4.1 This guide addresses the concerns of Regulation Guide 1.54 and USNRC Standard Review Plan 6.1.2, and the replacement of ANSI Standards N5.12, N101.2, and N101.4. This guide covers coating work on previously coated surfaces as well as bare substrates. This guide applies to all coating work in Coating Service Level I and III areas (that is, safety-related coating work). Applicable sections of this guide may also be used to evaluate and select protective coatings for Coating Service Level II areas where deemed appropriate by the licensee.

4.2 The testing referenced in this guide is particularly appropriate for safety-related coatings inside the reactor-containment. Other test methods may be used for assessing the suitability for service of safety-related coatings outside the reactor-containment. Criteria for qualification and performance monitoring of Coating Service Level III coatings shall be addressed in job specifications. Guidance for selecting and performance monitoring of Coating Service Level III coatings is provided Guides D7230 and D7167 respectively, and Sections 4.4 and 4.5 of EPRI 1019157 (formerly TR-109937 and 1003102.).

4.3 Users of this guide must ensure that coatings work complies not only with this guide, but also with the licensee's plant-specific quality assurance program and licensing commitments.

4.4 Safety-Related Coatings: 

4.4.1 The qualification of coatings for Coating Service Levels I and III are different even though they are both safety-related. This guide provides the minimum requirements for qualifying Coating Service Level I coatings and also provides guidance for additional qualification tests that may be used to evaluate Coating Service Level I coatings. This guide also provides guidance concerning selection of Coating Service Level III coatings.

4.4.2 Coating Service Level I Coatings: 

4.4.2.1 All Coating Service Level I coatings must be resistant to the effects of radiation and must be DBA qualified. The test specimens shall be prepared, irradiated and DBA tested and evaluated in accordance with the requirements of:

(a) Test Method D3911 or plant specific requirements as applicable,

(b) Test Method D4082, and

(c) Specification D5139.

4.4.2.2 In addition to the requirements of 4.4.2.1, Coating Service Level I coatings may be evaluated for additional qualities or may require application controls when deemed applicable by the job specifications or licensing commitments. The following documents provide guidance for application, possible additional testing or for the further evaluation of Coating Service Level I coatings when applicable:

(a) Test Method C177,

(b) Practice D3843,

(c) Test Method D3912,

(d) Test Method D4060,

(e) Practice D4227,

(f) Practice D4228,

(g) Guide D4537,

(h) Test Method D4541,

(i) Test Method E84,

(j) Test Method E648,

(k) Test Method E1461, and

(l) Test Method E1530.

4.4.2.3 Condition assessment and management of Coating Service Level I coatings is also required by the licensee to maintain the coatings following the initial application and subsequent repairs. The following documents provide guidance for the monitoring and management of the Coating Service Level I coatings:

(a) Guide D5163 and

(b) Guide D7491.

4.4.3 Coating Service Level III Coatings: 

4.4.3.1 Coating Service Level III coatings must be evaluated for use in accordance with the requirements of plant licensing commitments and the job specifications. Coating Service Level III coatings may include linings used in areas such as service water systems, essential cooling water heat exchanger heads and emergency diesel generator air intakes. There are no specific testing or qualification requirements included in this guide for Coating Service Level III coatings or linings. Testing and evaluation of Coating Service Level III coatings should be conducted as necessary to ensure that the coatings are suitable for the specific service environment. The following documents provide guidance for testing and inspection, which the licensee may consider when preparing job specifications for Coating Service Level III coatings or linings:

(a) Test Method D4541,

(b) Guide D7167,

(c) Guide D7230,

(d) EPRI 1019157 (formerly TR-109937 and 1003102), Sections 4.4 and 4.5,

(e) 10CFR50.65, and

(f) 10CFR50. Appendix B.

4.5 Coatings Service Level II Coatings: 

4.5.1 Coating Service Level II coatings are not safety-related and are restricted to the radiation controlled area (RCA) outside of the reactor-containment in nuclear power plants. There are no specific testing or qualification requirements included in this guide for Coating Service Level II coatings. The following documents provide guidance for testing and inspection, which the licensee may consider when evaluating or specifying Coating Service Level II coatings:

(a) Test Method D3912,

(b) Test Method D4060,

(c) Test Method D4082,

(d) Test Method D4541,

(e) Specification D5139,

(f) Test Method E84,

(g) Test Method E648, and

(h) USNRC Regulatory Guide 8.8.

4.5.2 Some nuclear power plant licenses may include requirements for Coating Service Level II coatings; these requirements must be satisfied when selecting Coating Service Level II coating materials and systems.

1.1 This guide provides a common basis on which protective coatings for the surfaces of nuclear power generating facilities may be qualified and selected by reproducible evaluation tests. This guide also provides guidance for application and maintenance of protective coatings. Under the environmental operating and accident conditions of nuclear power generation facilities, encompassing pressurized water reactors (PWRs) and boiling water reactors (BWRs), coating performance may be affected by exposure to any one, all, or a combination of the following conditions: ionizing radiation; contamination by radioactive nuclides and subsequent decontamination processes; chemical and water sprays; high-temperature high-pressure steam; and abrasion or wear.

1.2 The content of this guide includes:

Section

Referenced Documents

2

Terminology

3

Significance and Use

4

Coating Material Testing

5

Thermal Conductivity

5

Surface Preparation, Coating Application, and Inspection for
  Shop and Field Work

6

Quality Assurance

7

Keywords

8

1.2.1 In addition, this guide addresses technical topics within ANSI N5.12 and ANSI N101.2 that are covered by separate ASTM standards, for example, surface preparation, (shop and field) and coating application, (shop and field).

1.2.2 Applicable sections of this guide and specific acceptance criteria may be incorporated into specifications and other documents where appropriate.2

1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.4 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 safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.