scope:

FOREWORD

The 2009 edition of ASME QAI-1 incorporates the 2005 edition of QAI-1, and revisions and additions approved by the QAI Standards Committee since the publication of the 2005 edition. This Standard is arranged into the Parts listed below.

Part 1 Requirements for qualifications and duties of the Authorized Inspection Agency, its Authorized Nuclear Inspectors, and its Authorized Nuclear Inspector Supervisors, as used with the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Division 1, Rules for Construction of Nuclear Power Plant Components, and Section III, Division 3, Containment Systems and Transport Packagings for Spent Fuel and High Level Radioactive Waste

Part 2 Requirements for qualifications and duties of the Authorized Inspection Agency, its Authorized Nuclear Inservice Inspectors, and its Authorized Nuclear Inservice Inspector Supervisors, as used with the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section XI, Rules for Inservice Inspection of Nuclear Power Plant Components

Part 3 Requirements for qualifications of the Authorized Inspection Agency, its Authorized Nuclear Inspectors (Concrete), and its Authorized Nuclear Inspector Supervisors (Concrete), as used with the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Division 2, Code for Concrete Reactor Vessels and Containments (ACI 359)

Part 4 Requirements for Accreditation of Authorized Inspection Agencies

Part 5 Requirements for qualifications and duties of the Authorized Inspection Agency and its Supervisors, and qualifications of Authorized Inspectors, as used with the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Sections I; IV; VIII, Divisions 1, 2, and 3; X; and XII.

Part 6 Requirements for qualifications and duties for Qualified Inspection Organizations and qualifications for Inspectors and Supervisors as used with the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section XII

Part 7 Requirements for Accreditation of Qualified Inspection Organizations performing inspections as required by the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section XII

Part 8 Requirements for qualification and duties of the Certified Individual performing inspections as used with the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Sections I; IV; VIII; Divisions 1, 2, and 3; X; and XII when so referenced by the respective Code Sections

These requirements were developed and are maintained by the ASME Committee on Qualifications for Authorized Inspection, which was first formed on March 29, 1973, as a special committee under the Policy Board, Codes and Standards and that now reports to the ASME Board on Conformity Assessment. The Committee operates under procedures accredited by the American National Standards Institute.

The QAI-1 Standard has been developed with the following principles intended to apply to all jurisdictional authorities accredited as an AIA by ASME:

(a) Reciprocity. The enforcement authority (jurisdiction) agrees to accept the results of inspections required by the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code that have been performed by an accredited AIA.

(b) Integrity. The AIA maintains the commitment to the integrity of the inspection process and of the ASME Code Symbol Marks by fulfilling its obligations under the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code and by recognizing the role of the third party inspection system.

(c) Openness. The enforcement authority (jurisdiction) permits ASME Certificate Holders and Applicants for ASME Certificates of Authorization located within its jurisdiction to select other ASME accredited AIAs.

(d) Participation in the Process. The AIA agrees to participate in the development of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code by becoming a member of either the Conference Committee or the International Interest Review Group (IIRG).

When required by context in this Section, the singular shall be interpreted as the plural, and vice-versa; and the feminine, masculine, or neuter gender shall be treated as such other gender as appropriate.

Requests for interpretations or suggestions for improvement of this Standard should be addressed to the Secretary of the Committee on Qualifications for Authorized Inspection, The American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Three Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016-5990.