Vendor/Consultant Participation
A significant number of vendors and consultants are intimately involved in supporting the conduct of periodic local leak rate testing (LLRT) of Appendix J program components as well as the overall Containment integrated leak rate test (ILRT). Support roles include supplying (rental or purchase) leak rate test equipment, air compressors, air hoses, temperature, pressure and dew point sensors, leak rate determination/calculation computer hardware and software, engineering services, staff augmentation personnel such as LLRT and ILRT technicians and engineers, etc. Other vendors provide a different kind of support such as new or replacement model Containment isolation valves, Containment penetrations (electrical & mechanical), Containment airlock parts, accessories and field service, etc. All of these support roles are instrumental in enabling each site’s program owner to maintain component and overall Containment leakage as low as reasonably achievable and within the applicable regulatory mandated limits.
While membership in the Appendix J Program Owners Group (APOG) is limited only to utility employees, active vendor and consultant participation in APOG and it various sponsored activities is not only desired, it is strongly promoted and encouraged. To that end, the designation of affiliate member has been created to formally allow those parties who are engaged in the conduct of Appendix J related activities, but not as utility employees, to participate in APOG. The qualifications to become an affiliate member are defined in the APOG charter. Those seeking to become affiliate members are required to complete an application and submit it to the APOG Steering Committee. The APOG Steering Committee, along with the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson will review each application and present the results (approve or disapprove) of that review to the applicant. Affiliate membership runs on an annual basis. Affiliate member terms and conditions are defined in the APOG charter.