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 - Defined

Quality 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 1800s 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

Conformity Assessment Process

6 Months Application-Preparation

3-5 days Survey

Deficiency Correction 3-year cycle 1 week

30-90 days

Certification Decision (CNC)

Issuance of Certificate

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

Interaction among organization in the nuclear industry

User

Regulation
Conformity Assessment

Contract

Regulatory Authority

Regulation

Manufacturer