ASME BPVC Section III, Division 3: Containment Systems for Transportation and Storage of Spent Nuclear Fuel and High-Level Radioactive Material, 2023

ASME BPVC Section III, Division 3 – 2023 specifies mandatory construction requirements for containment systems used in the transportation and storage of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste. This section supports regulatory compliance and public safety for radioactive material handling by providing robust rules for structural integrity, containment, shielding, and thermal performance.

It applies to casks, canisters, and related components intended for road, rail, and stationary storage, under both normal and accident conditions.

Highlights:

• Design-by-analysis criteria for radioactive material containment systems under extreme thermal, mechanical, and environmental loads
• Material selection, qualification, and fracture toughness requirements
• Fabrication standards for welding, joining, and forming of structural materials
• Mandatory nondestructive examination (NDE) protocols including radiographic and ultrasonic testing
• Validation tests including hydrostatic, leakage, drop, puncture, fire, and immersion evaluations
• Documentation and marking requirements including Code stamping, data reports, and ASME certification
• Applicable to both storage-only and dual-purpose (storage/transport) cask systems

Who It’s For:
Essential for nuclear fuel cycle engineers, cask designers, QA inspectors, and regulatory personnel involved in the design, construction, and approval of containers for radioactive material transport and storage under ASME compliance.

BPVC.III.3-2023