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ASME Section XI Meeting Notes - August 2003

Site Updates

Prepared By: Dajun Song and Jerry Crider

Company: Progress Energy

Meeting Dates: August 25 - 28, 2003

Meeting Location: Scottsdale, Arizona

1. Next Section XI meeting is in Orlando, FL. The meeting dates, 12/08/03 – 12/12/03. The Wyndham Palace, (407) 827-2727, $139.00/night.

Please make your reservations by 11/16/03.

2. NRC Report.

Next Draft Reg. Guide will be published end of November 2003 for public comment. This will cover up to Supplement 6 of 2001 Code Cases. The Final Reg. Guide will be published late summer of 2004.

3. NRC held a public meeting. The title of the meeting was, Proposed Amendment of 10CFR50.55a, "Codes and Standards." The proposed amendment will be published for public comment on January 2004, with the Final rule published summer of 2004. The amendment will incorporate up to 2003 Addenda of Section XI. The purpose of the meeting was for NRC to voice their exception to the Code, and to solicit comments. The NRC has five separate "conditions" to the Code (up to 2003 Addenda). They are:

• Ultrasonic Surface Examination (IWA-2220). The proposed rule would prohibit the use of IWA-2220 for performing UT to satisfy surface examination requirement (i.e. Performing UT from the ID of a pipe to look for OD surface flaws).
• Thermally Cut Surfaces (IWA-4461.4.2). The proposed rule would prohibit the use of IWA-4461.4.2 that allows elimination of mechanical processing of thermally cut surfaces.
• Exemption of Concrete Containment Post-tensioning System Corrosion Protection Medium from Repair/Replacement Activities {IWL-4110(b)(3)}. The proposed rule will not allow the exemption.
• Performance Demonstration Initiative and Examination Coverage Criteria (Article I-3000 and Appendix VIII). The proposed rule would prohibit the use of Appendix VIII and the supplements to VIII, and Article I-3000 in the 2002 and 2003 Addenda of Section XI.
• Mitigation of Flaws by Modification (IWA-4340). The proposed rule would prohibit the use of IWA-4340. IWA-4340 provides requirements for the mitigation of flaws by modification. Earlier edition of the code required certain flaws be repaired.

4. 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.

5. ISI/NRC Symposium will be held sometime in 2005. Jack Spanner will serve as the chairman.

6. Snubber Testing. Snubber testing portion in IWF-5000 will be removed from Section XI. Testing will be covered by ISTD. The visual examination will stay in Section XI.

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.

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. Draft code change was presented to WG – ISIO. Comments will be incorporated in the next revision.

3. Working Group on ISI Optimization. Online Inservice Inspection was discussed in detail and following direction was provided: (1) develop a new section of the Code to address on-line examinations; (2) the new section is to address Class 2 and 3 only; and (3) the new section is to address the time period for addressing sample expansion.

4. Working Group on General Requirements. The proposed revision to Code Case N-532 was reviewed and discussed. The main objectives of the proposed revision: (1) delete references to corrective measures; (2) address NRC’s conditions imposed by RG 1.147; (3) eliminated the reporting of examination percentages each refueling outage; and (4) better align the Code Case with IWA-6000. The proposed changes are to be voted on via letter ballot before the December’s meeting.

5. 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. This Code Case is published.

6. Proposed code case (N-666) that will allow weld overlay repair of defects in socket welds. Received 2 MC negatives. Item was withdrawn from MC consideration.

7. Proposed code case (N-695), 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. This code case will be published in Supplement 10 of 2001 Edition.

8. Proposed code case (N-696) 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. This code case will be published in Supplement 10 of 2001 Edition.

9. 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. Sent back to SGES.

10. Mr. Owen Hedden of Westinghouse is working on a Code Case (N-691) 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 passed Standards Committee (Main Committee). The NRC would like to see the pilot plant study before passing judgment. This looks very promising.

11. Proposed code change and code case (N-702). 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. This item is out for Letter Ballot at Standards Committee.

12. Examination Requirements for Multiple Integral Welded Attachments on One Unique Vessel. This proposed code change and Code Case (N-700) 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." Approved by Standards Committee.

13. 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. This item (code change and Code Case revision) is out for Letter Ballot at Standards Committee.

14. Proposed code case (N-697) 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. Item passed Standards Committee.

15. Proposed code change. This item clarifies that when scope expansion is required for hangers, the additional exams must be completed "during the current outage." Item passed Standards Committee.

16. 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 SGWCS.

17. Proposed code case to eliminate surface examination of Class 1 socket welds that are not susceptible to outside surface attack. Item passed WGISC. SGWCS decided to incorporate this item into Code Case N-663.

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 Inquires was approved.

1. Q. If lighting is sufficient to resolve a 1 mil (0.001 in) or smaller wire, are the lighting requirements of IWA-2211(b) satisfied?
   
   Reply. YES
2. Q. Does IWA-2216 preclude the use of a black and white camera?
   
   Reply. NO, provided relevant conditions can be detected.

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.).

1. Q. Is it the intent of IWE-2500(c)(1) that a VT-1 visual examination need only be performed on one side of a component if only that side is subject to augmented examination?
   
   Reply. YES. IWE-2500(b)(1), 2001 Edition, provides clarification for surfaces areas requiring augmented examination.
2. Q. Is it the intent of IWE-2523.3 that the maximum allowable retensioning force (70% of the specified minimum ultimate tensile strength of the tendon based on the number of effective wires or strands in the tendon at the time of retensioning) applies only to the as-left force in the tendon following completion of retensioning activities?
   
   Reply. YES

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