As we mentioned at our NASCC: The Steel Conference presentation on March 23, 2022, we have updated the Governing Requirements for Certification Programs (GRs). They will become effective on June 1, 2022, for all certified participants and applicants. For more information, please review Bulletin 2022-02.

The GRs detail the administration of the certification program from application to certificate determination. They should be your go-to reference for compliance with our program and administrative processes. Our annual update is intended to provide additional clarity as the industry and program evolve.

• Governing Requirements for Certification Programs
• Supplemental Requirements for Building Fabricators (BU)
• Supplemental Requirements for Bridge Fabricators (SBR, IBR, ABR)
• Supplemental Requirements for Highway Component Manufacturers (CPT)
• Supplemental Requirements for Fabricators of Hydraulic Steel Structures (HYD, HYDA)
• Supplemental Requirements for Erectors (CSE)
• Supplemental Requirements for Fracture Control Endorsement (FCE)
• Supplemental Requirements for Complex Coatings Endorsement (CCE)

By Larry Martof, Director of Quality Management Company

2021 has brought a new chapter to AISC Certification Programs. I’m not talking about turning over a metaphorical new leaf for the new year, remote assessments, Zoom meetings, or any of that; I mean a real, brand-new chapter all about hydraulics!

The Certification Standards Committee (CSC) has been hard at work. The Certification Standard for Steel Fabrication and Erection, and Manufacturing of Metal Components (207-16) has changed its name to the Standard for Certification Programs (207-20) and has added a brand-new hydraulic chapter. 

I’m going to refer to the new document as “207-20” for the rest of this document, to make it easier to read. Bear with me--it’ll be worth it, I promise.

The general requirements in Chapter 1 of 207-20 serve as a basis for everything that follows in all programs. From there, separate chapters of supplemental requirements tailor and enhance the general requirements of a specific certification program. 

Following the release of the 207-16 in 2016, AISC formed a hydraulic task group to define the requirements that would become Chapter 6. This task group consisted of representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, fabricators, industry experts, AISC Certification staff, and QMC auditors. The group drafted a comprehensive set of supplemental requirements in two categories: Hydraulic Fabricator and Advanced Hydraulic Fabricator that includes fracture critical criteria.

This revision to 207-20 also adds clarity through an expanded glossary, more commentary, and improved alignment of sections and sub-sections. 207-20’s glossary terms also reflect the terms seen in the upcoming revisions to the Code of Standard Practice for Steel Buildings and Bridges and the Specification for Structural Steel Buildings. It’s worth noting that the term “quality assurance” (QA) has been given a unique meaning in 207-20 that differs from how it is used in Chapter N of the Specification for Structural Steel Buildings. 207-20 definition of QA conforms with its use in implementing quality management systems. For example, “shop drawings” are now called “fabrication documents” to better reflect how information is conveyed to the shop. This information takes many forms as technology continues to transition how we work. The old, large paper prints of drawings are being replaced with 3D models, tablets, automation, robotics, and eventually even virtual manufacturing and holograms!

We’ve also made adjustments to better explain concepts and practices of calibration, corrective action, nonconformance, types of inspection, and welding controls. Words like “product” and “service” have been replaced by “work,” which can be applied to anything one does. When you are reading 207-20 and see a term in italics, you’ll know to refer to the glossary for its definition.

Here’s the bottom line for our participants: 

• Everyone will find the revised 207-20 easier to understand and use.
• The revised title (Standard for Certification Programs) more accurately reflects its current use and allows us to simply add and integrate more chapters as the industry continues to evolve.
• To comply with the new Chapter 6, current participants in the hydraulic certification program must decide which category of certification best suits their business needs.

As detailed above, the updated AISC 207-20 features a new title, Standard for Certification Programs, and f you’re wondering what all has changed, why don’t you check out this “highlighted-version” of the Standard. All the changes will jump right off the page for you.

The 207-20 Audit Guides will help you transition between the older documents (Certification Standard for Steel Fabrication and Erection and AISC 207-16 Manufacturing of Metal Components) and the updated Standard for Certification Programs (AISC 207-20). These handy tools will help identify gaps between your quality management systems (QMS) and the updated Standard, or you can use it as a starting point to implement management systems that meet the certification requirements. It can also be useful if you’re considering pursuing additional certifications or endorsements.

There's a brand-new Chapter 6 for Hydraulic Structures - so, you might be asking yourself, how does my current certification compare? Take a look at the Hydraulic Navigation Guide! If you’re a certified Bridge and/or Hydraulic Structures fabricators, this guide will help you in identifying the gaps between your current certification and the new hydraulic certification categories (Hydraulic Fabricator and Advanced Hydraulic Fabricator that includes fracture critical criteria) found in the Standard for Certification Programs (AISC 207-20).

The Governing Requirements for Certification Programs (GRs) are provided for identifying the activities required to demonstrate that the participating company’s management system fulfills the requirements for certification to the selected standard and other normative documents. The GRs provide for the administration of the audit program from application to certification. They also contain clarifications, explanations, and additional requirements to those found in the Standard of Certification Programs (AISC 207) and are also used to provide modifications to the Standard until a formal revision can be made.

The Governing Requirements for Certification Programs (GRs) provide for the administration of the audit program from application to certification, and they apply to every participant or applicant. The Supplemental Requirements are additional requirements that are tailored for a specific certification or endorsement. For example, a Certified Bridge Fabricator must adhere to the GRs and the Supplemental Requirements for Bridge Fabricators - similar to how they must meet the criteria of Chapter 1 & 4 of the Standard for Certification Programs.

The updated Requirements will take effect for anyone having an audit on or after June 1, 2022, for both current participants and applicants. Auditors will then begin issuing Areas of Concerns (AOCs) for noncompliance with any new or updated criteria from the Requirements. QMC auditors use AOCs to inform you of recent changes to the Governing Requirements, the Standard, and/or other normative reference documents.

If the auditor issues an AOC, they will review the AOC at the following audit. If you do not effectively resolve an AOC before the next audit, the auditor will issue a Corrective Action Request (CAR).

The 2022 revision is not a complete revision of the Governing Requirements for Certification Programs (GRs) but does add important changes and updates including updated terminology as defined in the glossary below. Changes are noted in the Preface of the GRs. Each change is noted as either: New, Editorial, Revision, or Moved. 

Every year, the Governing Requirements for Certification Programs are published in May and take effect on June 1.

The 207-20 Audit Guides will help you transition between older documents, like the Certification Standard for Steel Fabrication and Erection and Manufacturing of Metal Components (AISC 207-16), and the updated Standard for Certification Programs (AISC 207-20). These handy tools will help identify gaps between your quality management systems (QMS) and the updated Standard, or you can use it as a starting point to implement management systems that meet the certification requirements. It can also be useful if you’re considering pursuing additional certifications or endorsements.

There's a brand-new Chapter 6 for Hydraulic Structures - so, you might be asking yourself, how does my current certification compare? First, review Bulletin 2021-03 about the transition and rollout of this new chapter.

Then, take a look at the Hydraulic Navigation Guide! If you’re a certified Bridge and/or Hydraulic Structures fabricators, this guide will help you in identifying the gaps between your current certification and the new hydraulic certification categories (Hydraulic Fabricator and Advanced Hydraulic Fabricator that includes fracture critical criteria) found in the Standard for Certification Programs (AISC 207-20).

The Standard will be updated approximately every three years by the Certification Standards Committee, which is overseen by AISC’s Engineering and Research Department. Once the updated Standard is approved by the AISC Board of Directors, the Certification Program will implement the updated version the following June.

Please visit the Certification Resources page for a wide-range of quality-related resources to help streamline your quality management system. From a non-conformance worksheet to an entire guide of required, normative and beneficial, informative references, these tools will simplify your daily tasks and improve your overall quality.

Please contact us any time at either certification@aisc.org or 312-670-7520.

We list your current principal, certification, A/P, marketing contacts on your annual invoice. If one of these happens to change, you need to update your Company Profile Form, as stated in: 

PR 1.11: “AISC relies on email to communicate with Applicants and Participants. Any changes to contact information MUST be provided to AISC. See PR4.9 concerning Company Profile. It is the Participant/Applicant’s responsibility to ensure communications are being received.”

Use the Company Profile Form to notify us. Please remember you have to contact AISC Certification and Membership separately of any staff profile changes.