An Overview of Qualification of Equipment for Seismic and Dynamic Loads

This paper presents the regulatory review process for seismic and dynamic qualification of safety-related electrical and mechanical equipment in nuclear power plant design, and highlights those areas that need careful attention in a qualification program. Qualification requirements as embodied in the General Design Criterion 2, Appendix A to the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 10 Part 50, VI(a) (1) and (2) of Appendix A to 10 CFR Part 100, and the Standard Review Plan Section 3.10 are reviewed. In addition, the review procedure of seismic qualification review team (SQRT) is described. In the past years of SORT review of near term operating license (NTOL) plants, some problem areas have been identified regarding applicant´s equipment seismic and dynamic qualification programs. In this paper, the problem areas which are of generic nature are discussed. Among the areas covered are: shake-table input wave forms, consideration of hydrodynamic loads, sequential testing procedure, surveillance and maintenance program, fatigue cycling effects, qualification of mechanical equipment, site-specific earthquakes, auditability of qualification documents, update of final safety analysis report and documentation filing system.