Section 3 Product verification

3.1.1 Product Verification is to establish that the construction of the submarine and the products procured for the construction of the submarine comply with the applicable project specifications, Rules, Codes and standards previously verified during Standards Justification.

3.1.2 The approach to verification documented in the Product Verification Plan is to be agreed between the submarine builder and LR prior to any verification activity and in accordance with the Submarine Assurance Plan.

3.1.3 Prior to verification, details of the builders and product manufacturers systems for quality and process management are to be provided which readily identify the required verification activities that provide Product Verification.

3.1.4 The scope of verification to be carried out by LR and the roles of the entities involved is to be in accordance with the Submarine Assurance Plan.

3.1.5 Verification activities are to include a combination of: Works approval, survey of materials, Inspection, survey of production, Document Review, Installation Survey, witness of Testing and Trials in a documented process.

3.1.6 Arrangements for accessing product related information and documentation and allowing comparison between the design, construction and product related information and documentation and the project specifications, Rules Codes and standards are to be provided.

3.1.7 Arrangements for reporting the results of verification activities are to be defined. Consideration is to be given to the impact on current and proposed verification activities.

3.1.8 Verification is to confirm that the Product Verification Plan is consistent with the Standards Plan and Justification Document and the Design Verification Plan following any revision necessary as a result of the Standards Justification and the Design Verification processes respectively.

3.1.9 Verification is to confirm that the construction of the submarine and the manufacturing of products procured for the construction of the submarine comply with an approved design previously verified and during Design Verification.

3.1.10 Verification is to confirm that the construction of the submarine and the manufacturing of products procured for the construction of the submarine comply with the applicable project specifications, Rules, Codes and standards previously verified and considered acceptable solutions during Standards Justification.

3.1.11 Verification is to confirm that the submarine construction and product manufacturing process are appropriate for the materials used and do not reduce the material properties below allowable limits.

3.1.12 Verification is to confirm that quality controls used are appropriate for the manufacturing processes, materials used and in accordance with the project specifications, Rules, Codes and standards.

3.1.13 Verification is to take account of Whole Boat requirements.

3.1.14 Verification activities are to be appropriate for the safety criticality category of the submarine system, equipment or component.

3.1.15 Verification is to confirm that adequate processes are in place for the traceability of materials and components appropriate to the safety criticality category.

3.1.16 Verification is to confirm that materials and workmanship for the construction of the submarine and the products procured for the construction of the submarine are of suitable quality and free from defects.

3.1.17 Arrangements for managing non-compliances in accordance with their categorisation are to be agreed.

3.1.18 LR will notify the submarine builder or product manufacturer of any non-conformances at the earliest opportunity.

3.1.19 Verification is to confirm that a change control system to assess the impact of change on design, to manage the verification of change and inclusion of change into the build of the submarine.

3.1.20 LR is to be advised of any non-compliance identified during the construction of the submarine or product manufacturing. The impact of non-compliances is to be established. Proposed repairs or modifications are to be considered for their impact on the design before they are undertaken.

3.1.21 Significant repairs and modifications and any consequential operating constraints are to be agreed by LR, the Navy and the Naval Administration. Repairs and modifications are to be recorded in the product verification report. The Submarine Assurance Plan is to be updated and re-verification carried out as necessary.

3.1.22 Objective Quality Evidence to demonstrate compliance at key stages of manufacture and construction is to be established and retained by the submarine builder and product manufacturer. It shall evidence the as built material state of the submarine, system, equipment or component, including non-compliances.

3.2.1 Verification carried out by LR during submarine construction is to confirm that materials and workmanship for the construction of the submarine systems, equipment and components are of suitable quality, free from defects and in accordance with applicable project specifications, Rules, Codes and Standards and applicable processes.

3.2.2 The approach to verification during construction and documented in the construction test and inspection plan is to be agreed between the submarine builder and LR prior to any verification activity and in accordance with the Product Verification Plan.

3.2.3 Prior to the start of construction, the submarine construction facilities are to be inspected and construction processes audited, to confirm that they are considered acceptable by LR for submarine construction. Where construction is transferred to other locations or there is a change in management and organisation, the new arrangements shall also be confirmed as acceptable by LR for submarine construction.

3.2.4 The submarine builder is to identify key steps during submarine construction where verification is to be carried out by LR and the record and supporting evidence to be provided.

3.2.5 LR will notify the submarine builder of any issues identified during verification and where necessary an enhanced level of patrolling and inspection is to be agreed between the builder and LR.

3.2.6 LR will confirm compliance with the agreed verification requirements on completion at the construction milestones.

3.2.7 A progressive programme of component, equipment, system integration and submarine testing is to be established to confirm compliance with the applicable project specifications, Rules, Codes and standards.

3.2.8 The submarine builder is to advise LR of any revision of the Operational Envelope during construction of the submarine and arrangements are to be agreed for re-verification of the Operational envelope through the Design Verification process.

3.3.1 Verification carried out by LR during product manufacturing is to confirm that materials and workmanship for the product are of suitable quality, free from defects and in accordance with applicable project specifications, Rules, Codes and standards and applicable product manufacturing and quality assurance processes.

3.3.2 The approach to verification during product manufacturing is to be agreed between the submarine builder and LR prior to any verification activity and reflected in the Inspection and Test Plan ITP.

3.3.3 Prior to manufacture, the product manufacturing facilities are to be subject to LR works approval or audit by LR, depending on the safety criticality category. The manufacturing processes is to be demonstrated as being suitable for the products manufactured. Where manufacturing is transferred to other locations or there is a change in management and organisation, the new arrangements shall also be confirmed as acceptable by LR.

3.3.4 The submarine Builder is responsible for all verification activities relating the product manufacturing supply chain. However, subject to special consideration and agreement by all stakeholders, LR may consider direct engagement with product manufacturers for the verification of products. Any such arrangements are to be documented in the Product Verification Plan.

3.3.5 The submarine builder is to identify key steps during product manufacturing where verification is to be carried out by LR and the records and supporting evidence to be provided.

3.3.6 The submarine builder is responsible for communicating with the product manufacturers. Requirements relating to the verification activities are to be carried out by LR.

3.3.7 The submarine builder is to ensure that product manufacturers are provided with accurate and timely details of the arrangements for verification activities to be carried out by LR. However, subject to special consideration, LR will consider direct engagement with product manufacturers for the arrangement of verification activities. Any such arrangements are to be documented in the Product Verification Plan.

3.3.8 LR will notify the product manufacturer and submarine builder of any issues identified during verification and where necessary an enhanced level of patrolling and inspection is to be agreed between the submarine builder, product manufacturer and LR.

3.3.9 LR will record defects, anomalies and deviations as a non-compliance and will notify the submarine builder and product manufacturer at the earliest opportunity.

3.3.10 Repairs undertaken during the product manufacturing are to be recorded in the product verification report. The Product Assurance Plan is to be updated and re-verification carried out as necessary.

3.4.1 Verification carried out by LR in-service and during maintenance is to be in accordance with the In-Service Verification plan.

3.4.2 Verification carried out by LR in-service and during maintenance, is to confirm that materials and workmanship for the maintenance of the submarine are of suitable quality, free from defects and in accordance with applicable project specifications, Rules, Codes and standards and applicable maintenance and quality assurance processes.

3.4.3 LR will maintain records of the verification activities performed.

3.4.4 Verification is to confirm that the required maintenance has been carried out in accordance with the Product Maintenance Plan for the systems, equipment and components within the scope of the In-Service Verification plan.

3.4.5 Verification is to confirm that the examination and re-validation activities required for systems, equipment and components have been completed.

3.4.6 Verification is to confirm that documentation relating to design and operation has been updated to recognise any products replaced, added or repaired as necessary in accordance with change control and configuration control processes.

3.4.7 Products replaced, added or repaired are to be subject to Product Verification.

3.4.8 Repairs are to be recorded and the re-verification carried out as necessary.