DESIGN REVIEWS
Suitability of technical equipment and components for operation
A wide variety of technical equipment and components perform safety functions when required during operation of a nuclear facility. To assess the suitability of these parts for the subsequent task even before they are manufactured, they are subject to design reviews. For this, the manufacturing documentation – including computational analyses, drawings, material certificates, quality and inspection plans – is reviewed by TÜV NORD Nuclear experts with regard to conformity with the applicable codes and standards.
TÜV NORD Nuclear performs design reviews, inter alia for the following equipment and components:
- Handling equipment
- lifting gear/cranes
- vessels
- pumps
- valves
- piping/support structures/brackets
- ventilation equipment
- electrical as well as instrumentation & control equipment
The scope and content of the documents to be submitted for design reviews is specified in the specifications, the applicable codes and standards and in specific regulatory requirements. In the German licensing environment, the relevant review criteria are usually taken from the valid rules implemented e.g. by the Nuclear Safety Standards Commission (KTA) and the component specifications. The TÜV NORD Nuclear reviews and assessments extend to the suitability of specified materials for use, the inspections that accompany manufacturing and construction, the manufacturing and welding procedures to be applied and the strength/stability analysis to be performed, if applicable. The suitability and consistency of the design would then be confirmed by means of a TÜV NORD Nuclear certificate which would supplement the documentation.
