IS 822:1970 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for code of procedure for inspection of welds. IS 822:1970 is the Indian parent code for the procedure of inspecting welds — it frames *how* welds are inspected (before/during/after welding), the place of visual inspection and NDT (RT/UT/MPI/DPT), the weld defects to look for, and the basis for acceptance and re-inspection of repairs. It is read together with the welding-practice code (IS 9595), the electrode/process codes (IS 814/IS 816), the structural code (IS 800), and the NDT method codes (notably IS 7307 for radiography) — those define methods/consumables; IS 822 defines the inspection regime that ties them into a QA system.
Lays down the procedure for inspection of welds in fabricated steelwork — the stages of inspection (before, during and after welding), visual inspection, the role of non-destructive testing (radiography, ultrasonic, magnetic-particle, dye-penetrant), weld-defect identification and the basis for acceptance/rejection. It is the parent inspection-procedure code that NDT method codes (e.g. IS 7307 radiography) and welding codes are read with.
Quick Reference — IS 822:1970 Inspection of Welds
Inspection stages, methods and the acceptance-standard relationship.
| Reference | Value | Clause |
|---|
| Subject | Procedure for inspection of welds | Scope |
| Inspection stages | Before · during · after welding | Cl. |
| Prerequisite | Qualified WPS + qualified welders | Cl. |
| Methods | Visual + RT / UT / MPI / DPT (by criticality) | Cl. |
| Radiography method | IS 7307 Part 1 (butt welds) | Cross-ref |
| Acceptance | Per acceptance std / IS 7310-7318 / contract (not IS 822) | Accept |
| Repairs | Re-inspect every repaired weld | QC |
⚠ IS 822 is the inspection procedure; pass/fail comes from the project acceptance standard / IS 7310-7318. Verify against the current contract specification.
Overview
- Status
- Current
- Usage level
- Important
- Domain
- Structural Engineering — Welding and Joining
- Type
- Code of Practice
Also on InfraLens for IS 822
Practical Notes
! Inspection starts before the arc is struck — fit-up, edge preparation, root gap and cleanliness decide weld quality more than post-weld NDT does.
! Qualify the welding procedure (WPS) and the welders first; inspecting welds made by an unqualified procedure/welder is closing the stable door late.
! Visual inspection catches the majority of defects (profile, undercut, overlap, surface cracks) at lowest cost — it is not optional just because NDT is specified.
! Select the NDT method to the defect: RT/UT for volumetric/internal (IS 7307 for radiography), MPI/DPT for surface-breaking — one method does not cover all defects.
! Define the acceptance standard explicitly in the contract — IS 822 is the inspection *procedure*; pass/fail criteria come from the acceptance standard / IS 7310-7318 / project spec.
! Every repaired weld must be re-inspected by the same regime — an unverified repair is an unproven joint.
! Cracks and lack of fusion/penetration are normally rejectable irrespective of size — they are not 'within tolerance' defects.
Frequently referenced clauses
Stages of inspection — before welding (fit-up, edge prep, cleanliness), during welding (procedure, sequence, interpass), after welding (final)
Qualification of welding procedure and welders as a prerequisite to acceptance
Visual inspection — profile, size, undercut, overlap, surface porosity/cracks
Non-destructive testing — selection of RT / UT / MPI / DPT by joint type & criticality
Weld-defect categories — porosity, slag inclusion, lack of fusion/penetration, cracks, undercut
Basis of acceptance/rejection and treatment of repairs (re-inspection of repaired welds)
weld inspectionwelding QANDT of weldsweld defectsvisual inspectionradiographyultrasonic testingweld acceptance
International Equivalents
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International Comparison — Coming Soon
We're adding equivalent international standards for this code.
Key Values5
Quick Reference Values
Inspection stagesBefore · during · after welding
PrerequisiteQualified welding procedure + qualified welders
Primary toolsVisual + RT / UT / MPI / DPT (by criticality)
Typically rejectable regardless of sizeCracks, lack of fusion/penetration
RepairsRe-inspect every repaired weld
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
Inspection stage vs activity/responsibility
NDT method applicability by defect type and joint
Frequently Asked Questions4
What is IS 822 used for?+
It lays down the procedure for inspecting welds in steel fabrication — the stages of inspection (before, during, after welding), visual inspection, the role of NDT, weld-defect identification and the basis for acceptance/rejection and re-inspection of repairs. It is the inspection-regime code read with the welding and NDT method codes.
What is the difference between IS 822 and IS 7307?+
IS 822 is the overall weld-inspection *procedure* (when/what/how to inspect, including visual). IS 7307 Part 1 is a specific NDT *method* — radiographic examination of butt welds. IS 822 tells you to inspect; IS 7307 tells you how to radiograph; the acceptance standard tells you pass/fail.
When is weld inspection done as per IS 822?+
In three stages: before welding (fit-up, edge preparation, cleanliness, qualified procedure/welders), during welding (sequence, interpass, technique) and after welding (visual + NDT). Inspection that only happens after welding misses the causes of most defects.
Which NDT methods does IS 822 cover?+
It covers the selection of non-destructive testing — radiography (RT, see IS 7307), ultrasonic testing (UT), magnetic-particle (MPI) and dye-penetrant (DPT) — chosen by the defect type and joint criticality, in addition to mandatory visual inspection.