Which statement best describes the difference between structural and architectural welding regarding inspection and codes?

• A. Structural welding typically requires higher levels of code compliance (AWS D1.1) and more stringent inspection; architectural may be governed by design specs and local codes.
• B. Architectural welding requires stricter inspection than structural.
• C. Both share identical codes regardless of project.
• D. Structural welding has no required inspection.

Answer: (A)

Structural welding is driven by formal welding codes and QA/QC requirements because those joints carry the building’s structural loads and affect safety. This means following a specific code (like AWS D1.1 for steel), using approved welding procedures, certifying welders, and subjecting critical welds to inspection and sometimes non-destructive testing as defined by the code and project scope. Architectural welding, by contrast, is typically governed more by the design specifications from the architect and by local codes or owner requirements, with inspections tied to those documents rather than the full structural code. So structural welding generally demands higher code compliance and more stringent inspection, while architectural welding relies on design specs and local codes.