ML20199C275
| ML20199C275 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 01/22/1998 |
| From: | Lainas G NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned) |
| To: | Eisenberg G AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20199C281 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9801290216 | |
| Download: ML20199C275 (3) | |
Text
{{#Wiki_filter:y 3 Q. + e 'g .[ 1 January 22,-1998 e i Mr, Gerald M. Eisenberg l 1 Director, Nuclear Codes and Standards. -) ' ASME, M/S 390L 345 E. 47th Street' 1 'New York, NY 10017-2392 -l t
Dear. Mr. Eisenberg,
The _U.S; Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) sent a letter (Enclosure 1), from Brian W. Sheron dated May 13,1996,1to Mr. Guy Arlotto and Mr. Richard E. Feigel to express concems ' about certain sections of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) standards that we believe are confusing. ASME Committee B1 responded to the NRC request by reviewing ail B1 standards and beginning a major modification to its standards in an attempt to make the - standards more understandable. This review is currently underway. l ~ John C. Akins, the Chairman of ASME B18.3, responded to Brian W. Sheron's May 13,1996 letter on November 10,1997 (Enclosure 2), stating that the NRC request was nonpersuasive.
- Mr. Akins' stated that the choice of gaging system is part of the purchase agreement between the purchaser and manufacturer. The NRC agreec with Mr. Akins' finding conceming ASME -
~ B18.3. We believe the clarification should be in Section lil, Tables NB/NC/ND/NE-3132-1 as Footnote (4) as follows: i (4) For Botting, the referenced standards, ANSI B18.2.1-1982, ANSI B18.2.2-1987, and - ANSI B18.3-1986 refer to dimensions of bolt heads.- The threads for this botting shall ) conform to the requirements in ANSI B1.1-1982. For more detailed discussion, refer to Steel Botting Materials in Section 11, Part A of the ASME Code. t - A reference to Note (4) could come after ANSI B18.2.1-1981, ANSI B18.2.2-1987, ANSI B18.3-1986, and ANSI B1.1 1982. The NRC staff would appreciate it if you would discuss this change L at the next meeting of Section Ill. L Sincerely, o Gus C.S.inal si ned by:] tor [ [ori ainas, Abing Direc l1 Division Of Engineering _ Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulatior. F
Enclosures:
As stated Distribution: I F- -cc: John G 2Akins - EMCB RF BSheron t-Richard W.' Bames - jfpiiCohler' KWichman A r Ofed<f8MIb
- Charles J. Pieper PDR.
GMilman - c t DOCUMENT NAME: G:\\ DAVIS \\SECTION.lii Jpreviously concurred pp IN00CATE IN 90Xi 'C"= COPY WO ATTACHMNTIENCLOSURE, "E*= COPY WATTlENCL. "N"=NO COPY ^ OFFICE E EMCBDE E (A) SC EMCB DE (A)BC EMEB DE E (A)DD-DE DE p ,A ,C, E-n. DME 01113198 01113/98 ' 01/14 /98 - - 01115/98 - / 198 - g g% OFFICIAL RECORD COPY a we p Nm,,,,,,, RCIU CENTER COPY -=a,.. ? aa .E -
~ _ Mr. Gerald M. Eisenoerg Director, Nuclear Codes and Standards ASME, M/S 390 345 E. 47th Street New York, NY 10017 2392
Dear. Mr. Eisenberg,
Tbs U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) sent a letter (Enclosu^e 1), from Brian W. Sheron dated May 13,19M, to Mr. Guy klotto and Mr. Richard E. Felgel to express concerns about certain sections of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) standards that we believe are confusing. ASME Committee B1 responded to the NRC request by reviewing all B1 standards and beginning a major modification to its standards in an attempt to make the = standards ryiore understandable. This review is currently underway. John C. Akins, the Chairman of ASME B18.3, responded to Brian W. Sheron's May 13,1996 letter on Novembw 10,1997 (Enclosure 2), stating that the NRC request was nonpersuasive. ' Mr. Aans stated that the choice of gaging system is part of the pu, chase agreement between the purchaser and manufacturer. The NRC ataff does not disagt w with Mr. Akins' finding concerning ASME B18.3. Rather, we believe the clarification shouki be in Secticn lil, Tables ND/NC/ND/NE 3132-1 as Footnote (4) as follows: (4) For Bolting, the referenced standards, ANSI G18.2.1-1982, ANSI B18.2.21987, and ANSI B18.31986 refer to dimensions of bolt heads. The threads for this bolting shall conform to the requirements in ANSI B1.1 1982. For more de ailed discussion, refer to Steel Bolting Materials in Section 11, Part A of the ASME Code. A reference to Note (4) could come after ANSI B18.2.1 1981, ANSI B18.2.2-1987 ANSI B18.3-19F nd ANSI B1.11982. The NRC staff would appreciate it if you would discuss this change at tl xt meeting of Section Ill. Sincerely, Gus C. Lainas, Acting Director ) Division Of Engineering Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation j
Enclosures:
As stated Distribution: cc: John G. Akins EMCB RF BSheron Richard W. Barnes File Center KWichman Charles J. F.eper PDR GMilman DOCUMENT NAME: G:\\ DAVIS \\SECTION.lii WD6CATE W B00 *C"= COPY Ws0 ATTACHttk,dTIENCLCSURE, *E*= COPY WlATTIENCL, ate =NO COPY orpes EMCB DE E (A) SC EMCB DE (A)RC EMED DE E (A)DD DE (A)D DE m 'k+ EJShenI(b JSmner W $ G uinas Ma'8 JADavts JCT 6ao ute O/t / f - t h pgg 1/ l( seg l J [/ge o i 19 8 OHICIAL RECORD COPY Q L l E l
l ,,...,k ONITED STATES p s ] NUCLEAR REGULATORY' COMMISSION g, f WASHINGTON, D.C. 640M l %*e.**/ January 22, 1998 Mr. Gerald M. Eisenberg Director. Nuclear Codes and Standards ASME, M/S 39D 345 E. 47th Street New Yo'k, NY 10017 2392
Dear. Mr. Eisenberg,
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) sent a letter (Enclosurs 1), fiom Brian W. Sheron dated May 13,1996, to Mr. Guy Ariotto and Mr. Richard R. Feigel to express concems about certain sections of the American Society of Mechanical Ent neers (ASME) standards tha we believe are confusing. ASME Committee 71 respondeo to the N!C request by review B1 standards and beginning a major modification to its standards in an attempt to make the standards more understandable. This reviewis currently underway. John C. Akins, the Chairman of ASMF. B18.3, responded to Brivi W. Sheron's May 13,1996 letter on November 10,1997 (Enclosure 2), stating that the NRC request was nonpersuasive. Mr. Akins stated that the choice of gaging system is pad of the puruisse agreement between the purchaser and manufacturer. The NRC staff agrees with Mr. Akins' finding concoming ASME B18.3. We believe the clarification should be in Section ill, Tables NB/NC/ND/NE 31321 as Footnote (4) as follows: (4) For Bolting, the referenced standards, ANSI B18.2.1 1982, ANSI B18.2.21987, and ANSI B18.31986 refer to dimens'ons of bolt heads. The threads for this botting shall conform to the renuirements in ANSI B1.1 1982. For more detailed discussion, refer to Steel Bolting Materials in Section 11, Part A of the ASME Code. A reference to Note (4) could come after ANSI B18.2.1 1981, ANSI B18.2.21987, ANSI B18.3-1988, and ANSI B1.1 1982. at the next meeting of Section 111.The NRC staff wottd appreciate it if you would discuss Sincerely, a Gus C. Laines, Acting Director Division Of E,gineering Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Enclosures:
As stated cc: John G. Akins - Richard W. Barnes Charles J. Pieper l 1f'
v ~ 1 -, ~.,\\ .y p Units 3 87Atas 3 .( NUCLEAR RWOULA1'ORY COMMIGSION i = ..e..e, .o.o. - wy a g Nr. Guy Arlotto, Chairman l Board on Nuclear Codes and Standards American Society of Mechanical Engineers 345 E. 47th Street New York, New York 10017 Nr. Richard E. Feigel, Chairman Soard on Pressure Technology Codes and Standards Hartford Steam Soller One State Street Hartford, CT Ot)03-3102 Dear Messrs. Arlotto and Feigelt The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Countssion (NRC concerns expressed to NRC by a screwscrew-T) read eleme of methods used to measure fastener thres. gage vendor. The concerns i various American Society of Mechanical Eng'neersinvolved and the extent to which ASME Code requirements are(ASME)tcable. codes a appi The concerns Technology (NIST) management and congressiona In order to address the concerns the ASME Center for Research and NIST initiated a study on May 13, Igg 4, by Technology Development that resulted in a i report entitled, " Screw-Thread Gaging Systems for Determining Conformance to Thread standards." The final report on this study was issued in January Ig i The results of this report indicate that there are no immediate safety t concerns involved, however, there appears to be a need to revise portions of i ASME codes and standards to ensure that the requirements are clear and consistent. extensive investigation of the concerns.In parallel with NIST program, th i of numerous fastener failures cited in licensee event reThis investigation includ acceptability of fastener threads in a licensee's warno. ports, an audit of the l technical literature, and discussion of the issue with industry fastener use, the review of experts. The NRC staff could not find any instance where the use of a particular thread gaging system resulted in an unsafe condition, i This letter is being written to both the Board on Nuclear Codes and Standard and the Board on Pressure Technology Codes and standards because nece clarifications will likely involve changes te nuclear and non-nuclear ASME codes and standards.- The results of the NRC and NIST reviews are in the enclosure. areas where clarification of the codes and standards appe Subsequently, the Chairman of the NRC directed the NRC staff to take the clartfled in order to avoid future disaqreements in interpreta ( Center for Research and Technology Deve'opeent study states: The ASME I. l g
+ 1 suy Arlotte and Richard E. Feigel 1 = I'( r" ' Paragraph 4 b - 1 in ASME 81.3-1992 is an example of language which has an unclea(r)me(an)ing. In fact System 21 inspection."related to the widespread confusl The report drew a numbei of conclusions including: 'b. Th6, current climate of uncertainty and confusion in the national id9w-thread connunity can be mitigated through improvemeats in the clarity of standardization documents (language / terminology) relatin i screw-thread gaging systems. Changes in anjuage and clearer definitions of terns would help to clarify what the standards aim to accompitsh." The ASME resear.... ch report also pointed out that no relationship between thread tolerances and fastener performance exists, nor is there any data available the public domain to establish the relationship. recommended that a panel be convened to develop strategies for acq existing p.oprietary technical data from institutions which generate and use such data every day. In the meantime ASME to clarf fy the intent of the tole,rances listed in ASME 81.1 ( i they related only to fit?). The NV therefore requests that you ask the appropriate standards comitte to review their documents for clarity and consistency in the areas discussed above in light of the concerns identified. explanation is needed for the entries in Table N8-3132-1The NRC believes that a should be some reference to the standards in Section !! In the and that there There is presently no connection between paragraph N8-3132 and Section I In:1uded in the review would be references to thread gaging systems in AS Bl.), 81.2 B18.3 be mo,dified to specifically state that thread acce i determined using System 21 [ decide which system is appr,opriate.22, or 23 and to allow the design engineer to We feel that the issues are sufficiently comp 1fcated that it would be usefu l to hold a meeting with the ASME staff and ASME committees that have We would also be willing to have Dr. James Davis of m i approplate committees in clarif Suron at or Dr.ying the stendards. You may contact Dr. Brian questionse(301)415-2722 James Davis at (3G1) 415-2713 if you have any nd to set up the subject meeting. l 51nc'erely, M% h% Brian W. Sheron. Director Division of Engineering t U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission cc: J. Ling M. E. Sheenan R. H. F. Jackson G. M. Eisenberg M. Green
Attachment:
As Stated-
4 ENCLOSURE ( The results of the NRC and NIST reviews and recommend areas where i cir"ication of the codes and standards appear to be appropiate are discussed . it, s 'ollowing paragraphs. j i In ASME Standard Bl.3M ' Screw-Thread Gaging S i Acceptability-Inch and, Metric Screw-Threads ' ystems for Dimensional methods are currently specified; System II,, System 22, and system 23.three 21 is a method thtt uses a set of G0/N0 80 pages. System G0 gage and does not go into the N0 G0 gage more than three turns, the th is acceptable. System it is a method that uses System !! measures more thread elements gages known as indicating gages. than System II. System 23 also uses indicating gages but measures more thread elements than System 22. A concern was raised Shat (1) because System 21 gaging does not measure all of the 4 crew thread element tolerances specified in ASME B1.1 ' Unified Inch-Screw Threads,' it does not assure dimensional conformance,with ASME 81.1 and is, therefore, unacceptable for use, and t) the use of System 21 geging equipment can lead to an unsafe condition (that can be eliminated by th System 22 or System 23. After exhaustive studies neither the NRC staff nor i listed in ASME Bl.1 is required in order to assure acceptabl performance. System 21 with any unsafe condition.Furthemore, the NRC staff was unable 4 i A second concern involves Sections !! and !!! of the ASME Code. Ill, Paragraph N8-3132, " Dimensional Standards for Standard Products,"ASME S references Table NS-3132-1 for detemining the dimensions of standard products for Class 1 nuclear app 1tcations. This discussion also applies to the [ corresponding paragraphs for Class 2 and 3 components. lable NS-3137-1 cites ANSIB18.3asthereferencefordimensionsofsocketcaplt shoulder and set Another concern was raised that AN51 818.3 pera screws. System tt to determine the acceptability of screw-threads and, by nots requiring the nuclear industry to use System 22 equipment, the industry is not in compliance with its own regulations. The NRC staff concluded that Table - N8 3132-1 referenced ASME 818.2.1, 818.t.2, and 818.3 for dimensions for ASME Bl.3M is referenced for thread dimensions. fa System 21, 22, or 23 for detenmining thread acceptability, and the NRC sta concluded that there is no compliance issue. To verify whether the NRC staff l was properly interpreting the ASME Code, the NRC staff submitted a Code 7 Inquiry to ASME Section !!! on August 8, 1994. ASME Section 111 confirmed that the NRC understanding was correct. response are attached. The correspondence to ASME and the Furthermore, in the NRC staff's review of this concern, the staff also found that the ASME Code, Section !!!, Paragraph NS-3230, ' Stress Limits for Bolt includes Paragraph N8-3231, " Design Conditions,' which refers to Section I Part 0 Subpart 1 bolting, materials.,. Table 4 for allowable bolt design stresses for various a - Section !!, Part 0, Subpart 1, Table 4 provides the materials specifications for steel bolting materials as found in Section !! Part A. Most of the materials specifications for steel bo .{ have a section called ' Workmanship, Finish, and Appearance *lting materials, that includes a t-l 4 Y r ,.sww..,_,_ ..r.,w. ,,e,-u%.. .me nw..-.-., ,..._y..- -y.._ .,_..,,_,,.,.m.w ~ _,. ,%....r.m.. ..;,w-., ...e e
reference to ASME B18.2.1, B18.2.2, and/or 818.3 for the dimensions of (r fasteners other than threads and a section called ' Threads" that references k ASME Bl.1 for the dimensions for threads. The NRC staff Code Inquiry to ASME section !!! addressed this issue also, and ASME Section 111 responded to the NRC staff on October 4. 1994, and confirmed that the NRC staff's understanding is correct and that there is no compliance issue with using System 21 for determining screw-thread acceptability. This correspondence is attached. i w -. -
I . 4,:n ' f. COMMITTEE CORRESPONDENCE SOCIETY / COMMITTEE: ASME/SECTION !!! ADDRESS CORRESPONDENCE TO: i Keith R. Wichman 07-04
SUBJECT:
CLARIFICATION OF THREAD U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION GAGING REQUIREMENTS WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555 AGENDA ITEM: FILE NO.: DATE: AUGUST 8, 1994 10: Chris Sanna, Secretary of the Subcommittee on Nuclear Power The issue that prpmpts the following inquiry involves a matter of some urgency. Therefore,IwouldappreclateitsconsiderationattheSection!!! inquiry session meeting in New York this September. BACKGROUtq;. Paragraph NB-3130 of Section III of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code provides requirements for the design of Class I com)onents in nuclear power plants. Similar requirements are given in ParagrapT NC-3130 for Class !! components, and in Paragraph ND-3130 for Class !!! components. Subparagraph NB-3132 " Dimensional Standards for Standard Products," states that, " Dimensions of standard products shall comply with the standards and specifications listed in Table NB-3132-1 when the standard or specification is referenced in the specific design Subarticle. Table NS-3132-1, " Dimensional Standards," refers to ANSI B18.2.1-1981 for dimensions of " Square and Hex Bolts and Screws, including Askew Head Bolts, Hex Cap Screws and Lag Screws," ANSI B18.2.2-1972(R1983) for " Square and Hex Nuts," and ANSI B18.3-1986 for " Socket Cap, Shoulder, and Set Screws." Table NB-3132-1 refers.to ANSI Standard Bl.1-1982 for unified inch screw thread acceptability. ANSI Standard Bl.1 refers to ANS! Standard Bl.3M for determining thrend acceptability. Paragraph NS-3230, " Stress Limits for Bolts," includes Subparagraph NB-3231 " Design Conditions," refers to Section 11, Part 0, Subpart 1. Table 4 for bolting materials. Section II, Part D Subpart 1 Table 4 refers to Section !!, Part A. " Ferrous Materials," for sp,ecification,s for steel bolting materials. Specifications ruch as SA-193 and SA-194 for bolting materials cite ANSI Standards B18.2.1, B18.2.2, and B18.3 for dimensions of certain fasteners and ANSI Standard Bl.1 for the threads. A flow diagram is attached for the above discussion. - Q5 RHO MT
l Chris Sanna. -{ Secretary of the Subcomittee on Nuclear Power Inquiry: Is it a requirement of Table NB-3132-1 that tolerances for bolting other than threads be in accordance with ANSI Standards B18.2.1, B18.2.2, or 818.3 and that requirements for threads be in accordance with ANSI /ASME Standard Bl.1 as referenced in Section !!, Part A bolting standards such as SA-193 and SA-1947 Proposed reply: Yes. AfJJ L) KJ1t 5 R. Wichman Member, Section !!!
SECTION lil BOLT \\ G NS 3130, GENERAL DESIGN RULES + y v NB 3132, NB 3230 STRESS DIMENSIONAL UMITS FOR BOLTS STANDARDS ' - 4 + TABLE NB 31321 NS 3231 DESIGN DIMENSIONS CONDITIONS ANSI B18.2.1 4 1.NSI B18.2.2 S E C Tl O N 11, THMEADS PART D, ^ " ' ' ' ' ' ' SUBPART 1 TABLE 4 BOLTING MATERIALS + SECTION ll, PART A EG., SA 193,SA 194 _= _ 9 k
l:' codes ses Stensores The American Seclety of Mec6,anical Engineers 'i 34$ f %i47th $tter! New York. NY 10011 October 4,1994 i Mr. Kekh R. Wichman 07 D4 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commissios Washington, Dr. 20833 1
Subject:
Sectioh 111, Division 1 Table NB/NC/ND/NS 31321; Deales. Thread Osging Requirements Pils: - N!9410
Dear Mr. Wichmaa:
Our asiderstanding of the question in your letter of September 8,1994 and our reply are as follows: Question (1): Tables N3/NC/ND/HE 31321 identify standards 318.2.1,318.22 and 3183 fte boking and 31.1 for threads.. AN$1 standards 318.2.1,318.2J, and 318J also identify dinossions and tolerances for threads. 318.2.1 and 318.2.2 provide for the use of System 21 (ASME BlJM) gaging and Bl8J provides for the use of System 22 (ASME BlJM). Does Section !!! require that the dimensions and tolerances of 318.2.1,3182.2, and 318J, and System 22 pging, be used Ibr threads os bolting produced to the requirements of ASME material specincations? Reply (1): No. Section III requires that the provisions of the ASME boking material specincations be met, for thread dimensions, tolerances, and pains systems. Section til provides for the use of Gene material specifications with System 21 pging or other sptems designated by the purchaser. Question (2): Does section Ill require the use of 318J and *.be associated tolerances Ibr. eking other than - socket cap, shoulder, and set screws? Raph (2): No. - Question (5): Does Section !!! permit use of System 21 Go/Not40 pging fbr acceptance cf threads used in Class I,2,3, and MC components? Raph 0): Yes. w'*"'. " T.i. - - 5,llEW.OT1T= T %." E".*." W T.. ", M. F 'T7 L"!.','I4A \\ t C.t
1.';
- * ~ "
The American Society of Ceees and standwes Mechanical Engineers f 345 East 47tn Street New York. NY 10017 Quotion (d): is k a requirement of Section !!! that thread dhnensions be ineasured to wrify they are wkhin the tolerances specined in ASME Bl.l? Reply (d): No. Quotion (5): Does Section !!! accept the use of thread pps for boking such as Go/Not Go 3.ips that do not wrify compliance of all dimensions and solerances giwa in ASME Bl.17 Reply (5): Yes. Quotion (6): Does the use of 3ystem 21 Go/Not Oo gaps for Section !!! bolting assure the dimensional conformance to the A$ME bolting standards identined in Tables NB/NC/ND/NE 31321 to the degree necessary to be consistent with the desip philosophy and crkeria of Section !!!? Reply (6): Yes.
- Reprds, D. 5. Poulis Secretary, Commktee on Section 111 Interpretations 07 TA **7*JIdiW.,"ET.'.Y.e *i. '.Ie7=TE" 7 Y
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