VR Stamp Renewal Process

[HightyHo]

We have been a certified VR Stamp shop now for 3 years and are getting ready for the renewal process. Does anyone have an idea what would be involved with this audit? Will we be rebuilding valves or sending off site for testing like what was done in the intial process? Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Sean

 

[That1Guy]

"Will we be rebuilding valves or sending off site for testing like what was done in the intial process? "

Yes you will be rebuilding valves in the presence of the NB Inspector.

The valves you rebuilt will be sent offsite for testing by the National Board, or by an approved location.

The inspector will be onsite reviewing your paperwork for clarity and issues on the 1st day, and the 2nd day is usually spent in the shop with the valve techs watching them do their thing. Make sure you have valves that have been in process service that you can use for testing. This was our problem which we finally resolved.

 

[JAlton]

You will need to submit an application for the renewal and pay a deposit to the National Board to secure a date for the renewal visit. When they arrive, you will supply them with 2 copies of your current VRQC Manual and 2 copies a revised VRQC Manual should you desire to make any changes to your program. You will be audited to the existing program. They will select valves for you to repair and test during the shop implementation review just like your initial review. However, during this review they will also be reviewing your previous three years of VRQC Repair Records. Be prepared to show VR Travelers completed during the past three years, Calibration Records for Pressure & Dimensional Instruments traceable to NIST for previous three years, Training Reviews for each employee for past three years, Field Audits for each of past three years, Review of ASME Code and NBIC for each of past three years, Purchasing Records for PRV Replacement Critical Parts for past three years, Non-Conformance Reports for past three years (they expect to see some non-conformances. It is nearly impossible to repair PRVs for three years without making a mistake. A closed non-conformance says my system works, e.g. we found it, we fixed it. An open deficiency says the National Board found something we missed). I provide VR QC Consulting Services for numerous clients including NASA, Nuclear Stations, Pharmaceutical Facilities, Chemical Plants, and Valve Shops.

Good Luck!

JAC