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ASME Section XI Meeting Notes - February 2003

Site Updates

Prepared By: Dajun Song and Jerry Crider

Company: Progress Energy

Meeting Dates: February 24 - February 27, 2003

Meeting Location: San Francisco, California

1. Next Section XI meeting is in Honolulu, HI. The meeting dates, 04/28/03 – 05/02/03. The Hilton Hawaiian Village, (800) 445-8667. $199.00/night. Please make your reservations by 3/26/03.

2. NRC Report

• Next rule making that endorses up to 2002 Addenda of Section XI will be out for public comment this fall.
• Final Code Case Regulatory Guides will be published sometime in May 2003.

3. The Code is going metric. Any code action item (including Code Case revisions) going to SCXI beginning in February 2003 has to have metric and English units. It will be a "hard" conversion. The goal is to have metric units appear starting with 2004 Edition.

4. Code Committee is looking at situations where the Code Committee approves and publishes a Code Case that the NRC does not like. In the future, the Code Committee will consider NRC’s comments/position when taking code action.

5. There will be only one Code Edition and two Code Addendum.

6. The process of annulling code cases has changed. Currently, any code cases that have been incorporated into a code edition and addenda that the NRC has endorsed through 10CFR50.55a are annulled. Typically, the rulemaking is way ahead of Code Case Regulatory Guides approval process. Thus, there is a chance that NRC endorsed (thru regulation) code cases are annulled prior to showing up in the Regulatory Guide. The new process will require code cases to be in the Regulatory Guide for one year, AND have been incorporated in the code edition/addenda that NRC has endorsed before they can be annulled. This will give the end users the opportunity to include the approved code cases to their ISI plan.

7. Follow up to Item #6 above. It has come to my attention that there are some code cases that are very useful that have been annulled (i.e. they are in the Code that the NRC has endorsed but is not in the Reg. Guide). The 1 year rule was not in effect at the time of annulment. If a utility is not working to the Edition/Addenda of Section XI that the NRC has approved, then the utility has to either wait for the code case of appear in the Reg. Guide, or ask for relief. As stated earlier some code cases have been annulled prior to showing up in the Reg. Guide. Per Reg. Guide, the industry can not use annulled code cases. This puts an undue burden on the utility. Typically the Code Committee does not like to reinstate annulled code cases. However, an attempt will be made to reinstate annulled code cases that are included in the draft Reg. Guide.

A quick lesson on code committee protocol. Typically, a code item starts at Task Group (TG) level and must work its way through BNCS before it gets published. Here is the pecking order.

Some popular "Groups";

1. Task Group on Alternative NDE Methods for Repair/Replacement/Modification (RRM) Activities

The TG decided to pursue an ASME XI Code Case. Draft code case was discussed. The following issues were discussed:

• For automated system, qualification of personnel acquiring data needs to be specified. The thought is that personnel that analyze the data only need to be qualified and meet demonstration requirements.
• Need to better define "austenitic corrosion-resistant cladding."
• This code case will be limited to ferritic and austenitic stainless steel with both sides accessible.
• Section XI requirements will be used as the bases with 2 major exceptions; exam volume and 100% of the exam volume will have to be qualified.
• Allow manual method for evaluation/characterizing indications.

The draft code case is available for review/comments.

2. Task Group on Boric Acid

Identified four focus areas that the TG needs to address. They are; Evaluations Requirements and Acceptance Criteria, Methods and Frequency of Inspections, Corrective Actions, and Scope. The plan is to review, and determine if current code and code cases are adequate to address boric acid leaks.

3. Code Case N-602

This Code Case allows the procurement of Code material by Owners and Repair Organizations as long as they comply with IWA-1400(n)(i.e., App. B or NQA-1). This is beneficial to plants built to Section III. Very good Code Case. Passed BNCS. However, the Code Committee is holding back from publishing this Code Case. This Code Case has drawn objections from manufactures ("N" stamp holders) and accreditation folks. Reaffirmed at SCXI. BNCS will decide on the fate of this code case at a meeting in Atlanta (6/20/03).

4. Proposed code change (IWA-2221 and IWA-2222) and code case (N-685) to incorporate lighting requirements that is consistent between VT-1, liquid penetrant, and magnetic particle examinations

Use of light meter will not be required. Received 2 MC negatives. Reaffirmed at SCXI. Goes back as second consideration.

5. Proposed code case that will allow weld overlay repair of defects in socket welds

Received 2 MC negatives. Trying to address the negative comments. Will be brought back to SCXI.

6. Proposed code case, Alternative Qualification Requirements for Appendix VIII Supplement 10, Dissimilar Metal Welds

This code case will bring the PDI Steering Committee and Appendix VIII requirements together. This code case addresses ID exams. SCXI approved this item. Goes to MC.

7. Proposed code case and incorporation of a new Appendix VIII, Supplement 14

This item will provide requirements for coordinated implementation of selected aspects of Appendix VIII Supplements 2, 3, and 10 for INSIDE SURFACE EXAMINATIONS ONLY. SCXI approved this item. Goes to MC.

8. Proposed code change to IWB-3430 and IWB-3500

This action revises the code to exclude the use of acceptance standards for planar flaws caused by stress corrosion cracking. The industry practice for BWRs at present is not to use the acceptance standards for SCC while PWR have used the acceptance standards for SCC. Due to the difficulties associated with predicting SCC growth rates, the use of code acceptance standards could be "not conservative." Item passed with 5 negatives at SCXI. However, this item does not go forward until all the negative comments are resolved.

9. Code Case to extend the 10-year interval RPV ISI exams by 10 or more years

Mr. Owen Hedden of Westinghouse is working on a Code Case to extend the 10-year interval RPV ISI exams by 10 or more years. This means performing the RPV exams once every 20 years. The weld category includes B-A, B-D, and B-J. White Paper is written. Pilot plants have been identified. This item failed at SCXI due to several minor/editorial errors. Will be brought back next meeting.

10. Proposed new Non-Mandatory Appendix N passed SCXI

Appendix N gives guidance for written practice development and implementation for myriad of Section XI NDE codes. It contains a table that summarizes the old and new requirements.

11. Proposed code change (new IWB-3660 and Non-Mandatory Appendix) and code case for fracture evaluation of planar flaws in PWR reactor vessels caused by SCC passed SCXI.

12. Proposed code change to IWA-4120(b)(4).

This action eliminates the "<1/2 inch" thickness requirement for exemption for flow orifice. This means that flow orifices in a piping system that have the same design pressure are exempt from code requirements. This item passes SCXI.

13. Proposed code change to IWA-4225

Currently, the code does not permit the reconciliation of technical requirements when parts, appurtenances, and piping sub-assemblies are fabricated to an earlier edition or addenda of the construction code. This action would permit reconciliation of these requirements. Item passed SCXI with the objection from the Chairman of SCXI.

14. Proposed code change and code case

This item reduces the BWR IRS and nozzle-to-shell welds exam from 100% to 25%. In addition, for IRS, VT-1 can be used in lieu of volumetric exam. It excludes feedwater nozzles and operating control rod drive return line nozzles. Again, the issue is whether or not this item should include 1 mill or 0.5 mill wire for VT-1 exam. Item passed SGWCS. However, it needs white paper before it goes forward.

15. Examination Requirements for Multiple Integral Welded Attachments on One Unique Vessel

This proposed code change and Code Case clarifies examination requirements for integral attachment to vessels. "For single vessels, only one welded attachment shall be selected for examination. The attachment selected for examination … shall be an attachment that serves as a support load path during normal system operation." Good Code Case. Passed SGWCS. Goes to SCXI in May meeting.

16. An item to clarify code and Code Case (N-652) requirements

Basically, it clarifies that bolting on all steam generators require examination. The code and Code Case imply otherwise. Approved at SGWCS. Goes to SCXI in May.

17. Proposed code case and code revision to address inspection requirement for PWR CRD and ICI housing

This action will clarify inspection requirements for welds in CRD and ICI housing. Welds in ICI (>2") and CRD housing will require volumetric or INSIDE surface exam. Passed SGWCS. Goes to SCXI in May.

18. Proposed code change

This item clarifies that when scope expansion is required for hangers, the additional exams must be completed "during the current outage." Passed SGWCS. Goes to SCXI in May.

19. Proposed code case using risk insights to determine the minimum required examination coverage for Class 1 and 2 (3, if using Risk-Informed ISI) piping welds

Letter balloted at WGISC.

20. Proposed code case to eliminate surface examination of Class 1 socket welds that are not susceptible to outside surface attack

Item passed WGISC. Goes to SGWCS.

21. Proposed code case (N-663 in Supplement 6), Alternate Requirements for Class 1 and 2 Surface Examinations

This code case limits the surface examination to welds that are susceptible to OD attack. This code case will be published in Supplement 6. This code case will benefit the sites that will not implement Risk Informed ISI.

Note: To expedite the Code Inquiry process, all inquiries must be received by the ASME office (Oliver Martinez, Secretary) two weeks prior to the Code meeting.

The following Requirement Inquire was approved.

1. Question: Is it a requirement of Section XI, IWB-2430, Additional Examinations (1989 Edition, no Addenda) to expand scope of weld examinations for "new" weld flaws exceeding the acceptance criteria of Table IWB-3410-1 identified during successive examinations performed under IWB-2420?

Reply: The ASME XI does not address this issue. Action has been assigned to provide appropriate guidance.

The following Intent Inquiry was approved by SCXI. (Note 1: Typically Intent Inquires require approval of SCXI members, and need accompanying code change. Note 2: Occasionally, Requirement Inquires goes to SCXI because the inquiry did not get a unanimous vote at Inquiry Session.). The following Intent Inquires did not need SCXI approval because no code changes were required.

1. Is it the intent of IWE-5210 and IWE-5240 to require a VT-2 visual examination in addition to the Appendix J test specified by IWE-5220 for pressure retaining bolting and non-pressure retaining welds?

Reply: NO

2. Is it the intent of IWE-5210 and IWE-5240 to require a VT-2 visual examination in addition to the Appendix J test specified by IWE-5220 for pressure retaining welds?

Reply. YES

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