EXPEDITED RULES
LABOR AND INDUSTRIES
(Board of Boiler Rules)
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 296-104-540 What are the requirements for nuclear repairs of
safety devices?
THIS RULE IS BEING PROPOSED UNDER AN EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS THAT WILL ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR THE AGENCY TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS, PREPARE A SMALL BUSINESS ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT, OR PROVIDE RESPONSES TO THE CRITERIA FOR A SIGNIFICANT LEGISLATIVE RULE. IF YOU OBJECT TO THIS USE OF THE EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS, YOU MUST EXPRESS YOUR OBJECTIONS IN WRITING AND THEY MUST BE SENT TO Sally Elliott, Legislative and Rules Manager, Department of Labor and Industries, P.O. Box 44400, Olympia, WA 98504-4400, e-mail yous235@lni.wa.gov , AND RECEIVED BY December 3, 2007.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The board of boiler rules recently made changes to WAC 296-104-540 regarding nuclear repairs and was not aware at the time that these revisions would impact a business in Washington.
The National Board's Pressure Relief Department stated that as long as the pressure relief valves are repaired under a documented quality program which is periodically audited by a third party, an equivalent level of safety will be maintained. Therefore, the board drafted language to allow companies to continue to repair nuclear safety relief valves.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: See Purpose above.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 70.79.030, 70.79.040, 70.79.150, 70.79.290, 70.79.330, and 70.79.350.
Statute Being Implemented: Chapter 70.79 RCW.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: Board of boiler rules (department of labor and industries), governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Board of Boiler Rules, Tumwater, Washington, (360) 902-5270; Implementation and Enforcement: Linda Williamson, Tumwater, Washington, (360) 902-5270.
October 2, 2007
Steven E. Bacon, Chair
Board of Boiler Rules
OTS-1091.2
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 06-24-042, filed 11/30/06,
effective 1/1/07)
WAC 296-104-540
Repairs -- What are the requirements for
nuclear repairs of safety devices?
All nuclear pressure
retaining items shall be safe-guarded by safety devices, as
specified in the ASME Section III, Division 1, Class 1, 2, and
3.
(1) The resetting, repair, and restamping of these safety devices shall be performed only by organizations holding a valid National Board "NR" and "VR" Certificate of Authorization to repair ASME Section III Code safety devices. An owner's ASME Section XI program may be used in lieu of a "NR" Certificate of Authorization for repair activities of the owner's valves. The repair work shall be documented on the applicable NR-1/NVR-1 form or on an owner's NIS-2 form. All repair/replacement activities performed under the "NR" Certificate of Authorization or owner's Section XI Repair program must be in accordance with the provisions of the NBIC, ASME Section XI, and the rules of the jurisdiction.
(2) ((Nuclear plant owners with an approved ASME Section
XI program, may authorize external adjustments to bring their
installed safety valves and relief valves back to the stamped
set pressure when performed by the owner's/user's trained,
qualified, regular, and full-time employees. Refer to
Appendix "J" of the National Board Inspection Code as
referenced in WAC 296-104-102 for guidelines regarding
training, documentation, and implementation of a quality
system for the owner/user employees.
(3) All such)) External adjustments or repair activities
performed by the owner shall be resealed with a metal tag
showing the identification of the organization ((making the
adjustments)) and the date.
(((4) If any valve repairs are required, they shall be
done by a qualified "VR" and "NR" certificate holder.))
[Statutory Authority: RCW 70.79.030, 70.79.040, 70.79.150, 70.79.290, 70.79.330, and 70.79.350. 06-24-042, § 296-104-540, filed 11/30/06, effective 1/1/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.79.030 and 70.79.040. 98-22-024, § 296-104-540, filed 10/28/98, effective 11/28/98.]