ASME Section XI trends in developing nuclear codes and standards

When the author began working on nuclear power many years ago, he knew that perfection was the only acceptable technical standard. Unfortunately, this became an obsession with perfection that has had unfavorable consequences in some of the non-technical areas of work in ASME nuclear power Codes and Standards. However, the economic problems of the nuclear power industry now demand a more pragmatic approach if the industry is to continue. Not only does each item considered for action need to be evaluated to criteria that may in some cases be less than perfection, but one needs to consider whether it contributes tangibly to either safety or to reduction in technical or administrative burden. These should be the governing, criteria. The introduction of risk-based inspection methodologies will certainly be an important element in doing this successfully. One needs to consider these criteria collectively, as one discusses each item at the committee level, and individually, as one votes on each item. In the past, the author has been concerned that the industry was not acting quickly enough in taking advantage of opportunities offered by the Code to increase safety or to reduce cost. While he still has some concern, he thinks communication channels have been greatly improved. Now he is becoming more concerned with both the collective and individual actions that delay beneficial changes. The second part of the author's talk has to do with the relevance of the code committees in the nuclear power industry regulatory process