Implementing Nondestructive Evaluation Technologies to Evaluate Buried Pipe in Nuclear Power PlantsAvailable to Purchase

This standard is intended for those managing, planning, selecting, implementing, or evaluating buried pipe inspections using Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) at nuclear power plant sites. It provides direction for planning and implementing a buried pipe inspection at a nuclear power plant. It provides guidance on: Pre-assessment activities for nuclear power plants; Factors to consider when selecting NDE for buried pipe inspections, and; Post-assessment of NDE results. Guidance specific to owners of nuclear power plant buried piping has been included to improve inspection success by addressing a number of complicating conditions that could exist at a site. This includes: License requirements and regulations that are unique to nuclear power plants and must be considered and adhered to, as they require unique processes and procedures for planning and implementing inspections; Piping layouts with multiple components such as elbows, reducers, tees, etc. that require the use of special inline tools and/or experienced analysis; Piping systems at nuclear power plants are generally commonly grounded, which impacts the effectiveness of some indirect examination techniques; and The excavations for inspection purposes may be very deep and below layers of other buried piping systems, cables and other structures.