ML25162A051
| ML25162A051 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 06/10/2025 |
| From: | Nicholas Hansing NRC/NRR/DEX/EMIB |
| To: | |
| References | |
| Download: ML25162A051 (1) | |
Text
Nuclear Industry Check Valve Regulatory Activities Nicholas J. Hansing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission NIC Meeting June 2025
Disclaimer This presentation was prepared by staff of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). It may present information that does not currently represent an agreed upon NRC staff position. NRC has neither approved nor disapproved the technical content.
NRC Regulatory Activities applicable to Check Valves
- Current 10 CFR 50.55a Regulatory Requirements
- ASME BPV Code and OM Code Case Rulemaking including Regulatory Guide (RG) 1.192 update
- NUREG-1482 Revision 4
- ASME OM-2-2024 Code
- ASME QME-1-2023 and Reformatted QME-1
- Plant Restarts
- Mechanical Agitation Process for Check Valves
- Operating Experience
Current 10 CFR 50.55a Regulatory Requirements
- Incorporates by reference 2022 Edition of ASME OM Code and 2021 Edition of ASME BPV Code with conditions
- Changes of note:
- Removal of certain conditions on MOV testing, Check Valves, and Flow-Induced Vibration
- New Condition 50.55a(b)(3)(vii): Snubber Visual Examination Interval Extension
- New Condition 50.55a(b)(3)(x): Class 1 Pressure Relief Valve Sample Expansion
Current 10 CFR 50.55a Regulatory Requirements
- 10 CFR 50.55a currently incorporates by reference Revision 5 to RG 1.192
- RG 1.192, Revision 5, accepts new ASME OM Code Cases OMN-28 through OMN-30 without conditions and OMN-31 with conditions.
10 CFR 50.55a 2023 BPV Code and Code Cases Rulemaking (Revision 41)
- 2023 BPV Code Rulemaking in progress
- Direct final rule (DFR) planned to incorporate by reference acceptance of noncontroversial and unconditioned Code Cases in 10 CFR 50.55a.
- Proposed/final rule process will continue for biennial incorporation by reference of ASME Code editions and conditionally-approved Code Cases in 10 CFR 50.55a.
- First DFR for Code Cases in progress
NUREG-1482 Update
- NRC staff has issued Draft Revision 4 of NUREG-1482, with public comment period closing April 14, 2025.
- 46 comments received from 4 separate commenters
- Staff is preparing responses to comments and finalizing NUREG for publication
ASME OM-2 Code ASME has issued OM-2-2024, an IST Code for pumps, valves, and dynamic restraints (or components that perform similar functions) in new and advanced reactors.
NRC staff is considering a new Regulatory Guide (RG) for acceptance of the OM-2 Code with applicable conditions.
ASME QME-1-2023 and reformatted QME-1
- QME-1 updated in 2023
- ASME has prepared a reformatted QME-1 standard to be more applicable for new and advanced reactors that might not use water-cooled systems
- NRC staff plans to revise RG 1.100 to accept QME-1-2023 and reformatted QME-1 with conditions when available
Plant Restarts
- Plants are considering returning to operation from a decommissioning status
- What should these plants consider?
Mechanical Agitation Process for Check Valves
- Topic of 2024 NRC NIC Presentation (ML24137A239)
- Alternative Requests continue to be submitted
- Mechanical agitation is neither a repair nor replacement activity
- Control of this process is important for safety of plant and personnel
- Alternative requests must be authorized by NRC prior to implementation.
- Refer to precedents like Sequoyah (ML22263A375, revised ML22304A186)
Recent Operating Experience
- Several instances of check valve performance resulting in failure to meet minimum flow requirements for pump tests in proximity
- ISTB-6300
- Appendix II scope
- Potential challenges to multiple trains
Conclusion
- Licensees should review current 10 CFR 50.55a and ongoing rulemakings with respect to check valve testing activities.
- NRC staff remains engaged in topics of interest to the check valve user community
QUESTIONS?
Future Questions Nicholas.Hansing@nrc.gov