Significance and Use
Quality assurance provides a planned and systematic approach for establishing practices to meet requirements of safe facility operation and product quality.
In the operation of a uranium conversion facility there are many requirements established by regulatory bodies, codes, customers, and the facility itself. These requirements are identified by facility management and acted upon by various facility groups. Implementation of the practices described in this guide are intended to assist with compliance with these requirements.
In the operation of a uranium conversion facility there is a potential for both chemical and radiological exposure to employees, the public, and the environment. This potential is reduced by implementation of the practices described in this guide. The development of this guide, as part of sound management practice, provides a means for ensuring consistency between facilities, and documentation and formalization of existing practices.
To establish a quality assurance program for a uranium conversion facility, the practices in use should be evaluated against the recommended practices of this guide. Existing practices may then be modified or new practices implemented to correct any identified deficiencies. This approach highlights the fact that the basic foundation of a quality assurance program is already present.
ANSI/ASME NQA-1 is a quality assurance standard that is being applied broadly across the nuclear industry. NQA-1 was used as guidance in the development of the program elements of this guide.
The program functions detailed in this guide should be selected based on the particular needs and applications at the facility. Those activities or programs to be included in a uranium conversion facility should be defined in that program.
Scope
1.1 This guide provides guidance and recommended practices for establishing a comprehensive quality assurance program for uranium conversion facilities.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate health and safety practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.3 The basic elements of a quality assurance program appear in the following order:
FUNCTION SECTION
Organization 5
Quality Assurance Program 6
Design Control 7
Instructions, Procedures & Drawings 8
Document Control 9
Procurement 10
Identification and Traceability 11
Processes 12
Inspection 13
Control of Measuring and Test Equipment 14
Handling, Storage and Shipping 15
Inspection, Test and Operating Status 16
Control of Nonconforming Items 17
Corrective Actions 18
Quality Assurance Records 19
Audits 20
TABLE 1 NQA-1 Basic Requirements Related to Principles of Conversion Facility Quality Assurance
NQA-1 BASIC REQUIREMENTS
Elements of Conversion Facility Quality Assurance 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Organization X
Quality Assurance Program X
Design Control X
Document Control X X
Instructions, Procedures & Drawings X
Procurement X
Identification and Traceability X
Processes X
Inspection X X
Control of Measuring and Test Equipment X
Handling, Storage, and Shipping X
Inspection, Test and Operating Status X
Control of Non-conforming Items X
Corrective Actions X
Quality Assurance Records X
Audits X