc welding; 14 - gas-shielded arc welding with non-consumable electrode; 15 - plasma arc welding; 311 - oxy-acetylene welding. The principles of this standard may be applied to other fusion welding processes. NOTE A former process number does not require a new qualification test according to this standard. Specification and qualification of welding procedures that were made in accordance with previous editions of this Standard may be used for any application for which the current edition is specified.