The objective of this Standard is to provide rules for the welding of a wide range of steel constructions, and while it is expected that its main use will be for statically loaded welds, it applies also to some welds subject to fatigue. Although this Standard has been specifically prepared for steel structures, it may be usefully applied to machine frames and other types of steel constructions.

This edition incorporates the following major changes to the 2011 edition:

(a) Revision of the following Clauses:

1.1 (new Note), 2.3.1, 2.3.3, 3.1.2.2 (new), 4.1.1 (Note 2 revised), 4.1.4, 4.2(b) and Note 1, 4.2 (d) (correction), 4.3, 4.5.5.1, 4.5.5.3, 4.6.1.1(e)(iii), 4.6.1.2 (new Note), 4.7.1, 4.7.7, 4.8, 4.12.1, 4.12.2.3, 5.2.4, 5.3.4, 5.3.5 (title), 6.2.2, 6.3.3 (Note added), 6.4.3 (Note added), 6.7 (Note 2 revised), 6.8 (new Note), 7.2(e) (new), F2.2, F4, Appendix H (new).

(b) Revision of the following Tables:

4.1.3, 4.6.1(A), 4.6.1(B), 4.6.1(C), 4.6.2, 4.7.1 (Notes 1, 3 and 4 revised), 4.11(A) (item deleted and Item (i) revised), 4.12.2(B) (Note 1), 5.2.4 (new), 5.3.4, 6.2.2, E4 (items renumbered, root gap revised), G1.

(c) Revision of the following Figures:

4.5.5.1 (Note 2 and the title revised), 4.5.5.3 (Note 2 revised), 4.5.5.4 (title revised).

This Standard requires that weld preparations, welding consumables and welding procedures be qualified before commencement of welding. Prequalified joint preparations, welding consumables and welding procedures are also given in the Standard.

This Standard, in catering for structures subject to fatigue conditions as well as statically loaded structures, provides two categories of welds with two differing levels of weld quality assurance associated with the different types of service to which the welds are subjected. The intention is that the designer select the category suited to the severity of the service and nominate this on the drawings. Where a structure contains both categories, this nomination of appropriate categories will ensure that appropriate levels of supervision and inspection will be applied to the relevant parts of the structure.

Statements expressed in mandatory terms in notes to tables and figures are deemed to be requirements of this Standard.

The terms ‘normative’ and ‘informative’ have been used in this Standard to define the application of the appendix to which they apply. A ‘normative’ appendix is an integral part of a Standard, whereas an ‘informative’ appendix is only for information and guidance.

AS NZS 1554.1 2014 specifies requirements for the welding of steel structures made up of combinations of steel plate, sheet or sections, including hollow sections and built-up sections, or castings and forgings. Also known as AS1554 Structural steel welding. Originated in Australia as AS CA8-1933. Originated in New Zealand, in part, as NZS 4701:1981. Previous edition AS/NZS 1554.1:2011. Ninth edition 2014. Reissued incorporating Amendment No. 1 (September 2015). Reissued incorporating Amendment No. 2 (September 2017).