RB 090-14 PDF

Full title and description

RB-090-14 — "Unified methods of control of basic materials (semi-finished products), welded joints and surfacing of equipment and pipelines of atomic power installations. Capillary control." This is a safety guidance document that sets out recommended procedures, sensitivity classes, acceptance criteria and record-keeping practices for liquid‑penetrant (capillary) non‑destructive testing (NDT) of materials, welds and surfacing used in nuclear power and other atomic energy facilities.

Abstract

RB-090-14 provides unified, practice-oriented instructions for the planning and performance of capillary (penetrant) inspection in the nuclear energy sector: selection and verification of defectoscopic kits and consumables, surface preparation, application and removal of penetrant and developer, classification of sensitivity levels, documentation and sample forms for control journals and test‑piece passports, and safe procedural requirements specific to equipment and pipelines of atomic energy installations. The guidance was intended to harmonize methods used by operating organisations and inspection bodies.

General information

• Status: Cancelled / no longer in force (document withdrawn as a result of a Rostekhnadzor order dated 24 January 2019).
• Publication date: Introduced and put into effect 30 April 2014 (approved by order No. 182 of the Federal Service for Environmental, Technological and Atomic Supervision).
• Publisher: Federal Service for Environmental, Technological and Atomic Supervision (Rostekhnadzor / Federal supervisory authority for nuclear and industrial safety).
• ICS / categories: Relevant to Non‑destructive testing and Welding — notably ICS 19.100 (Non‑destructive testing) and subfields of 25.160 (welding and welded joints). (classification reflects the document’s focus on NDT of welds and materials).
• Edition / version: Original issue 2014; editorial/amendments recorded (notably changes by order of 21 July 2016).
• Number of pages: Approximately 25 pages (published guidance with appendices and sample forms).

Scope

Applies to unified methodologies for capillary (liquid‑penetrant) inspection of base materials (semi‑finished products), welded joints and surfaced (clad/overlaid) areas of equipment and pipelines used in atomic‑energy installations. The guidance covers technical requirements for consumables and defectoscopic kits, environmental/temperature ranges for inspection, sensitivity classes, sample control blocks and recommended formats for recording results and issuing inspection conclusions. It is aimed at establishing consistent inspection practice within the regulatory framework for nuclear and radiation safety.

Key topics and requirements

• Definitions and classes of sensitivity for penetrant inspection (I, II, etc.) and recommended defectoscopic kits for each class.
• Procedure steps: surface preparation, penetrant application (brush/aerosol), dwell times, removal, developer application and interpretation of indications.
• Acceptance criteria and recording requirements for indications found on base material, welds and surfacing layers.
• Requirements for incoming verification of defectoscopic materials, calibration/control specimens and passporting of test samples.
• Recommended forms: inspection journal, control‑sample passport, and sample technology instructions for capillary control.
• Quality assurance and personnel competence provisions (the 2016 amendment relaxed some certification requirements for routine controllers, focusing on demonstrated knowledge and practical skill instead of mandatory certifying paperwork).

Typical use and users

Primary users are nuclear power plant operators, in‑service inspection teams, NDT laboratories and contractors who perform penetrant testing on components and piping of atomic energy installations. Secondary users include regulatory compliance staff, QA/QC engineers, welding and repair workshops that supply or service nuclear facilities, and training organisations preparing NDT personnel for work in regulated nuclear environments.

Related standards

RB-090-14 is part of a set of safety guides and unified control methodologies used in the Russian nuclear sector; it replaced or updated content from earlier guidance such as PNAE G-7-018-89 and references national standards (GOSTs) and technical rules related to non‑destructive testing and materials for nuclear equipment. Internationally relevant references include penetrant‑testing standards in the ISO and EN families (for example ISO/EN penetrant testing series) and ISO 9712 for personnel qualification. National GOST and industry technical standards (e.g., those on defectoscopy, materials and valve specifications) are cited in the guidance.

Keywords

RB-090-14; РБ-090-14; capillary control; penetrant testing; liquid‑penetrant inspection; non‑destructive testing (NDT); weld inspection; surfaced (clad) layers; nuclear safety; Rostekhnadzor; PNAE G-7-018-89; defectoscopic kits; inspection journal.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: RB-090-14 is a Rostekhnadzor safety guidance document (a unified methodology) describing recommended methods for capillary (liquid‑penetrant) non‑destructive testing of materials, welds and surfacing in atomic energy installations. It was approved in 2014.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers selection and verification of defectoscopic materials and kits, procedural steps for penetrant testing (application, dwell, removal, developer), sensitivity classes and acceptance guidance, record forms (journals, passports), and related QA and documentation practices tailored for nuclear facility equipment and pipelines.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: NDT technicians, inspection organisations, plant QA/QC engineers, maintenance and repair shops working on nuclear plant components, and regulators or compliance units within the nuclear industry.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: RB-090-14 was introduced 30 April 2014 and amended in 2016, but it was later withdrawn and is no longer in force following a Rostekhnadzor order dated 24 January 2019. Users should consult the current regulatory corpus and Rostekhnadzor updates for the applicable guidance in force today.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — RB-090-14 is one of a group of RB (Rukovodstvo po bezopasnosti) safety guides dealing with unified control methodologies for materials and welds in atomic energy installations; companion guides address other NDT methods, welding rules and equipment‑specific inspection techniques.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Capillary control; penetrant testing; liquid‑penetrant inspection; NDT; weld inspection; defectoscopic kit; sensitivity class; inspection journal; nuclear safety; Rostekhnadzor.