Use of Alternative Standards for Construction, Inspection and Repair

Section 505 Section 505.2700  Use of Alternative Standards for Construction, Inspection and Repair a)         For all non-ISI boilers and pressure vessels, the Agency shall determine the acceptability of the alternative standards in accordance with this Section. b)         The Agency shall automatically accept alternative standards that have been accepted by the NRC and referenced in the nuclear facility's Updated or Final Safety Analysis Report, technical specifications or other licensing documents. c)         For boilers and pressure vessels, other than those covered by subsection (b), installed subsequent to February 7, 1994 to be constructed to alternative standards other than the ASME Code standards referenced in Section 505.40, the owner may request the Agency to issue a permit for the installation of a boiler or pressure vessel not constructed in accordance with the applicable ASME Code. 1)         The owner shall submit the documentation described in this Section to the Agency and obtain a special installation permit. 2)         The owner shall specify the reasons why the boiler or pressure vessel cannot be constructed in accordance with ASME Code standards.  The owner shall also supply the following information to the Agency for review and consideration of requests for a special installation permit: A)        Full details of design and construction showing equivalency to and departures from the ASME Code, including blueprints and material showing details of the construction; B)        Data relating to the physical and chemical properties of all materials used in construction; C)        Calculations showing how the MAWP was derived; D)        An authentic test record for all non-ASME Code materials used in construction; and E)        Other data as the owner deems relevant or as the Agency may request in order to establish that the boiler or pressure vessel will be capable of operating as safely as one built to ASME Code standards. 3)         The Agency may issue special installation permits to a class of boilers or pressure vessels meeting the criteria listed in subsection (c)(2) when it deems that the public interest would be best served by application of the class of boilers or pressure vessels rather than individual case-by-case determination. 4)         The Agency may, as a condition to issuance of a special installation permit, require the installation of safety features or prescribed operating procedures for boilers or pressure vessels.  The Agency will use relevant safety data in determining the need for installation of safety features or operating features. 5)         If the Agency denies a request for a special permit, the owner may request a hearing pursuant to Section 505.84. d)         For boilers and pressure vessels, other than those covered by subsection (b), to be inspected to standards other than those specified in this Part, the owner shall request the use of alternative standards. 1)         The owner shall submit the documentation described in this Section to the Agency and obtain permission to use the alternative standards. 2)         The owner shall specify the reasons why the boiler or pressure vessel cannot be inspected in accordance with this Part. 3)         The Agency may approve the use of alternative standards for inspection for a class of boilers or pressure vessels when it deems that the public interest would be best served by application of the class of boilers or pressure vessels rather than individual case-by-case determination. 4)         The Agency may, as a condition of approval of the use of alternative standards for inspection, require the installation of safety features or prescribed operating procedures for boilers or pressure vessels.  The Agency will use relevant safety data in determining the need for installation of safety features or operating features. 5)         If the Agency denies a request for the use of alternative standards for inspection, the owner may request a hearing pursuant to Section 505.84. e)         For boilers and pressure vessels, other than those covered by subsection (b), to be repaired to standards other than those specified in this Part, the owner shall request the use of alternative standards. 1)         The owner shall submit the documentation described in this Section to the Agency and obtain permission to use the alternative standards. 2)         The owner shall specify the reasons why the boiler or pressure vessel cannot be repaired in accordance with this Part. 3)         The Agency may approve the use of alternative standards for repair for a class of boilers or pressure vessels when it deems that the public interest would be best served by application of the alternative standards to the class of boilers or pressure vessels rather than individual case-by-case determination. 4)         The Agency may, as a condition of approval of the use of alternative standards for repair, require the installation of safety features or prescribed operating procedures for boilers or pressure vessels, require monitoring the integrity of the alternative repair, or approve the alternative repair on a temporary basis.  The Agency will use relevant safety data in determining the need for installing safety features or operating features, monitoring the integrity of the alternative repair, or approving the alternative repair on a temporary basis. 5)         If the Agency denies a request for the use of alternative standards for repair, the owner may request a hearing pursuant to Section 505.84. f)         Owners shall meet the requirements of Section 505.170 in all cases involving use of alternative standards for non-ISI boilers or pressure vessels.