This standard presents a system for indicating welding, brazing, and nondestructive examination requirements. The system includes provisions for the graphical representation of welds, brazes, and nondestructive examination methods with conventions for specifying, at a minimum, the location and extent of their application. Optional elements and supplementary symbols provide a means for specifying additional requirements.

The figures included with the text are intended to show how the correct format and applications of symbols may be used to convey welding, brazing, and nondestructive examination information. They are not intended to represent recommended welding, brazing, nondestructive examination, or design practice.

The section addressing brazing uses the same symbols that are used for welding. The section on nondestructive examination symbols establishes the symbols to be used on drawings to specify nondestructive examination for determining the suitability of components. The nondestructive examination symbols included in this standard represent nondestructive examination methods as discussed in the latest edition of the AWS publication AWS B1.10, Guide for the Nondestructive Examination of Welds. Definitions and the details for the use of the various nondestructive examination methods are found in AWS B1.10.

For illustrative purposes, this standard makes use of both U.S. Customary and the International System of Units (SI). Examples featuring each system appear throughout the document.

Safety and health issues and concerns are beyond the scope of this standard, and therefore are not fully addressed herein. Safety and health information is available from other sources, including, but not limited to, ANSI Z49.1, Safety in Welding, Cutting, and Allied Processes, and applicable federal and state regulations.

The limitations included in specifications and codes are also beyond the scope of this standard.