Continuing Evolution of U.S. Nuclear Quality Assurance Principles, Practices and Requirements 1954 - 2005

1. 1 Continuing Evolution of U.S. Nuclear Quality Assurance Principles, Practices and Requirements1954 - 2005 PART II - A Tutorial August 2005 This document is for information only and is not a part of the ASME NQA-I-2004 Standard.

2. 2 NQA Historical and Tutorial Purposes PART I describes how nuclear quality assurance (NQA) has evolved in the U.S. over 50 years from 1954 as reactions and responses to: public concerns government regulations program needs experiences quality failures external events PART II (this part) is intended to acquaint the next generation of management, technical and quality professionals with NQA): terms and definitions paradigm shifts from ineffectual concepts principles underlying NQA-1 requirements program lessons

3. 3 PART II - NQA Tutorial Outline Acronyms NQA Evolutionary Paths Terms and Definitions NQA Paradigm Shifts from ineffectual concepts Underlying NQA-1 Principles NQA Program Lessons NQA Chronology Specificity

4. 4 Acronyms AEC Atomic Energy Commission ANSI American National Standards Institute ASLB Atomic Safety and Licensing Board ASME American Society of Mechanical Engineers 10 CFR Title 10 Code of Federal Regulations DOE U.S. Department of Energy NRC U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission NQA Nuclear Quality Assurance NUREG Nuclear Regulations QA Quality Assurance QAP Quality Assurance Program QC Quality Control

5. 5 NQA Evolutionary Paths AEC>DOE Standards and Directives AEC>NRC Regulations, Regulatory Guides, Standard Review Plans ANSI>ASME N45.2> NQA-1/2/3 Standards Other related NQA Standard (ANS, IEEE, etc)

6. 6 Terms and Definitions Quality: The condition achieved (or existing) when an item, service or process meets or exceeds the users� requirements or expectations (Source:DOE) Quality assurance: All those planned and systematic actions necessary to provide adequate confidence that a structure, system, or component will perform satisfactorily in service. (Source: 10 CFR 50 Appendix B) All those actions that provide confidence that quality is achieved (or exists) (Source:ASME NQA-1)

7. 7 Terms and Definitions QAP - An overall plan, program or management system established to: Define quality policies, purpose, objectives, requirements, standards, practices and procedures Scope applicable items and activities Assign organizational responsibilities and authorities for management, achievement and assurance of quality Designate need for training and qualification of personnel Provide for performance, assessment and continual improvement of work processes (Source: ASME NQA-1, DOE)

8. 8 NQA Paradigm Shift Ineffective Concept Quality is �inspected into� an item. Present NQA-1 Culture Quality is achieved by people possessing the competence, skills, knowledge, experience, training, resources and work ethic and motivation to do the job right.

9. 9 NQA Paradigm Shift Ineffective Concepts NQA-1 was written by and for QA professionals NQA applied only to safety structures, systems and components NQA program required strict compliance with inflexible requirements and procedures Present NQA-1 Culture NQA-1 is written by and for managers, performers and verifiers. NQA-1 requires a quality management system that applies to safe and reliable operation across the nuclear facility. NQA-1 program applies a sensible graded approach that is both compliance and performance oriented.

10. 10 NQA Paradigm Shift Ineffective Concept Quality professionals are primarily responsible for planning, documenting and implementing the organization�s quality assurance program (quality management system) Present NQA-1 Culture Persons who manage, perform and verify work all contribute to planning, documenting and implementing an integrated, cost effective and efficient quality management system to produce a quality product

11. 11 NQA Paradigm Shift Ineffective Concept A QAP generates excessive amounts of paper. Present NQA-1 Culture QAP documentation is readily available to provide sufficient objective evidence and a defensible record that NQA requirements and commitments have been met.

12. 12 NQA Program Lesson �No quality assurance program is self-executing. Thus, irrespective of how comprehensive it may appear on paper, the program will be essentially without value unless it is timely, improved and properly implemented.� (Source: ASLB at Consumer Power Midland Station public licensing hearings, March 1973)

13. 13 NQA Program Lesson �Top-down management commitment to quality is a primary project objective. Top management must understand the magnitude, complexity and difficulties in designing and constructing nuclear power plants compared to conventional steam plants, and the importance of applying exacting engineering and quality standards. Prior nuclear facility design and construction experience of key project personnel is essential.� (Source NRC NUREG-1055) �Improving Quality and the Assurance of Quality in the Design and Construction of Nuclear Power Plants�

14. 14 NQA Program Lesson �There is a level of change actions � technical, regulatory and procedural � beyond which any project management structure can no longer effectively implement its quality assurance program.� (Source: NRC NUREG-1055)

15. 15 NQA Program Lesson The QAP is implemented as an integral part of a comprehensive management system. The QAP supports prompt detection, communication and correction of quality problems in design, effective management system oversight of the design process, and the ability to control plant configuration and manage change. (Source: NRC NUREG-1055, as modified)

16. 16 Underlying NQA-1 Principles

17. 17 Underlying NQA-1 Principles

18. 18 Underlying NQA-1 Principles

19. 19 Underlying NQA-1 Principles

20. 20 Underlying NQA-1 Principles

21. 21 Underlying NQA-1 Principles

22. 22 NQA Chronology

23. 23 NQA Chronology

24. 24 NQA Chronology