Rules for qualification of NDT systems in Sweden (PDF ... - Vattenfall

PBM2 Chapter 1 5(21)
1 SCOPE
Edition: 4
Chapter 3, § 11 of SKIFS 2000:2 contains the following about qualification for in
service inspection:
Non-destructive testing (NDT) of reactor pressure-vessels and mechanical components
in Inspection Groups A and B shall be performed with inspection systems which have
been qualified to reliably detect, characterise and size those defects which can occur in
the types of components in question.
The Licensee is responsible that such qualification is invigilated and reviewed by a
qualification body which is approved for the purpose by the Swedish Nuclear
Inspectorate (SKI). For approval it is required that the qualification body has an
independent and impartial status and an appropriate organisation with the necessary
technical competence for the tasks in question.
Regarding inspection for repairs, manufacturing and site erection Chapter 4, §10 of
SKIFS 2000:2 says: “Inspections involving non destructive examinations shall be
performed using well-tried NDT applications.” The General Recommendations to this
paragraph say: “When well-tried NDT applications are not available, the fitness for
purpose of the NDT procedures intended to be used shall be demonstrated through
relevant qualification according to the principles of chapter 3, § 11……”
These qualification rules (PBM 2) are the Licensee’s general specification for carrying
out inspection qualification in accordance with the regulatory requirements in SKIFS
2000:2 [1], hereafter called the regulations. In addition to the regulations, it is based
on the ENIQ European Methodology document [2]. PBM 2 contains definitions of key
concepts, instructions concerning the allocation of tasks and responsibilities between
the parties concerned, a description of the process of qualification, plus guidelines for
assessing qualifications. It also contains quality assurance requirements for the
qualification body and basic requirements for inspectors, procedures and equipment
which are to be qualified.
Finally, it is the intention of the Licensees, that PBM 2 shall be the guiding document
for the interpretation of the licensing authorities regulations on inspection qualification
issues.
As PBM 2 is a set of requirements, the contents are concentrated on what shall be done
and very little on how it should be carried out. However, during the 5 years that
inspection qualification has been a requirement in Sweden it has become increasingly
evident that there exists a great potential for improvement in actually carrying out
inspection qualifications. Therefore in late 1999 a joint effort was launched by the
nuclear utilities to thoroughly analyse the qualification process. This study was
completed in mid 2000. The result is a description of how inspection qualification
should be carried out to be efficient while at the same time meeting exacting technical
standards. The final report on the inspection qualification process (only available in the
Swedish language) is attached as a support document, appendix 1.