United States Nuclear Power Federal Regulations, Codes, & Standards Users Group ©
ASME Section XI Meeting Notes - September 2004		Site Updates
Introduction Prepared By: Dajun Song and Jerry Crider Company: Progress Energy Meeting Dates: August 30 – September 3, 2004 Meeting Location: New Orleans, Louisiana Meeting Notes General Announcements 1. Next Section XI meeting is in San Francisco, CA. The meeting dates, 12/13/04 – 12/17/04. The San Francisco Hilton & Towers, (415) 771-1400. 2. NRC Report. · Next Draft Reg. Guide (Revision 14) was published for public comment on August 3, 2004. This will cover up to Supplement 6 of 2001 Code Cases. The public comment period closed on September 2, 2004. No publication date was given. · The NRC staff has completed its formal review of the changes to the ASME Code incorporated into the 2001 Edition through the 2003 Addenda. The proposed rule was published for public comment on January 7, 2004. Public comments period ended on March 22, 2004. Fifteen comment letters were received. The NRC staff has developed responses to the comments and modified the proposed rule based on some comments. The final rule is scheduled to be published in September 2004. 3. The process of annulling code cases. Code cases that have been incorporated into a code edition and addenda that the NRC has endorsed through 10CFR50.55a, AND are in the Regulatory Guide are annulled. The rest will be reaffirmed. 4. ISI/NRC Symposium scheduled for 2005 has been cancelled due to lack of resources from NRC. However, at the ASME Pressure Vessel Conference in Denver, CO (7/17/05 – 7/21/05), there will be sessions dealing with ISI and Regulator issues. 5. Snubber Testing. There was a Code action to remove snubber testing from ASME XI. This action failed. ASME XI and OM Code members will meet to discuss the future of snubber testing. Code Committee Protocol 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. TG – Task Group WG – Working Group SG – Subgroup SC XI – Subcommittee Section XI MC – Standards Committee (Items can still pass with 3 negative votes if it’s a “second consideration” vote.) BNCS – Board of Nuclear Codes and Standards Some popular “Groups”; TG on Alloy 600 TG on Boric Acid Corrosion WGISIO – ISI Optimization WGISC – Inspection of Systems and Components WGRBI – Risk Based Inspection WGPT – Pressure Test WGIWE/IWL – Containment WGGR – General Requirements SGWCS – Water Cooled Systems SGNDE – Nondestructive Evaluation SGRRM – Repair, Replacement, and Modifications SGES – Evaluations and Standards SCXI – Subcommittee Section XI Code Committee Items 1. Task Group on Alternative NDE Methods for Repair/Replacement/Modification (RRM) Activities. One issue is to resolve using ASME XI acceptance criteria vs. Section III. A technical paper will be developed to address this issue. 2. Task Group on Boric Acid. Proposed Code Case N-722 passed SCXI. This Code Case provides examination requirements for Alloy 600/182/82 components. Three items to note. One – The examination frequency is every refueling outage. Two – Examination Method is VT-2 (not VT-5). Three – The examiner requires additional 4 hours of training on detection of borated water leakage from Alloy 600/182/82 components. 3. A presentation on the proposed Code Case for repairing small-bore nozzles using a mechanical nozzle seal assembly (MNSA) was presented and discussed. The item passed WGISC. It goes to SGWCS in December. 4. Proposed revision to Code Case N-586, Alternative Additional Examination Requirements for Class 1, 2, and 3 Piping, Components, and Supports. This revision incorporates NRCs concern/comments. The revision requires the root cause evaluation to consider other piping systems than the one containing the original flaws or relevant conditions. The Code Case revision is at BNCS. The Code revision is on hold until the Code Case revision is approved by the BNCS. 5. Proposed code change (IWX-1220). This action is to revise the exemption criteria to clarify that the primary and secondary sides of heat exchangers are to be handled separately, and clarify that components surrounded by exempt components are themselves exempt. Code change approved for print in next Edition/Addenda. 6. Proposed Code Case (N-663) to eliminate surface examination of Class 1 and 2 welds that are not susceptible to outside surface attack. Published in Supplement 6 of 2001 Code Cases. Good Code Case for those who are not going to implement RI-ISI or implementing only Class 1. 7. Proposed Code Case (N-711) using risk insights to determine the minimum required examination coverage for Class 1 and 2 piping welds. Passed SGWCS. Lot of discussion at SCXI. Item was withdrawn. 8. Proposed Code change to perform visual examination of Regenerative and Residual Heat Exchanger in lieu of volumetric and surface examination. Very good code change for those of you who can not exempt these heat exchangers due to size and Code class. Passed WGISC. Goes to SGWCS in December. 9. Proposed Code Case and Code change to eliminate the requirement to perform successive examinations on flaws that are not service induced. Passed WGISC. Goes to SGWCS in December. 10. Proposed Code change to address Stepped Bolting. Current code does not address this bolting configuration. Passed WGISC. Goes to SGWCS in December. 11. Proposed Code Case (N-666), Weld Overlay Repair of Defects in Socket Welds. This Code Case allows weld reinforcement of defective socket welds. Received a negative vote from NRC at SCXI. NRC would like the Code Case to put the indication in compression with the weld overlay. The Code committee is working with the NRC to resolve the issue. 12. Revision to Supplement 11 – Qualification Requirements for Full Structural Overlaid Wrought Austenitic Piping Welds. Revise Supplement 11 to realign it with the Performance Demonstration Initiative Program and the current Relief Requests submitted by utilities. The revision better defines thickness tolerances, use of alternative flaws, application of grading units, flaw distribution, depth sizing, and procedure qualification requirements. Passed SCXI. Goes to Standards Committee. 13. Revision to IWA-2316 and IWA-2317, Alternative Qualifications for VT-2 and VT-3 Examination Personnel. Code paragraphs revised to address NRC limitations. IWA-2316 was revised to limit its use to personnel performing system leakage or hydrostatic tests. IWA-2317 was revised to require written tests for initial qualification and every 3 years thereafter. Passed SCXI. Goes to Standards Committee. Inquiry Session Note: To expedite the Code Inquiry process, all inquiries must be received by the ASME office (Shannon Burke, Secretary) two weeks prior to the Code meeting. The following Requirement Inquires was approved. 1. Q. Is it a requirement of Examination Category B-G-1, Item No. B6.40, and Footnote 2, that reactor vessel flange threads be examined when the head to flange connection is disassembled, and the studs remain in place? Reply. YES 2. Q. When an automatic welding process is to be used for heat exchanger tube plugging and the welding operators are to be qualified in accordance with IWA-4712.2(b), do the requirements of IWA-4712.2(b)(3), or any other parts of IWA-4712.2(b), make position an essential variable to be considered as part of the conditions to be simulated for the welding operator? Reply. NO The following Intent Inquiries was approved by SCXI. (Note 1: Typically Intent Inquires require approval of SCXI members, and need an accompanying code change. Note 2: Occasionally, Requirement Inquires goes to SCXI because the inquiry did not get a unanimous vote at Inquiry Session.). No intent inquires was discussed.
Home Page	Copyright Disclosure