GUIDE YVL E.

3 / 15 November 2013

PRESSURE VESSELS AND PIPING

OF A NUCLEAR FACILITY

1 Introduction 7
2 Scope of application 9
3 Equipment requirement specification for pressure vessels
and piping 11
3.1 Licensee’s requirement specification for equipment 11
3.2 Licensee’s general inspection plan 11
3.3 Equipment requirement specification by plant and equipment
suppliers 12

4 Manufacturer 12
4.1 General requirements for the manufacturers of nuclear pressure
vessels, piping and piping components 12
4.2 Approval of a nuclear pressure equipment manufacturer for special
processes 13
4.2.1 Requirements 13
4.2.2 Approval application 14
4.2.3 Requirements for the person responsible for the manufacture 14
4.2.4 The duties of the person responsible for the manufacture 15
4.2.5 Obligations of a manufacturer approved for special processes 16
4.2.6 Obligations of the licensee 16
4.3 Manufacture of materials and standardised components 16

5 Construction materials and welding consumables 17

5.1 General requirements 17
5.2 Materials to be approved 17
5.3 Approval of materials in various safety classes 18
5.4 Approval of welding consumables 19
5.5 Material certificates 20
continues

With regard to new nuclear facilities, this Guide shall apply as of 1 December 2013
until further notice. With regard to operating nuclear facilities and those under con-
struction, this Guide shall be enforced through a separate decision to be taken by
STUK. This Guide replaces Guides YVL 3.1 and YVL 3.3.
First edition ISBN 978-952-309-040-8 (print) Kopijyvä Oy 2014
Helsinki 2014 ISBN 978-952-309-041-5 (pdf)
ISBN 978-952-309-042-2 (html)

STUK • SÄTEILYTURVAKESKUS Osoite/Address • Laippatie 4, 00880 Helsinki

STRÅLSÄKERHETSCENTRALEN Postiosoite / Postal address • PL / P.O. Box 14, FI-00881 Helsinki, FINLAND
RADIATION AND NUCLEAR SAFETY AUTHORITY Puh./Tel. (09) 759 881, +358 9 759 881 • Fax (09) 759 88 500, +358 9 759 88 500 • www.stuk.fi
 GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013

6 Design 20
6.1 General requirements 20
6.2 Hydrodynamic design 21
6.3 Pressure vessels 22
6.3.1 General requirements 22
6.3.2 Pressure retaining components and parts 22
6.3.3 Internal structures of the pressure vessel 22
6.4 Piping 23
6.4.1 General requirements 23
6.4.2 Pressure retaining components and parts 23
6.4.3 Piping supports 24
6.5 Selection of materials 24

7 Construction plan 24
7.1 Drawing up the construction plan 24
7.2 The licensee’s summary of justifications 25
7.3 Design bases 25
7.4 Calculations 26
7.5 Construction materials and welding consumables 27
7.6 Drawings 27
7.7 Manufacturers, subcontractors, testing organisations,
and third parties 28
7.8 Description on the manufacture 28
7.9 Inspection, testing, and control of manufacturing 29
7.9.1 Inspection plan 29
7.9.2 Inspection and testing procedures 29

8 Manufacture 30
8.1 Requirements concerning the licensee 30
8.2 Third party 30
8.3 Commencement of manufacture prior to the approval of the
construction plan 31
8.4 Manufacturing requirements 31
8.4.1 Procurement, testing and handling of materials 31
8.4.2 Machinery and equipment used in manufacturing 32
8.4.3 Manufacturing procedures and qualification 33
8.4.4 Manufacture 33
8.4.5 Testing and inspection 34
8.5 Subcontracting 34
8.6 Manufacturing records 34

9 Construction inspection 35
9.1 Construction inspection prerequisites 35
9.2 Construction inspection of the pressure vessel and piping 36
9.2.1 Content of the construction inspection 36
9.2.2 Manufacture and quality control documentation 36
9.2.3 Visual or dimensional inspection of equipment or structure 37
9.2.4 Pressure test 37
9.2.5 Inspection of equipment or structure after a pressure test 38
9.3 Processing non-conformities observed 38
 GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013

10 Installation 39
10.1 Installation construction plan 39
10.2 Installation work 39
10.3 Installation construction inspection 40

11 Commissioning 40
11.1 Preconditions for the commissioning inspection 40
11.2 Commissioning inspection procedure 41
11.3 The first phase of the commissioning inspection 41
11.3.1 Inspection of the pressure equipment dossier or equivalent documentation 41
11.3.2 Operation supervisor 41
11.3.3 Inspection of location and equipment 42
11.3.4 Inspection of accessories 42
11.3.5 Testing programme 42
11.4 The second phase of the commissioning inspection
(functional tests) 43
11.4.1 General requirements 43
11.4.2 Safety accessories 43
11.4.3 Measurement and regulation devices 43
11.4.4 Piping, pipe supports, thermal expansion and vibrations 43
11.5 Pressure equipment registration 44

12 Operation 44
12.1 General 44
12.2 Pressure equipment record 45
12.3 Periodic inspections and other condition monitoring 45
12.4 Periodic inspections of pressure equipment subject to registration 46
12.4.1 Periodic inspection intervals 46
12.4.2 Replacing a periodic inspection with a pressure equipment condition monitoring
system 47
12.4.3 Replacing a periodic inspection with pressure equipment follow-up 47
12.4.4. Internal inspection 47
12.4.5 Operational inspection 47
12.4.6 Periodic pressure test 47
12.5 The effect of neutron radiation on mechanical properties 48
12.6 Maintenance 48

13 Modifications 49
13.1 Requirements 49
13.2 Modification construction inspection 49
13.3 Pressure equipment modification inspection 49

14 Decommissioning 50
15 Regulatory oversight by the Radiation and
Nuclear Safety Authority 50
15.1 Division of inspection responsibilities 50
15.2 Requirement specification for equipment 50
15.3 Approval and oversight of organisations 50
15.3.1 Approval of the manufacturer 50
 GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013

15.3.2 Third-party approval 51

15.3.3 Approval of inspection and testing organisations 51
15.3.4 Oversight of design organisations 51
15.4 Construction plan 51
15.5 Control of manufacturing, and construction inspection 51
15.6 Control of installation, and installation construction inspection 52
15.7 Commissioning inspection 52
15.8 Operation, condition monitoring, and maintenance 52
15.9 Modifications 53
15.10 Decommissioning 53

Definitions 53
References 58
ANNEX A Minimum scope of supervision by STUK, a third
party and the licensee for pressure vessels and
piping in each safety class 59
ANNEX B Material certificate requirements for materials
and welding filler materials, SFS-EN 10204 60
ANNEX C Division of inspection responsibilities for
safety-classified pressure vessels and piping 61
ANNEX D Division of inspection responsibilities for
non-nuclear pressure vessels and piping 62
Authorisation
According to Section 7 r of the Nuclear Energy Act (990/1987), the Radiation and
Nuclear Safety Authority shall specify detailed safety requirements for the imple-
mentation of the safety level in accordance with the Nuclear Energy Act.

Rules for application

The publication of a YVL Guide shall not, as such, alter any previous decisions
made by STUK. After having heard the parties concerned STUK will issue a
separate decision as to how a new or revised YVL Guide is to be applied to oper-
ating nuclear facilities or those under construction, and to licensees’ operational
activities. The Guide shall apply as it stands to new nuclear facilities.

When considering how the new safety requirements presented in the YVL Guides
shall be applied to the operating nuclear facilities, or to those under construc-
tion, STUK will take due account of the principles laid down in Section 7 a of the
Nuclear Energy Act (990/1987): The safety of nuclear energy use shall be main-
tained at as high a level as practically possible. For the further development of
safety, measures shall be implemented that can be considered justified considering
operating experience, safety research and advances in science and technology.

According to Section 7 r(3) of the Nuclear Energy Act, the safety requirements of
the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK) are binding on the licensee,
while preserving the licensee’s right to propose an alternative procedure or solu-
tion to that provided for in the regulations. If the licensee can convincingly dem-
onstrate that the proposed procedure or solution will implement safety standards
in accordance with this Act, the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK)
may approve a procedure or solution by which the safety level set forth is achieved.

Translation. Original text in Finnish.

GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013 S T U K

1 Introduction 104. According

(717/2013):
to Section 3 of Government Decree

101.By virtue of Section 63(1)(3) of the Nuclear

Energy Act (990/1987), the Radiation and Nuclear The safety of a nuclear power plant shall be as-
Safety Authority is authorised to require that sessed when applying for a construction license
structures and components intended as parts of and operating license, in connection with plant
the nuclear facility be manufactured in a manner modifications, and at regular intervals during the
approved of by the Radiation and Nuclear Safety operation of the plant. It shall be demonstrated
Authority. STUK is authorised to oblige the licen- in connection with the safety assessment that
see or licence applicant to arrange for STUK an the nuclear power plant has been designed and
opportunity sufficiently to control manufacture of implemented in a manner that meets the safety
the fuel or such structures and components. requirements. The safety assessment shall cover
all the nuclear power plant states. The safety of a
According to Section 117 of the Nuclear
102. nuclear power plant shall be assessed also after
Energy Decree (161/1988): accidents and, whenever necessary, on the basis of
the safety research results.
As regards pressure equipment, the Radiation
and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK) shall in Nuclear power plant safety and the technical
particular: solutions of its safety systems shall be assessed
1. set detailed requirements for the safety of nu- and substantiated analytically and, if necessary,
clear pressure equipment; experimentally. Analytical methods include tran-
2. carry out control and inspection to ensure that sient and accident analyses, analyses of internal
the design, manufacture, placement, installa- and external hazards, strength analyses, fail-
tion, operation, maintenance and repair of nu- ure resistance analyses, failure mode and effects
clear pressure equipment comply with safety analyses, and probabilistic risk assessments. The
requirements and regulations; analyses shall be maintained and revised as
3. set more detailed requirements for the manu- necessary, taking into account operating experi-
facture of nuclear pressure equipment and for ence from the plant itself and from other nuclear
related quality assurance; power plants, the results of safety research, plant
4. carry out control and inspection to ensure that modifications, and the advancement of calcula-
the placement, installation, operation, main- tion methods.
tenance and repair of conventional pressure
equipment comply with safety requirements The analytical methods employed to demonstrate
and regulations; as well as compliance with safety requirements shall be
5. set requirements pertaining to the licensee’s reliable and well qualified for the purpose. The
actions and procedures for assuring the safety analyses shall demonstrate the conformity with
of pressure equipment in nuclear facilities, the safety requirements with high certainty. Any
as well as monitor the implementation of the uncertainty in the results shall be assessed and
requirements. considered in determining safety margins.

103.According to Section 4(2) of the Government 105. According to Section 5 of Government Decree
Decree on the Safety of Nuclear Power Plants (717/2013), the design, construction, operation,
(717/2013), the systems, structures and compo- condition monitoring and maintenance of a nu-
nents that implement or are related with safety clear power plant shall provide for the ageing of
functions shall be designed, manufactured, in- systems, structures and components important
stalled and used so that their quality level, and the to safety in order to ensure that they meet the de-
assessments, inspections and tests, including en- sign-basis requirements with the necessary safety
vironmental qualification, required to verify their margins throughout the service life of the facil-
quality level, are sufficient considering the safety ity. Systematic procedures shall be in place for
significance of the item in question. preventing the ageing of systems, structures and

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S TU K GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013

components which may deteriorate their avail- 109. According to Section 60 a(1–4) of the Nuclear
ability, and for the early detection of the need for Energy Act:
their repair, modification and replacement. Safety
requirements and applicability of new technology The Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority
shall be periodically assessed, in order to ensure (STUK) approves manufacturers of nuclear pres-
that the technology applied is up to date, and the sure equipment for their duties and inspection
availability of the spare parts and the system sup- organisations, testing organisations and qualifi-
port shall be monitored. cation body for duties pertaining to the control of
pressure equipment, steel and concrete structures,
106. According to Section 26 of Government and mechanical components at nuclear facilities
Decree (717/2013), systems, structures and com- within the scope determined by the Radiation
ponents important to the safety of a nuclear and Nuclear Safety Authority. The Radiation and
power plant shall be available as detailed in Nuclear Safety Authority supervises the operation
the design basis requirements. Their availabil- of such an inspection organisation, testing or-
ity and the impact of the operating environment ganisation, and qualification body.
shall be supervised by means of inspections, tests,
measurements and analyses. Availability shall A prerequisite for the approval of an inspection
be confirmed in advance by means of regular organisation and testing organisation and quali-
maintenance, and preparations shall be made for fication body is that they are operationally and
maintenance and repair to avoid reduced avail- economically independent and that they carry li-
ability. Condition monitoring and maintenance ability insurance. In addition, the manufacturer,
shall be designed, instructed and implemented the inspection organisation, testing organisation
in a manner that can reliably ensure the integ- and qualification body shall have an advanced
rity and operability of the systems, structures and quality system, a competent and experienced per-
components throughout their service life. sonnel as well as appropriately qualified meth-
ods, facilities and equipment required for manu-
107. According to Section 60(1–2) of the Nuclear facturing and operation. The approval procedure
Energy Act: By virtue of this Act, pressure equip- is prescribed in more detail in a Government
ment at nuclear facilities are controlled as fol- Decree.
lows:
1. pressure equipment particularly designed If a manufacturer of pressure equipment, inspec-
for nuclear facilities whose malfunction may tion organisation, testing organisation, or qualifi-
cause a radioactive release (nuclear pressure cation body no longer meets the requirements for
equipment); approval or has materially neglected or breached
2. other pressure equipment at nuclear facilities its obligation or restriction issued in or by virtue
(conventional pressure equipment); of this Act or a regulation issued in a decision and
unless otherwise provided hereafter. fails to correct the shortcomings in its operations
even after receiving notices and warnings, the
The provisions of the Pressure Equipment Act Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK)
(869/1999) shall apply to the technical require- may withdraw its approval. If justified by rea-
ments for conventional pressure equipment at nu- sons pertaining to the assurance of safety, the
clear facilities, demonstration of safety and other Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK)
preconditions for their placing on the market. may, after having granted the corporation or
establishment concerned a hearing, change the
108.In accordance with Section 3 of the Ministry requirements and conditions established in its
of Trade and Industry’s decision on the safety of decision of approval.
pressure equipment (953/1999) [4], pressure ves-
sels are divided into types of pressure equipment STUK specifies the nuclear pressure equipment
subject and not subject to registration, based on which has a minor significance to safety whose
their operating parameters and contents.

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GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013 S T U K

manufacturer and testing organisation are not

required to be approved for their duties in the
2 Scope of application
manner prescribed in Subsection 1 as well as, 201.The requirements of this Guide apply to the
on similar grounds, the steel and concrete struc- pressure vessels (including heat exchangers) and
tures and mechanical equipment whose testing piping of nuclear facilities, and the materials and
organisation is not required to be approved for its test pieces required for their manufacture and
duties in the manner prescribed in Subsection 1. for the qualifications. The Guide also covers the
In these respects, STUK shall stipulate the neces- pressure vessels and piping that are related to
sary requirements concerning the competence of the auxiliary systems of emergency power sup-
the manufacturer and testing organisation, the plies described in Guide YVL E.10, Emergency
fulfilment of which the licensee shall be able to power supplies of a nuclear facility. The Guide
demonstrate. does not apply to transportable pressure vessels,
pressure vessels and piping only needed in the
According to Section 117 a(2) of the Nuclear
110. construction of a nuclear facility or only serving
Energy Decree, the manufacturer of nuclear pres- maintenance duties carried out by the personnel,
sure equipment must, if required, be able to or pressure vessels and piping excluded from
demonstrate that a piece of pressure equipment regulatory control and inspections by virtue of
and its design and manufacture meet the require- instructions or decisions issued by STUK.
ments set for the safe use of nuclear energy.
202. Thesystem design requirements forming the
111. According to Section 113 of the Nuclear foundation for equipment design are presented
Energy Decree: Non-destructive testing of a nu- in the YVL B series Guides.
clear facility’s structures and components rel-
evant to nuclear safety may only be carried out by 203.Pressure vessels and piping classified into
a testing organisation approved by the Radiation safety classes 1, 2, and 3 are considered nuclear
and Nuclear Safety Authority. pressure vessels and piping; pressure vessels and
piping classified into safety class EYT are con-
112. Within the EU, the non-nuclear pressure sidered non-nuclear pressure equipment. Heat
equipment of a nuclear facility is brought to exchangers with one side connected to piping
the market in accordance with the Pressure classified to a higher safety class and the other
Equipment Directive 97/23/EC [5], and the in- side to piping classified to a lower safety class
spections related to their design and manufac- are, in their entirety, classified to the higher
ture are performed by notified bodies, user in- safety class. The steam generators of a pressur-
spectorates and certification bodies referred to in ised water reactor plant are an exception to the
the Decree (890/1999) [7] on the inspection organ- general rule of classification of heat exchangers;
isations referred to in the Pressure Equipment their primary side is classified to safety class 1
Act (869/1999) [6]. The Ministry of Trade and and the secondary side to safety class 2.
Industry’s decision concerning pressure equip-
ment (938/1999) [8] and decision concerning the 204. The requirements set for pressure vessels
safety of pressure equipment (953/1999) [4] also are also applied to the internal structures of the
apply to non-nuclear pressure equipment. reactor pressure vessel, of the steam generator
and of the pressuriser, and to the steam boiler, of
113.If a pressure vessel or piping contains a a nuclear power plant. In accordance with Guide
dangerous liquid or gas, the requirements of the YVL D.3, Handling and storage of nuclear fuel,
Chemicals Act (599/2013) [9], the Act on the safe the Guide also applies to the final disposal canis-
handling of dangerous chemicals and explosives ter of spent nuclear fuel where applicable.
(390/2005) [10], and the Decree (855/2012) [11]
issued by virtue of the two Acts shall be applied 205.The requirements set forth for pressure ves-
in addition to the provisions of this Guide. sels are also applied to the design, manufacture
and construction inspection of the steel contain-

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S TU K GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013

ment, and the steel penetrations of the concrete 212. The requirements for the licensee’s and
containment, of a nuclear power plant unit. supplier’s management system processes and
Guide YVL E.6, Buildings and structures of a functions are presented in Guide YVL A.3,
nuclear facility, sets forth requirements for the Management system for a nuclear facility. Guide
steel, concrete, and composite structures of the YVL A.5, Construction and commissioning of a
containment. nuclear facility, sets requirements for the con-
struction of a new nuclear facility and plant
206. If
the internal pressure above the liquid level modifications at existing facilities. In this Guide,
in a nuclear pressure vessel or the pressure in the requirements of Guide YVL A.5 are taken to
piping is less than or equal to 0.5 bar gauge pres- also apply to individual deliveries of equipment,
sure, it is taken into account in applying this where applicable.
Guide that pressure is not a dimensioning factor.
213.The strength analyses of pressure vessels
207.The licensee sets forth the detailed require- and piping are discussed in Guide YVL E.4,
ments for non-nuclear pressure equipment in its Strength analyses of nuclear power plant pres-
requirement specifications. However, this Guide sure equipment. Guide YVL C.1, Structural ra-
sets forth requirements related to the commis- diation safety at a nuclear facility covers system
sioning and periodic inspections of pressure design and material selection for equipment from
equipment subject to registration and classified a radiation safety viewpoint.
into safety class EYT, as well as the division of
inspection responsibilities in class EYT. 214. Guide YVL A.8, Ageing management of a nu-
clear facility, discusses ageing management, and
208. The Guide is applied to nuclear facilities, un- Guide YVL E.5, Inservice inspection of nuclear
less it is expressly stated that the requirement facility pressure equipment with non-destructive
only applies to nuclear power plants. testing methods, contains provisions for non-
destructive in-service inspection performed on
209.The requirements set forth in the Guide are pressure equipment.
applied to the licensee and, where applicable, to
the licence applicant, plant or equipment sup- 215.Guide YVL D.4, Predisposal management of
plier, and manufacturers of pressure vessels and low and intermediate level nuclear waste and
piping. decommissioning of a nuclear facility, presents
the structural and other requirements related to
210.The Guide covers the entire life cycle of the the decommissioning of a nuclear facility. Guide
pressure vessels and piping, including the re- YVL D.5, Disposal of nuclear waste, sets forth the
quirement specification, approval of the manu- requirements pertaining to the final disposal of
facturers of the pressure equipment and ma- nuclear waste during the decommissioning of a
terials used, design, manufacture, installation, nuclear facility.
construction and commissioning inspection, peri-
odic inspections, maintenance, modifications and 216. Inaccordance with this Guide, inspections of
decommissioning. the pressure vessels and piping of a nuclear facil-
ity are performed either by STUK or inspection
211.Guide YVL E.8, Valves of a nuclear facility, organisations approved under Guide YVL E.1,
sets forth the requirements for the valves which Authorised inspection body and the licensee’s
are regarded as pressure accessories, and Guide in-house inspection organisation. The principles
YVL E.7, Electrical and I&C equipment of a for the division of inspection responsibilities
nuclear facility, sets forth the requirements for between STUK and the inspection organisations
electrical and instrumentation and control equip- with regard to the inspection of pressure vessels
ment related to the operation of pressure equip- and piping are presented in the annexes to this
ment. Guide YVL E.9, Pumps of a nuclear facility, Guide. The approval of testing organisations is
applies to the pumps of a nuclear facility. presented in Guide YVL E.12, Testing organisa-

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GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013 S T U K

tions for mechanical components and structures a more detailed description shall be provided in
of a nuclear facility. connection to the application for a construction
licence.
217. Guide YVL A.1, Regulatoryoversight of safety
in the use of nuclear energy, sets forth require- 305. By means of the requirement specification
ments concerning the documents to be submitted for pressure vessels and piping, the licensee shall
to STUK. ensure that the requirements set forth in the
YVL Guides and STUK’s decisions are brought
to the attention of the plant and equipment sup-
3 Equipment requirement pliers.

specification for pressure 306. The licensee shall have in place the proce-
vessels and piping dures required in Guides YVL A.3 and YVL A.5
for the management of non-conformities. STUK’s
3.1 Licensee’s requirement approval shall always be obtained for deviations
specification for equipment from the requirement level of the YVL Guides
301.For the procurement of a nuclear facility’s and STUK-approved specifications.
pressure vessels and piping, the licensee shall
have in place a general requirement specifica- 307.The manuals and instructions related to the
tion for pressure vessels and piping based on licensee’s management system and other docu-
its management system, containing the design ments containing requirement specifications for
and inspection requirements for each equipment equipment shall be submitted to STUK following
group and safety class. The classification of the the guidelines laid down in Appendix A to Guide
requirements is discussed in Guide YVL A.3. YVL A.1.

302.In procurement, the requirement specifica- 3.2 Licensee’s general inspection plan
tion for equipment shall be the basic design and 308.As part of the requirement specification for
inspection requirement that the licensee shall equipment, the licensee shall draw up a general
supplement in the procurement documents with inspection plan that presents the inspections and
the necessary requirements resulting from the control of manufacturing that are performed on
intended location of use, for example. the pressure vessels and piping, and components
thereof, of a nuclear facility.
303. The licensee shall define the set of standards
to be used for the design, manufacture, testing 309.The general inspection plan shall define the
and installation of pressure vessels and piping inspection and supervision sequences which are
for each facility on the basis of the YVL Guides. either witness points or hold points to STUK
If the set of standards used in manufacture and or an inspection organisation approved under
testing differs from that used in design, the licen- Guide YVL E.1, a third party, the licensee, and
see shall ensure that the requirement level does other parties.
not fall below the level specified in either set of
standards. 310.The requirements of the general inspection
plan shall be presented for each safety class,
304.The licensee shall acquire approval from including class EYT (non-nuclear). The scope of
STUK for the set of standards used, separately inspection and supervision shall also take other
for each facility. According to Guide YVL B.1, factors apart from the safety classification into
a description of the key sets of standards to be consideration.
complied with in system design and manufacture
shall be supplied at a general level in conjunction 311.The general inspection plan shall cover the
with the application for a decision-in-principle; stages from material procurement to the commis-

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S TU K GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013

sioning of the equipment, and it shall serve as management system independently assessed by
the minimum requirement level when drawing a third party.
up equipment-specific construction plans.
402.For safety classes 1 and 2, the management
The minimum scope of supervision by STUK, an system of the pressure equipment manufacturer
authorised inspection body, a third party or the shall also meet the requirements of Guide YVL
licensee in the deliveries of nuclear pressure ves- A.3. Guide YVL A.3 also presents the licensee
sels and piping is presented in Annex A. with requirements concerning the supplier selec-
tion procedure.
312. Thegeneral inspection plan shall present the
reporting requirements and procedure references 403.The quality management system of a manu-
concerning the inspections and testing defined in facturer applying special processes in the manu-
the plan. The inspection and testing procedures facture of the reactor pressure vessel, steam
included in the plant instruction manuals shall generator, pressuriser and main coolant piping
be appended to the inspection plan, except for shall meet the requirements set forth for quality
standards and other reference documentation management systems in standard ASME NQA-
that are generally available. STUK may require 1, Quality Assurance Requirements for Nuclear
a testing extent exceeding the requirements of Facility Applications [12] or some other standard
the standards. in line with the design standard. The quality
management system shall be independently as-
313. The general inspection plan shall be submit- sessed by a third party.
ted to STUK for approval together with the ap-
plication for a construction licence. 404.The quality management system used by a
manufacturer of other equipment in safety class
3.3 Equipment requirement specification 1 and a manufacturer performing welding in
by plant and equipment suppliers safety classes 2 and 3, shall take into account the
314. As part of the delivery-specific quality plan requirements of standard SFS-EN ISO 3834-2
pursuant to Guide YVL A.3, the plant supplier [13]. In its quality management system, a manu-
or equipment suppliers shall draw up documents facturer performing heat treatment in connection
that take the licensee’s requirements for each with welding and allied processes on this equip-
facility and type of equipment into consideration. ment shall observe the requirements of standard
SFS-EN ISO 17663 [14].
315. The plant-specific or equipment type-specific
documents shall be submitted to STUK for ap- 405.The manufacturer shall have in place sys-
proval before the submission of the construction tematic and documented procedures for the as-
plans for manufacturing. These documents in- sessment, selection and supervision of its sub-
clude the equipment specifications and material contractors.
specifications, for example. The construction plan
is sufficient for individual equipment acquisitions. 406.The manufacturer shall evaluate the effec-
tiveness of the subcontractor’s quality manage-
ment system and ascertain that the subcontrac-
4 Manufacturer tor has the prerequisites for delivering products
4.1 General requirements for the or services that satisfy all requirements.
manufacturers of nuclear pressure
vessels, piping and piping components The same regulations and obligations shall apply
401.In accordance with Chapter 6.2.4 of Guide to both the manufacturer proper and the subcon-
YVL A.3, the manufacturer of a nuclear pres- tractors involved in the manufacture. The manu-
sure vessel, piping and piping components shall facturer shall also be responsible for the work of
have appropriate certification or a corresponding the subcontractor.

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GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013 S T U K

407.The manufacturer shall have documented 414.In assessing manufacturers of nuclear pres-
requirements and procedures in place for the sure vessels, piping components or piping, mod-
qualification of manufacturing procedures and ules intended to verify the conformity to re-
personnel, for the manufacture itself, for testing, quirements of the equipment in accordance with
and for the processing of non-conformities. pressure equipment legislation and which the
manufacturer has in use may be utilised. If these
408.The manufacturer shall have in place proce- modules are used, the manufacturer and the
dures for monitoring the validity of the approved licensee shall assess in the application that the
manufacturing procedures and personnel quali- requirement level set forth in the YVL Guides is
fications. met.

409. The manufacturer shall employ professional, 415.If the use of modules creates non-conform-
experienced personnel, and appropriately quali- ance from the requirement level of the YVL
fied procedures, tools and equipment required for Guides, the manufacturer shall implement sup-
the activities. plementary measures that result in the require-
ment level of the YVL Guides being achieved. A
410. The manufacturer shall maintain a list of the report on these measures shall be attached to the
persons who are authorised to transfer material document concerning the manufacturer approval
identification markings. request.

411. The manufacturer shall submit to the licensee 416. If the manufacture is performed according
the necessary information to either apply for the to the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code
approval required under Subsection 4.2, or, if a Section III [15] or another standard that has
separate approval is not required, be appended to been approved by a nuclear energy authority, the
the construction plan. The manufacturer shall keep licensee shall in the application demonstrate how
the information provided to the licensee up-to-date. the requirement level set forth in this YVL Guide
is met.

4.2 Approval of a nuclear pressure equipment 417.The manufacturer shall have in place quali-
manufacturer for special processes fied manufacturing procedures for the manufac-
4.2.1 Requirements ture of nuclear pressure vessels, piping compo-
412. Whenever special processes are used in the nents or piping, or the preparedness to qualify
manufacture of nuclear pressure vessels, piping the procedures before manufacture is started.
components or piping, the licensee shall apply for The manufacturing procedures shall be qualified
STUK’s approval for the manufacturer and sub- with the aid of procedure tests conducted under
contractors separately for each location. the supervision of an authorised third-party su-
pervisor.
On application by the licensee, STUK may issue
separate decisions to define the pressure ves- 418. Persons making permanent joints shall be
sels, piping components and piping which have qualified under the supervision of an author-
a minor impact on safety, and for which no sepa- ised third-party supervisor, and, in addition to
rate manufacturer or subcontractor approval is demonstrating the person’s practical skills, the
required even if special processes are used in qualification shall verify the job knowledge of
manufacture. the person to be qualified concerning joining
technology. Authorised third parties for proce-
413.The licensee shall keep the information pro- dure and personal qualification include notified
vided in the application up-to-date. If essential bodies and recognized third-party organisations
changes take place in the preconditions for man- (certification bodies) as defined in the Pressure
ufacture, the licensee shall inform STUK of them Equipment Directive [5].
without delay.

13
S TU K GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013

419. A manufacturer performing welding shall m. the qualification of the persons that make
have available competent welding coordination permanent joints,
personnel, who plan, draw up and qualify the n. the qualified manufacturing and welding pro-
necessary welding and work procedures accord- cedures,
ing to the standard applied. o. the procedures to verify the traceability of
materials.
4.2.2 Approval application
420. When drawing up the application, the licen- 422. For the approval of manufacturers of pres-
see shall specify the equipment groups (pressure sure vessels, piping components and piping be-
vessels, piping, safety accessories, and pressure longing to safety class 3, the application shall
accessories) and manufacturing processes which contain a description of the following:
the application concerns. a. the quality management system for the man-
ufacture of pressure equipment approved by a
421. For the approval of manufacturers of pres- notified body or some other third party,
sure vessels, piping components and piping be- b. the meeting of the general manufacturer re-
longing to safety classes 1 and 2, the licensee quirements set forth in Section 60a of the
shall present in the application the following Nuclear Energy Act,
necessary information related to the evaluation c. the equipment group, the manufacture of
of the manufacturer: which is concerned,
a. the Finnish Business ID of a manufacturer d. the person responsible for the manufacture
operating in Finland, or the corresponding and his/her substitute,
information from similar registers that a com- e. the procedure tests of the various manufac-
pany operating outside of Finland is regis- turing procedures performed and their su-
tered in, pervision, and the licensee’s opinion on their
b. the location of manufacture and the premises acceptability and suitability for the manufac-
and equipment used in manufacturing, ture in question, and
c. the management and quality management f. the qualification of the persons that make
system, its certifications and other independ- permanent joints.
ent assessments, and the results of the assess-
ments, 423.The manufacturer approvals for special pro-
d. the training of the personnel, cesses are licensee-specific, and they are valid for
e. the organisation and resources, 5 years at a time at most. An application for an
f. the manufacturer’s earlier experience of nu- extension of the period of validity of the approval
clear facilities, shall be submitted by the licensee no later than
g. the equipment group, the manufacture of three months before the period of validity of the
which is concerned, approval expires.
h. any external services, labour or equipment
used by the manufacturer, 424.For a justified reason, a manufacturer ap-
i. the quality management of the manufactur- proval application may be submitted for a single
ing processes, equipment delivery in conjunction with the con-
j. the technical expertise concerning the manu- struction plan. In such a case, the construction
facture of pressure equipment, plan shall be submitted to STUK for approval,
k. the information on the person responsible for and the approval of the manufacturer shall be of
the manufacture under Subsection 4.2.3 and a one-time nature.
his/her substitute,
l. the procedure tests of the various manufac- 4.2.3 Requirements for the person
turing procedures performed and their su- responsible for the manufacture
pervision, and the licensee’s opinion on their 425. Nuclear pressure vessels, piping components
acceptability and suitability for the manufac- and piping shall be manufactured under the
ture in question, supervision of a person responsible for the manu-

14
GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013 S T U K

facture who is proven to be competent for the 433.The person responsible for the manufacture
task. STUK shall verify the competence of the shall not work as an inspector or a tester of items
person in question in conjunction with the manu- for the manufacture of which he/she has been
facturer approval. responsible.

426.If the manufacturer has several persons re- 434.The person responsible for the manufacture
sponsible for the manufacture, the area or object shall participate in contract and design reviews,
of responsibility of each person shall be clearly or the manufacturer’s quality management sys-
defined. tem shall otherwise verify the correctness of the
matters related to manufacture and processed in
427. Substitute(s)
shall be named for the person(s) the reviews.
responsible for the manufacture. The same re-
quirements shall apply to both the primary per- 4.2.4 The duties of the person
son responsible for the manufacture and his/her responsible for the manufacture
substitute. 435. The person responsible for the manufacture
shall ensure that:
428.The person responsible for the manufacture a. the conditions stated in the decision of ap-
shall have basic technical training, further train- proval issued by STUK are complied with and
ing in the manufacturing technology in question, that the obligations imposed on the manufac-
and at least two years of practical work experi- turer in the YVL Guides are fulfilled,
ence in the design, manufacture or inspection of b. the vessel, piping component or piping is
pressure equipment. manufactured in accordance with the accept-
ed construction plan in a technically appro-
429. The manufacturing technology training of priate manner and in accordance with the
persons responsible for welding and related heat regulations issued,
treatment shall be the training described in c. the persons making permanents joints have
Appendix A to standard SFS-EN ISO 3834-5 [16], proper, valid certificates of qualification,
or training that has similar contents and is docu- d. the manufacturing procedures have been ap-
mented and verified by examination. propriately qualified and proper instructions
have been drawn up,
430.The person responsible for the manufacture e. the equipment used in manufacture is main-
shall be familiar with the Finnish nuclear energy tained and its operability is checked at regu-
legislation related to the pressure equipment lar intervals,
manufactured, and with the YVL Guides . If the f. the measuring devices have been calibrated,
manufacture takes place at the plant site, the g. the instructions given on the marking of ma-
person responsible for the manufacture shall terials are followed,
have knowledge of nuclear facilities. h. if heat treatment or hot working is included
in the manufacturing process, the accuracy of
431.The person responsible for the manufacture the temperature-monitoring equipment is suf-
of pressure vessels, piping components and pip- ficient and the control and measuring devices
ing in safety class 1 and 2 shall have knowledge have been regularly checked.
of the requirements set for the manufacture by
the safety culture of a nuclear facility. 436.Upon completion of the control of manufac-
turing of a pressure vessel, piping components
432.The person responsible for the manufacture or piping, the person responsible for the control
shall be employed by the manufacturer, and his/ of manufacturing shall draw up a declaration for
her place of work shall primarily be at the loca- each item of pressure equipment verifying that
tion of manufacture. the manufacture has taken place in accordance
with the requirements set forth in the approved
construction plan and the YVL Guides.

15
S TU K GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013

437.The declaration shall present STUK's deci- 4.2.6 Obligations of the licensee
sions pertaining to the construction plan of the 444. The licensee shall follow up on the realisation
equipment to be delivered, the meeting of the of the independent periodic inspections of the
requirements set forth in the decisions, and the manufacturer’s quality management system in
compliance to the YVL Guides concerning pres- order to ensure that the manufacturer maintains
sure equipment. and adheres to its quality management system.

438.A list of non-conformance reports related to 445. These periodic inspections shall be conducted
the manufacture of the equipment shall be ap- at such time intervals that a complete re-evalua-
pended to the declaration. In essential parts, the tion is carried out every three years.
non-conformances shall be closed. The processing
status of open reports shall be presented. 446.The licensee shall submit a summary of the
annual audits to STUK for information every
439. The declaration concerning a pressure vessel calendar year. If this procedure is not followed,
shall be given before the pressure test of the shell STUK may withdraw its approval by issuing a
side. The declaration concerning piping compo- decision.
nents shall be given before the final construction
inspection of factory manufacture, or before the 447. Thesummary shall include the results of the
pressure test, if a pressure test is performed on licensee’s own inspection visits and a statement
the components at the factory. on the fulfilment of the requirements and condi-
tions established in the decision of approval, and
440. Forpiping manufactured and installed at the of those set by the licensee itself. Requirements
plant site, the declaration shall be given before concerning the licensee’s obligations in the man-
the pressure test. agement of the supply chain are presented in
Guides YVL A.3 and YVL A.5.
4.2.5 Obligations of a manufacturer
approved for special processes 4.3 Manufacture of materials and
441. The manufacturer of nuclear pressure ves- standardised components
sels, piping components or piping shall comply 448.The manufacturers of materials and stand-
with the Nuclear Energy Act and the Nuclear ardised components of nuclear pressure equip-
Energy Decree, the Government Decree on the ment shall adhere to the general requirements
Safety of Nuclear Power Plants, and the YVL presented in Subsection 4.1 of this Guide.
Guides, and decisions issued by STUK as well as
any standards that have been or are stipulated to 449. Approval according to Subsection 4.2 shall be
be followed. applied for the manufacturers of materials and
standardised components when manufacturing
442.The manufacturer shall ensure that suffi- the following items:
cient prerequisites exist for compliant operations a. welded ends of pressure vessels in safety
and that manufacturing is carried out in ac- classes 1 and 2,
cordance with the applicable regulatory require- b. welded heat delivery tubes of heat exchangers
ments and decisions, as well as manufacturing in safety classes 1 and 2,
documents. c. other welded pipes in safety class 2, with the
exception of piping materials that are part
443.The manufacturer shall submit to the licen- of a low-energy pipeline where the technical
see an annual report on the performance and requirements of safety class 3 may be applied.
results of the independent periodic audits of the
quality management system. Guide YVL E.12 sets forth the requirements for
the approval of testing organisations in the con-
text of material manufacture.

16
GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013 S T U K

450. Manufacturers of other materials or stand- testing be extended from the provisions of the
ardised components of nuclear pressure vessels standard.
and piping (elbows, reducers, pipe tees) do not
require approval from STUK. However, any man- 504. The definition of the composition and impact
ufacturer of these components shall, in safety toughness properties of materials subjected to
classes 1 and 2, meet the following conditions, in significant neutron radiation during the opera-
addition to the general requirements laid down tion of a nuclear power plant shall take into con-
in Subsection 4.1: sideration the changes in the material properties
a. The manufacturer shall have approval for the due to neutron radiation.
manufacture of the material according to the
standard applied. 505.Non-metallic materials shall not be allowed
b. The manufacturer shall employ profession- in pressure vessels of safety classes 1 and 2.
al, experienced personnel, and appropriately Separate justification shall be provided for them
qualified procedures, tools and equipment re- in safety class 3.
quired for the activities.
506.Piping components made of austenitic cast
steel shall not be used for locations that undergo
5 Construction materials in-service inspections under Guide YVL E.5, un-

and welding consumables less their inspectability can be reliably demon-

strated.
5.1 General requirements
501. Theconstruction materials and welded joints 507.As a rule, plastic piping shall not be allowed
of nuclear pressure vessels and piping shall meet in safety classes 1 and 2. However, plastic piping
the requirements for chemical and mechanical may be approved for seawater pipelines in safety
characteristics set forth in the material data. class 2 if separate justification for its use is pro-
vided.
502. The selection of construction materials and
welding consumables shall be based on the fol- 508. No segmented bends, welded pipes or pipe
lowing criteria: bends shall be allowed in piping in safety class 1.
a. the safety class of the equipment or structure, Their use in safety class 2 may be approved with
b. the significance of the part in the assembly special justification. If pipes with longitudinal
c. the loading conditions, or spiral welds are used, the welds shall be sub-
d. the effect of operating temperature on jected to 100% volumetric testing.
strength,
e. operating conditions and environmental con- 5.2 Materials to be approved
ditions, such as local corrosion phenomena, 509. Primarily, thematerials used shall be materi-
general corrosion, and the transfer of radio- als generally approved for use in pressure equip-
activity, ment. These include
f. requirements and limitations caused by man- a. the materials compliant with the harmo-
ufacture and testing. nised standards referred to in Section 4.2 of
Appendix 1 to the Decision of the Ministry of
Guide YVL C.1 discusses the requirements im- Trade and Industry (938/1999) [8],
posed on material selection by radiation safety. b. the materials approved under the European
Approval for Materials (EAM) referred to in
503. The material testing methods and testing Section 4.2 of Appendix 1 to the Decision of
scope shall be defined by the safety class, mate- the Ministry of Trade and Industry (938/1999)
rial type and manufacturing method, operating [8],
conditions and dimensions. The scope of ap- c. pressure equipment materials nationally
plication of a construction material or welding standardised in the country of manufacture
consumables may require that the scope of the of the pressure equipment; however, for such

17
S TU K GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013

materials it shall be demonstrated that they 5.3 Approval of materials in

meet the requirements laid down for similar various safety classes
materials in the SFS-EN standards. 512. In safety class 1, the plant supplier shall
prepare equipment-specific specifications of the
510. For special reasons, materials other than materials used; in other safety classes, the speci-
those listed in the pressure equipment standards fications shall be plant or equipment-specific.
may be approved to be used in the manufacture
of nuclear pressure equipment; these may in- 513.The specifications shall be submitted to
clude, for example, materials compliant with the STUK for approval prior to the submission of the
material manufacturer’s factory standard. For construction plans.
these, at least the following information shall be
presented: 514. For the approval of materials used in pres-
a. the method of manufacture of the material sure vessels and piping in safety class 1, an
(melting process, method of deoxidation, vac- analysis shall be drawn up that justifies the
uum treatments), selection of the material and demonstrates that
b. chemical composition of the material and the a statistically significant sample of research
highest allowable concentration of impurities, data and operating experience documentation
c. delivery state of the material (condition of has been taken into consideration in the selection
forming, welding, heat treatment and surface of the material. The evaluation shall take into ac-
treatment), count the variations taking place in production,
d. mechanical properties required of the materi- and the allowed areas of use of the material. The
al, with the approval limits (for example, yield key characteristics in terms of material selection
and tensile strength, elongation to fracture, include the following:
impact and fracture toughness, fatigue resist- a. chemical composition of the material and the
ance, hot tensile strength, creep strength), highest allowable concentration of impurities,
e. other guaranteed material properties, such as microstructure and grain size,
physical properties, strain ageing resistance b. maximum number of elements that may acti-
and special requirements concerning the in- vate contained in materials used in the core
ternal integrity of the material, area of the primary circuit or contained in
f. treatments allowed for the material that may materials introduced to the core area as cor-
alter the delivery state (forming, welding, rosion products,
heat treatment, surface treatment), and pro- c. mechanical properties at room temperature
cedures and limitations concerning the treat- and applicable elevated temperatures,
ments, d. toughness properties (impact toughness, frac-
g. restrictions on the use of the material, ture toughness, crack arrest toughness, tear-
h. other information concerning the material. ing resistance),
e. perpendicular strength and toughness proper-
When necessary, the information shall be supple- ties, if necessary,
mented with appropriate material and manufac- f. fatigue resistance under operating conditions,
turing technology tests. g. creep strength, if necessary,
h. ageing resistance (strain ageing and thermal
511. Indemonstrating the acceptability of nation- ageing),
ally standardised pressure equipment materials i. hardenability,
and materials standardised under factory stand- j. weldability and inspectability,
ards, the manufacturer of the pressure equip- k. effect of radiation on mechanical properties
ment may utilise a Particular Material Appraisal and on impact resistance (materials subjected
(PMA) referred to in Section 4.2 of Appendix to direct neutron radiation),
1 to the Decision of the Ministry of Trade and l. corrosion resistance,
Industry (938/1999) [8], if such an appraisal has m. effect of forming, welding and heat treatment
been drawn up for the materials in question. on material properties.

18
GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013 S T U K

515.The same clarifications as for safety class sure equipment to withstand any reasonably
1 are required in safety class 2, if the assumed foreseeable operating or testing condition.
application of the material imposes additional
requirements when compared to the standard. 521.The welding consumables shall be compat-
ible with the planned methods of manufacture,
516. In
safety classes 2 and 3, the suitability of the and no significant detrimental effects shall occur
material for its specified application will be as- when combining different materials.
sessed during the processing of the construction
plan. The suitability shall be justified if neces- 522.The welded joints shall have good integrity,
sary. toughness and resistance, and their brittle fail-
ure shall be preventable.
5.4 Approval of welding consumables
517. The welding consumables used for the weld- 523. The design shall take into consideration any
ing of nuclear pressure vessels and piping shall substantial changes to the weld metal’s chemi-
be classified according to the applicable clas- cal, mechanical or physical properties during the
sification standards. The acceptable standards service cycle that are essential in terms of opera-
include: the SFS-EN standards and ASME Boiler tional safety.
and Pressure Vessel Code Section II C [17]. Other
classification standards may also be used for jus- 524. The hot tensile strength and impact tough-
tified reasons. ness of the deposited weld metal shall meet the
general design requirements applied to mechani-
518. Theplant supplier shall draw up a plant and/ cal components at nuclear facilities.
or equipment-specific specification of the welding
consumables to be used as well as the testing and 525. When testing the weld metal in a heat treat-
inspection thereof and submit it to STUK for ap- ed condition, the heat treatment shall correspond
proval before the submission of the construction to the total heat treatment time required of the
plans. The requirements for welding consuma- manufacture of pressure equipment.
bles shall also apply to brazing materials, where
applicable. 526.The maximum allowed amounts of elements
that may activate in the weld metal shall be de-
519. The following information shall be provided fined for the welding of equipment belonging to
by the purpose of use: the primary circuit or systems connected thereto.
a. welding process,
b. classification and brand name, 527.In the welding of nuclear pressure equip-
c. analysis of the deposited weld metal, ment, the properties of the deposited weld metal
d. tensile strength of the deposited weld metal and the weldability of the filler material shall
in a welded and/or heat treated condition, be determined before the filler material is taken
e. hot tensile strength of the deposited weld into use.
metal in a welded and/or heat treated condi-
tion, 528.Welding tests shall be used to demonstrate
f. impact toughness of the deposited weld metal the properties of the welding filler material
in a welded and/or heat treated condition, by each manufacturing batch or manufacturing
g. holding time, temperature and temperature method in accordance with Subsection 5.5.
increase and decrease rates of the heat treat-
ment of the deposited weld metal, 529.The instructions provided in the applicable
h. ferrite content of the deposited weld metal, welding filler material standards, such as the
i. other properties of the deposited weld metal. ASME Code Section II C [17] or the RCC-M
Section IV [18], shall be followed when defining
Welding consumables shall be selected in a
520. the manufacturing batch and test batch.
manner that allows for the welded joints of pres-

19
S TU K GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013

5.5 Material certificates manner where flow rates, flow-induced vibra-

530. The information required in material cer- tions, phase changes of the flowing medium, and
tificates is defined in the standards concerning temperature variations do not cause erosion, cor-
material certificates, materials and welding con- rosion, flow accelerated corrosion, metal fatigue
sumables. If necessary, the licensee shall supple- or other damage.
ment the requirements in other documents.
606. If necessary in the case of significant flow
531. The material certificate or other document rates or temperature differences, the internal
shall include a confirmation from the manufac- structures of the pressure vessel, and the pres-
turer of the material or welding consumable that sure shell of the vessel or piping, shall be pro-
the delivered products are compliant with the tected against loads caused by the flow by means
requirements of the order and the product speci- of impact protection or thermal shields.
fication to which reference is made.
607.The process nozzles, instrumentation noz-
532. The material certificate of a material or a zles and internal structures shall be located and
welding filler material shall clearly indicate the designed in a manner that prevents significant
certificate type under standard SFS-EN 10204 changes in temperature, pressure losses or other
[19] or a corresponding standard. phenomena from interfering with the desired
functionality or the process.
The material certificate requirements for the ma-
terials and welding consumables of nuclear pres- 608. Structural design and material selection
sure vessels and piping are presented in Annex B shall be used to limit the number of work phases
to this Guide. performed under radiation and the duration of
radiation exposure as much as possible. Guide
YVL C.1 sets forth radiation safety requirements
6 Design for plant and equipment design.
6.1 General requirements
601.Pressure vessels, piping, piping accessories 609. Structuraldesign and the location and geom-
and components shall form a safely operating etry of welds shall ensure that sufficient space
assembly. has been reserved for manufacture inspections,
in-service inspections, condition monitoring, ser-
602. All structural configuration shall be justi- vice and repairs, and that they are technically
fied by using standards, analyses, experimental feasible.
methods, type tests and/or operating experience.
610. Welding design shall evaluate the need for
603.The design shall be based on the require- a safe end structure and design its implemen-
ments and standards referred to in the safety tation. A safe end structure is a fitting made of
analysis report, safety analyses and system de- stainless steel, for example, that is welded on
scriptions. the end of a nozzle in a low-alloy pressure ves-
sel (such as the reactor pressure vessel). This
604. The pressure vessel and piping shall meet so-called dissimilar weld joint is welded during
the requirements set for systems design pre- manufacture and heat treated together with the
sented in the YVL B series Guides. The design pressure vessel. The welding and heat treatment
shall cover all conditions (design loads, normal of a demanding dissimilar weld joint during fac-
operational conditions, transients and accidents), tory manufacture reduces the demands on the
under which requirements are set for the oper- site welding of the pressure vessel and connected
ability of the equipment. stainless steel piping (such as the main coolant
piping), therefore promoting the safety of the
605.Pressure vessels and their internal struc- structure.
tures as well as piping shall be designed in a

20
GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013 S T U K

611. Thenumber of welded joints on the pressure 617.In case the standards do not provide dimen-
vessel and piping shall be kept as low as is rea- sioning instructions due to unusual loading or
sonably achievable. structural configuration, strength analyses are
required.
612.Strength analysis shall be performed on the
basis of the applicable standards using methods 618. Supports, brackets, fixed points and penetra-
of design by formula and/or design by analysis. tions shall primarily be designed by applying the
In addition to strength calculation rules, design same set of standards as is used for the equip-
by formula, in other words dimensioning, also ment that they support.
includes other conditions and limitations, such as
regulations concerning geometry and the num- 619.Supports (primary and secondary supports)
ber of pressure loads. In the design by analysis, shall be designed to withstand all loads they are
stress analysis shall demonstrate the fulfilment subjected to under service and during accidents,
of the acceptance limits set by the applicable according to the design basis.
standard. The acceptance limits are compared
with calculated and classified stresses. If neces- 620. Supports of the pressure vessel or piping may
sary, a stress analysis shall be conducted to es- be connected to concrete structures by means of
tablish the stresses and fatigue of the structure anchor plates installed in the cast concrete or an-
caused by thermal transients and discontinuities. chor bolts drilled in at a later time, as presented
in Guide YVL E.6.
613. Upon request, STUK may approve the use
of other standards than those listed in Sections 621.However, anchor bolt attachment shall not
6.3 and 6.4. One condition for approval in safety be used without a justified reason in fastenings
class 1 is that the piping design and strength that are subjected to dynamic stress or are part
analysis standard in question has been applied of equipment in safety classes 1 and 2, with the
previously in the construction of nuclear facility exception of small-diameter piping.
of the same type.
622.The use of any other type of fasteners or
614. When using an EN standard, accidents shall supports shall be justified, and their installation
be classified as exceptional operating conditions procedures and inspection procedures shall be
unless otherwise agreed with STUK. presented.

615. Guide YVL E.4 sets the detailed require- 6.2 Hydrodynamic design
ments for the preparing and reporting of loading 623.Hydrodynamic design shall be based on the
analysis, stress analyses, fatigue analyses, brit- process engineering requirements or other de-
tle fracture analyses, leak before break (LBB) sign requirements defined for the equipment or
analyses and calculations performed using the structure in question, so that the dimensioning,
finite element method on pressure equipment geometry and capacity of the components make
and their parts, which are constructed in accord- the hydraulic operation of the system possible.
ance with the highest safety and quality require-
ments. 624.Design solutions shall aim to avoid areas of
flow discontinuities or exceptionally high flow
616. In safety classes 2 and 3, no separate strength rates.
calculations are required for the dimensioning of
pressure rated parts (for example, fittings, flang- 625. Hydrodynamic design shall take into ac-
es and couplings) that have been dimensioned count the flow loads, vibration excitations, pres-
under harmonised European standards. In choos- sure shocks, cavitation, erosion, flow mixing and
ing standardised components, it shall be ensured stratification.
that the effects of temperature and external load-
ings have been taken into account.

21
S TU K GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013

626. The detailed requirements set for the hydro- 634. Afatigue analysis shall be conducted on pres-
dynamic analysis of transients and accidents, as sure vessels in safety classes 2 and 3, unless the
well as those concerning the analysis of resulting possibility of fatigue is excluded by conservative
loading conditions, are presented in Guide YVL estimations in accordance with the applicable
E.4. standard.

635. Thedesign of the steel containment shall fol-

6.3 Pressure vessels low standard ASME Code, Section III [15], NE,
6.3.1 General requirements Class MC Components. Alternatively, standard
627. Pressure vessels shall be equipped with in- SFS-EN 13445-3 [20] may be used. A strength
spection openings and manholes that enable analysis report according to Guide YVL E.4 shall
their condition monitoring and maintenance. be prepared for the steel containment.

628. The pressure vessel shall have the necessary 636.When using the design by analysis method
nozzles (venting nozzle, gauge nozzle and drain- in the design of safety class 2 and 3 pressure
ing nozzle) that are required for a periodic pres- vessels and the steel containment, the wall thick-
sure test. ness of the shell shall satisfy the minimum wall
thickness requirements determined by design
629.In the reactor pressure vessel, locating of formula.
welds in areas of high neutron radiation shall be
avoided. 6.3.3 Internal structures of the pressure vessel
637. The internal structures of the pressure ves-
630.In order to limit embrittlement caused by sels that are important for safety shall be dimen-
neutron radiation, the reactor pressure vessel sioned or analysed. When evaluating the safety
shall be designed so that sufficient distance be- significance of the internal structures, the conse-
tween the wall of the vessel and nuclear fuel is quences of loose parts resulting from damage to
ensured; alternatively, the effects of radiation the internal structures, among other things, shall
shall be limited by means of structural design. be considered.

631. Heatexchangers shall be designed in a man- 638. The design of the internal structures shall
ner that allows them to achieve their required take into account the following issues, among
heat transfer capacity under all design basis op- others:
erational conditions. a. cleanliness and manufacturing tolerances,
b. thermal movements,
6.3.2 Pressure retaining components and parts c. mechanical strength and corrosion resistance,
632. The dimensioning or stress analyses of nu- d. pre-stress and residual stresses,
clear pressure vessels shall conform to the rules e. hydraulic loads,
given in the following standards: f. flow-induced vibration,
a. SC1 ASME Code Section III [15], NB 3300, g. temperature changes related to start-up and
NB 3200, alternatively, other standard if ap- shutdown,
proved by STUK, h. neutron flux and hot reactor water affecting
b. SC2 SFS-EN 13445-3 [20], alternatively, other the internal structures of the reactor pressure
standard if approved by STUK, vessel.
c. SC3 SFS-EN 13445-3 [20], alternatively, other
standard if approved by STUK. 639. The internal structures of the pressure vessel
shall primarily be designed by applying the same
633.The dimensioning and geometry of nuclear set of standards as is used for the pressure vessel
pressure vessels and their support structures itself.
shall meet the requirements of the applied stand-
ards with the given design values.

22
GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013 S T U K

640.The design of the core support structure 645. The supporting forces and moments exerted
of a reactor pressure vessel shall be based on on pumps, valves and other connecting compo-
strength analysis. A strength analysis report nents shall be restricted so that they do not im-
shall be prepared. pair the leak tightness, integrity and operability
of the components.
641.In a pressurised water reactor, the internal
structures of the steam generators and the pres- 646. The design of supports (location and type)
suriser shall maintain their integrity and oper- shall create flexibility in the piping appropriate
ability under all design basis operational condi- for the operating conditions, so that the dynamic
tions. The design of the steam generator’s inter- loads, thermal expansion and heat transients do
nal structures shall be performed by applying not break the piping, equipment or equipment
the same set of standards for the primary and connections.
secondary side; the set of standards applied shall
be selected on the basis of the higher safety class. 647.Piping shall be located, routed and provided
with accessories in a way that enables appropri-
642.The internal structures of small pressure ate operation, maintenance and inspection.
vessels shall be dimensioned and analysed ac-
cording to the same safety class as the pressure 648.Structural design (primary and secondary
vessel itself. supports, venting, slopes, pressure equalisers,
thermal shields etc.) shall be used to prevent
harmful dynamic and fatigue-inducing loads
6.4 Piping such as vibrations, pressure shocks, the restric-
6.4.1 General requirements tion of thermal expansion, temperature fluctua-
643. The hydrodynamic dimensioning of piping tions in thermal mixing locations and thermal
shall take into account pressure losses created stratification of the fluid. If necessary, structural
in piping and its accessories, the characteristic design shall be used to limit structural stresses.
parameters of pumps connecting to the same
system as well as flows entering or exiting piping 649. The design shall also consider phase changes
ends and branches. Analyses of cavitation that of the flowing fluid and the accumulation of non-
stresses the piping shall consider pipe sections condensable gases in the piping.
on the suction side as well as pipe sections where
heavy pressure reductions occur. 650.Piping inclinations shall be designed so that
the slope requirements of the piping are met
644. Special attention shall be paid to dynamic under all operating conditions. Operating condi-
loadings on piping. Depending on the circum- tions include, for example, draining, purging and
stances, the following shall be taken into account: venting, as well as normal operation, where no
a. mechanical vibration loads caused by machin- water pockets shall be formed inside the steam
ery and equipment, pipe.
b. pressure shock loads caused by the opening
and closing of valves or by process adjust- 6.4.2 Pressure retaining components and parts
ments, 651. Dimensioning and analysis of nuclear piping
c. loads caused by a turbulent or uneven flow as shall conform to the rules given in the following
well as by the condensation or stratification of standards:
liquid or gas in the piping, a. SC1: ASME Code Section III [15], NB 3600,
d. loads caused by pipe contents discharging NB 3200, alternatively, other standard if ap-
after a pipe rupture and loads caused to the proved by STUK
piping by missiles. b. SC2: SFS-EN 13480-3 [21], alternatively, oth-
er standard if approved by STUK.
c. SC3: SFS-EN 13480-3 [21], alternatively, oth-
er standard if approved by STUK.

23
S TU K GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013

652. The piping shall be subjected to dimension- referred to in Subsection 6.4.1 shall be included
ing, a flexibility analysis or stress analyses ac- in the stress analysis.
cording to the applicable standard if the safety
class, diameter and temperature of the piping are STUK’s approval for standard supports may be
as follows: applied for by means of a separate list of sup-
a. SC1: DN ≥ 25, ports.
b. SC2: DN > 50 and T > 110 °C,
c. SC3: DN > 100 and T > 110 °C. 6.5 Selection of materials
660. Construction materials and welding con-
653. Inother cases, routing guideline or a simpli- sumables used for nuclear pressure vessels and
fied flexibility analysis (simplified pipe stress piping shall be approved. The requirements for
analysis) may be utilised, if the licensee has had construction materials and welding consumables
the procedure approved in its requirement speci- are presented in Chapter 5.
fications.
661. Thecontainment requirements of Guide YVL
654.The flexibility of piping shall be determined E.6 shall be applied in the requirements and
in order to define loads affecting the piping itself testing concerning the coating materials of com-
or the accessories and pipes connected to it. For ponents and steel structures inside the contain-
safety class 1 components, this may be done in ment.
accordance with ASME Code Section III [15] or a
corresponding standard approved by STUK.
7 Construction plan
655. In safety classes 2 and 3, the need for a flex- 7.1 Drawing up the construction plan
ibility analysis is determined on the basis of the 701. The licensee shall draw up a construction
nominal diameter, design temperature and pip- plan for the manufacture of nuclear pressure ves-
ing components. Small pipes (SC 2, DN ≤ 50, T sels, piping and piping components, presenting
≤ 110 °C and SC 3, DN ≤ 100) shall be designed the following:
so that they will not have a detrimental effect on a. the YVL Guides and standards applied, and
the thermal movement of the main piping. justification for any deviations,
b. safety classification and identification marking
656. Therouting guideline shall be based on a pip- of component,
ing standard, operating experience, or a combina- c. a summary by the design organisation of how
tion thereof. the design bases are met,
d. general design,
657. When using a routing guideline, the sufficient e. calculations,
flexibility of the piping shall also be ensured to f. type test results and operating experience
prevent the piping from being damaged by the data,
thermal movement of larger pipes or equipment. g. construction materials, welding consumables
and coatings used,
6.4.3 Piping supports h. construction drawings and manufacturing
658. The strength analysis of piping supports drawings,
and the provisions made against pipe breaks by i. information on the organisations related to
means of pipe whip restraints shall be made in manufacture,
accordance with the requirements of Guide YVL j. information on manufacture and its control
E.4. and inspections.

659. Loads specified in the flexibility analysis 702. The licensee shall approve the construction
and mechanical design loads shall be taken into plan of nuclear equipment in compliance with
account in the dimensioning calculations. In ad- Guide YVL A.1 and draw up a summary of jus-
dition, the dynamic loads and thermal transients tifications described in Subsection 7.2 of present

24
GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013 S T U K

Guide, before submitting the construction plan construction plan indicates that it requires sub-
to STUK or an authorised inspection body, as stantial additions or corrections, a detailed re-
defined in the division of inspection responsi- view is not performed. If so, STUK or an author-
bilities. Requirements for the submission of docu- ised inspection body will suspend the processing
ments are given in Annex B to Guide YVL A.1. of the document, notify the licensee of this and
demand that the party concerned provide ad-
703.The construction plan shall be sent for ap- ditional information by the set date. In case the
proval as a logical entity, and primarily as one shortcomings are not substantial, a normal re-
application prior to the commencement of manu- quest for clarification will be made.
facture. Subsection 8.3 provides certain equip-
ment-specific further details, however. 710. If the standards and other reference documen-
tation that are used to justify the approval are
704. If the construction plan is approved in several extensive, the licensee shall in the summary of
parts using justifications pursuant to Subsection justifications identify the section(s) on which the
8.3 of this Guide, the licensee shall, in connec- approval is based.
tion with each application for approval, provide a
description of the plans forming the construction 711.If all the details of the construction plan do
plan entity and their approval and/or completion not meet the requirements of the YVL Guides,
status. safety analysis report or STUK’s decisions, the
summary of justifications shall present how the
The construction plan shall present detailed
705. requirements of the YVL Guides have been de-
and clear references to source literature. viated from, and how the general safety level
required by the YVL Guides can still be achieved.
706. The licensee shall submit for information the In these cases, the construction plan shall be
necessary reference documentation to the organi- submitted to STUK for approval even when the
sation inspecting the construction plan, except division of inspection responsibilities indicates
for standards and other reference documentation that it falls under the sphere of operations of an
that is generally available. inspection organisation.

707. Aconstruction plan shall also be drawn up for 712.Any deviations from the facts given in the
the installation of a nuclear pressure vessel or preliminary or final safety analysis report shall
piping; it may be delivered separately or included be assessed and presented.
in the manufacture construction plan. Special re-
quirements for the installation construction plan 7.3 Design bases
are presented in Subsection 10.1. 713. The design basis shall include requirements
set by the operation, technical properties, operat-
7.2 The licensee’s summary of justifications ing environment and external conditions of the
708.The licensee shall demonstrate the conform- equipment or structure:
ity to requirements and acceptability of the a. safety class,
construction plans of pressure equipment and b. process and instrumentation diagrams,
piping significant to safety in accordance with c. operation of the equipment and connection to
Subsection 3.12 of, and Annex B to, Guide YVL the system,
A.1. The summary of justifications shall be ap- d. mechanical loads and load combinations,
pended to the construction plan. e. operation and design data,
f. pressure test data,
709. The summary of justifications shall be drawn g. forces and moments exerted by piping and
up in a manner that demonstrates the extent and actuators,
thoroughness of the licensee’s own approval pro- h. dynamic loadings (periodic operation, pres-
cessing. Grounds for approval shall be presented sure and temperature transients)
for each document. If the pre-inspection of the i. pipe breaks,

25
S TU K GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013

j. external dynamic loadings (seismic event, air- calculation methods are based, and also indicate
craft collision, pressure wave), the sections that have been used.
k. ambient conditions (temperature, humidity,
radiation etc.), 719. Theconstruction plan shall indicate how the
l. ageing mechanisms affecting service life, loads used in the dimensioning calculations and
m. fluid properties, strength analyses have been derived from the
n. requirements for integrity, leak tightness and design bases.
operability according to the intended usage,
o. inspectability, 720. Inaddition to the final results of calculations,
p. decontamination. a sufficient number of intermediate results shall
be presented in order to verify the correctness of
714. The design bases shall be presented so that it the calculations.
is possible to evaluate the selection of the equip-
ment or structure, the prerequisites for the sys- 721.The acceptance criteria shall be clearly pre-
tem’s operation and its structural requirements, sented as a separate section.
as well as to review the calculations and condi-
tion monitoring requirements. 722.The construction plan shall demonstrate the
acceptability of the structural design so that all
7.4 Calculations the requirements of the design bases and the ap-
715.The calculations presented in the construc- plicable standard are met.
tion plan shall demonstrate that the operability
requirements of the equipment are met under 723. For heat exchangers, the heat transfer calcu-
design basis operational conditions. The equip- lations and their initial data shall be presented
ment-specific minimum requirements are pro- in the following extent:
vided in Chapter 6. a. calculation of heat transfer capacity,
b. calculation of heat transfer coefficients,
716.If STUK has, in accordance with Subsection c. fouling factor of heat transfer surfaces,
6.4.2, approved a pipe routing guideline or simpli- d. thermal conductivity of heat transfer surface
fied flexibility analysis for use, the construction material,
plan shall include a summary of the calculation e. inlet and outlet temperatures and flows of flu-
results. ids, and the calculation of transferred thermal
power under operating conditions.
717. Inother cases, the following information shall
be presented for any heat transfer calculation, 724. Hydrodynamic dimensioning calculations
hydrodynamic design, dimensioning calculations, performed on pressure vessels and piping as well
flexibility analysis, stress analyses, and strength as related accessories shall demonstrate that the
analyses included in the construction plan, also equipment and its accessories function as intend-
those assessing the load conditions of the struc- ed under normal operating conditions, transients
tures or components: and during accidents.
a. input data,
b. construction drawings, 725.The drawings required for reviewing the hy-
c. calculation methods, drodynamic design, dimensioning calculations
d. acceptance criteria, and strength analyses shall be enclosed with the
e. calculation results, documentation, or reference shall be made to any
f. results illustrated with plots and figures, documentation submitted earlier.
g. acceptability of results,
h. conclusions. 726. If necessary, hydrodynamic design shall be
used to demonstrate that the operational capac-
718.The construction plan shall present the ity and geometry of the pressure vessel or piping
standards and reference literature, on which the is structurally suitable for the purpose.

26
GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013 S T U K

727. Dimensioning calculations of structures be used, and the materials used for painting and
which retain pressure or other mechanical loads, coating the equipment.
shall demonstrate that the dimensioning and
geometry requirements of the applied standard 733.The licensee shall demonstrate how the re-
are met. quirements set for construction materials, weld-
ing consumables and the materials used in paint-
728.When a stress analysis or piping flexibility ing and coating are met.
analysis is performed on piping, the dimensioning
calculations or stress analysis results of the pip- 734.A plant or equipment-specific approval shall
ing supports shall be included in the construction be applied for construction materials and weld-
plan. If STUK has, under Subsection 6.4.3, ap- ing consumables when required by Chapter 5 of
proved a list of standard supports to be used, the this Guide.
construction plan shall include a summary of the
calculation results. 735.For structures subjected to substantial neu-
tron radiation, a detailed explanation shall be
729.A sketch or structural model shall be pre- submitted on how the radiation-induced altera-
sented of the equipment/structure dimensioned tion of the mechanical properties of the construc-
and analysed. tion materials and weld metal is monitored.

730. The results illustrated with plots and figures 736. Theextent of the monitoring shall be selected
shall be sufficiently comprehensive and include on the basis of how well the effects of neutron ra-
the following: diation on the characteristics of the construction
a. diagrams of displacement, vibrations and material, weld metal or heat affected zone of the
stress, and temperature distributions, structure in question are known.
b. transient analysis results for time-dependent
temperatures and loads, 7.6 Drawings
c. structural response of time-dependent tem- 737.The drawings included in the construction
peratures and loads, such as displacement, plan shall describe the assembly and details of the
forces, moments, strains and stresses. equipment or structure in a way that the size, ge-
ometry, manufacture and installation of parts and
731.If necessary, the construction plan shall in- their allowable tolerances are given in adequate
clude an description of the implementation and detail. The drawings shall be unambiguous and
results of model tests or full scale tests per- explicit.
formed to demonstrate the acceptability of the
structural design. The organisation reviewing 738. The construction drawings shall present the
the construction plan may in their decision re- information that is required to review the struc-
quire the performance of type tests if there are tural designs. These include
special grounds justifying them. a. main dimensions,
b. safety classes and their boundaries,
As part of the justifications for structural design, c. PI diagram,
the construction plan may present operating ex- d. parts lists,
perience from similar equipment and structures e. dimensions of parts,
under similar operating conditions. f. locations, sizes and groove types of welds.

7.5 Construction materials and 739. The manufacturing drawings and their parts
welding consumables lists shall present the following:
732. Inthe construction plan of the pressure vessel a. main dimensions,
and piping, the licensee shall present the con- b. safety classes and their boundaries,
struction materials and welding consumables to c. assembly and subassembly information of the
equipment, with references to drawings,

27
S TU K GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013

d. dimensions, tolerances, surface roughness 746. When a testing organisation is approved

requirements and material information re- by STUK, the construction plan shall make a
quired for the manufacture of non-standard- reference to STUK’s decisions concerning the ap-
ised components, separately for each part, proval of the testing organisation, with its period
e. locations, sizes and groove types of welds of validity.
and weld-specific references to welding pro-
cedures, 747. If
the testing organisation has been approved
f. nominal sizes and pressure rating classes of based on accreditation, and without a separate
standardised components, application, the construction plan shall refer
g. reference to the equipment-specific inspection to the certificate of accreditation submitted to
plan and/or inspection and testing standards STUK for information and its covering letter.
and procedures.
748. The construction plan shall present informa-
740.The manufacturing drawings shall be based tion on the third party that supervises the manu-
on the dimensioning calculations and/or strength facture, testing and qualification. The require-
analysis of mechanical components. ments concerning the third party are presented
in Chapter 8 of this Guide.
741. Furthermore, isometric drawings shall be
provided for DN > 50 piping to give sufficient 7.8 Description on the manufacture
information for piping prefabrication as well as 749. The construction plan shall include, for ex-
the location and type of supports for the purpose ample, the following information or necessary
of flexibility analyses. documents:
a. the manufacturing methods used,
742. Isometric drawings shall be created for small- b. a technical description of the manufacture,
diameter piping (DN ≤ 50), and they shall be c. qualified manufacturing procedures, and for
submitted together with the construction plan information the corresponding procedure test
before the start of prefabrication, or presented results,
to STUK’s inspector before manufacturing at the d. production tests to be performed,
plant site is started. e. performance of heat treatments and cumula-
tive accumulated values,
7.7 Manufacturers, subcontractors, f. cleanliness requirements adhered to in the
testing organisations, and third parties work.
743. In connection with the construction plan,
references to STUK’s decisions concerning the 750.As regards the submission of manufacturing
approval of material and equipment manufactur- procedures and procedure tests, it is also possible
ers as well as subcontractors utilising special to submit a specification for procedure tests for
processes shall be presented, with their periods approval as part of the construction plan. In this
of validity. case, the record of the procedure test may be ap-
proved by means of a protocol prepared during
744.For a justified reason, one-time approval for a control visit to manufacturing. A summary of
a manufacturer utilising special processes may the procedure test results shall be submitted for
be applied for in connection with the construc- information for the purposes of the approval pro-
tion plan submitted to STUK. In this case, the ceedings of the manufacturing procedures.
construction plan shall present the particulars
required in Chapter 4 of this Guide. 751.The technical specifications, inspections and
control of manufacturing shall also be presented
745. If
manufacturer approval under Chapter 4 of on the manufacturing of materials, when re-
this Guide is not required, the construction plan quired. This requirement especially applies to
shall present how the general requirements of the manufacturing of large forgings of the main
Chapter 4 are met.

28
GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013 S T U K

components, such as the reactor pressure vessel, 755. If the licensee uses independent external
steam generators, main coolant piping. companies for its manufacture control, a de-
scription of the expertise of the company and
the persons performing the supervision shall be
7.9 Inspection, testing, and presented in the construction plan for the equip-
control of manufacturing ment or structure.
7.9.1 Inspection plan
752. The plan for the inspections, testing and con- 756. Destructive
and non-destructive testing shall
trol of manufacturing of pressure vessels, piping be phased to be performed after the final heat
and piping components, prepared for each safety treatment, unless otherwise approved on the ba-
class and included in the documents described in sis of manufacturing procedure tests, applicable
Chapter 3, shall be completed in the construction standards or approved working procedures.
plan into an inspection plan suitable for a single
item of equipment or an assembly. 757.If the manufacture includes production tests
defined in Chapter 8, a separate plan shall be
753. The inspection plan shall specify: presented for inspecting them, the contents of
a. the procedures, phases and parties involved in which are determined by the principles of inspec-
the control of manufacturing, tion plans for manufacturing.
b. the manufacturing and inspection sequences
of safety class 1 and 2 piping components, pip- 758.The inspectability of equipment shall be de-
ing and pressure vessels requiring independ- signed in advance in a manner where inspection
ent third party supervision, is not made impossible or rendered more difficult
c. the inspections and testing of equipment and as manufacturing progresses. If necessary, the in-
their materials, components and permanent spections shall be divided across several phases
joints, including the following information: of manufacture.
i. performer and supervisor of inspections
and testing, 759. If the properties of structures or welded
ii. reporting requirements for inspections and joints are altered during manufacture to an
testing, extent where the information presented in the
iii. references to specifications, inspection and material specification no longer applies, the nec-
testing procedures, and standards, essary additional tests shall be added to the test-
iv. methods by means of which the fulfilment ing plan.
of the requirements set for coating materi-
als and surface finishing systems and work 7.9.2 Inspection and testing procedures
is verified. 760. The procedures for the inspections and test-
d. component or weld-specific identification data ing performed on the materials, structures and
and references to drawings, operation of the equipment or structure shall be
e. standards-compliant markings on construc- enclosed with the construction plan. Applicable
tion materials and welding consumables as standards may also be used as procedures.
well as the necessary reference to material
specifications, 761. For the purpose of inspecting and testing,
f. joint or joint type-specific references to the the inspection and testing procedures shall in-
manufacturing procedures of permanent clude the necessary procedures, extent of inspec-
joints, tion and testing, reporting requirements, test-
g. references to heat treatment and cold or hot ers’ qualification requirements, and acceptance
working procedures. criteria. As to details, a reference to applicable
standards may be made.
754.The plan shall present the hold points and
witness points of STUK or an inspection organisa- The procedures shall cover the destructive
762.
tion, a third party, the licensee and other parties. and non-destructive testing of materials, with

29
S TU K GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013

the applicable requirements for material cer- not only on the premises of the manufacturer but
tificate and supervision of testing. Testing and also on the premises of the subcontractors.
inspections performed during manufacture and
on completed products shall be covered as well. 805.The licensee shall ensure that the manufac-
turer of a nuclear pressure vessel, piping compo-
763. The pressure used in pressure test as part of nent or piping has, in order to commence manu-
construction inspection shall be defined accord- facture, available an approved construction plan
ing to the standards used in the design. for manufacture, and a decision on it by STUK
or an authorised inspection body, as well as the
764.In cases where a hydrostatic or pneumatic other relevant technical data, requirements and
pressure test of individual welds (connection regulations. The decision shall, if necessary, be
welds) could be considered detrimental or im- translated into the language used in the project.
practical, the welds shall be tested using suitable
NDT methods to discover their internal defects 806.The licensee shall ensure that an approved
and surface defects. The NDT methods used and construction plan and the inspection plan con-
the extent of testing shall be presented in the tained in it are complied with during manufac-
construction plan. ture.

The licensee may use third party service

8 Manufacture
807.
providers in the control of manufacturing.
8.1 Requirements concerning the licensee Supervision by an independent external com-
801.Prior to the commencement of manufacture, pany shall be defined in the procurement docu-
the licensee shall ascertain that the manufac- ments.
turing organisation has the technical, organi-
sational and administrative skills to operate in 8.2 Third party
compliance with the regulations. 808. Within the scope of the inspection plan, a
third party shall:
802. Before launching operations, the licensee a. witness the sampling, stamp transfer and
shall ensure that the manufacturer of a nuclear destructive testing of materials and confirm
pressure vessel, piping component or piping as the results with a certificate of type 3.2 under
well as the manufacturer’s subcontractors, test- standard SFS-EN 10204 [19],
ing organisations, inspection organisations and b. witness and confirm non-destructive testing,
third parties have the approvals and qualifica- c. witness and confirm procedure and personnel
tions required in the YVL Guides, and that the qualifications.
inspections and control of manufacturing as re-
quired by STUK can be carried out. 809. A notified body or an authorised third party
pursuant to the Pressure Equipment Directive
803.In the procurement agreement, the licensee [5], within the scope of its area of qualification,
shall reserve for STUK the opportunity to pay may act as a third party in these tasks. An au-
inspection visits to ensure that the manufac- thorised inspection body approved under Guide
turer maintains and complies with its quality YVL E.1 may not act as both a third party and
management system and follows the other terms an inspection organisation performing public ad-
and conditions on which the approval is based. ministrative tasks for the same structure or
Inspection visits may be made both prior to com- equipment.
mencement of manufacture and during manufac-
ture. 810. In
connection with material testing or proce-
dure or personnel qualification, the same third
804. In its agreements, the licensee shall set a party organisation shall oversee and confirm
condition that allows the various parties to con- with a certificate the entire witnessing and test-
trol the manufacturing and make inspections, ing complex.

30
GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013 S T U K

811.Within the scope of the inspection plan, a 817. For certain equipment, the sections of the
third party shall oversee production, including construction plan shall be approved before com-
welding, cold or hot working and heat treatment. mencement of manufacture, as follows:
A report on the competence of such a third party a. to commence the manufacture of the material
shall be appended to the construction plan of the for the main equipment in the primary circuit,
equipment or structure supervised. the material shall have an approval according
to Chapter 5 of this Guide, and the sections of
812.A third party shall be independent of the the construction plan that relate to the selec-
other parties involved in the activities in ques- tion of material, manufacturing procedures
tion. A third party may not be the designer, and manufacture drawings, destructive and
manufacturer, supplier, inspector or owner of the non-destructive testing and inspection plans
equipment it supervises, or a representative or have been submitted and approved,
someone in the employ of such a party. b. to commence the welding of the main equip-
ment of the primary circuit in manufacture,
813. A third party may not participate in any the construction plan shall be approved in its
activity that compromises the independence or entirety, except for the final stress analyses,
neutrality of its inspection operations or deci- c. to commence prefabrication of the piping, the
sions. isometrics, pressure design, manufacturing
procedures and NDT plans shall be approved,
814.The organisational role of someone repre- d. to commence the prefabrication of piping sup-
senting a third party shall be such that any other ports, the support drawings, manufacturing
functions of the organisation cannot influence his procedures and NDT plans needed for the
or her decisions. construction inspection shall be approved.

8.3 Commencement of manufacture prior 818. One condition for the commencement of man-
to the approval of the construction plan ufacture before the construction plan is approved
815.An approved construction plan is a prereq- in its entirety is that the licensee ensures that
uisite for starting the manufacture of a nuclear the inspections and testing deemed necessary by
pressure vessel, piping component or piping. This the organisation approving the construction plan
requirement may be deviated from if equipment can be conducted.
must be replaced immediately in the interests of
safety. 819.If the manufacture commences before the
construction licence is granted, the requirements
816. The prefabrication of a pressure vessel or of Guide YVL A.5 shall be taken into account.
piping component may also commence before the
entire construction plan is completed when the
commencement of manufacture can be justified 8.4 Manufacturing requirements
by an exceptionally long manufacturing time. In 8.4.1 Procurement, testing and handling of materials
such cases, the licensee shall, prior to commence- 820. Materials, such as plates, pipes, bars, forg-
ment of manufacture, submit for approval the ings, castings and welding consumables, shall
parts of the construction plan that relate to the satisfy the requirements of related specifications
prefabrication, on the basis of which the fulfil- or the standard to be complied with, in accord-
ment of equipment’s design bases and the accept- ance with the approved construction plan.
ability of the prefabricated component’s dimen-
sioning, geometry, manufacturing and inspection 821. The manufacturer shall ensure that the fulfil-
can be evaluated. ment of all requirements is verified by means of
materials testing and their certificates in accord-
ance with the construction plan. Requirements
for the approval of testing organisations that test
materials are provided in Guide YVL E.12.

31
S TU K GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013

822. Samples shall be removed in accordance with 829.Markings made on materials shall be pre-
the construction plan, generally not until after sented in the material certificate in order to
the final heat treatment of the material. verify their traceability.

823.The person witnessing sampling shall mark 830.The manufacturer shall possess procedures,
the number of the sample and his/her identifying which specify the practises in receiving and han-
mark on the sample and in the material’s stamp dling materials and welding consumables. The
area before the sample is removed. procedures shall be based on the recommenda-
tions of material and welding consumable sup-
824. If the inspected batch has to be re-heat pliers.
treated or if the sample can no longer be removed
after the final heat treatment, tests may be car- 831.The handling, storage and transport of the
ried out on the samples removed from the prod- materials and welding consumables shall be ar-
uct prior to heat treatment. The samples shall in ranged in a way that does not impair their quality.
such a case be heat treated primarily in conjunc-
tion with the inspection batch. 832.Welding consumables shall be handled so
that they may be identified in every phase of
825.If it is necessary to heat treat samples sepa- handling.
rately from the inspection batch, the process
shall be the same as that for the heat treatment 833. Ifthe material markings are in danger of be-
of the inspection batch. ing lost due to cutting or some other form of han-
dling, the person authorised to transfer markings
826.Materials for which a delivery-specific ma- shall make new, permanent markings before
terial certificate is required in the construction cutting or handling them in another way, so that
plan shall be identifiable and traceable from the origin of the parts can be verified during the
their individual melting batches all the way to construction inspection.
the completed structure. Only materials and
welding consumables approved in inspections 834.The person transferring a marking shall en-
may be used. dorse them with his or her personal stamp.

827.In connection with the approval process of 835. Materials that prove unsuitable shall be
materials requiring delivery-specific traceability, clearly marked and immediately removed from
a permanent identifying mark of the manufac- the manufacturing area.
turer and the person witnessing the destructive
testing, as well as heat and production batch 836. The repair of minor material defects found in
numbers and the material grade shall be marked materials or those induced during the manufac-
on these materials on the premises of the manu- ture of equipment or structure shall be done in
facturer, unless the standard or specification compliance with the applicable material stand-
used requires more extensive markings. ard or other procedure approved for the delivery.

828.Markings may be replaced with a clear code 837.Repairs to materials made by welding shall
marking if all the mentioned details can be reli- be documented if they concern a pressure retain-
ably traced from it. The marking of pipe materi- ing part of a nuclear pressure vessel or piping,
als may be made with colour markings under the or if the applicable materials standard requires
standard in safety class 3 and small-diameter documentation.
piping in safety classes 1 and 2. The standardised
components of pressure equipment in safety class 8.4.2 Machinery and equipment used in manufacturing
3, such as flanges, screws and nuts, shall have 838. The manufacturer shall have a maintenance
markings that enable the identification of the plan in place for machinery and equipment. The
material used. machinery and equipment shall be regularly

32
GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013 S T U K

tested and calibrated to ensure that they are in cedures with works tests carried out prior to the
perfect working order. The results shall be re- commencement of manufacture.
corded.
845.Procedures for the qualification of personnel
8.4.3 Manufacturing procedures and qualification and prolongation of qualifications shall be based
839. Procedures with essential parameters shall on the requirements specified in Chapter 4 of
be drawn up for demanding work processes this YVL Guide, and the applicable standard for
such as welding, cold or hot working and heat the joining method in question.
treatment, which affect material strength and
properties. Other manufacturing methods shall 8.4.4 Manufacture
also have the necessary procedures to ensure the 846. Nuclear pressure vessels, piping component
quality of work. and piping shall be manufactured in accordance
with a construction plan approved by STUK or
840. The manufacturer-specific welding proce- an authorised inspection body.
dures, heat treatment procedures and hot and
cold working procedures for the manufacture and 847.The approved manufacture-related construc-
installation of nuclear pressure vessels and pip- tion plan, procedures and standards shall be
ing shall be qualified by procedure tests carried available at the place of manufacture.
out prior to manufacture.
848. The manufacturer shall supervise all de-
841.The procedure test shall demonstrate that manding work phases. When supervising weld-
the properties of materials approved as the de- ing, the requirements of the quality management
sign basis are retained during manufacture and standard that serves as the basis of the manufac-
that the manufacturer is qualified to use the turer’s approval shall apply.
manufacturing procedure.
849.Prior to commencement of manufacture, the
842.The procedure test shall be conducted un- manufacturer shall ensure that any independent
der the supervision of an authorised third-party third party fulfils the requirements of this YVL
supervisor. Procedure tests carried out for each Guide.
location of manufacture shall remain valid in-
definitely until the manufacturing based on them 850.Personnel engaged in the heat treatment of
takes place within the range of essential param- a component or structure shall have the proper
eters defined in the applicable standard. training and instructions for the task. In heat
treatment, the requirements of the quality man-
843.To supplement the welding procedure test agement standard that serves as the basis of the
and to verify the mechanical properties, the manufacturer’s approval shall apply.
manufacturer shall, if necessary, conduct pro-
duction weld tests using the actual parameters 851.A report on heat treatment shall be drawn
of the welding work. The requirement level for up showing at least the identification data relat-
the procedure tests and production tests shall be ing to the component or structure heat treated,
one which complies with the applicable design the heat treatment temperature, holding time,
standard or other requirement level approved by temperature increase and decrease rates, the
STUK. In demanding applications, STUK may number and location of thermocouples, and the
require production tests even when the standard procedure followed.
does not require them.
852.If the construction plan states that a nuclear
844. When an item is important to nuclear safety pressure vessel, piping component or piping shall
or when the procedure test does not reflect the be heat treated after welding, a repair welding
actual working conditions, a review shall be after heat treatment requires a repair plan ap-
made of the suitability of the manufacturing pro- proved by STUK or an authorised inspection body.

33
S TU K GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013

853. When manufacturing has been completed, 861.An approved inspection plan shall be fol-
the manufacturer shall inspect the surface con- lowed in inspections and testing.
dition and cleanliness of the item of equipment
or structure in accordance with the construction 862.Inspections and testing shall be conducted
plan as well as ensure that product quality is during the manufacturing phase designated for
preserved during storage and transport. them. Destructive and non-destructive testing
shall be performed after the final heat treatment
854.The various parties shall draw up a protocol process, unless otherwise approved in the con-
on the control of manufacturing or otherwise con- struction plan.
firm what manufacture, inspection and testing
phases have been included in the control process. 863.The manufacturer shall address any non-
conformities found in testing and inspections in
855. The manufacturer shall produce non-con- accordance with the prescribed equipment deliv-
formity reports to investigate the reasons for ery procedures.
defects and non-conformities discovered during
manufacture, assess their significance, put for- 8.5 Subcontracting
ward a repairs proposal and suggest the correc- 864.The manufacturer may assign part of the
tive actions. Non-conformities shall be classified manufacturing or inspections to a subcontractor.
and a register shall be kept of them. The use of subcontractors must be shown when
manufacturer approval is sought or in the sec-
856.The approval process of non-conformities tion of the construction plan that describes the
shall be in accordance with the procurement manufacturer.
agreement and the manufacturer’s quality man-
agement system. If a non-conformity remains in 865.It is the manufacturer’s responsibility to en-
a product, approval for this shall be justified in sure that the subcontractor possesses all the rel-
the non-conformity report. Requirements for the evant technical specifications and requirements.
management of non-conformities are also given
in Guides YVL A.3 and YVL A.5. 866.If necessary, the manufacturer shall provide
training for its subcontractors in order to famil-
8.4.5 Testing and inspection iarise them with the requirements related to
857. The manufacturer shall have at its disposal manufacturing.
competent and qualified personnel for conducting
inspections, testing and supervision in accord- 867.The manufacturer shall ensure that the pro-
ance with the construction plan. cedures used by subcontractors and subcontrac-
tor personnel are qualified in accordance with set
858.The manufacturer shall ensure that testing requirements.
organisations have been approved under Guide
YVL E.12. 8.6 Manufacturing records
868.The manufacturer shall compile into manu-
859.NDT testing personnel shall in principal facture documentation the testing, inspection,
have at least a level 2 qualification under stand- and supervision protocols that have been pre-
ard SFS-EN ISO 9712 [22]. More detailed re- pared during manufacturing according to an ap-
quirements for personnel qualifications are given proved construction plan.
in Guide YVL E.12.
869.To the manufacture documentation the fol-
860.Inspection, measuring and testing devices lowing records shall be appended: the material
shall be regularly checked and calibrated and the certificates for construction materials and weld-
results recorded. ing consumables, the qualification certificates of

34
GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013 S T U K

personnel, the non-conformity reports processed, 905.The licensee shall agree on the essential
and other records created during manufacture, construction inspection dates with the manufac-
the control of manufacturing and testing. turer, plant supplier or importer.

870.The manufacturer or importer shall compile 906. When agreeing on a date for the construction
instructions for installation, operation, condi- inspection, attention shall be given to the approv-
tion monitoring and maintenance and present al procedures related to the various manufactur-
them and the manufacture documentation to the ing phases and any necessary partial construc-
licensee. tion inspections in accordance with the construc-
tion plan. The manufacturer shall ensure that
construction inspections and partial construction
9 Construction inspection inspections are conducted during the work phase
9.1 Construction inspection prerequisites for which they were planned.
901.The licensee shall request STUK or an au-
thorised inspection body to conduct a construc- 907. Aprerequisite for the construction inspection
tion inspection of a nuclear pressure vessel, is that the construction plan for the item to be
piping component or piping no later than ap- inspected has been approved, either by STUK or
proximately two weeks before the planned date. an authorised inspection body, as is defined in de-
cisions concerning the inspection responsibilities.
The construction inspection shall ensure that
the nuclear pressure vessel, piping component or 908.At the beginning of the inspection, the li-
piping has been manufactured, installed, modi- censee shall present the approved construction
fied or repaired in accordance with the approved plan, related decisions by STUK or an authorised
construction plan and approved procedures, and inspection body, and any approved document
that the inspections and tests have been carried revisions.
out on them in accordance with the construction
plan. It shall also be established in the construc- 909.The licensee shall ensure that all plans and
tion inspection that the vessel, piping component related approvals and conditions concerning the
or piping has not been handled in a way that manufacture of a pressure vessel, piping compo-
would be detrimental to its durability and opera- nent or piping are known during the construction
tion during use. inspection.

902.The licensee shall set a condition in its 910. The licensee, the manufacturer and, in plant
procurement agreement that makes it possible projects, the plant supplier shall, upon request,
to conduct inspections in accordance with this submit to the inspector any other documents
Guide on the premises of the manufacturer and related to the construction plan or presented in
subcontractors. its references.

903.A final construction inspection shall usually 911.The licensee, the manufacturer and, in plant
be made on complete equipment on the premises projects, the plant supplier shall ensure before-
of the manufacturer before the equipment is de- hand, by conducting inspections themselves, that
livered. Justification shall be provided for any the requirements for starting a construction
departures from this procedure. inspection are met and that the pressure ves-
sel, piping or their subassembly are ready to
904.The licensee, plant and equipment supplier be inspected and approved in the construction
and manufacturer shall ensure that personnel inspection.
with the necessary expertise are available during
the construction inspection. 912. The licensee, the manufacturer and, in plant
projects, the plant supplier shall establish the
conformity to requirements of the equipment

35
S TU K GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013

before the construction inspection by STUK or an procedures approved in the construction plan
authorised inspection body. and in other regulations.

917. The licensee, manufacturer and, in plant pro-

9.2 Construction inspection of the jects, plant supplier shall evaluate and approve
pressure vessel and piping the manufacture documentation of the nuclear
9.2.1 Content of the construction inspection pressure vessel, piping component or piping be-
913. In the construction inspection of a nuclear fore it is presented to STUK or an authorised
pressure vessel, piping component or piping, the inspection body.
manufacturer and the licensee shall:
a. present the manufacture documentation and 918. Written remarks recorded in connection with
manufacture quality control results for ex- partial construction inspections shall be cleared
amination, prior to the final construction inspection.
b. present the equipment, with its identification
and location markings, for inspection, and 919.In accordance with Chapter 4.2.4 of this
perform a dimensional inspection or verifica- Guide, a written pressure equipment-specific
tion thereof, declaration of manufacture, provided by the per-
c. if necessary, organise pressure tests, leak son responsible for the manufacture shall ac-
tightness tests, functional tests and loading company the documentation of nuclear pressure
tests. vessels, piping components and piping.

914. Ifinspection becomes more difficult as manu- 920. Thedeclaration by the person responsible for
facturing proceeds, or after assembly, a sufficient the manufacture shall be presented at the partial
number of partial construction inspections shall inspection carried out prior to the pressure test,
be carried out during the various manufacturing and it shall be appended to the final documenta-
phases. These partial inspections of the documen- tion, updated as necessary. This declaration and
tation and structure that take place at manufac- the declaration of conformity provided by an
ture and assembly phases according to the con- equipment supplier or plant supplier for a com-
struction plan include: plete equipment shall not replace one another.
a. an internal and external inspection of pres-
sure equipment with more than one chamber, 921. The documentation shall demonstrate that
b. inspections of the documentation and equip- a. the manufacturer has been approved in ac-
ment prior to the pressure test and leak tight- cordance with this Guide,
ness test, b. the testing organisations conducting destruc-
c. pressure and leak tightness tests, tive and non-destructive testing on the equip-
d. an inspection of the equipment or structure to ment have been approved in accordance with
be coated before coating, Guide YVL E.12,
e. other partial inspections as described in the c. the testing organisations conducting destruc-
construction plan. tive and non-destructive testing on materials
have been approved in accordance with Guide
915.When partial inspections are conducted, the YVL E.12,
manufacturer shall present the inspector with d. the NDT testers have the required qualifica-
the documentation obtained so far during the tions,
various sequences of manufacture and testing, e. a third party meeting the requirements of this
with any non-conformities. Guide has acted as the organisation witness-
ing and verifying certificate type 3.2 sampling
9.2.2 Manufacture and quality control documentation and testing, and supervising the welding filler
916. The documentation inspected shall be sys- material tests and their testing as well as
tematically compiled and contain the test reports qualifications,
as required in the approved inspection plan and

36
GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013 S T U K

f. the manufacturing procedures have been 926. Forthe purposes of the inspection, the manu-
qualified under the supervision of an author- facturer shall ensure that there is safe access
ised third party, to the inspection distance of all the structural
g. the equipment has been manufactured, tested details of a pressure vessel, piping component or
and inspected in accordance with the con- piping. The manufacturer shall be responsible
struction plan and the conditions relating to for the accessibility and the inspection arrange-
manufacture, ments.
h. the materials and welding consumables used
have been selected and tested as required in 927.If necessary, the structure shall be raised or
the construction plan; the results have been rotated, thus allowing it to be inspected on all
validated by means of conforming material sides.
certificates; and the results of materials test-
ing fulfil the requirements of the material 928. In the inspection of structures, the manufac-
standard and the construction plan, turer shall demonstrate that
i. personnel engaged in making permanent a. pressure vessels and piping have been prop-
joints have a valid qualification meeting the erly marked and are traceable,
requirements set forth in this Guide, and b. the main dimensions essential for the vessel
the joints have been made following the pro- and piping and their strength conform to the
cedures given in the approved construction manufacturing drawings,
plan, c. the piping or piping component has been in-
j. the construction plan and instructions in the stalled in accordance with the drawings,
relevant standards have been complied with d. the material can be identified and verified
in any heat treatment process and in its moni- as conforming to the approved construction
toring, and that the company performing heat plan, and that the markings of materials cor-
treatment of nuclear equipment has been ap- respond to the manufacture and testing result
proved under this Guide, documentation,
k. control of manufacturing by the manufactur- e. the material has not been damaged during
er, licensee, plant/equipment supplier and any manufacture,
third party has been conducted as required f. the traceability of permanent joints and non-
under the approved inspection plan and this destructive testing can be verified,
Guide. g. the welded joints meet the requirements laid
down in the construction plan; special atten-
922.The manufacturing documents shall contain tion shall be paid to weld smoothness and
the documentation on any deviations and repairs. smooth transition, excess weld metal, any un-
dercuts, root concavity and arc strikes,
923.The licensee shall archive the construction h. any temporary supports and brackets used
inspection records until the equipment or struc- during manufacturing and installation have
ture has been taken out of service. been removed properly,
i. there are no shape deviations in the structure,
9.2.3 Visual or dimensional inspection j. the equipment’s main components and name-
of equipment or structure plate bear the markings required under the
924. The inspection shall be performed on a regulations.
completed pressure vessel, piping component or
piping following any heat treatment but before 9.2.4 Pressure test
coating. 929. A pressure test shall be performed on nuclear
pressure equipment to demonstrate the integrity
925.The inspectors shall be provided with ad- and strength of the completed product.
equate lighting, calibrated measuring and auxil-
iary devices and the necessary assistants. 930.The licensee, manufacturer and, in plant
projects, the plant supplier shall ensure that all

37
S TU K GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013

remarks made in the partial inspection of the parts, such as painting, insulation, brickwork,
documentation or of equipment, carried out prior lining, galvanising and enamelling.
to the pressure test, and imperfections detected
in the structure that could compromise the safety 937. If
it is not practicable, due to the size or mode
and acceptability of the pressure test are clari- of manufacture, to pressure test complete equip-
fied before the pressure test. ment, the procedure to replace the pressure test
shall have been approved in the construction
931.For the purposes of the pressure and leak- plan.
age test, the manufacturer shall ensure that the
pressure equipment has been cleaned and that 938.No pressure equipment shall be subjected to
all pressure retaining parts and joints can be shock loading, such as hammering, when under-
properly inspected, that the necessary equipment going pressure testing.
is made available for the pressure and leakage
tests, and that safety is ensured. 939.During the pressure test, there may be no
leaks due to pressure or visible deformations in
932.The pressure test shall be conducted in ac- the pressure shell.
cordance with an approved pressure test plan ap-
proved as part of the construction plan. As part of 9.2.5 Inspection of equipment or
construction inspection, the pressure test may be structure after a pressure test
conducted after the documentation and the struc- 940. The pressure equipment shall be inspect-
ture have been inspected and the inspector from ed after the pressure test has been completed
STUK or from an authorised inspection body has and when the equipment has been drained and
established that testing may go ahead. cleaned. The inspection shall show that the pres-
sure test has not caused deformation or other
933.Before the test starts, the licensee shall pro- damage to the pressure retaining structure.
vide the inspector with an approved pressure
test plan, details of the test arrangements, the 941. Allblind flanges fitted to isolate components
measuring devices used, with calibrations, and, if not subject to pressure testing and every gauge
necessary, a water analysis report. fitted to the equipment for the purpose of pres-
sure testing shall have been removed.
934.The pressure test shall be carried out un-
der controlled conditions with appropriate safety 942. The construction inspection of the surface
precautions and equipment and in a way that treatment of equipment or steel structure shall,
allows those responsible for the test to inspect where necessary, be arranged in accordance with
all pressure retaining parts. If a hydrostatic the inspection plan.
pressure test is not practical, it may, for justified
reasons, be replaced with a pneumatic pressure 9.3 Processing non-conformities observed
test or a combined hydrostatic/pneumatic test 943.If it is revealed in the construction inspec-
in accordance with what is approved in the con- tion that a pressure vessel, piping component
struction plan. or piping does not meet the requirements set in
the construction plan, or it reveals shortcomings
935.The occupational safety of the pressure test, and defects affecting safety, the inspector shall
especially if it is a pneumatic test, shall be guar- report them to the licensee and manufacturer
anteed. and, if necessary, prohibit the further use of the
equipment until the non-conformities have been
936.Prior to the approval of a pressure test, the approved.
manufacturer may not carry out any work se-
quences on the component that would have an If the inspector finds deficiencies, defects or dis-
effect on the inspectability of pressure retaining crepancies in materials testing, manufacture doc-

38
GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013 S T U K

umentation, or inspection of the structure, he/she 1006.The licensee shall determine the require-
may, instead of issuing a rejection, expand the ments for the personnel competency in the as-
inspections or, at his/her discretion, call for the sembly of bolted flange connections of the pres-
performance of additional testing to supplement sure equipment. Standard SFS-EN 1591-4 [23] is
original materials testing to become convinced of an example of the relevant guidelines that may
the acceptability of the equipment. be used.

944. If, during an inspection, it is wanted that 1007.The tightening torques and reporting re-
the inspector approves minor common non-con- quirements shall be determined for bolted con-
formities that do not have an effect on the oper- nections.
ability, strength or function of a pressure vessel
or piping, the non-conformities shall have been 1008.Drawings of those piping supports and
approved by the licensee, (in plant projects) the brackets that are non-standard shall be given by
plant supplier, and the manufacturer. support type.

A separate procedure shall be drawn up for

10 Installation
1009.
the manufacture and inspection of the anchor
10.1 Installation construction plan plates and attachment points on piping supports.
1001.The licensee shall draw up an installation The procedure shall focus on such areas as ma-
construction plan for nuclear pressure vessels terials, dimensioning, welds, surface treatment,
and piping. The installation construction plan testing and inspections.
may be submitted separately or included in the
manufacture construction plan. Where applica- 1010.Anchor bolt fasteners attached to concrete
ble, the requirements for the manufacture con- structures shall have a type approval that is in
struction plan shall also apply to the installation force in Finland or an approval based on tests
construction plan. carried out by an approved testing organisation,
as well as installation procedures.
1002.The installation construction plan shall be
submitted for approval to STUK or an authorised 1011.A separate procedure shall be drawn up
inspection body in accordance with the division of for the installation of anchor bolt fasteners and
inspection responsibilities. inspection of the installation work, including a
description of the personnel competence.
1003. Forpiping (DN > 50), the installation draw-
ings with parts lists shall be given in the instal- 1012. Areport on the use, installation and inspec-
lation construction plan. tion of fasteners other than those approved in
Guide YVL E.6 shall be drawn up and appended
1004.Requirements for the location plans of sys- to the construction plan.
tems and related equipment are given in Guide
YVL B.1. The location of the pressure equipment 10.2 Installation work
shall also meet the requirements laid down in 1013. Theinstallation of pressure vessels and pip-
Section 6 of the Decision of the Ministry of Trade ing shall be carried out in accordance with the
and Industry (953/1999) [4]. construction plan approved for them.

1005.A description of connecting the equipment 1014.A requirement of the commencement of the
to other systems, of supports, and of any protec- installation of piping shall be that their flexibil-
tion against jet impingement shall be included ity analyses and support calculations have been
in the installation construction plan. Guide YVL approved in all essential areas.
E.4 gives the requirements for piping whip re-
straints. Installation may commence when the pres-
1015.
sure vessel or piping components have been

39
S TU K GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013

approved in the manufacturing construction in- pressure vessel and piping no later than approxi-
spection without any restraints on installation in mately two weeks before the planned date.
their location of use and when the licensee in its
receiving inspection after transportation to the 1102.Prior to the commissioning inspection, the
plant site has inspected the condition of the con- licensee shall ensure the equipment’s conformity
struction-inspected equipment and its conformity to requirements and readiness for operation.
to requirements.
The inspection may commence when the pres-
1016.The licensee shall, irrespective of whether sure vessel or piping have been installed and it
the employee is employed by the licensee or and its accessories have been approved in previ-
an external company, arrange the site-specific ous inspections.
knowledge and familiarisation training needed
to perform the work and shall ensure that all 1103.The licensee shall ensure that the decisions
employees have the adequate instructions and or evaluations regarding the pressure vessel or
appropriate tools at their disposal. piping plans do not contain anything that would
prevent the commissioning of the equipment.
1017. Thesame requirements and procedures shall
apply to the installation of nuclear pressure 1104. The
requirements issued in inspections pre-
vessels and piping as to their manufacturing ceding the commissioning inspection and non-
process. conformities discovered shall have been clarified
in the manner approved in the licensee’s man-
10.3 Installation construction inspection agement system.
1018.The licensee shall request STUK or an
authorised inspection body, in accordance with 1105.The licensee shall be able to demonstrate
the division of inspection responsibilities, to con- that the functional inspections and tests relat-
duct an installation construction inspection no ing to the installation of the electrical and I&C
later than approximately two weeks before the systems connected with the equipment have been
planned date. acceptably performed.

The installation construction inspection and par- 1106.The licensee shall ensure that the person-
tial inspections are organised to check the accept- nel needed to perform the functional tests in the
ability of the documentation of the mechanical in- commissioning inspection are available at the
stallation of the pressure vessel or piping and the time of the tests.
documentation of the installation quality control.
1107.The licensee shall compile in a pressure
1019. Inthe installation construction inspection of equipment dossier referred to in Section 5 of the
a nuclear pressure vessel and piping, the require- Decision of the Ministry of Trade and Industry
ments governing the plant supplier, installation (953/1999) [4] all the essential and original docu-
organisation and licensee shall be the same as ments pertaining to the approval and inspection
those that are applied in the construction inspec- of pressure equipment subject to registration
tion of this equipment. prior to the commissioning inspection.

With regard to piping, and pressure vessels

11 Commissioning
1108.
not subject to registration, the licensee shall com-
11.1 Preconditions for the pile for presentation documentation correspond-
commissioning inspection ing to a pressure equipment dossier.
1101.The licensee shall, in accordance with the
division of inspection responsibilities, request 1109.The licensee shall ensure that the equip-
STUK or an authorised inspection body to con- ment manufacturer or importer has forwarded
duct a commissioning inspection of a nuclear the equipment’s operation and maintenance in-

40
GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013 S T U K

structions to be included in the pressure equip- shall be produced for other pressure equipment
ment dossier or another form of inspection docu- and piping.
mentation.
1116. The pressure equipment dossier or other
11.2 Commissioning inspection procedure documentation shall contain the key design data
1110. The licensee shall present to STUK or an for equipment or structure, decisions on the con-
authorised inspection body, following the division struction plan and installation construction plan,
of inspection responsibilities, the commissioning drawings, material certificates, inspection proto-
inspection in two phases: cols, heat treatment data, operating and mainte-
a. Phase one shall constitute an inspection to nance instructions, a list of the accessories with
check that the equipment is ready for func- their reference data, programme for periodic
tional tests. The approved first phase and the inspections, the monitoring plan for the operabil-
approved testing programme presented by ity of the equipment, and details concerning any
the licensee shall be preconditions for the test spare parts.
licence to be granted for functional tests.
b. In the second phase, the functional tests shall 1117. The licensee shall produce reports on the
be conducted in accordance with the approved fulfilment of the conditions of the approval de-
testing programme to discover if readiness for cisions or evaluations, or the fulfilment of the
operation is as planned. Approved functional remarks made in the inspections.
tests are a precondition for granting the oper-
ating licence. The licensee shall ensure that the construc-
1118.
tion and installation plans for equipment or
1111. Thefirst phase of the commissioning inspec- structure commissioned are at the inspector’s
tion of pressure vessels and heat exchangers disposal.
shall be implemented for each item of equipment
whenever it concerns pressure equipment subject 11.3.2 Operation supervisor
to registration or when the equipment is impor- 1119. The licensee shall appoint from among its
tant for personal and/or nuclear safety. personnel a person responsible for operation and,
if necessary, a deputy, for pressure equipment
1112.Individual items of equipment shall have subject to registration. The person responsible
a testing licence for functional tests before pre- for operation shall monitor the use and condition
operational testing of systems. of pressure equipment and also ensure that their
use is followed in accordance with Section 23 of
1113.Functional tests shall be conducted on enti- the Ministry of Trade and Industry’s Decision
ties that are as large as possible, such as the pip- (953/1999) on Pressure Equipment [4].
ing of the entire system and its components.
1120. The person responsible for operation shall
1114.The instructions supplied by the manufac- be appointed when the plant unit is in the pre-
turer of the pressure equipment shall apply in operational testing phase. The licensee shall no-
commissioning. tify STUK of the details of the person responsible
for operation.

11.3 The first phase of the 1121.The person responsible for operation shall
commissioning inspection have the necessary expertise pertaining to the
11.3.1 Inspection of the pressure equipment structure, operation and maintenance of the
dossier or equivalent documentation pressure equipment. He or she shall be suitably
1115. In the first phase of the commissioning in- trained for the task, including training on pres-
spection, concerning pressure equipment subject sure equipment, and have work experience in the
to registration, the licensee shall present a pres- operation, monitoring of operation and mainte-
sure equipment dossier. Similar documentation nance of pressure equipment.

41
S TU K GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013

11.3.3 Inspection of location and equipment pressure equipment and confirm their conform-
1122. In the first phase of the pressure equip- ity to requirements in an inspection report. The
ment commissioning inspection, the licensee requirements for electrical and instrumentation
shall demonstrate that the pressure equipment and control equipment are presented in Guide
and its accessories are located in accordance YVL E.7.
with the approved plans and that the surround-
ing rooms and structures are built in accordance 1126.The accessories shall bear such individual
with the same plans, so that: identification markings on the basis of which it
a. any pressure discharges in the event of fail- is possible, if necessary, to trace the materials
ures or transients do not cause damage to and manufacturer as well as verify the permitted
people, property or the environment, operating parameters.
b. the pressure equipment and all its acces-
sories can be properly operated, maintained, 1127. A
type test certificate, type plate information
repaired, tested and inspected, and that there and installation protocol shall be presented with
is proper accessibility during periodic and in- regard to bursting disks.
service inspections,
c. the requirements for radiation safety laid 1128. As part of the pressure equipment dossier,
down in Guide YVL C.1 are met, there shall be a list of pressure equipment acces-
d. the location meets the requirements stated sories presenting the following:
in Section 6 of the Ministry of Trade and a. equipment identification markings,
Industry’s Decision (953/1999) on Pressure b. designations,
Equipment [4]. c. exhaust capacities and set pres-
sures of the safety accessories,
1123. The nameplate on the pressure equipment d. type markings,
subject to registration shall have stamping with e. serial numbers,
the following information: location marking, se- f. nominal sizes,
rial number, the maximum and minimum allow- g. nominal or design pressures,
able operating temperature, the maximum and h. nominal or design temperatures,
minimum allowable operating pressure, the pres- i. materials of pressure-retaining parts,
sure test date, the test pressure, and the inspec- j. the necessary references to standards,
tor’s identity marking. k. manufacturers.

11.3.4 Inspection of accessories The list shall be approved by the licensee.

1124. The pressure equipment shall have the
reliable accessories required by operation and 1129.The valves and other controllers that shall
operational safety. Accessories include safety ac- be locked in the open or closed position during
cessories and pressure accessories. operation and that affect the safety of pressure
equipment shall be listed.
In the first phase of the commissioning inspec-
tion, it shall be verified that the pressure equip- 11.3.5 Testing programme
ment and its accessories have been installed in 1130. The testing programmes of the systems shall
accordance with a flow diagram approved by be prepared and delivered to STUK for approval
STUK and installation plan processed by STUK in accordance with Guide YVL A.5. Normally,
or an authorised inspection body. there is no separate programme for testing in-
dividual equipment: rather, functional tests are
1125. Thelicensee shall, prior to the inspection by performed using the equipment’s operating pa-
STUK or an authorised inspection body, perform rameters. The approval status shall be examined
an installation inspection of the electrical and in- during the first phase of the commissioning in-
strumentation and control equipment of nuclear spection.

42
GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013 S T U K

11.4 The second phase of the commissioning 1136. Oncethe functional test has been performed,
inspection (functional tests) the safety valve shall be sealed so that it is im-
possible to alter the opening pressure and time
11.4.1 General requirements as well as the closing pressure and exhaust ca-
1131. As part of the pre-operational testing of a pacity without breaking the seal.
nuclear facility, functional tests shall be con-
ducted on all safety-related accessories of the in- 1137.If the operation of the safety valve is tested
stalled pressure equipment. The purpose of these in a test bench, the safety valve shall be finally
tests is to prove that approved in the commissioning inspection only
a. the safety accessories function reliably and after it has been installed in place.
have an adequate exhaust capacity,
b. the pressure and temperature measurement, 11.4.3 Measurement and regulation devices
regulation and relief devices and regulation 1138. The measurement, regulation and relief
and measurement devices of fluid level all devices for pressure, temperature and fluid level,
function correctly, required by pressure equipment safety, shall be
c. the thermal expansion joints and supports of operable and they shall fulfil the qualification
the piping perform as designed, and operability requirements presented in Guide
d. the other equipment affecting pressure equip- YVL E.7 and the other applicable Guides.
ment safety is operable,
e. the pressure equipment and joints are leak- 1139. Thelicensee shall, prior to the inspection by
proof, STUK or an authorised inspection body, perform
f. operating values of the system correspond to a commissioning inspection of electrical and I&C
the design. equipment of nuclear pressure equipment and
confirm their conformity to requirements in an
1132. Aspart of piping pre-operational testing and inspection report.
regardless of their safety classification, all safety-
related valves units of the pressure equipment, 11.4.4 Piping, pipe supports, thermal
such as shut-off valves, shall undergo functional expansion and vibrations
tests in accordance with a testing programme 1140. The piping with its accessories and support-
approved in advance. The requirements of the ing structures shall be approved prior to commis-
functional tests performed on the valves are pre- sioning. However, to adjust the equipment and to
sented in Guide YVL E.8 and the functional test test operational readiness, pre-operational test-
requirements for the pumps in Guide YVL E.9. ing of the piping and other pressure equipment
is allowed prior to the commissioning inspection,
1133.The results of the functional tests shall be provided that sufficient care is taken.
recorded in such a way that they can be used as
basic values when carrying out periodic func- 1141. Theflexibility of the piping and the function-
tional tests during operation. ing of the supports shall be demonstrated during
pre-operational testing.
1134. Thelicensee shall report the functional tests
in accordance with Guide YVL A.5. 1142.Piping vibration shall be measured in ac-
cordance with the measurement plan prepared
11.4.2 Safety accessories by the licensee. The measurements shall show
1135. By means of the functional tests of safety ac- highest vibration stresses in the piping either di-
cessories it shall be demonstrated that all safety rectly or by means of a calculation model applied
valves and other safety accessories function reli- to the results.
ably under operating conditions and that their
exhaust capacity is adequate. Records concerning 1143.The licensee shall monitor the vibration in
the supervision of tests and test results shall be safety class 1 piping by means of measurements
presented to the inspector. both under circumstances corresponding to nor-

43
S TU K GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013

mal operation and during tests causing dynamic 1150.The pressure equipment dossier, supple-
impact loads. In addition, vibration in all acces- mented with the commissioning inspection in-
sible piping shall be visually observed applying formation, shall be presented for approval in
the criteria approved by STUK for each case. connection with registration.
Compliance with the criteria shall be demon-
strated by measurements, where necessary.
12 Operation
1144.If the criteria are exceeded, it shall be pos- 12.1 General
sible to attenuate the vibration to an acceptable 1201.The licensee shall operate the pressure
level by appropriate means such as by finding equipment in accordance with Section 22 of
out and removing their initiator or by altering the Ministry of Trade and Industry’s decision
the construction of supporting. The modifications (953/1999) [4].
shall be approved by STUK.
1202.The licensee shall see to it that pressure
1145. There shall be adequate margin for thermal equipment is operated, maintained and moni-
movement in the piping and related structures tored in accordance with regulations as well as
and equipment, and when cooled down to the the operating and maintenance instructions of
initial temperature the thermal displacements the manufacturer or importer.
shall be restored. Thermal movements shall be
controlled by measurements. 1203.The licensee shall employ experts in the
construction, operation and maintenance of the
1146. During the commissioning inspection, it pressure equipment.
shall be ascertained by the licensee that the pip-
ing is in compliance with the system description 1204.The licensee shall ensure that the prereq-
– among other things, the process and instru- uisites facilitating the supervision of the condi-
mentation charts. tion and safety of the pressure equipment are
arranged for the supervisor and shall provide the
1147. Inspectionof the mechanical performance of information on the use and condition of the pres-
the piping shall be continued also after the start- sure equipment for his or her use.
up of the nuclear facility, unless the performance
otherwise can be demonstrated to be appropriate 1205. The person responsible for the operation
when using the normal operating parameters of shall inform the licensee of the significant mat-
the piping. ters connected with the operation or condition of
the pressure equipment.
1148.The measurement programmes implement-
ed at various capacity ranges, and the result 1206.The licensee shall store the pressure equip-
reports, of the monitoring of piping thermal ment dossier or corresponding documentation
movements and vibration shall be presented to and keep it up-to-date during the period of the
the inspecting organisation for approval during equipment's service life. Similarly, the necessary
the commissioning of the system. records concerning quality control, including the
radiographic films and other samples needed,
11.5 Pressure equipment registration shall be stored.
1149.During the commissioning inspection, the
licensee shall request registration of the pres- 1207.The licensee shall ensure that sufficient
sure equipment from STUK in accordance with information on the design, manufacturing and
Section 3 of the Ministry of Trade and Industry’s inspection of the pressure equipment is available
decision (953/1999) [4]. STUK shall perform the to other participating organisations.
registration also when an authorised inspection
body or the licensee’s in-house inspection organi-
sation carries out the commissioning inspection.

44
GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013 S T U K

12.2 Pressure equipment record 1215.The licensee shall ensure that the periodic
1208.The licensee shall maintain a record of the inspections are carried out by the set date, and
nuclear facility’s pressure equipment in which that the prerequisites for appropriate inspections
all pressure vessels, heat exchangers and steam exist. In particular, the safety of the internal
boilers are given, system by system. inspections of the pressure equipment shall be
ensured.
1209. Thepressure equipment identification code,
serial number, name, the safety class of the vari- 1216.The approval requirements of the testing
ous compartments of multi-compartment pres- organisations and the personnel qualifications
sure equipment, pressure equipment class, de- required for non-destructive testing in connec-
sign pressure and temperature as well as volume tion with condition monitoring and periodic in-
and contents of the pressure equipment shall be spections are presented in Guide YVL E.12. The
marked in the record. requirements laid down in Guide YVL E.5 shall
be observed in the in-service inspections detailed
1210.The record of pressure equipment shall in Guide YVL E.5.
indicate who conducts periodic inspections and
whether the equipment is subject to registration. 1217. The plans for periodic inspections of the
nuclear facility’s pressure equipment subject to
1211.In plant projects, a preliminary pressure registration, approved by the person responsi-
equipment record shall be delivered to STUK for ble for operation, shall be presented to STUK’s
information as early as possible, and the final re- inspector for approval by the licensee before the
cord shall be delivered during the commissioning dates of the periodic inspections. The periodic
phase of the nuclear facility. Any changes made inspections for pressure equipment, as laid down
to the record shall be delivered for information in the Ministry of Trade and Industry’s decision
on an annual basis. (953/1999) [4] are
a. internal inspection,
12.3 Periodic inspections and b. operational inspection,
other condition monitoring c. periodic pressure test.
1212. The licensee shall have clearly defined work-
ing principles and guidelines at its disposal on 1218.The licensee shall enter into the pressure
the periodic inspections and condition monitor- equipment dossier the information concerning
ing of the nuclear facility’s pressure equipment. the implementation and inspection results of the
periodic inspections on the pressure equipment
1213.The non-destructive in-service inspections subject to registration.
laid down in the Nuclear Energy Act shall be
performed on the pressure vessels and piping 1219. The licensee shall present to STUK’s inspec-
important to nuclear safety in accordance with tor, for inclusion into the pressure equipment
Guide YVL E.5. register, the results and result documentation
of those periodic inspections that an inspection
1214. On the pressure equipment subject to regis- organisation has carried out on the nuclear facil-
tration, periodic inspections shall be performed ity’s pressure equipment subject to registration.
in accordance with Section 12.4 of this Guide.
The periodic inspections shall be conducted by 1220. The licensee shall prepare a programme for
STUK, an authorised inspection body or the the purpose of monitoring the condition of pres-
licensee’s in-house inspection organisation, in ac- sure equipment not subject to registration, by
cordance with the division of inspection respon- which means it shall assess the condition and
sibilities. safety of the pressure equipment.

45
S TU K GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013

1221. The licensee shall annually prepare condition by six months at maximum upon the licensee's
monitoring plans for the piping and deliver them to request. Postponement shall be applied for in
STUK for information. The methods of monitoring good time prior to the date of the periodic inspec-
include for example wall thickness measurements, tion. The postponement does not affect any sub-
monitoring of vibrations, inspection of supports sequent inspection dates.
and brackets as well as monitoring of pressure and
thermal transients. In case an inspection is performed more than 13
months earlier than planned, the setting of in-
1222.The licensee shall deliver to STUK for in- spection periods shall begin from the date of the
formation an annual summary of the results of inspection conducted on an earlier date.
the condition monitoring of piping and the most
significant observations. 1227. Pressure equipment subject to registration
shall be internally inspected every four years.
12.4 Periodic inspections of pressure The internal inspection of a pressure vessel made
equipment subject to registration of reinforced plastic shall be performed every two
years.
12.4.1 Periodic inspection intervals
1223. An inspection (periodic inspection) defined 1228. On application by the licensee, the time
in the Pressure Equipment Act [6] shall be per- interval between internal inspections may be
formed at set intervals on pressure equipment doubled at the most. Grounds for the safe and
subject to registration. This is to ensure that reliable use of the pressure equipment during the
the pressure equipment does not endanger the extended inspection period shall be presented in
health, safety or property of any persons when the application.
used in an appropriate manner. The setting of in-
spection periods begins from the commissioning 1229. The interval between internal inspections
inspection. The licensee may postpone a periodic is to be shortened, if necessary, according to the
inspection by one month at maximum without condition of the pressure equipment.
separate approval.
1230.A pressure test shall be carried out on the
1224.Within its own responsibility area, an au- pressure equipment subject to registration in
thorised inspection body or the licensee’s in- connection with every second internal inspection.
house inspection organisation may, at the request The pressure test interval may be, at maximum,
of the licensee, postpone the date of an in-service doubled from the interval based on the default
inspection by no more than six months. The in- internal inspection interval (4 or 2 years).
spection organisation shall report the postpone-
ment in writing to STUK’s resident inspector. A 1231.Operational inspections shall be performed
postponement does not affect the determination on the steam boilers at two year intervals, and
of subsequent inspection dates. every four years on other pressure equipment
subject to registration. The time period between
1225.The licensee shall submit a request of post- operational inspections may be extended by one
ponement to the inspection organisation in such year at the most.
wise that processing it prior to the due date is
possible. If the set date has already expired, the 1232.In connection with each inspection, the in-
application for postponement shall be addressed spector shall specify the next inspection date for
to STUK. the pressure equipment subject to registration.

1226. STUK may postpone the date of the periodic STUK enters, on the basis of the dates set, the in-
inspection inspection by 13 months at maximum spection dates of the pressure equipment subject
upon the licensee's request. STUK’s inspector to registration as well as revisions thereto in the
may postpone the date of the periodic inspection pressure equipment register it maintains.

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GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013 S T U K

12.4.2 Replacing a periodic inspection with a the grounds for verifying pressure equipment re-
pressure equipment condition monitoring system liability and safety by means of follow-up.
1233. The periodic inspections of pressure equip-
ment subject to registration may also be replaced The follow-up plan shall include the proce-
1242.
with a pressure equipment condition monitoring dures for updating and developing the plan.
system, if the effects of the system correspond to
a periodic inspection and the construction of the 1243. The date of presenting the follow-up results
pressure equipment makes efficient inspection shall be given in the plan.
difficult.
12.4.4. Internal inspection
1234. The licensee shall apply for STUK’s approval 1244. In the internal inspection of pressure equip-
for the pressure equipment condition monitoring ment subject to registration, it shall be verified
system. The condition monitoring systems may that the pressure equipment and its accessories
be commissioned after the first internal inspec- do not have faults or features that endanger their
tion has been conducted in a normal schedule safe use or compromise their reliable operation.

1235.The inspections to be replaced by the sys- 1245.Internal inspection shall, where necessary,
tem, a description of compensatory measures, be complemented with other non-destructive
and the grounds for ascertaining the reliability testing methods.
and safety of the pressure equipment by means
of the system shall be stated in the application. 12.4.5 Operational inspection
1246. The operational inspection of a nuclear facil-
1236.Compensatory measures shall be justified ity’s pressure equipment subject to registration
by risks arising from the item inspected, and op- shall verify the safe and reliable operation of the
erational risks as well as the information gained pressure equipment.
from earlier inspections.
1247.An operational inspection shall cover the
1237.A description of the system, the duties and testing of the performance of equipment and
competence requirements of those participating equipment systems with a bearing on operational
in the activities as well as the maintenance of safety, such as safety accessories, valves, regula-
the measuring devices required in the operations tion devices and measurement devices. The in-
shall also be attached to the application. spection of other pressure equipment accessories
shall also be included.
1238.The date of presenting the condition moni-
toring results shall be given in the programme. 1248. If the internal in-service inspections have
been entirely replaced with pressure equipment
12.4.3 Replacing a periodic inspection follow-up, or by a condition monitoring system,
with pressure equipment follow-up the reports generated in the context of this re-
1239. The internal inspections and pressure tests placement shall be presented to an inspector
of pressure equipment may be replaced, entirely from STUK or an inspection organisation during
or in part, by pressure equipment follow-up in an operational inspection.
the event that inspection and testing are not jus-
tifiable due to the construction of the equipment. 12.4.6 Periodic pressure test
1249. In the pressure test of a nuclear facility’s
1240. The licensee shall apply for STUK’s approv- pressure equipment subject to registration, the
al for the pressure equipment follow-up. leak-tightness of the pressurised walls of the
pressure equipment at test pressure and the
1241.The application shall contain the following absence of safety-endangering deformations in
information: a follow-up plan, the inspections to their structure shall be ascertained.
be replaced by follow-up entirely or in part, and

47
S TU K GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013

1250. Possibleinstructions issued by the manufac- equipment as well as research-based grounds for
turer of the pressure equipment shall be consid- the actions taken.
ered when performing the test.
1256.In addition, a detailed heat treatment pro-
1251.A hydrostatic pressure test shall be con- gramme with parameters and an inspection plan
ducted at a pressure not less than 1.3 times the shall be prepared that ensure a successful com-
maximum allowable operating pressure. A pneu- pletion of the heat treatment.
matic pressure test shall be conducted at a pres-
sure 1.1 times the maximum allowable operating 1257. A
plan similar to that prepared for new pres-
pressure. The pneumatic pressure test may be sure equipment shall be drawn up on the moni-
carried out only in exceptional cases when, for toring of re-embrittlement to the heat treated
structural reasons, a hydrostatic pressure test is pressure equipment.
not reasonably possible or when not even small
amounts of liquid are allowed inside the pressure 12.6 Maintenance
equipment. For special reasons, some other test The licensee shall be obliged to carry out
1258.
pressure may be approved for use. maintenance and repairs to the pressure vessels
and piping following the principles laid down in
1252.The periodic pressure test of the pressure Guide YVL A.8.
vessel may not be required if the strength and
integrity of the vessel have been verified in an 1259. On service work, it is not necessary to draw
internal inspection. The licensee must obtain an up a construction plan, if the work can be carried
approval for not conducting the pressure test. out following normal maintenance procedures
In the approval application, the grounds for not and approved spare parts and materials are used
carrying out the pressure test shall be given. The for service work. If these requirements are not
assessment of the continuation of the exemption met, a plan shall be prepared and presented to
procedure shall be considered when drawing up an inspector from STUK or an inspection organi-
plans for forthcoming vessel internal inspections. sation for approval.

1253. When, during the design of a nuclear facility’s 1260. Ifservice work has required a partial or full
systems, reasonable preparations cannot be made disassembly of the equipment, the equipment
for the periodic pressure tests of individual items shall undergo a construction inspection in ac-
of pressure equipment, the structural integrity cordance with this YVL Guide. If the service of
and leak tightness of the equipment shall be en- the equipment has included tests for operability,
sured by means of a periodic system pressure test leak tightness and/or load-bearing capacity, a
in accordance with the requirements of the design protocol or some other record shall be presented
standard. Test pressure is then determined by the to the inspector.
requirements of the design standard.
1261.For repair work, the licensee shall draw up
12.5 The effect of neutron radiation a construction plan, which shall include the same
on mechanical properties information as in the plan for a new structure
1254. The licensee shall monitor the effect of or sufficient references to previously approved
neutron radiation on the mechanical properties plans. All repairs shall be justified.
of the equipment material, weld metal and heat
affected zone in accordance with the procedure 1262. The construction plan shall be submitted
approved in the construction plan. for approval in accordance with the division of
inspection responsibilities. A repair work plan
1255.If the pressure equipment must be heat- under the responsibility of STUK may be submit-
treated due to radiation embrittlement, the li- ted for approval by a STUK inspector, if the work
censee shall draw up a plan for principles that in question is minor and conventional and does
includes a safety assessment of the pressure not alter the functional properties of the system.

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GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013 S T U K

1263.Plans and construction inspections of spare to perform the modification work on the plant
parts shall be carried out correspondingly and in site and ensure that all employees have adequate
a extent equal to that of original parts. instructions and the appropriate tools at their
disposal.
1264. After a repair to the pressure retaining
parts, the pressure vessel or piping shall undergo 1304.Any plans concerning spare parts shall be
a pressure test or leak tightness test to ensure prepared and construction inspections conducted
the operability of the equipment. Replacing the correspondingly and in a extent equal to that of
test with non-destructive testing shall be submit- original parts.
ted for approval separately.
1305. Thelicensee shall be obliged to maintain an
1265. If the repair work is very extensive, cover- equipment-specific register on completed modifi-
ing, for example, construction or installation cation works.
of entirely new pressure equipment or other
large units, the commissioning inspections shall 13.2 Modification construction inspection
be conducted in accordance with the inspection 1306.The licensee shall request a construction
requirements set for new equipment. In minor inspection for modification from STUK or an
repairs, the equipment’s readiness for operation authorised inspection body in accordance with
shall be assessed with inspections corresponding the division of inspection responsibilities. The
to the commissioning inspection, and the operat- request shall be made approximately two weeks
ing licence may be granted in a repair or modifi- prior to the planned date. The modification con-
cation protocol after the work has undergone a struction inspection and partial inspections shall
construction inspection. ensure the acceptability of the modification and
the documentation of the quality control per-
1266. Thelicensee shall be obliged to maintain an formed on it.
equipment-specific register on repair work com-
pleted and parts exchanged. 1307.In the modification construction inspection
of the pressure vessel and piping, the supplier,
installation organisation and licensee as well
13 Modifications as the inspection procedures shall adhere to
13.1 Requirements the same requirements as those applied in the
1301.The licensee shall prepare a construction construction inspection of pressure vessels and
plan for the modifications of nuclear pressure piping.
vessels and piping, and have it approved in ac-
cordance with Chapter 7. In case of a system 13.3 Pressure equipment
modification, it shall be sent for approval in ac- modification inspection
cordance with Guide YVL B.1 before sending the 1308. A modification inspection, according to the
approval application of the construction plans for assessment of STUK or an inspection organisa-
the equipment. As far as possible, the modifica- tion, shall be carried out prior to a new commis-
tions shall adhere to up-to-date requirements set sioning on
for equipment. a. pressure equipment that may have been dam-
aged or to pressure equipment that has un-
1302. Modifications
to pressure vessels and piping dergone significant modifications to its equip-
shall be implemented according to the construc- ment or equipment systems affecting opera-
tion plan approved for them. tional safety; or on equipment, the purpose
of use or operating parameters of which are
The licensee shall, irrespective of whether
1303. intended to undergo changes,
the employee is employed by the licensee or b. pressure equipment subject to registration
an external company, provide the site-specific that has been installed to a new location or
knowledge and familiarisation training needed been transferred or modified so that the ap-

49
S TU K GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013

proved location plan cannot be adhered to or restricted to class EYT (non-nuclear), but it can
that has been out of use, as notified to STUK, also perform expert tasks in safety class 3.
over one year and will be re-commissioned.
1502. Annex C to this Guide presents the prin-
1309. After modifications, the pressure vessel or ciples of the division of inspection responsibili-
piping shall at least undergo a functional test, ties for the nuclear pressure vessels and piping.
equivalent to a periodic test, to ensure its oper- Annex D lists the principles for the inspections
ability. of non-nuclear pressure vessels and piping. The
division of inspection responsibilities may be
In connection with STUK-approved system
1310. supplemented in separate decisions.
modifications, the testing programme and docu-
mentation of test results shall be submitted to 15.2 Requirement specification for equipment
STUK for approval. 1503. STUK evaluates the requirements placed by
the licensee on the pressure vessels and piping of
1311.The pressure equipment modification in- a nuclear facility by assessing the requirement
spection shall ensure that the modification has specifications for equipment that have been sub-
been carried out appropriately. The commis- mitted in accordance with Guide YVL A.1, and by
sioning inspection procedures presented in this accepting the general inspection plan.
Guide shall be applied to the modification inspec-
tion where applicable. 1504.The meeting of the set requirements will
be verified in connection with document reviews
and construction inspections, and as part of
14 Decommissioning the construction and operation inspection pro-
1401.When decommissioning equipment and dis- grammes.
posing of equipment classified as nuclear waste,
Guides YVL D.4 and YVL D.5 shall be followed. 1505.The specifications based on the licensee’s
requirements and prepared by plant and equip-
1402.When pressure equipment is decommis- ment suppliers are approved with STUK’s deci-
sioned, the licensee shall update the pressure sions.
equipment record.

1403. The
licensee shall submit to STUK for infor- 15.3 Approval and oversight of organisations
mation a notification of decommissioning equip- 15.3.1 Approval of the manufacturer
ment. 1506. STUK gives approval to nuclear pressure
vessel and piping manufacturers and installation
organisations that use special processes in their
15 Regulatory oversight manufacturing, in a separate decision upon ap-

by the Radiation and plication. Other manufacturers are assessed in

connection with the construction plan.
Nuclear Safety Authority
1507.The approval of the manufacturer is based
15.1 Division of inspection responsibilities on information supplied and approved by the
1501.STUK may grant inspection and overseeing licensee and manufacturer audits carried out by
rights of nuclear facility pressure vessels and STUK and the licensee. The audits are primarily
piping to an authorised inspection body or the directed at suppliers of pressure vessels and pip-
licensee’s in-house inspection organisation, ap- ing in safety classes 1 and 2 and are carried out
proved by STUK, in accordance with Guide YVL prior to the approval process, as well as monitor-
E.1. The inspection and monitoring rights of the ing audits during the validity of the approval of
licensee’s in-house inspection organisation are the manufacturer.

50
GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013 S T U K

1508. The approval decision of a nuclear pressure 1515.The result of processing the construction
vessel and piping manufacturer is licensee-spe- plan is presented in a decision by STUK or an
cific, and it is valid for a maximum of five years authorised inspection body. Minor updates to
at a time. If the manufacturer or licensee fails to approved plans may be processed as received for
meet its annual obligations or if the operations information.
fail to meet the conditions imposed upon ap-
proval, STUK may issue a decision cancelling the 1516.The approval of the construction plan is a
approval. prerequisite for the commencement of manufac-
ture as per the plan.
15.3.2 Third-party approval
1509. A notified body or a recognised third- 15.5 Control of manufacturing,
party organisation pursuant to the Pressure and construction inspection
Equipment Directive [5] may, within the scope 1517.STUK or an authorised inspection body
of their areas of qualification without separate monitors the manufacture of nuclear pressure
approval, operate as a third party that witnesses vessels and piping in connection with partial
and confirms sampling, destructive and non- inspections of the construction inspection, or dur-
destructive testing and qualifications. ing separate visits.

1510. The expertise of a third party performing 1518. Supervision observations are recorded in the
control of manufacturing is evaluated on the ba- construction inspection protocol and/or inspec-
sis of the information appended to the construc- tion memoranda. If any essential shortcomings
tion plan. are discovered, the inspector may suspend manu-
facturing.
15.3.3 Approval of inspection and testing organisations
1511. The requirements and approval procedure 1519.The construction inspection by STUK or
for inspection organisations are presented in an authorised inspection body includes verifica-
Guide YVL E.1, and the requirements and ap- tion of the equipment’s conformity to require-
proval procedure for testing organisations are ments against the construction plan, review of
presented in Guide YVL E.12. the manufacture or installation documentation,
inspection of equipment, checking the results of
15.3.4 Oversight of design organisations strength verification tests as well as the neces-
1512. Oversight of design organisations is covered sary pressure and functional tests.
in Guides YVL B.1, YVL E.4 and YVL A.5.
1520. The inspector draws up a protocol of the in-
15.4 Construction plan spection or partial construction inspection, speci-
1513.STUK or an authorised inspection body re- fying the object of inspection and the inspections
views the construction plan of a nuclear pressure made. Any shortcomings detected are entered
vessel or piping which includes the documents as remarks in the appendices to the inspection
laid down in Chapter 7 of this Guide. protocol.

1514.The first phase of the construction plan re- 1521. The construction inspection is completed
view is the assessment of the licensee's summary and the inspection protocol signed when the
of justifications and the pre-inspection of the equipment or structure inspected has undergone
construction plan. If the pre-inspection indicates all inspections and testing required in the con-
that significant supplements or corrections are struction plan and when the remarks document-
needed in the document, a detailed review is not ed during the construction inspections have been
performed, but supplements to the document are clarified. The protocol is signed by the inspector,
required by a set date. and a representative of the licensee acknowl-
edges its receipt.

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S TU K GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013

1522. Inthe construction inspection, the inspector 1531.During the commissioning inspection of the
enters the identification markings required by pressure equipment subject to registration, the
the applied standard on the nameplate and shell date and type of the next periodic inspection of
of the pressure equipment subject to registration. the pressure equipment is fixed

1523. An approved construction inspection is a 15.8 Operation, condition

prerequisite for the delivery of the pressure ves- monitoring, and maintenance
sel or piping component to the installation site. 1532.STUK supervises the operation, condition
The piping construction inspection is carried out monitoring and maintenance of the pressure
at the plant site. vessels and piping of a nuclear power plant dur-
ing the inspections that are part of its periodic
15.6 Control of installation, and inspection programme and during other inspec-
installation construction inspection tions it performs.
1524. The supervision of installation, and the in-
stallation construction inspection, is performed 1533.The pressure equipment record maintained
in a similar manner to the control of manufactur- by the licensee is submitted to STUK for infor-
ing and the manufacture construction inspection. mation during the commissioning phase of the
nuclear facility, and it is updated annually. The
1525.An approved installation construction in- licensee also submits a notification of the person
spection is a prerequisite for the commissioning responsible for operation it has nominated.
inspection of the pressure vessel or piping.
1534. For the purpose of monitoring pressure
15.7 Commissioning inspection equipment subject to registration, STUK main-
1526. The first phase of the commissioning inspec- tains a register of pressure equipment to control
tion of a nuclear pressure vessel or piping by the implementation of periodic inspections of
STUK or an authorised inspection body verifies pressure equipment.
the approval status of documents, completion of
installation, and fulfilment of the safety require- 1535. STUK’s inspector approves the plans for peri-
ments required by functional tests. odic inspections of the pressure equipment subject
to registration on nuclear facility, performed in
1527. Readinessfor functional tests is demonstrat- accordance with the Pressure Equipment Act [6].
ed by granting the equipment or piping a test
operating licence in a commissioning inspection 1536.Periodic inspections of pressure equipment
protocol. subject to registration include an internal in-
spection, operational inspections and a periodic
1528. In
the second phase of the commissioning in- pressure test. In compliance with the division of
spection, the functional tests to ensure readiness inspection responsibilities, the inspections are
for operation are carried out in accordance with conducted by STUK or an inspection organisa-
the approved testing programme. tion approved under Guide YVL E.1.

1529. Based on approved functional tests, the 1537.STUK may, upon the licensee's request, ap-
equipment or system is granted an operating prove changes to the periodic inspection intervals
licence in a commissioning inspection protocol. and dates of pressure equipment as well as the
The operating licence may also be granted for a replacement of periodic inspections of pressure
fixed period. equipment with a condition monitoring system
or pressure equipment follow-up. An authorised
1530. The registration of pressure equipment sub- inspection body or the licensee’s in-house inspec-
ject to registration is carried out upon commis- tion organisation may also, within its own area of
sioning. The information of the nameplate is responsibilities, postpone the date of the periodic
checked. inspection by no more than six months.

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GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013 S T U K

1538. In each inspection, the inspector defines the

next inspection date for pressure equipment sub-
Definitions
ject to registration. STUK’s inspector records the Installation construction plan
inspection dates for pressure equipment subject (pressure equipment)
to registration, as well as changes thereto, in the Installation construction plan shall, in the
pressure equipment register. context of Guide YVL E.3, refer to a construc-
tion plan describing the connecting of the
1539. STUK processes as received for information pressure equipment to the rest of the system
the piping condition monitoring programmes and and including supports.
the results thereof.
Authorised inspection body
1540. STUK monitors the adequacy of the periodic Authorised inspection body shall refer to
inspection programmes of pressure equipment by an independent inspection organisation ap-
following the implementation of the programme proved by the Radiation and Nuclear Safety
and reviewing results. Authority under Section 60  a of the Nuclear
Energy Act to carry out inspections of the
1541. Inthe inspection of maintenance and repair pressure equipment, steel and concrete struc-
work plans and the construction inspection of tures and mechanical components of nuclear
spare parts and work the same process as in the facilities in the capacity of an agency perform-
approval of the original work is followed. Plans ing public administrative duties.
of minor works may be approved by STUK’s in-
spector. Equipment operability after repairs is Dynamic analysis
checked with a functional test. Dynamic analysis shall refer to determin-
ing the time-dependent behaviour (vibrations)
15.9 Modifications and stresses of a component or structure
1542. Inspections and supervision of modifications under an impact-type, seismic or cyclic load-
are carried out in the same manner as that of the ing. In particular, the analysis focuses on the
original structure. resonance risk induced by the excitation of
natural oscillations and the strengthening of
1543.A modification inspection is performed stress in proportion to the stresses caused by
on pressure equipment subject to registration, an equivalent static load.
where needed, to ensure equipment operability.
Special process
15.10 Decommissioning Special processes shall refer to manufactur-
1544. The procedures for decommissioning are ing processes, the results of which cannot be
outlined in Guides YVL D.4 and YVL D.5. directly verified by means of a product inspec-
tion or testing after manufacture; instead, any
1545.As the administrator of the pressure equip- shortcomings in the process may only appear
ment register, STUK removes any decommis- later while the product is in use.
sioned pressure equipment subject to registra-
tion from the register upon notification by the Prefabrication
licensee. Prefabrication shall refer to any action carried
out on materials used when they are trans-
formed into components that are completed to
be installed and joined in the assembly.

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S TU K GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013

Auxiliary welding material Maintenance

Auxiliary welding materials shall refer to, for Maintenance shall refer to the planned ser-
example, shielding gases and fluxes used in vice of SSC to reduce the probability of failure
welding. in advance, or the overhaul or repair of a SSC
undertaken on the basis of observed needs.
Welding consumable
Welding consumables shall refer to welding User inspectorate
filler materials and auxiliary welding materi- User inspectorate shall refer to an inspection
als used in welding. organisation as referred to in Article 14 of
Pressure Equipment Directive 97/23/EC.
Welding filler materials
Welding filler materials shall refer to the fill- Operability
er wires, covered electrodes and other similar Operability shall refer to the integrity and
welding consumables used in welding. performance of SSC in conformance with its
design bases.
Notified body
Notified body shall refer to a notified body Strength analysis
as referred to in Article 12 of the Pressure Strength analysis shall refer to determination
Equipment Directive (97/23/EC). of stresses and deformations in the structure
using the load provided (or other stress), or to
Stress analysis determination of the maximum loads using
Stress analysis shall refer to a strength analy- the allowable stresses and deformations when
sis based on the modelling of the actual struc- the geometry, dimensions and material of the
ture and loads of pressure equipment, which structure are known; strength analyses also
is used to eliminate the risk of failure caused include the loading analyses stress analyses,
by the loss of the load-bearing capacity, exces- fatigue analyses, brittle fracture analyses and
sive deformation and fatigue, when the ac- leak before break (LBB) analyses.
ceptance limits that have been set for the cal-
culated stresses governing these mechanisms, Licensee's in-house inspection organisa-
as stipulated in the applicable standard, are tion
met. Licensee's in-house inspection organisation
shall refer to the licensee's separate inspec-
Third party tion unit, the position of which is arranged in
Third party shall refer to an individual or compliance with the type B requirements of
organisation that is independent of the indi- ISO/IEC EN 17020, the operations of which
viduals or organisations responsible for the meet the specific requirements laid down
design, manufacturing, supply or operation of by STUK, and which STUK has approved to
the pressure equipment or assembly. carry out inspection tasks pertaining to the
pressure equipment, steel and concrete struc-
Repair work tures and mechanical components of a nuclear
Repair work shall refer to the restoration of a facility in the form of in-house control by the
faulty component or structure to a state which licensee.
conforms to the original designs.
Material manufacturer
Condition monitoring Material manufacturer shall refer to an indi-
Condition monitoring shall refer to the deter- vidual or organisation producing material, in
mining of the operability of a SSC. basic product form, used in the manufactur-
ing of a component or structure.

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GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013 S T U K

Mechanical load Pressure design

Mechanical load shall refer to the pressure, Pressure design shall refer to determining
external forces and moments which satisfy the material thickness required of pressure
the laws of equilibrium between external and equipment under pressure by means of cal-
internal forces and moments. culation formulae presented in the applicable
standard.
Dimensioning calculation
Dimensioning calculations (strength calcula- Pressure vessel
tions) shall refer to defining the main dimen- Pressure vessel shall refer to a housing de-
sions of the structure using mechanical loads, signed and built to contain fluids under pres-
allowable stresses and deformations; dimen- sure , including direct attachments up to the
sioning calculations are also used to design a coupling point connecting it to other equip-
structure so that it is appropriate and meets ment. A vessel may contain one or several
all requirements. chambers.

Modification Pressure vessel stress analysis

Modification shall refer to introducing chang- Pressure vessel stress analysis shall refer to
es to a system, structure or component so that the stress analysis conducted according to the
it no longer corresponds to previous specifica- pressure vessel design standard.
tions.
Small-diameter piping
Pressure accessory Small-diameter piping shall refer to piping
Pressure accessory shall refer to devices with with DN ≤ 50.
an operational function and having a pres-
sure-bearing housing, such as valves, pressure Piping
regulators, measuring chambers, pressure Piping shall refer to assemblies used to trans-
gauges, glass gauges, filters and expansion port gas, liquid, steam and mixtures thereof,
joints. where piping components are connected to-
gether for integration into a pressure system.
Pressure equipment
Pressure equipment shall refer to a vessel, Piping flexibility analysis
piping and other technical assembly, in which Piping flexibility analysis shall refer to deter-
overpressure exists, or in which it may de- mining piping thermal expansion and calcula-
velop, as well as the technical assemblies tion of reaction forces and moments at piping
designed to protect pressure equipment, in- supports and equipment joints so that ther-
cluding elements attached to pressure retain- mal expansion and stresses do not damage
ing parts such as flanges, nozzles, couplings, piping or cause leaks.
supports, lifting lugs etc.
Piping stress analysis
Pressure equipment dossier Piping stress analysis shall refer to the stress
Pressure equipment dossier shall refer to a analysis conducted according to the piping
document defined in Section 5 of the Ministry design standard.
of Trade and Industry’s Decision (953/1999)
containing all the protocols and other es- Piping component
sential documentation pertaining to pressure Piping components shall refer to separate ele-
equipment. ments such as a pipe or a system of pipes, tub-
ing, fittings, expansion joints, hoses and other
pressure retaining components.

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S TU K GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013

Pipe routing guideline Inspection

Pipe routing guideline shall refer to pre-de- Inspection shall refer to the examination of
fined procedure on ensuring the acceptability components or structures and related designs
of the location of the piping, piping supports and processes as well as the verification of
and equipment so that thermal expansions their conformity to requirements in terms of
and stresses do not damage piping or cause the requirements presented in STUK’s deci-
leaks. sions, the YVL Guides and the design bases.

Permanent joint Non-nuclear pressure equipment

Permanent joint shall refer to a joint which Non-nuclear pressure equipment shall refer
can only be removed using destructive meth- to pressure equipment classified in class EYT
ods. under Guide YVL B.2.

Certification body Testing

Certification body shall refer to a recognised Testing shall refer to determining one or more
third-party organisation under Article 13 of characteristics of an object evaluated for con-
the Pressure Equipment Directive 97/23/EC. formity to requirements. (SFS-EN ISO/IEC
17000, 2005)
Construction plan
Construction plan shall refer to the design Testing organisation
documentation compiled for the purpose of Testing organisation shall refer to an organi-
pre-inspection conducted by STUK or an au- sation performing testing activities requir-
thorised inspection body. ing special competence (Nuclear Energy Act
990/1987).
Pressure equipment subject to registration
Pressure equipment subject to registration Production test
shall refer to pressure equipment to be regis- Production test shall refer to a test whereby
tered under Section 3 of the Ministry of Trade a sample corresponding to a joint or coating
and Industry’s Decision (953/1999). is welded during welding work in order to
ensure that the properties of the product meet
Standardised component the requirements set.
Standardised component shall refer to a com-
ponent dimensioned in accordance with the Works test
standards applied that is chosen for the in- Works test shall refer to a test carried out by
tended location of use based on the deter- persons performing the work, in conditions
mined value of its nominal size, pressure rat- equivalent to production conditions and prior
ing class, property class etc. to the commencement of the work.

Design basis Witness point

Design bases shall refer to all requirements, Witness point shall refer to an inspection for
definitions and bases for normal operational which advance invitations have been sent to
conditions and accidents that pertain to the the parties defined in the inspection plan but
design and operation of a plant, system and whose supervision is not a condition for pro-
component. ceeding with the work. Having received the
invitation, the invited parties may, however,
separately require that they be present in or-
der for the work to be continued.

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GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013 S T U K

Manufacturer Hold point

Manufacturer shall refer to an individual or Hold point shall refer to an inspection for
organisation responsible for the design, man- which advance invitations have been sent to
ufacture, testing, inspection and installation the parties defined in the inspection plan and
of equipment or assemblies. A manufacturer whose supervision is a condition for proceed-
may subcontract one or more of the said tasks ing with the work unless the parties have
under its responsibility. given written permission to proceed without
their presence.
Control of manufacturing
Control of manufacturing shall refer to a pro- Hydrodynamic design
cess to monitor the progress of manufacture Hydrodynamic design shall refer to hydrody-
to ensure that a product or delivery follows all namic dimensioning in normal use as defined
designs and plans. in the process requirements; hydrodynamic
design also refers to transient and accident
Safety accessory analyses when the geometry, dimensions and
Safety accessory shall refer to devices that material of the structure are known.
are intended to protect pressure equipment
against the allowable limits being exceeded. Nuclear facility's pressure equipment
Safety accessories include: a) devices for di- Nuclear facility’s pressure equipment shall
rect pressure limitation, such as safety valves, refer to nuclear and non-nuclear pressure
bursting disc safety devices, buckling rods equipment at a nuclear facility.
and controlled safety pressure relief systems;
b) limiting devices which either activate the Nuclear pressure equipment
means for correction or provide for shut- Nuclear pressure equipment shall refer to
down and lockout, such as pressure switches, pressure equipment classified in safety class
temperature switches or fluid level switches 1, 2 or 3 under Guide YVL B.2.
and safety-related measurement, control and
regulation devices.

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S TU K GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013

References 16. SFS-EN ISO 17663, Welding. Quality require-

ments for heat treatment in connection with
3. Nuclear Energy Act (990/1987). welding and allied processes.
4. Government Decree on the Safety of Nuclear 17. ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code,
Power Plants (717/2013). Section III
5. Nuclear Energy Decree (161/1988). 18. SFS-EN ISO 3834-5, Quality requirements
6. Decision of the Ministry of Trade and for fusion welding of metallic materials. Part
Industry on the safety of pressure equipment 5: Documents with which it is necessary to
(953/1999). conform to claim conformity to the quality
7. Pressure Equipment Directive 97/23/EC. requirements of ISO 3834-2, ISO 3834-3 or
8. Pressure Equipment Act (869/1999). ISO 3834-4.
9. Decision of the Ministry of Trade and Industry 19. ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code,
on inspection organisations referred to in the Section II C.
Pressure Equipment Act (890/1999). 20. RCC-M, Design and Construction Rules for
10. Decision of the Ministry of Trade and Industry Mechanical Components of PWR Nuclear
on Pressure Equipment (938/1999). Island.
11. Chemicals Act (599/2013). 21. SFS-EN 10204 Metallic products. Types of
12. Act on the Safe Handling and Storage of inspection documents.
Dangerous Chemicals and Explosives 22. SFS-EN 13445-3, Unfired pressure vessels.
(390/2005). Part 3: Design.
13. Government Decree on the Monitoring 23. SFS-EN 13480-3, Metallic industrial piping.
of the Handling and Storage of Dangerous Part 3: Design and calculation.
Chemicals (855/2012). 24. SFS-EN ISO 9712 Non-destructive testing.
14. ASME NQA-1, Quality Assurance Require­ Qualification and certification of NDT person-
ments for Nuclear Facility Applications. nel. General principles.
15. SFS-EN ISO 3834-2, Quality requirements for 25. SFS-EN 1591-4, Flanges and their joints. Part
fusion welding of metallic materials. Part 2: 4: Qualification of personnel competency in
Comprehensive quality requirements. the assembly of the bolted connections of criti-
cal service pressurized systems.

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GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013 S T U K

ANNEX A Minimum scope of supervision by

STUK, a third party and the licensee for pressure
vessels and piping in each safety class
Safety class STUK Third Licensee
or IO 1) party
Audit of manufacturer's quality management system 1 H 2) — H
2 H 2) — H
3 W 2) — W
Audit of material manufacturer's quality management system 1 H 2) — H
2 W 2) — H
3 W 2) — W
Prerequisites for manufacture (including installation and 1 H — H
modifications) 2 H — H
• approval of manufacturers, subcontractors, and NDT and DT testing
3 H — H
organisations
• approval of construction plan
Procedure qualifications 1 W H W
• manufacturing procedures (permanent joints, cold and hot working, 2 W H W
heat treatment)
3 — H W
Personnel qualifications 1 — H W
• personnel (welding, NDT) 2 — H W
3 — H W
Witnessing of material testing and sampling, and stamp transfer 3) 1 H H H
Witnessing of material testing for main pressure-retaining parts 2 W 4) H H
• tensile tests, bend tests and impact tests, determining brittle failure
3 — — W
temperature
• witnessing of welding filler material tests for main components 1 W H W
2 — — W
3 — — W
Supervision of NDT 1 W H W
2 — H W
3 — — W
Control of manufacturing 3) 1 W H W
Welding of main pressure-bearing components 2 W H W
3 — — W
Heat treatment 1 W H W
2 W H W
3 — — W
Production tests 1 W H W
2 W H W
3 — — W
Construction inspection and installation construction inspection 1 H — H
• inspection of equipment and manufacturing documentation before 2 H — H
the pressure test
3 H — H
• pressure test and inspection of equipment after pressure test
• inspection of completed equipment and final documentation
Commissioning inspection 1 H — H
• test operation plan 2 H — H
• determining readiness for functional tests
3 H — H
• functional tests

1) The division of inspection responsibilities between STUK and an authorised inspection body (IO) is defined in Annex C.
2) STUK
3) Targets are determined in the licensee’s plant-specific specifications and equipment-specific plans.
4) With piping, only applicable to d ≥ 100 mm.
H = Hold point, W = Witness point

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S TU K GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013

ANNEX B Material certificate requirements for

materials and welding filler materials, SFS-EN 10204

Safety class
Component 1 2 3
Main pressure-retaining parts of equipment 3.2 3.2 3.1 1)
Other pressure-retaining parts 2) 3.1 1) 3.1 1) 2.2 3)
Other parts 2.2 3) 2.2 3) 2.2 3)

1) Certificate 3.1 is approved, if the manufacturer has a certified quality management system in place. Otherwise, certificate 3.2 is required.
2) The requirements of other pressure-retaining parts also apply to
a. parts attached to pressure-bearing parts by welding
b. internal structures of main pressure-bearing parts, excluding the core support structure of reactor pressure vessel
c. main parts of support structures
d. piping in safety class 2, ≤ DN 50.
3) Parts in contact with the primary circuit shall have at least an analysis of each delivery batch.

Safety class
Weld 1 2 3
Main welds of main parts 3.2 3.1 1) 3.1 1)
Welded coatings and main welds of supports 3.1 1) 2.2 2) 2.2 2)
Other welds 2.2 2) 2.2 2) 2.2 2)

1) Certificate 3.1 is approved, if the manufacturer has a certified quality management system in place. Otherwise, certificate 3.2 is required.
2) Welding filler materials of welds in contact with the primary circuit shall have at least an analysis of each delivery batch.

A material certificate of a higher level shall be approved in all cases.

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GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013 S T U K

ANNEX C Division of inspection responsibilities

for safety-classified pressure vessels and piping

Approval or oversight Safety class

Pressure vessels and piping
1 2 3
Licensing, planning, and other advance approvals
Approval of manufacturer for special processes STUK STUK STUK
Approval of manufacturer as part of construction plan STUK STUK/IO 1) IO
Inspection organisations STUK STUK STUK
Testing organisations STUK STUK STUK
Requirement specification for equipment STUK STUK STUK
System and location planning STUK STUK STUK
Construction plan 2) STUK STUK/IO 1,3) IO 3)
Manufacturing, and construction inspection
Control of manufacturing STUK STUK/IO 1) IO
Construction inspection 2) STUK STUK/IO 1) IO
Installation and commissioning
Installation construction plan STUK STUK/IO 1,3) IO 3)
Installation construction inspection STUK STUK/IO 1) IO
Test run programme STUK STUK STUK
Commissioning inspection and modification inspection STUK STUK IO
Pressure equipment registration STUK STUK STUK
Oversight and inspections during operation
Maintenance, repairs and modifications STUK STUK/IO 1,3) IO 3)
Programs for non-destructive in-service inspections (YVL E.5) STUK STUK STUK
Performance of non-destructive in-service inspections (YVL E.5) LH LH LH
Results of non-destructive in-service inspections (YVL E.5) STUK STUK STUK
Periodic inspection procedures for pressure equipment subject STUK STUK STUK
to registration (YVL E.3)
Periodic inspections of pressure equipment subject to STUK STUK IO 4)
registration (YVL E.3)

IO = authorised inspection body approved under Guide YVL E.1

LH = licensee
1) STUK/IO: In safety class 2, an authorised inspection body inspects those components of residual heat removal systems to which the technical require-
ments of safety class 3 can be applied. STUK inspects, however, the heat exchangers of these systems.
2) Inspections of the steam generator and its internal structures are carried out by STUK
3) If the construction plan deviates from the YVL Guides, the construction plan shall be submitted to STUK.
4) STUK shall confirm the operating licences.

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S TU K GUIDE YVL E.3 / 15 November 2013

ANNEX D Division of inspection responsibilities

for non-nuclear pressure vessels and piping
Approval or oversight Non-nuclear equipment
Pressure vessels and piping
Factory-produced pressure equipment Pressure equipment
(vessels) manufactured on-site (piping)
and prefabrication of its
Pressure Pressure equipment not
components
equipment subject to registration
subject to
Decision of the Ministry of Trade and Industry 938/1999,
registration
Sections 4−6
Decision of
the Ministry II, III, IV I and Section II, III, (IV) I and Section 6
of Trade and 6
Industry
953/1999
Licensing, planning, and other advance approvals
Manufacturers, factory production PED PED PED LH LH
Manufacturers, on-site LH LH LH LH LH
Inspection organisations, factory production PED PED PED STUK N/A
Inspection organisations, on-site STUK STUK N/A STUK N/A
Testing organisations, factory production PED PED PED LH LH
Testing organisations, on-site LH LH LH LH LH
Requirement specification for equipment STUK STUK STUK STUK STUK
System and location planning 1) LH/STUK LH/STUK LH/STUK LH/STUK LH/STUK
Construction plan PED PED PED IO/UI LH
Manufacturing, and construction inspection
Control of manufacturing PED PED PED IO/UI LH
Construction inspection PED PED PED IO/UI LH
Installation and commissioning
Installation construction plan IO/UI IO/UI LH IO/UI LH
Installation construction inspection IO/UI IO/UI LH IO/UI LH
Test run programme 2) LH/STUK LH/STUK LH/STUK LH/STUK LH/STUK
Commissioning inspection and modification IO/UI IO/UI LH IO/UI LH
inspection
Pressure equipment registration STUK N/A N/A N/A N/A
Oversight and inspections during operation
Maintenance, repairs and modifications IO/UI IO/UI LH IO/UI LH
Programs for non-destructive in-service STUK STUK STUK STUK STUK
inspections (YVL E.5)
Performance of non-destructive in-service LH LH LH LH LH
inspections (YVL E.5)
Results of non-destructive in-service STUK STUK STUK STUK STUK
inspections (YVL E.5)
Periodic inspection plans for pressure STUK N/A N/A N/A N/A
equipment subject to registration (YVL E.3)
Periodic inspections of pressure equipment IO/UI 3) N/A N/A N/A N/A
subject to registration (YVL E.3)

PED = a procedure laid down in Pressure Equipment Directive 97/23/EC

LH = licensee
IO/UI = authorised inspection body or the licensee’s in-house inspection organisation
1) STUK, if required by Guide YVL B.1; otherwise, LH.
2) According to Guide YVL A.5, testing programmes for systems in class EYT/STUK shall be submitted to STUK for information; otherwise, LH.
3) STUK shall confirm the operating licences.

62