ASME Nuclear Conformity Assessment

Kevin Ennis

Director, Nuclear Codes and Standards

ASME Nuclear Conformity Assessment

• What is it?

• Why is Conformity Assessment Important?

• Who is involved?

• What are the steps in the process?

• How does Conformity Assessment fit into the nuclear industry?

Conformity Assessment - Defined• Definition (from ISO/IEC 17000)

Demonstration that specified requirements relating to a product, process, system, person or body are fulfilled

Examples: testing, inspection, certification, registration, accreditation

• Simply: Programs, processes and procedures for demonstrating

compliance with Section III of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code

• Product Certification Nuclear Components Materials

Conformity Assessment - Defined

Nuclear components: vessels, pumps, valves, piping systems, storage tanks, core support systems, concrete containments

Field installation and shop assembly

Fabrication, with or without design responsibility, for nuclear parts

Safety and safety relief valves

Containment of spent fuel and high level radioactive waste

NS Nuclear component supports (no associated stamp)

Conformity Assessment - DefinedQuality System Certificate• Material Manufacturers and Material Suppliers• Supply material to nuclear component manufacturers• Examples:

– Bars, fasteners, castings, forgings, plates, fittings, flanges, tubular products

– Wire, rod, billets, ingots– Welding material– Concrete reinforcing bars, prestressing components

Conformity Assessment - Defined

• Types of Certificates Accreditation – Approval of QA

Program Accreditation – Quality System

Manufacture and Supply of Material Authorization – Component

Manufacture Authorization – Supports

Conformity Assessment - Defined

• ASME Certifies the manufacturer

• Manufacturer certifies the product

Importance of Conformity Assessment

• History Industrial Revolution ~ late 1800’s Steam power to 1910 Explosions Early Regulations ASME Boiler Code – 1915 Conformity Assessment – S, A and PP Stamps Interstate Commerce Global Trade

Importance of Conformity Assessment

• Conformity assessment process ensures: Products, services, or systems have the

required characteristics (i.e., meet Code requirements)

Characteristics are consistent from product to product, service to service, or system to system

Importance of Conformity Assessment

• Conformity assessment process enables: Manufacturers have access to markets Purchasers to have confidence that products will

be acceptable for use (regulations and liability insurance)

Regulatory Authorities to have confidence that equipment is safe to operate

Organizations to have recourse for bringing products into compliance with the Code

Importance of Conformity Assessment• Conformity assessment process assists in:

Supply chain management• Last Build – US technology with US suppliers (mostly)

• New Build – global supply chains

• New Build – global suppliers

(As an example, a component may be assembled and certified in the US but the parts may come from all over the world.)

Conformity Assessment Organizations• Organizations Involved:

Regulatory Authorities– NRC– Jurisdiction

Certification Bodies– ASME– National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel

Inspectors (National Board) Third Party Inspection Agency

– Authorized Nuclear Inspection Agency (ANIA) Certificate Holder

– Manufacturer

Conformity Assessment Organizations

• Regulatory Authorities: Nuclear Regulatory Commission

– Endorse the Code as an acceptable means of complying with regulation

– Member of the Committee on Nuclear Certification

Jurisdictions– Adopt and enforce the Code– Member of the Committee on Nuclear

certification– May participate as a member of the survey

team

Conformity Assessment Organizations

• Certification Bodies: ASME

– Promulgates the Code– Certifies Manufacturers– Authorizes the Inspection Agencies (ANIA)

National Board– Examination and Commissioning of Inspectors– May represent the Jurisdictions

Conformity Assessment Organizations• Third Party Inspection Agency

Government agencies which adopt and enforce the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. “Jurisdictions”

Companies licensed in U.S. or Canada to write Boiler and Pressure Vessel insurance

Accredited by ASME to perform the inspections required by one or more sections of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code

Provide third party inspection (oversight) to ensure the ASME Certificate Holder is in compliance with Scope of Authorization

Participate in the survey of the manufacturer

Conformity Assessment Organizations

• Certificate Holder: Controlled Manufacturing process

– All Examinations

– All Tests

– Final Certification

Issuance of Certificate

Application-Preparation

Survey

Certification Decision (CNC)

Deficiency Correction3-year cycle

Conformity Assessment Process

6 Months

3-5 days

30-90 days

1 week

Conformity Assessment Process

• Application/Preparation: Applicant applies to ASME

– Enters into an agreement with an ANIA

Applicant prepares for the survey– Establishes and implements QA program

– Internal audit

Conformity Assessment Process

• Survey: Survey Team

– ASME Team Leader

– 1/2 ASME Team Members

– Authorized Nuclear Inspector

– Authorized Nuclear Inspector Supervisor

– Jurisdiction (invited)

Conformity Assessment Process

• Survey: 3-5 Day Survey

– Manual review– Entrance meeting– Implementation demonstration– Team findings and recommendations– Exit meeting– Recommendations– Due process

User

Regulatory Authority Manufacturer

Interaction among organization in the nuclear industry

Regulation

Regulation

Contract

Conformity Assessment