ASME BPVC-III NF, 2023 Edition – Rules for Construction of Nuclear Power Plant Components, Division 1, Subsection NF: Supports

ASME Section III, Division 1, Subsection NF – This Subsection contains requirements for the material, design, fabrication, and examination of supports which are intended to conform to the requirements for Classes 1, 2, 3, and MC construction. Nuclear power plant supports for which rules are specified in this Subsection are those metal supports which are designed to transmit loads from the pressure retaining barrier of the component or piping to the load carrying building structure. In some cases there may be intervening elements in the component support load path which are not constructed to the rules of this Section, such as diesel engines, electric motors, valve operators, coolers and access structures.

What are the key changes for 2023 BPVC Section III, Division 1, Subsection NF (ASME BPVC-III NF)?

NF-1000, NF -2000, NF -3000, Table NF-D, and Appendix NF-E have been revised for the addition of requirements for energy absorbers. Energy absorbing devices have not been fully defined prior to the noted revision.
NF-2321.2 has been revised to remove requirement to use full-size test specimens, and test-specimen requirements were adjusted to be in accordance with SA-370.
NF-3300 has been revised to reflect applicable requirements, for austenitic stainless-steel design, found in AISC Design Guide 27.
NF-5540 has been developed to permit the use of CP-189 as an acceptable nondestructive examination (NDE) personnel qualification standard. Section III, previously required qualification of examiners only to SNT-TC-1A, while Section XI, requires personnel qualification per CP-189.