USNRC and ASME to hold Boiler Code symposium

The Section XI Subcommittee on Nuclear Inservice Inspection of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Committee (BPVC) and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) will conduct the first joint NRC/ASME Symposium on BPVC Section XI in mid-July in Atlanta.

The symposium will be a part of the Pressure Vessels and Piping Division, PVP-2001 Conference. The concept for a joint NRC/ASME Section XI Symposium arose from the successful biennial NRC/ASME Pump and Valve Symposiums that have been held since 1989.

The NRC/ASME symposium will focus on U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and ASME Section XI activities related to the integrity of pressure boundary systems and components for operating nuclear power plants.

The symposium provides an opportunity for Code committee members, NRC, National Board, Insurance Agency and plant engineers responsible for implementing various aspects of Section XI, and consulting firm personnel to enhance their knowledge of technical issues related to Section XI.

Although many panel and technical sessions related to Section XI have been included in past PVP Conferences, this cooperative relationship will increase the visibility of the many activities of Section XI, said Bob Sammataro, past PVP Division chair.

Conducting the symposium within the PVP-2001 Conference gives those who have not yet attended a PVP Conference the chance to obtain valuable information on Section XI while benefiting from the multidiscipline technical content of a PVP conference.

Most of the symposium paper authors were involved with the development of ASME Code requirements. Each session will have time for questions and answers.

The PVP Conference will run from July 22-26 at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta. Registration is $395 for ASME members and $503 for nonmembers.

The symposium will open with a plenary session on July 23 and close with a feedback session on July 25. The symposium will consist of seven sessions, with four to five papers being presented during each session.

Session topics will include: Section XI changes from the 1989 Edition to the 1996 Addenda; NRC regulatory issues; and Risk-informed Section XI activities.

There also will be two panel sessions when current Section XI leadership and NRC representatives will discuss what the Code Committee is working on. These panels will also seek audience input on the needs of the industry in code development.

For more information, contact William C. Holston at (410) 495-3848 or e-mail william.c.holston @bge.com; or Edmund J. Sullivan U.S. NRC at (301) 415-2796 or e-mail ejs@nrc.gov, or visit www.asme.org/divisions/pvp/index1.htm/pvp_home.html.

To register for the conference, call Information Central at (973) 882-1167 or (800) 843-2763.

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