Inservice requirements for containments in the United States

Assuring the lifetime integrity of containment structures for nuclear power plants in the United States is becoming increasingly important as today's operating plants grow older, as corrosion and other degradation mechanisms become of increasing concern, and as efforts continue to extend the operating lifetime beyond the present 40 year licensed lifetime. Title 10, Part 50 (10CFR50) of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations contains general criteria for the safety of nuclear plants and systems. This document mandates compliance with specific rules in Section XI of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code for the inservice inspection of nuclear power plant components. (author). 3 tabs