Execution classes, ITPs and hold points

Execution classes

Execution standards grade structures by the consequences of failure and the type of loading. The higher the class, the stricter the requirements for traceability, welding coordination, inspection rates and tolerances.

Standard	Classes	Typical buildings
EN 1090-2 (Europe)	EXC1 – EXC4	EXC2 for most buildings; EXC3 for large or crowded structures, crane runways, fatigue-loaded members
AS/NZS 5131 (Australia / NZ)	CC1 – CC4 (construction categories)	CC2 for most buildings; CC3 for important or fatigue-loaded structures

Welding quality management

ISO 3834 defines quality requirements for fusion welding at three levels: part 2 comprehensive, part 3 standard and part 4 elementary. EN 1090-2 links them to the execution class (EXC3 and EXC4 call for ISO 3834-2). It covers welding coordination personnel, qualified procedures and welders, equipment, inspection, non-conformance and records.

Inspection and test plan (ITP)

An ITP lists every check from incoming material to dispatch: what is checked, against which document and acceptance criterion, how often, by whom and which record proves it. Each line has an intervention type:

Hold point (H): work must stop until the inspection is done and released.
Witness point (W): the client is notified and may attend; work may continue if they do not.
Review (R): records are reviewed, no attendance.

Non-conformance

A result outside the acceptance criteria is recorded as a non-conformance (NCR) with a disposition – redo, repair, accept with approval (concession) or reject – and closed only after re-inspection.

The manufacturing record

At the end of the project, the manufacturer's data record (MDR) collects material certificates, WPS and welder qualifications, inspection and NDT reports, NCRs, coating records and the declaration of performance where required.