From Requirements to Qualification
Nuclear Equipment Qualification Expertise
For more than three decades, Clark Testing has supported manufacturers and suppliers serving the commercial nuclear power industry. Our nuclear equipment qualification capabilities date back to 1992, when Clark acquired a Westinghouse equipment qualification laboratory. Since then, Clark has continued to support equipment qualification (EQ), component testing, and commercial grade dedication under a nuclear quality assurance program aligned with 10 CFR 50 Appendix B and ASME NQA-1.
Today’s nuclear programs include operating plant life extension, replacement of obsolete equipment, new reactor construction, and small modular reactor (SMR) development. Each presents different design basis conditions, service environments, acceptance criteria, and documentation requirements. Clark works with equipment manufacturers, system integrators, suppliers, and nuclear project teams to turn those requirements into a defined qualification program and an auditable technical record.
Our engineers can support a complete qualification program or an individual test discipline, from requirements review and test planning through aging, seismic and RIM testing, EMC/EMI, mechanical and environmental testing, functional monitoring, and final documentation. Programs are developed around the component’s intended function, installation and service conditions, applicable specifications, test sequence, and acceptance criteria.
Qualification Support From Requirements Through Final Report
Clark works with equipment manufacturers, system integrators, suppliers, and plant teams on complete qualification programs or individual test disciplines. Each program begins with a review of the component’s intended function, installation and service conditions, applicable specifications, qualification requirements, and acceptance criteria.
Our engineers help establish the test sequence, preconditioning and aging requirements, mounting and fixturing, instrumentation, functional monitoring, and required documentation before testing begins. Clark can then execute the applicable qualification testing and document the results for inclusion in the customer’s qualification record.
By addressing these requirements early, we help customers develop a practical test approach, identify potential execution issues before testing begins, and maintain a clear technical record from initial requirements through final reporting.
Equipment Qualification for Safety-Related Applications
Nuclear equipment may be required to perform its intended safety function after years of service and during or following specified design basis events. Depending on the application, qualification may address temperature, humidity, radiation, mechanical cycling, seismic motion, chemical exposure, pressure, steam, submergence, and other specified service or accident conditions.
A qualification program may include preconditioning and aging, functional checks, environmental and mechanical exposures, event simulation, and post-test inspection. Functional performance can be monitored before, during, and after testing as required by the applicable specification and acceptance criteria.
For certain electrical equipment important to safety, 10 CFR 50.49 establishes environmental qualification requirements. The licensee determines the applicable equipment, service conditions, and qualification requirements. Clark provides contracted testing, engineering support, and documentation to help establish the technical evidence required for the customer’s qualification record.
Seismic and Required Input Motion (RIM) Testing
Clark provides triaxial seismic qualification testing for mounted nuclear electrical and mechanical equipment, along with required input motion (RIM) testing for applicable line-mounted components. Programs are developed around the equipment specification, required response spectra, mounting configuration, operating function, and acceptance criteria.
Before testing, our engineers review equipment mass, center of gravity, mounting and fixturing requirements, instrumentation, and required functional monitoring. Testing can incorporate resonance search, seismic simulation, and performance verification before, during, and after the required exposures.
Programs may reference IEEE Std 344, IEEE Std 382 for applicable actuators, ASME QME-1 for active mechanical equipment, and plant or project-specific requirements. The governing standards, response spectra, test methods, and acceptance criteria are established for each qualification program.
Thermal and Environmental Aging
Clark develops thermal and environmental aging programs around the equipment’s specified service life, service environment, materials, and qualification requirements. Programs may include elevated temperature and humidity exposure, thermal cycling, and other environmental conditions used to simulate the effects of service prior to qualification testing.
Mechanical or vibration aging and functional checks can be incorporated when required by the qualification plan. Clark works with the customer to establish the appropriate exposure conditions, test sequence, instrumentation, and performance monitoring needed throughout the program.
For electrical equipment subject to 10 CFR 50.49, qualification programs must address applicable significant aging mechanisms and specified service and accident environments. Clark documents exposure conditions and equipment performance to support the customer’s qualification record.
Mechanical and Vibration Aging
Clark provides mechanical and vibration aging to simulate the effects of normal service conditions prior to qualification testing. Programs may include operational cycling, mechanical cycling, vibration exposure, fatigue, resonance evaluation, and other preconditioning required by the equipment specification or qualification plan.
Testing can be developed for valves, actuators, pumps, motors, electrical equipment, and other nuclear components where mechanical aging or operational wear may affect the equipment’s ability to perform its required function. Mechanical aging can be integrated with thermal aging, seismic testing, environmental exposure, and functional verification as part of a coordinated qualification sequence.
Clark works with the customer to establish the required cycles, loads, operating conditions, monitoring, and acceptance criteria before testing begins.
EMC and EMI Testing
Clark provides electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and electromagnetic interference (EMI) testing for nuclear controls, instrumentation, electrical equipment, and other components subject to specified emissions and immunity requirements.
Testing is developed around the applicable equipment specification, operating modes, test methods, acceptance criteria, and required functional monitoring. EMC and EMI testing can be performed as an individual qualification activity or integrated with aging, seismic, environmental, and functional testing as part of a coordinated equipment qualification program.
Clark works with the customer to establish the applicable test methods, equipment configuration, instrumentation, operating conditions, and quality assurance requirements before testing begins.
Accident Condition Testing and Support
Clark supports nuclear equipment qualification programs requiring simulation of specified accident and post-accident service conditions. Depending on the component and qualification basis, programs may address LOCA, HELB, radiation exposure, chemical spray, elevated temperature and pressure, steam, submergence, and other specified environmental conditions.
Our engineers work with customers to review the applicable accident profiles, equipment configuration, test sequence, instrumentation, functional monitoring, and acceptance criteria. Accident condition testing can be coordinated with thermal and mechanical aging, seismic qualification, EMC/EMI, and other required exposures to maintain the specified qualification sequence.
Where a qualification program requires capabilities or specialty services outside Clark's laboratories, we can support test planning and coordination as part of the overall program. Test conditions, equipment performance, and results are documented to support the customer's qualification record and applicable project requirements.
Supporting Laboratory Testing
Clark's broader laboratory capabilities can support additional testing and analysis required as part of a nuclear equipment qualification or component evaluation program. Services may include static load and structural testing, materials characterization, corrosion testing, fatigue evaluation, and failure analysis, depending on the equipment and applicable requirements.
These capabilities can be used to evaluate component materials and construction, investigate potential failure mechanisms, verify structural or mechanical characteristics, or provide supporting technical data before or after primary qualification testing. Testing is developed around the customer's specifications, equipment configuration, and defined acceptance criteria.
By combining nuclear qualification experience with Clark's mechanical, structural, and materials laboratories, customers can coordinate supporting test disciplines within a broader qualification program while maintaining consistent planning, documentation, and technical oversight.
Commercial Grade Dedication and Replacement Equipment
Clark supports commercial grade dedication (CGD) and replacement equipment programs for components intended for safety-related nuclear applications. These projects often involve replacement of obsolete or unavailable equipment where the original qualified component is no longer commercially available or where a commercial grade item is being evaluated for a safety-related application.
Support can include technical evaluations, identification of safety functions and critical characteristics, commercial dedication instructions, inspection and test planning, critical characteristic verification, and supporting acceptance documentation. Clark's testing capabilities can be incorporated into the dedication process when physical testing or verification is required to establish reasonable assurance that the component will perform its intended safety function.
For replacement and obsolescence programs, Clark can also support evaluation of component requirements and development of a practical verification and testing approach based on the applicable procurement documents, design requirements, service conditions, and acceptance criteria.
The dedicating entity and licensee retain responsibility for the dedication basis, acceptance criteria, and final acceptance of the item. Clark provides the engineering, inspection, testing, and documentation support needed to help customers execute and document the technical evaluation and verification process.
Supporting the Existing Fleet, New Builds, and SMRs
Clark supports qualification programs across the commercial nuclear industry, from replacement equipment and plant life extension for the operating fleet to new reactor construction and small modular reactor (SMR) development. Each program brings its own design basis, equipment classification, service conditions, procurement requirements, and qualification approach.
Our role is to help manufacturers, suppliers, integrators, and nuclear project teams translate those requirements into a practical test program. Whether qualifying a replacement component for an existing plant or supporting equipment being developed for a new reactor design, Clark can coordinate the required aging, seismic, environmental, EMC/EMI, mechanical, functional, and documentation activities.
Qualification requirements are established for each project based on the applicable specifications, standards, licensing basis, and customer requirements. Clark's nuclear quality assurance program and more than three decades of equipment qualification experience provide the framework to support both today's operating fleet and the next generation of nuclear power.
Bring Us Your Qualification Requirements
Component specification. Service environment. Required standards. Schedule.
Clark will review the scope with your team and help develop a practical qualification and testing approach.
