A cost efficient approach to approval and qualification of equipment [at Sizewell B]

All of the safety related control and instrumentation (C&I) equipment for Sizewell B nuclear power station has to be seismically and environmentally qualified to new standards prepared by Nuclear Electric. The components used in this equipment must also, in general, have Nuclear Electric project approval. NEI Control Systems (NEI-CS) have been awarded the process plant C&I Contract for Sizewell B. All the essential equipment supplied under these contracts is subject to full equipment qualification and project approval procedures. The authors outline the detailed procedures adopted by NEI-CS to achieve these project requirements. SDRC provide a consultancy service to assist in the qualification process. Examples of the various stages are provided where appropriate