This presentation describes the results of recent efforts to increase the piping automated pass rates for individuals attempting automated qualifications through the Performance Demonstration Initiative (PDI) piping program that is administered by EPRI. 1994-1999 automated pass rates were quite poor and in some instances lower than manual. PDI and the EPRI NDE Center Steering directed EPRI to perform a study in an effort to determine if these pass rates could be improved. During 1999 EPRI staff performed a root cause analysis which concluded that the majority of the candidate failure was due to less than adequate data collected for personnel qualifications after the procedure had been qualified. Based on this determination EPRI personnel made modifications to the existing program, which included a more stringent procedure qualification and more direct interaction with the vendor by EPRI personnel during the procedure qualification. The result of these changes proved to be very beneficial and in some instances the pass rates increased by over 60%. This paper documents the process used and provides a detailed review of the process.
Publication Source: 2nd International Conference on NDE in Relation to Structural Integrity for Nuclear and Pressurized Components, May 24-26, 2000, New Orleans, Louisiana USA. Publisher: EPRI - [Homepage]
