Radioactive Packaging Spares Management

Spares used on all radioactive packages for International Nuclear Services Ltd transports must be controlled and managed to ensure the original design basis of the packaging is maintained. They must comply with the original design intent, that is, the package will fundamentally be exactly the same as it was originally, no matter how many components are replaced. This is assured by meeting quality requirements with regard to appearance, dimensions, materials, testing, storage, and fitting. To be assured that these criteria are maintained, INS manages all aspects of spares from procurement and storage through to their issue and use. The procurement process involves purchase via reputable suppliers. This is assured by the use of controlled listings of suppliers who have been evaluated and verified by the Quality Assurance and the Environment, Health and Safety Departments within INS. The evaluation process ensures the supplier is capable of doing the work required by INS, to a suitable standard. This may be by desktop assessment e.g. for small, low value items to regular on-site audits at the supplier e.g. for more complex items. This process includes proprietary ‘off the shelf’ items and a supplier can not be used unless they have been evaluated. However, this does not prevent competition during the procurement process of new suppliers being added at any time. During the procurement process the spare is graded in accordance with IAEA Safety Guides which will determine the manufacturing process and levels of inspection. For bespoke components the supplier receives detailed specifications and drawings. Depending on the quality grading level required, independent qualification of the manufacture may be required by inspections on behalf of INS both before and during manufacture, as well as prior to delivery. INS also maintain trace-ability of spares, so that should it be found that a spare is faulty for whatever reason it can be determined where the component was manufactured, if there are likely to be any others from that source and whether they may be in-service on other packages. During the lifetime of a package its design may change. Therefore, INS manages the removal of ‘out of service’ spares and replacement with current specification components.