Section 505.2700  Use of Alternative Standards for Construction, Inspection and Repair

a)         For all non-ISI boilers and pressure vessels, the Department shall determine the acceptability of the alternative standards in accordance with this Section.

b)         The Department shall automatically accept alternative standards that have been accepted by the NRC and referenced in the nuclear facility's Updated or Final Safety Analysis Report, technical specifications or other licensing documents.

c)         For boilers and pressure vessels, other than those covered by subsection (b) of this Section, installed subsequent to February 7, 1994, to be constructed to alternative standards than the ASME Code standards, the owner may request the Department to issue a permit for the installation of a boiler or pressure vessel not constructed in accordance with the applicable ASME Code.

1)         The owner shall submit the documentation described in this Section to the Department and obtain a special installation permit.

2)         The owner shall specify the reasons why the boiler or pressure vessel cannot be constructed in accordance with ASME Code standards.  The owner shall also supply the following information to the Department for review and consideration of requests for a special installation permit:

A)        Full details of design and construction showing equivalency to and departures from the ASME Code, including blueprints and material showing details of the construction;

B)        Data relating to the physical and chemical properties of all materials used in construction;

C)        Calculations showing how the MAWP was derived;

D)        An authentic test record for all non-ASME Code materials used in construction; and

E)         Other data as the owner deems relevant or as the Department may request in order to establish that the boiler or pressure vessel will be capable of operating as safely as one built to ASME Code standards.

3)         The Department may issue special installation permits to a class of boilers or pressure vessels meeting the above criteria when it deems that the public interest would be best served by application of the class of boilers or pressure vessels rather than individual case-by-case determination.

4)         The Department may, as a condition to issuance of a special installation permit, require the installation of safety features or prescribed operating procedures for boilers or pressure vessels.  The Department will use relevant safety data in determining the need for installation of safety features or operating features.

5)         If the Department denies a request for a special permit, the owner may request a hearing pursuant to Section 505.84 of this Part.

d)         For boilers and pressure vessels, other than those covered by subsection (b) of this Section, to be inspected to standards other than those specified in this Part, the owner shall request the use of alternative standards.

1)         The owner shall submit the documentation described in this Section to the Department and obtain permission to use the alternative standards.

2)         The owner shall specify the reasons why the boiler or pressure vessel cannot be inspected in accordance with this Part.

3)         The Department may approve the use of alternative standards for inspection for a class of boilers or pressure vessels when it deems that the public interest would be best served by application of the class of boilers or pressure vessels rather than individual case-by-case determination.

4)         The Department may, as a condition of approval of the use of alternative standards for inspection, require the installation of safety features or prescribed operating procedures for boilers or pressure vessels.  The Department will use relevant safety data in determining the need for installation of safety features or operating features.

5)         If the Department denies a request for the use of alternative standards for inspection, the owner may request a hearing pursuant to Section 505.84 of this Part.

e)         For boilers and pressure vessels, other than those covered by subsection (b) of this Section, to be repaired to standards other than those specified in this Part, the owner shall request the use of alternative standards.

1)         The owner shall submit the documentation described in this Section to the Department and obtain permission to use the alternative standards.

2)         The owner shall specify the reasons why the boiler or pressure vessel cannot be repaired in accordance with this Part.

3)         The Department may approve the use of alternative standards for repair for a class of boilers or pressure vessels when it deems that the public interest would be best served by application of the alternative standards to the class of boilers or pressure vessels rather than individual case-by-case determination.

4)         The Department may, as a condition of approval of the use of alternative standards for repair, require the installation of safety features or prescribed operating procedures for boilers or pressure vessels.  The Department will use relevant safety data in determining the need for installation of safety features or operating features.

5)         If the Department denies a request for the use of alternative standards for repair, the owner may request a hearing pursuant to Section 505.84 of this Part.

f)          Owners shall meet the requirements of Section 505.170 of this Part in all cases involving use of alternative standards for non-ISI boilers or pressure vessels.

(Source:  Amended at 20 Ill. Reg. 6455, effective April 26, 1996)