Implementation of the ASME Code and NQA-1 in U.S. Department of Energy Packaging Certification Program Training Courses

Abstract

Under the authorization of the Department of Transportation, per 49 CFR Part 173.7(d), Type B and fissile radioactive materials packagings made by or under the direction of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) may be used for the transportation of Class 7 materials when evaluated, approved, and certified by DOE against packaging standards equivalent to those specified in 10 CFR Part 71. The DOE certificate is issued on the basis of a safety analysis report of the package design and application. The applicant must demonstrate to DOE the package meets the standards in the 10 CFR Part 71. Since the Type B and fissile radioactive materials packaging standards specified in 10 CFR Part 71 are performance based standards, guides and other tools are necessary to demonstrate how a package design meets the standards. Two essential tools used by packaging applicants and reviewers to quantify and demonstrate compliance with the safety standards/requirements of the CFR are the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel (B&PV) Code and ASME NQA-1. The DOE Packaging Certification Program develops and sponsors training courses for packaging applicants and reviewers. Many of these courses are required training by DOE for persons that manage or prepare safety analysis reports for package designs (i.e., applications) submitted to the DOE for certification. The ASME B&PV Code and NQA-1 are ubiquitous in the DOE core training courses. This paper provides an overview how the ASME B&PV Code and NQA-1 are implemented in DOE Packaging Certification Program training courses.