Creusot Forge manufacturing records

Progress report on review schedule for components installed on EDF nuclear reactor units

EDF is currently carrying out a comprehensive review of manufacturing records relating to components manufactured at the Creusot Forge plant (located in Saône-et-Loire) and installed on the existing nuclear fleet. This review forms part of the quality plan that AREVA started implementing in 2015 in conjunction with EDF, under the supervision of the French nuclear safety authority (ASN).

For each reactor unit, this review gives rise to a summary report which is submitted to the regulator for assessment two months prior to restart of the respective reactor unit. As before each reactor restart, ASN decides on reactor restart.

As at 14 September, twelve summary reports had been submitted to the ASN. These reports relate to the following reactor units: Chooz 2, Paluel 4, Saint-Laurent 2, Penly 1, Cruas 3, Dampierre 3, Belleville 2, Tricastin 3, Chinon B3, Nogent 1, Gravelines 2 and Bugey 3.

Further to an in-depth review of these records, a list of findings was drawn up relating to record-keeping and document transcription, as well as the performance of manufacturing operations. Each of these records is being reviewed in order to demonstrate the affected component’s fitness for safe operation.

Each finding is then placed in one of the following three categories. A finding may:

• be placed in the "no deviations" category if the document review does not highlight any deviations from Creusot Forge’s instructions, ordering documents or manufacturing documents with regard to standards for the manufacture of nuclear pressurised components and statutory regulations governing the manufacture of the related components ;
• give rise to a non-conformance report (FNC) if a deviation is found which relates to one of the manufacturer’s own standard ;
• give rise to an anomaly report (FA) if a component does not comply with a contractually binding or statutory requirement.

The twelve summary reports that have been submitted to the regulator to date, relating to 309 components, comprise 471 anomaly reports and 130 non-conformance reports. EDF’s assessment of the findings, which has been submitted to the regulator, shows that none are liable to compromise safe operation of the affected components.

This comprehensive review of Creusot Forge manufacturing records will continue up until the 31st of December 2018. Information on summary reports submitted to the regulator is regularly posted on the edf.fr website.