Page 24 - Quick Guide to Welding and Weld Inspection by S.E. Hughes, Clifford Matthews

Abbreviations, Terminology and Welding Symbols

Figure 1.6 The arrow line

The arrow line
The arrow line is a single, straight, solid line (there is an
exception to this in AWS A2.4 for single plate preparations
where the arrow line is staggered) (Fig. 1.6). It touches the
joint intersection and points to the plate edge that is to be
prepared. For symmetrical joints it can point to either plate
edge as they are both prepared in the same way. It must not
be parallel to the bottom of the drawing and must always be
finished with an arrow head.
The reference line
The reference line is a solid line that touches the arrow line
(Fig. 1.7). It is preferably drawn parallel to the bottom of the
drawing, but if this is not possible it is drawn perpendicular
to the bottom. There must be an angle between the arrow line
and reference line where they join. In BS EN 22553 a dashed
line is also placed either above or beneath the solid reference
line and relates specifically to the ‘other side’ of a joint.
The welded joint symbol
The joint symbol is used to represent the different joint
categories and is generally similar in shape to the weld that it

Figure 1.7 The reference line

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Data Standards Ltd, Frome, Somerset – 17/9/200901QG Welding chap1.3d Page 9 of 16