Regulatory Guide 1.147

Inservice Inspection Code Case Acceptability ASME Section Xi Division 1

ML13350A192
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Issue date:	09/30/1985
Revision:	0
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RG-1.147, Rev. 4
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SRi.es1on498September 1985 .U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION'REG ULATORY GUIDEOFFICE OF NUCLEAR REGULATORY RESEARCHREGULATORY GUIDE 1.147INSERVICE INSPECTION CODE CASE ACCEPTABILITYASME SECTION Xl DIVISION 1A. INTRODUCTIONSection50.55a, "Codes and Standards," of 10CFRPart 50, "Dom-stic licensing of Production and UtilizationFacilities," requires, in part, that each operating license fora boiling or pressurized water-cooled nuclear power facilityand each construction permit for a utilization facility besubject to the conditions in paragraph (g), "Inservice Inspec-tion Requirements," of §50.55a. Paragraph (g) requires, inpart, that Classes 1, 2, and 3 components and their supportsmeet the requirements of Section XI, "Rules for InserviceInspection of Nuclear Power Plant Components,"1 of theAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boilerand Pressure Vessel Code or equivalent quality standards.Paragraph 50.SSa(b), in part, references the latest editionsand addenda in effect of Section XI of the Code and anysupplementary requirements to that section of the Code.Footnote 6 to §50.55a states that the use of specific CodeCases may be authorized by the Commission upon requestpursuant to paragraph 50.S5a(aX2)(ii), which requires thatproposed alternatives to the described requirements or portionsthereof provide an acceptable level of quality and safety.General Design Criterion I, "Quality Standards and Re-cords," of Appendix A, "General Design Criteria for NuclearPower Plants," to 10 CFR Part 50 requires, in part, thatstructures, systems, and components important to safety bedesigned, fabricated, erected, and tested to quality standardscommensurate with the importance of the safety functionto be performed. Where generally recognized codes andstandards are used, Criterion 1 requires that they be identi-fied and evaluated to determine their applicability, adequacy,and sufficiency and be supplemented or modified as neces-sary to ensure a quality product in keeping with the requiredsafety function.This regulatory guide lists those Section XI ASME Code.Cases that are generally acceptable to the NRC staff forCotplu nay be obtained hom the American Society of MechanicalEnaimenr, United Englimeuing Center, 345 East 47th Street, New York,N.V. 10017.implementation in the inservice inspection of light-water-cooled nuclear power plants.Any information collection activities mentioned in this regu-latory guide are contained as requirements in 10 CFR Part 50,which provides the regulatory basis for this guide. The informa-tion collection requirements in 10 CFR Part 50 have beencleared under OMB Clearance No. 3150-0011.B. DISCUSSIONThe ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Committee pub-lishes a document entitled "Code Cases."' Generally,the individual Code Cases that make up this documentexplain the intent of Code rules or provide for alternativerequirements under special circumstances.Most Code Cases are eventually superseded by revision ofthe Code and tben are annulled by action of the ASME Council.In such instances, the intent of the annulled Code Case becomespart of the revised Code, and therefore continued use of theCode Case intent is sanctioned under the rules of the Code. Inother instances, the Code Case is annulled because it is nolonger acceptable or there is no further requirement for it. ACode Case that was approved for a particular situation and notfor a generic application shuld be used only for the approvedsituation because annulment of such a Code Case could resultin situations that would not meet Code requirements. TheASME considers the use of Code Cases to be optional for theuser and not a mandatory requirement.The Code Cases listed in this guide are limited to thosecases applicable to Section XI of the Code.All published Code Cases that are applicable to Section XIof the Code and were in effect on July 12, 1984, werereviewed for inclusion in this guide. Code Cases that are notlisted herein are either not endorsed or will require supple-.mentary provisions on an individual plant basis to attainendorselnent status.*Lines indicate substanilve changes from Revision 3.USNRC REGULATORV GUIDESRegulatory Guides are Issued to describe and make available to thepublic methods acceptable to the NRC staff of Implementingspecfic -parts of the Commission's regulations, to delineate tech.niques ue by the staff In evaluating $Pecific problems or postu-lated aUcidents, or to provide guidance to applicants. Regulatory-Guides are not substitutes for regulations, and compliance. withthe'l Is not required. Methods and solutions different from those set*out, n the guid~es will! be acceptable If they. provide a basis for thefindings.'requisite to the issuance or continuance of a permit or..license by the Commission.This guide was Issued after consideration of comments received fromthe public. Comments and suggestions for Improvements In theseguides are encouraged at all times, and guides will be revised, asappropriate, to accommodate comments and to reflect now Informo-tio0n1or experience. l .eComments should be sent-to the Secretary of the Commission,U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commissionn, DC 20555,-Attontlons Docketing and Service 8rancnr--..IThe guides are Issued In the following ten broad dl¥visonsi..1. Power Reactors 6. Products2. Research and Test Reactors 7. Transportation3. Fuels and Materials Facilities 8. Occupational Health.4. Environmental end Siting 9. Antitrust and Flnanclal Review5.. Materials and Plant Protection 10. General -.............Copies of Issued guides may be purchaseda t thecurrent GoverpmentPrlntlna Office price. A subscription service for future uldes In wr.cific d vislons Is available through the Government PKnting Of C&information on the subscription servIce and current 0POrices maebe obtained by writing the Superintendent of ?ocument= Un,Government Printing Office, Post Off0 e Box '3702, shlngton,DC 20013-7082.F2 '.'~

The endorsement of a Code Case by this guide constitutesacceptance of its technical position for applications notprecluded by regulatory or other requirements or by therecommendations in this or other regulatory guides. Con-tingent endorsement if applicable is indicated in regulatoryposition I for specific cases. However, it is the responsibil-ity of the user to make certain that no regulatory requirementsare violated and that there are no conflicts with other recom-mended limitations resulting from Code Case usage.Acceptance or endorsement by the NRC staff appliesonly to those Code Cases or Code Case revisions with thedate of "Council Approval" as shown in the regulatoryposition of this guide. Earlier or later revisions of a CodeCase are not endorsed by this guide. New Code Cases willrequire evaluation by the NRC staff to determine if theyqualify for inclusion in the approved list. Because of the con-tinuing change in the status of Code Cases, it is planned thatthis guide will require periodic updating to accommodatenew Code Cases and any revision of existing Code Cases.C. REGULATORY POSITION1. The Section XI ASME Code Cases2 listed below (bynumber, date of Council approval,3 and title) are accept-able to the NRC staff for application in the inserviceinspection of components and their supports for water-cooled nuclear power plants. Their use is acceptable withinthe limitations stated in the "Inquiry" and "Reply" sec-tions of each individual Code Case, within the limitations ofsuch NRC or other requirements as may exist, and withinthe additional limitations recommended by the NRC staffand given with the individual Code Case in the list.1551 11/6/72 Inservice Inspection of Welds onN-34 11/20/78 Nuclear Components,Section X;the examination of clad surfaces of nozzles, includingthe inner surface of the nozzle-to-vessel insert welds.N-2114 7/13/81 Recalibration of Ukrasonic Equip-ment Upon Change of Personnel,Section XI, Division IN-216 3/10/78 Alternate Rules for Reactor Vessel7/13/81 Closure Stud Examination, Sco-Lion XI, Division 1N-234 1/8/79 Time Between Ultrasonic Calibra-1/21/82 tion Checks,Section XI, Divi-sion IN-235 1/8/79 Ultrasonic Calibration Checks per4/2/82 Section V, Section Xl, Division IN-236 1/8/79 Repair and Replacement of Class1/21/82 MC Vessels,Section XI, Division ICode Case N-236 is acceptable subject to the followingconditions in addition to those conditions specifiedin the Code Case:a. In paragraph 1.0(a), second sentence -the phrase,"while the plant is not in service," refers to arefueling outage.b. In paragraph 1.0(a), third sentence -the phrase,"the next scheduled plant outage," refers to thenext scheduled refueling outage.For clarification, Repair and Replacement of Class MCVessels means Repair and Replacement of Class MCVessels and Components (systems). Acceptance ofthis Code Case in no way infers NRC approval toviolate the technical specification or any NRC require-ments with regard to breach of containment duringrepair and replacement procedures while the plant isin operation.Where a numbered Code paragraph is not identifiedby a particular edition of the Code, the Code in effectat the time of the ASME meeting (11/3/78) thatapproved the Code Case should be governing.N-278 3/17/80 Alternative Ultrasonic Calibration3/17/835 Block Configuration 1-3131 and5/25/83' T-434.3I Section XI, Division ICode Case N-278 is acceptable subject to the followingconditions in addition to those conditions specified inthe Code Case: When a universal calibration block is4The Code Case was annulled on no081 (ASME mandatoryannulment date). It was reinstated on 1/13151. Because there wasno change In the Code Case, the NRC considers that the Case wasin effect during the period 3120/81 through 7/13/81.SCode Case N-278 was inadvertently allowed to expire because ofan ASME administrative error on 3/17/83, Its mandatory amendmentdate. The Code Case without any technical changes was reinstated on5/25183. Because of these circumstances, the Code Case Is consideredto be in effect during that period of time.1705-1 3/1/76N-98 11/20/781/21/82Ultrasonic Examination- Calibra-tion Block Tolerances, Section XIN-I 13-1 12/13/82 Basic Calibration Block for Ultra-sonic Examination of Welds 10in. to 14 in. Thick,Section XI,Diviwsin I1738 12/22/75N-118 11/20/781/21/82Examination -Acceptance Stand-ards for Surface Indications inCladding, Section XICode Case 1738 (N-118) is acceptable subject to thefollowing condition in addition to those conditionsspecified in the Code Case. The last sentence of the"Reply" should be replaced with the following: Theprovisions of this Code Case may not be applied for2A numerical listing of the Code Cases appears In the appendix.3When more than one date Is given, the earlier date Is that onwhich the Code Case was approved by the ASME Council, and thelater date (or dates) Is that on which the Code Case was reaffirmedby the ASME Council.1.147-2 used and some or all of the reference holes are largerthan the reflector holes at comparable depths recom-mended by Article IV,'Section V, 1980 edition of theASM. Code, a correction factor should be used toadjust the DAC level to compensate for the largerreflector holes. Also, if the reactor pressure vessel waspreviously examined by using a conventional block, aratio between the DAC curves obtained from the twoblocks should be noted (for reference) with thesignificant indication data.N-306 1/15/81 Calibration Block Material Selec-* 4/5/84 tion, Appendix 1, 1-3121, Sec-tion XlI Division 1N-307 1/15/81 Revised Ultrasonic Examination4/5/84 Volume for Class I Bolting,Examination Category B-G-I,Division i, When the Examina-tions Are Conducted from theCenter-Drilled HoleN-308 9/30/81 Documentation of Repairs andReplacements of Components inNuclear Power Plants,.Section Xl,Division IN-311 5/11/81 Alternate Examination of Outlet* I 4/5/84 Nozzle on Secondary Side ofSteam Generators,Section XI,Division 1Code Case N-311 is acceptable subject to the followingcondition in addition to those conditions specified inthe Code Case: The applicant should indicate in theSafety Analysis Report that the stress analysis of thenozzle inside-comer region meets the Code Casestipulations for the state of stress in this region.N-335 4/2/82 Rules for Ultrasonic )-Iamina-tion of Similar and DissimilarMetal Piping Welds,Section XI,Division IN-343 4/2/82 Alternate Scope of Examinationof Attachment Welds for Exami-nation Categories B-H, B-K-I, andC-C, Section Xl, Division IN-355 7/16/82 Calibration Block for AngiBeam Ultrasonic Examin,of Large Fittings in Accorda,with .Appendix iii-3410, Sec.tion XI, Division 1'N-375-2 4/5/84 Rules for UltrasonicExaminationof Bolts and Studs, Section Xl,Division ICode Case N-389 is acceptable subject to the followingcondition in addition to those conditions specified inthe Code Case: Theapplicant should submit for approv-al the appropriate'edition and addenda of the Code thatis to. be used for the repair, replacement, or modificationbefore start of the work.N-401 2120/84 Eddy Current Examination, Sec-tion Xl, Division IN-402 2/20/84 'Eddy Current Calibration Stan-dard Material,Section XI, Divi-sion IN-406 4/5/84 Alternate Rules for Replace-ment,Section XI, Division .1N-408 7/12184 Alternate Rules for Examinationof Class 2 Piping,. Section -XI,Division 1Code Case N-408 is acceptable subject to the followingcondition in addition to those conditions specified inthe Code Case: The applicant for an operating licenseshould define the Class 2 piping subject to volumetricand surface examination in the Preservice Inspectionfor determination of acceptability by the NRC staff.2. Code Cases that were endorsed by the NRC in a priorversion of this guide and were later annulled by action of theASME Council should be considered as deleted from the listof acceptable Code Cases as of the date of the AS4E Council.action that approved the annulment. Such Code Cases thatwere annulled on or after November 1, 1978, are listedbelow by number, effective dates,6and title.1646 8/12/74N-72 11/20/781/11811647 8/12/74N-73 11/20178/l1/81Partial Postponement of CategoryB-C Examination for Class I Com-ponents, Section XIPartial Postponement of CategoryB-D Examination for Class: IComponents, Section XU1730 11/3/75 Acceptance Standards for Class 2N-112 7/1/79 and 3 Components,Section XI,Division I1804 1/14/77N-167 1/14/80Minimum. Section ThicknessRequirements for 'Repair -of:Nozzles,Section XI, Division 1N-210 3/20/78 Exemption to Hydrostatic Tests3/20/81, After Repairs; Section Xl, Divi-sion IN-3897/25/83 Alternative Rules .for 1Replacements, or ModiflcOection XI, Division I:Repairs,' "Earle date-date Coda Came.was roved by -ASME Cowute"l ..cations, later date"d Code Coswa aweuned.l .mia than two dst__:a-.sr. the lat te date thaante Code n. = u. e. Then~iddle data (or dt) was thei te of reaffirma.tion of the Coe .Cas:.1.147-3! : ::'k ICode Case N-210 was acceptable subject to the follow.ing condition in addition to those conditions specifiedin the Code Case. Paragraph (3) of the "Reply"should bereplaced with the following: Repairs to piping, pumps,and valves where the depth of the repaired cavitydoes not exceed 25 percent of the wall thickness.N-21 1 3/20/78 Recalibration of Ultrasonic Equip-3/20/81 ment Upon Change of Personnel,Section XI, Division IN-2S2 11/19/79 Low Energy Capacitive Discharge7/16/82 Welding Method for Temporaryor Permanent Attachments toComponents and Supports, Sec-tion III, Division 1, and XICode Case N-252 was acceptable subject to the followingcondition in addition to those conditions specified inthe Code Case: The applicant should indicate in theSafety Analysis Report the application, the material,and the thickness of the material to which the straingage or thermocouple will be attached by CD welding.N-288 8/25/80 Hyrostatic lbst Requirements for5/25/83 Class I and Class 2 Components,Section XI, Division I3. Code Cases that were endorsed by the NRC in a priorversion of this guide and were superseded by revised CodeCases on or after November 1, 1978, should be considered asnot endorsed as of the date of the Council action that approv-ed the revised version of the Code Cases. These Code Casesthat are no longer endorsed are listed in the following bynumber, effective dates,7 and title.1731 11/3/75 Basic Calibration Block for Ultra-N- 113 11/20/78 sonic Examination of Welds 10in.1/21/82 to 13 in. Thick,Section XI, Divi-12/13/82 sion I7Earfler date-date Code Case was approved by ASME Council:later date-date revision of Code Case was appioved by ASMECouncil.Where more than two dates atar, the tlat date Is the date on whichthe Code Case was revised.sTh middle date (or dates) was the dateof reaffirmation of the Code Case.N-375s8 2/14/83 Rules for Ultrasonic Examination4/14/83 of Bolts and Studs,Section XI,Division IN-375-1 4/14/83 Rules for Ultrasonic Examina-4/5/84 tion of Bolts and Studs, Sec-tion XI, Division 14. Code Cases that are not on the approved list of thisguide (paragraph C.I) or other regulatory guides, or forwhich authorization by the Commission has not beengranted, are not acceptable on a generic basis.D. IMPLEMENTATIONThe purpose of this section is to provide information toapplicants regarding the use of this regulatory guide.I. Except for those Code Cases that have been annulledby action of the ASME Council, the NRC staff will authorizeappropriate use of the Code Cases listed in this guide underregulatory position 1 upon specific request by the applicantin accordance with footnote 6 to §50.55a, the Codes andStandards rule. Code Cases that are actually used are to beidentified in the Inservice Inspection Program.2. Code Cases to be applied during an inspection intervalor Code Cases for a preservice inspection need not bechanged because a subsequent revision of the Code Case islisted as the approved version in this guide.3. Code Cases to be applied during an inspection intervalor Code Cases fora preservice inspection that were previouslyapproved for use need not be changed because the CodeCase has been subsequently annulled.4. Code Cases on the approved list may be applied toprocedures for an inspection interval and procedures for theinservice inspection that were established prior to theeffective date of the Code Case within the limits specifiedin the Code Case and applicable regulations or recommendedin other regulatory guides.8Code Case N-375 was not liated in prior versions of this regulatoryguide.01.147-4 APPENDIXNumerical Listing of Code Cases1551 (N-34)1705-1 (N-98)N-1 13-11738 (N-118)N-211N-216N-234N-235N-236N-278N-306N-3071.147-5N-308N-3 11N-335N-343N-355N-375-2N-389N-40 1N402N-406N-408