United States Nuclear Power
Federal Regulations, Codes, & Standards
Users Group ©
Section XI Meeting Notes - August 2000
Introduction
Prepared By: Dajun Song
Company: Progress Energy
Meeting Dates: August 7 - 10, 2000
Meeting Location: Portland, Oregon
Meeting Notes
General Announcements
1. ISI/NRC symposium will be held in Atlanta, GA.
7/22 7/26, 2001.
2. Next Section XI meeting. Nashville, TN
12/11/00 12/15/00 ($158.00/night).
3. NRC Report
- Still looking at moving approval of Code Cases to 50.55(a).
- Draft of Code of Federal Regulation (which includes NRC approval of ASME Code Addenda through 2000) will be sent out for public comment around 4/01.
- Code Cases. NRC has reviewed Code Cases through Supplement 7. Currently, reviewing Supplement 8.
4. TG on Snubbers. Working Group on O&M met to consider adding VT-3 requirement in ISTD. They are opposed to this idea. It looks like the issue is dead.
5. Task Group formed to look at RBI & RRM Code Case. Jim Connor is on the Task Group.
6. The following Code Cases were reaffirmed;
N-198-1, N-435-1, N-598, N-601, N-603, N-605
Code Committee Protocol
Quick lesson on code committee protocol. Typically, a code item starts at Task Group (TG) level and must work its way through BNCS before utilities can use them. Here is the pecking order.
TG Task Group
WG Working Group
SG Subgroup
SC XI Subcommittee Section XI
MC Main Committee (Items can still pass with 2 negative votes if its a "second
consideration" vote.)
BNCS Board of Nuclear Codes and Standards
Some popular "Groups";
TG ISIO ISI Optimization
WG ISC Inspection of Systems and Components
WG RBI Risk Based Inspection
WG PT Pressure Test
WG IWE/IWL Containment
SG WCS Water Cooled Systems
SG NDE Nondestructive Evaluation
SG RRM Repair, Replacement, and Modifications
Code Committee Items
1. Code Case N-619 and code change to eliminate inner radius section (IRS) on vessels other than RPV passed BNCS. NRC is on board with this code case. Recommend asking NRC for relief.
2. A proposed code case to perform VT-1 examination from the ID in lieu of UT of RPV IRS passed SC XI. At MC it received 1 negative vote. Will go back as second consideration. Good code case to ask for relief. NRC is on board with this code case.
3. A proposed code case to inspect for boric acid in lieu of a pressure test on Class 2 & 3 components passed TG ISIO. It goes to WG ISC.
4. TG ISIO is working on a code case to extend the 10-year ISI for inspection of RPV.
5. Thermal stratification or thermal fatigue on small bore Class 1 piping welds. Interim EPRI Guideline will be published by Sept. 2000. Final version will be published Dec. 2000. The guideline recommends the following;
a). volumetric exam of these welds,
b). exam scope goes down to 1 ½" OD,
c). exam volume inner ½",
d). for socket welds, examine surrounding areas.
6. A proposed code case to clarify Class 1 & 2 bolting exam requirements, and allows surface exam of RPV studs in lieu of volumetric exam when they are removed. Received 2 negative votes at MC. One negative vote has been resolved. Will go back as a second consideration. It should pass MC. Another good code case to ask for relief.
7. WG ISC is working on (proposed code case) alternative requirements for Class 1 and 2 piping surface examinations. It allows the use of selection method in RBI technology without implementing RBI methodology. Again, once approved good code case to pursue.
8. A proposed code case to limit the application of IWB/IWC-2200(b)(1) to FERRITIC vessels only. At SC XI agenda next meeting. The code paragraph allows using shop and field examination in lieu of on-site pre-service examination, provided the examination (shop or on-site) is performed after the hydrostatic test (as required by Section III) has been completed. Current code words apply to all (austenitic and ferritic) vessels.
9. Proposed code change (Appendix III, paragraph III-2410) to retain the option of 50% transducer overlap in lieu of oscillating the transducer +20 degrees during scanning. Passed SC XI. Goes to MC.
10. Revision to Code Case N-553 to allow the user to use Appendix IV as published in the 1996 Addenda. The code case allows using eddy current method in lieu of surface examination method. Passed SC XI.
11. The following intent inquiry and code change passed SC XI.
Q. Was the intent of the change to IWA-2323 to change the distribution of the number of questions in each subject area of the Basic and Method examinations of SNT-TC-1A, which was used by reference for Basic and Method test preparation until the 1992 Addenda?
A. NO. The intent of the change to IWA-2323 was to enable employers to continue administering Basic and Method examinations after the Code adopted CP-189 in lieu of SNT-TC-1A. The only intended change to the test was that the twenty questions described in section 8.3.3(1)(a) of the 1984 Edition of SNT-TC-1A be based on CP-189 rather than SNT-TC-1A.
12. Revision to Code Case N-513. Original code case allows temporary acceptance of flaws (including through-wall) in moderate energy Class 3 piping. This revision adds moderate energy Class 2 piping. Passed SC XI.
Inquiry Session
The following inquires were approved,
1. Q. Is it a requirement of IWC-5000 or IWD-5000 for test personnel performing flow test in lieu of system hydrostatic test on open ended portions of discharge lines beyond the last shutoff valve be qualified to perform VT-2 visual examinations?
Reply. NO.
2.Q. Is it a requirement of IWA-4000 or IWA-7000 (as applicable) that design only changes (i.e., no physical work) be considered Repair, Replacement or Modification activities?
Reply. NO. Use of the term design change in IWA-4000 , IWA-7000 and Appendix J only applies to activities which involve physical work.
3. Q. Is it a requirement of IWA-4000 that design only changes (i.e., no physical work) except re-rating, be considered a Repair/Replacement Activity?
Reply. NO. Use of the term design change in IWA-4000 and Appendix J only applies to activities which involves physical work or re-rating.
4. Q. If personnel are previously qualified and certified to a written practice in accordance with SNT-TC-1A, then upon re-certification to a written practice in accordance with ANSI/ASNT CP-189, do they meet the experience qualification requirements of ANSI/ASNT CP-189 for re-certification?
Reply. Experience requirements for re-certification are not addressed by Section XI. Re-certification is performed in accordance with the Employers Written Practice, prepared per IWA-2311(a).
5. Q. Do the requirements of IWB-5222(a) apply to reactor coolant boundary components that have been classified to other than Class 1?
Reply. NO.
6. Q. Is it a requirement of IWA-2210 to measure the illumination levels with a light meter prior to performing a visual examination?
Reply. NO. The illumination level shall be considered adequate when the combination of access, lighting and angles of vision, either unaided or corrected, can resolve the vision test chart containing the appropriately sized lower case characters specified, in Table IWA-2210-1.
7. Q. Is it a requirement of IWA-2210 that the time when the illumination check is performed be recorded on the examination data sheet?
Reply. NO.
8. Q. Is it a requirement of IWA-2323 and 2323(g)(a), that a Level III, who successfully completed a hands-on Practical Examination, such as is administered for Level II personnel, must complete a Level III Demonstration Examination for initial certification or re-certification?
Reply. NO.
9. Q. Does IWA-2323 allow the provisions for work experience in lieu of a Level III Practical Examination, as permitted by CP-189, to be used?
Reply. YES.