On July 23 - 26, 2018, The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (US NRC) sponsored a combined workshop on the “Practical Basics of Mechanical, Welding, and Nondestructive Examination, Electrical, Instrumentation and Control, Civil/Structural, and Nuclear Quality Assurance” in Bangkok, Thailand. AdSTM instructors, Mr. Gene Imbro and Mr. Bob Gramm, conducted the workshop. The audience was composed of sixteen (16) participants and four (4) part-time observers. The participants and observers included representatives from the Office of Atoms for Peace (OAP); the Electricity Generation Authority of Thailand (EGAT), which has plans to construct a nuclear power plant in the future; the Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology, the national nuclear research organization; nuclear engineering professors from the Chulalongkorn University; and staff from the Suranaree University of Technology, who are involved with the licensing and construction of a new research reactor.
During the workshop, the AdSTM instructors presented basic information related to nuclear power plant mechanical components, welding techniques and associated weld integrity verification processes, electrical equipment, instrumentation and control components, and civil/structural topics. Two sample calculations from the mechanical discipline were discussed. In addition, topics related to Nuclear Quality Assurance, which are applicable to both Nuclear Power Plants and Research and Test Reactors were presented. This included a comparison of nuclear quality assurance provisions to the ISO-9001, “Quality Management System Requirements” standard. The workshop was intended to provide basic information for new regulatory body staff and to provide cross-training familiarization for experienced staff of the covered material. Video material was shared to reinforce topics covered in the workshop. Some generic quality and technical USNRC inspection verification attributes were presented for various installed equipment.
Throughout the workshop participation of the attendees was exceptional and energetic. Participants shared valuable insights and comments from their diverse perspectives, both as the regulator and applicants. They raised probing questions and were highly engaged. The participants provided high marks in their feedback on the quality and practical usefulness of the workshop.