Document: NRC Regulatory Guide
Document ID: 4774af39-208c-4761-97e8-2d66c6d14794
Document Type: regulatory_guide
Title: Performance-Based Containment Leak-Test Program (Rev. 1)
Source: NRC Regulatory Guide Division 1
Source URL: https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML2200/ML22006A317.pdf
Revision Date: 2023-05
Chapter: 
Section ID: RG-1.163
CFR Part: 
CFR Title: 

Content:
al penetrations, bolting penetration bellows) and a number of the accessible and inaccessible areas of the containment structures (e.g., moisture barriers, steel shells, and liners backed by concrete, inaccessible areas of ice-condenser containments that are potentially subject to corrosion). In addition, the LAR should also address such inaccessible degradation-susceptible areas in plant-specific inspections, using viable, commercially available NDE methods (such as boroscopes, guided wave techniques, etc.). Error! Reference source not found. 4. As part of the LAR submittal, the licensee should provide information about any tests and inspections following major modifications to the containment structure, as applicable. The regulation at 10 CFR 50.55a(b)(2)(ix)(J) states, in part, that “[w]hen applying IWE–5000 to Class MC pressure-retaining components, any major containment modification or repair/replacement must be followed by a Type A test to provide assurance of both containment structural integrity and leak-tight integrity prior to returning to service.” The revisions to the Type A interval described in NEI 94-01, Revision 3-A and this RG are limited to Type A testing for the purposes of satisfying Appendix J, and if licensees intend to depart from 50.55a(b)(2)(ix)(J), then licensees should submit an alternative request before implementation in accordance with 10 CFR 50.55a(z). 5. The normal Type A test interval should be less than 15 years. If a licensee desires to use the provision of Section 9.1 of NEI 94-01, Revision 3-A, related to extending the ILRT interval beyond 15 years, the licensee should demonstrate in a LAR that the extension is necessary due to an unforeseen emergent condition (see Regulatory Issue Summary 2008–27, “Staff Position on DG-1391, Page 9 Extension of the Containment Type A Test Interval Beyond 15 Years Under Option B of Appendix J to 10 CFR Part 50,” dated December 8, 2008 (Ref. 18)). 6. For new reactor plants licensed