Software Quality Assurance Considerations for Life-extension and New-build Projects at Canadian Nuclear Power Plants

Abstract

An incorrect or missing assessment of new or updated software for a nuclear power plant could cause delays or re-work, and can cause equipment to become unavailable for service. This is more likely to occur during life-extension projects or new-builds. New software can be introduced when:

• Obsolete parts are replaced with ones that contain embedded firmware.
• Updating control or monitoring systems with ones that use newer or additional software.
• Replacing software which models mechanical or electronic components.
• Using components that require new “software tools” to configure and maintain them.
• Using “software engineering tools” to create or change software.

This paper's purpose is to describe Software Quality Assurance requirements for various types of plant-related software. This includes the following steps: classification, categorization, development and qualification. An overview of standards is provided with an emphasis on qualification in the context of replacing obsolete devices during life-extension projects.