Qualification of ultrasonic testing for nuclear inservice inspection applications

Under work sponsored by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL) is working to develop a qualification document. This document contains the criteria and requirements for qualifying ultrasonic testing for inservice inspection (UT/ISI) of nuclear reactor components. The proposed qualification requirements are in addition to, but not a replacement for, the applicable requirements in ASME Section XI. The criteria and requirements are applicable to UT personnel, equipment, and procedures. This paper describes the philosophy of the qualification processes and its implications to the nuclear industry.