Background for Inspection Qualification

Since the early sixties, inspection of structural components is harmonized through prescriptive codes and standards such as ASME code, KTA Rules, RSEM Code, etc. However, inspections were seen as generally insufficiently effective, so the idea of demonstration of effective performance emerged, and programs and reflection groups on NDE performance demonstration were developed, notably in France and Sweden. Qualification of inspection procedures for the well known components of the nuclear reactor also appears as a way of harmonizing inspection requirements with the objective of being equally open to any inspection technology: qualification is based on performance standards which, in opposition to prescriptive standards allow the use of any technique which satisfies the inspection objectives in the environment considered. Besides this harmonization of the inspection effectiveness on similar situations, another aspect of harmonization has to be considered which is apparently much more difficult to reach: the harmonization of the inspection effectiveness and effort from one component to a different one, from one material to another one, from one situation to another one. Very different situations ask for very different approaches and techniques of inspection. It can also be stated that the use of demonstration standards is the best way to harmonize inspection in all comparable and different cases of situations with the objective of allowing the use of the best possible technologies in capability, economy and respect of the environment. The condition is that objectives would be precisely defined: inspection targets must result of correct safety analyses. It is the reason why there is a strong correlation between inspection qualification and Risk Based (or Informed) Inspection