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AWS D1.3 SHEET METAL

AWS D1.3 Sheet Metal Structural Welder Qualification Testing

Mail-in AWS D1.3 sheet metal welder qualification for light gauge steel fabricators, metal building erectors, and structural sheet metal contractors. Ship your test coupon to Atlanta. We handle CWI inspection, accredited testing, and official WPQ documentation.

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D1.3
AWS Standard
Sheet steel structural
3/16"
Max Thickness
Light gauge coverage
All
Positions
Including overhead
AWS
CWI Inspected
Every coupon
✓  AWS D1.3 Structural Welding Code ✓  Metal Building Systems ✓  Cold-Formed Steel Framing ✓  Arc Spot Welds / Puddle Welds ✓  Nationwide Mail-In Service
Welder performing structural weld on light gauge sheet metal in fabrication shop with overhead crane visible
AWS D1.3 governs structural welding of sheet steel — light gauge material 3/16 inch and under used in metal building systems, decking, and cold-formed framing.

What Is AWS D1.3 and Who Needs This Qualification?

AWS D1.3, Structural Welding Code — Sheet Steel, covers the welding of sheet steel structural members with a base metal thickness of 3/16 inch or less at the point of welding. It is a separate and distinct code from AWS D1.1, which covers thicker structural steel. The thickness dividing line is 3/16 inch — above that, D1.1 governs.

Any welder performing production welds on light gauge structural applications must hold a D1.3 qualification when the project specification requires it. This includes:

  • Metal building erectors welding light gauge framing connections and secondary members
  • Structural decking installers making arc spot (puddle) welds to attach roof and floor deck to structural framing
  • Cold-formed steel framing contractors welding light gauge stud and track connections
  • HVAC and mechanical contractors welding light gauge structural supports and hangers
  • General fabricators working with sheet steel structural components under D1.3 specifications
  • Maintenance and repair welders on existing light gauge structural assemblies
The 3/16" Rule: AWS D1.3 covers base metal at the weld joint of 3/16 inch (4.8mm) or less. This includes galvanized sheet steel, cold-rolled sheet, and hot-rolled sheet in structural applications. When your material is thicker than 3/16 inch, AWS D1.1 governs the welding. Some projects have both — check the spec before assuming which qualification applies.

AWS D1.3 vs. AWS D1.1 — The Key Differences

FactorAWS D1.3 (Sheet Steel)AWS D1.1 (Structural Steel)
Base Metal Thickness3/16 inch and underTypically 1/8 inch and over
Primary ConcernBurn-through, distortion, fitmentStrength, fusion, cracking
Arc Spot WeldsCovered — separate qualificationNot applicable
Galvanized SteelCovered with specific requirementsLimited coverage
Primary ProcessGMAW short-circuit, FCAW, SMAWSMAW, GMAW, FCAW, GTAW
Heat InputCritical — thin material burns throughImportant for distortion and HAZ control
Cross-QualificationDoes not satisfy D1.1Does not satisfy D1.3
Governing BodyAmerican Welding SocietyAmerican Welding Society

Arc Spot Welds — What They Are and Why They Need Separate Qualification

An arc spot weld — also called a puddle weld or through-deck weld — is made by burning through the top sheet of metal and fusing into the supporting structural member below. No joint preparation is required. The welder places the electrode or wire gun directly on the surface of the top sheet, strikes an arc, burns through, and creates a fused connection between the sheet and the structure beneath.

This is the dominant method for attaching metal roof and floor decking to structural steel framing. Millions of arc spot welds are made every year on commercial and industrial building construction. AWS D1.3 defines minimum arc spot weld diameters, visual acceptance criteria, and the qualification tests required to demonstrate proficiency.

Arc Spot ≠ Fillet or Groove: A welder qualified for groove or fillet welds under D1.3 is not automatically qualified for arc spot welds — and vice versa. Arc spot weld qualification is a separate test. If your decking crews are making puddle welds, they need specific arc spot weld qualification under D1.3. Call us to discuss the right test for your crew's work.

Welding Galvanized Sheet Steel Under D1.3

Much of the light gauge sheet steel used in metal building and cold-formed framing applications is galvanized — coated with zinc for corrosion protection. Welding galvanized steel requires specific precautions:

  • Zinc fumes are toxic — adequate ventilation is mandatory. OSHA zinc fume standards apply
  • The zinc coating burns off in the weld zone, leaving a bare steel surface that must be protected against corrosion after welding
  • Zinc contamination in the weld pool causes porosity — welding speed and technique must be adjusted to allow zinc to volatilize ahead of the puddle
  • AWS D1.3 has specific requirements for galvanized base metal that differ from bare steel — the WPS must address the coating
  • Test coupons for galvanized D1.3 qualification must use galvanized material to match production conditions

Common Processes for AWS D1.3 Sheet Metal Work

GMAW — Short-Circuit

The dominant process for sheet metal structural welding. Short-circuit transfer with ER70S-6 wire provides excellent control on thin material. Low heat input, fast travel speed. Used for both groove/fillet welds and arc spot welds on decking.

FCAW — Self-Shielded

E71T-11 self-shielded flux-core is popular for arc spot welds on decking — no shielding gas needed, works outdoors, fast. Also used for fillet welds on light gauge structural connections. Must be qualified separately from GMAW.

SMAW — Stick

Small diameter electrodes (3/32" or 1/8" E6011, E6013) used for field repairs and connections where wire processes are impractical. Burn-through risk is higher on thin material — experienced technique required. Less common than GMAW for production sheet metal work.

GTAW — TIG

Used in precision sheet metal fabrication where weld appearance and distortion control are paramount. Very precise heat input but slow. More common in architectural stainless sheet applications (see D1.6) than in structural sheet steel work.

Position Coverage — AWS D1.3

Test PositionCodeWeld TypePositions Covered
Flat1G / 1FGroove / FilletFlat only
Horizontal2G / 2FGroove / FilletFlat + Horizontal
Vertical3G / 3FGroove / FilletFlat + Horiz + Vertical
Overhead4G / 4FGroove / FilletFlat + Horiz + Overhead
3G + 4G / 3F + 4FCombinedGroove + FilletAll positions — groove and fillet
Arc Spot — Flat1ASArc SpotFlat arc spot welds only
Arc Spot — Overhead4ASArc SpotAll arc spot positions

AWS D1.3 Sheet Metal Welder Qualification — FAQ

What is AWS D1.3 and who needs welder qualification under this standard?
AWS D1.3, Structural Welding Code — Sheet Steel, governs the welding of sheet steel structural members with a nominal thickness of 3/16 inch or less. It covers light gauge steel used in metal building systems, cold-formed steel framing, structural decking connections, and other applications where thin sheet steel carries structural loads. Any welder performing production welds on D1.3-specified sheet steel structural work must hold a current qualification.
What thickness range does AWS D1.3 cover?
AWS D1.3 covers sheet steel with a base metal thickness at the point of welding of 3/16 inch (4.8mm) or less. If your base metal is over 3/16 inch at the weld joint, AWS D1.1 governs. If it is 3/16 inch or less, AWS D1.3 applies. Some projects have both — structural framing under D1.1 and sheet metal connections under D1.3 — requiring both qualifications.
How is AWS D1.3 different from AWS D1.1?
D1.1 covers structural steel plate and shapes. D1.3 covers sheet steel — thin gauge material where burn-through is a constant risk and heat control is critical. D1.3 also addresses arc spot welds used to attach decking to structural framing — a joint type that does not exist in D1.1. The two qualifications are completely separate.
What are arc spot welds and are they covered by D1.3 qualification?
Arc spot welds — also called puddle welds — are made by burning through the top sheet and fusing into the supporting structural member below. They are used to attach metal roof and floor decking to structural framing. AWS D1.3 covers arc spot welds in addition to conventional groove and fillet welds. Arc spot weld qualification is a separate test — a welder must specifically qualify for arc spot welds if that is what the production work requires.
Can a D1.1 qualified welder perform D1.3 sheet metal welding?
Not without separate D1.3 qualification. AWS D1.3 is a separate code for a different base metal thickness range and includes joint types — arc spot welds — that D1.1 does not address. A welder with D1.1 plate qualification has not demonstrated the burn-through control and arc spot weld skill required for D1.3 work. Many projects require both qualifications when structural framing (D1.1) and sheet decking connections (D1.3) are present.
What welding processes are covered by AWS D1.3?
AWS D1.3 recognizes SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, and GTAW for sheet metal structural welding. GMAW short-circuit is the dominant process for sheet metal structural work. Each process must be separately qualified — a GMAW qualification does not cover SMAW or FCAW.
Does AWS D1.3 allow mail-in welder qualification testing?
Yes. AWS D1.3 does not require the examiner to witness the welding. The welder produces the test coupon at their facility following an approved WPS and ships it to WeldCertTest for CWI visual inspection and mechanical testing. Sheet metal test coupons are thin and must be packaged carefully to arrive undamaged — our shipping guide covers proper packaging.
What positions does AWS D1.3 welder qualification cover?
AWS D1.3 uses the same position designations as D1.1. A 3F and 4F combined fillet weld qualification covers all fillet weld positions. For groove welds, 3G and 4G combined covers all groove positions. For arc spot welds, a flat (1AS) qualification covers flat only — an overhead (4AS) qualification covers all arc spot positions including overhead, which is critical for decking work.
What documentation is issued after passing AWS D1.3 welder qualification?
WeldCertTest issues a Welder Performance Qualification record documenting welder identification, date of qualification, welding process, base metal thickness, joint type (groove, fillet, or arc spot), test position, and test results. The WPQ is signed by the CWI examiner and constitutes the official D1.3 qualification record for use on sheet metal structural projects.

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