NRC Tunes Nuclear Valves and Snubbers: Zzz-Worthy Guidelines
Published Date: 3/14/2025
Notice
Summary
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is updating its guidelines for testing pumps, valves, and snubbers at nuclear power plants to keep everything safe and sound. Plant operators and inspectors will need to follow these clearer rules, and the NRC wants your feedback by April 14, 2025. These updates help avoid costly breakdowns and keep nuclear plants running smoothly without surprises.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Expanded code-of-record interval gives licensees flexibility
The NRC states that, effective August 16, 2024, it amended 10 CFR 50.55a to expand the code of record interval from 10 years (120 months) to two consecutive inservice testing (IST) and inservice inspection (ISI) program intervals to provide more flexibility for nuclear power plant licensees. Draft NUREG-1482, Revision 4, adopts the new terminology and includes a new Appendix C summarizing that final rule and its conditions.
Operators and inspectors must follow updated IST guidance
The NRC issued Draft NUREG-1482, Revision 4, which updates guidelines for inservice testing (IST) of pumps, valves, and dynamic restraints (snubbers). Plant operators and inspectors will need to follow these clearer rules, and the NRC is accepting public comments on the draft through April 14, 2025.
Guidance applies to OM Code through 2020 Edition
Draft NUREG-1482, Revision 4, is applicable, unless stated otherwise, to editions and addenda up to and including the 2020 Edition of the ASME OM Code that are incorporated by reference in 10 CFR 50.55a. Licensees using those OM Code editions should expect the guidance in this draft to cover their IST and ISI programs.
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