The quality assurance function with respect to the design and construction of steel structures for pre-stressed nuclear vessels

The paper deals with experience gained at Hartlepool and Heysham. These Power Station Projects have now passed through the 'enquiry', 'tender' and 'placing-of-order' stages, and are deeply involved at present in the detailed 'design', 'construction' and 'setting-to-work' phases. Quality Assurance in the widest concept has been active throughout, but experience has shown that Quality Assurance Programmes should have played a more positive role, particularly in the early stages. Difficulties have arisen because the prototype nature of the plant was not fully appreciated at the time of Enquiry and Tender. On occasion, manufacture has had to proceed, before detailed design proving was achieved, in order to maintain the Construction Programme. However, in one or two instances, this approach was shown to be false economy as more time was used in rework after all the technical parameters had been established. It is now recognised that a fully integrated Quality Assurance function is one of the essential tools for establishing a viable Programme for the Project, and maintaining Product Quality consistent with Plant Reliability. A description is given in this Paper of the methods which have been developed for the approval of Designs and Manufacturing Procedures, together with Techniques in use to ensure that Quality Requirements are known, understood and implemented. (author)