ML20052E777
| ML20052E777 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 02/21/2020 |
| From: | Russell Gibbs NRC/NRR/DRO/IRSB |
| To: | |
| Gibbs R, NRR/DRO, 415-8578 | |
| References | |
| Download: ML20052E777 (1) | |
Text
Reactor Oversight Process Enhancement Engineering Inspections
Background
The NRCs engineering inspections help verify that U.S. nuclear power plants structures, systems, or components can perform their intended safety functions under abnormal and accident conditions. The agency has enhanced its engineering inspections through insights from actual events and inspection findings. Plants are designed robustly to maintain safety, but they are not static, so the NRC inspects them in a risk-informed and performance-based manner.
The Commission is considering recommendations in SECY-18-0113 to further enhance the engineering inspection programs effectiveness.
Changes Recommended by Staff Combine Overlapping Inspections The staffs review of events and inspection implementation showed certain inspections could be combined while maintaining our ability to assess licensee performance and safety.
Frequency of Comprehensive Inspections and Annual Focused Inspections More than 19 years of ROP implementation has provided evidence that the inspection cycle could be modified while maintaining the NRC's ability to independently validate licensee engineering performance. Within the proposed 4-year cycle, each site would receive an engineering inspection each year, either a comprehensive engineering team inspection or focused engineer inspection.
Next Steps Staff will continue to perform the existing engineering inspection process in the Baseline Inspection Program and evaluate the inspections effectiveness. Staff will address recommendations as directed by the Commission upon their review of SECY-18-0113.