ML20244E443
| ML20244E443 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Zion File:ZionSolutions icon.png |
| Issue date: | 05/31/1989 |
| From: | NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REGULATORY RESEARCH (RES) |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20244E434 | List: |
| References | |
| TASK-HF-601-4, TASK-RE REGGD-01.114, REGGD-1.114, NUDOCS 8906200342 | |
| Download: ML20244E443 (4) | |
Text
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U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION R;visi n 2
[3.oec %o o
May 1989
(
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REGULATORY GUIDE
- e OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REGULATORY RESEARCH REGULATORY GUIDE 1.114 (Task HF 601-4)
GUIDANCE TO OPERATORS AT THE CONTROLS AND TO SENIOR OPERATORS IN THE CONTROL ROOM OF A NUCLEAR POWER UNIT A. INTRODUCTION in the control room from which the nuclear power Paragraph (k) of 50.54, " Conditions of Li-unit is being operated. In addition, this guide clarifies censes " of 10 CFR Part 50, " Domestic Licensing of and provides guidance on the acceptable boundanes Production and Utilization Facilities," requires that f 6e e ntrol room. W Ntal area, as menM an operator or senior operator licensed pursuant to me basis fo.73.2(h) and 10 CFR 73.55(c), serves as m 10 CFR 10 CFR Part 55, " Operators' Licenses," be present at r the " control room vital area,, as used m.
the controls at all times during the operation of a fa-this regulatory guide.
t cility. General Design Criterion 19, " Control Room,"
The Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards of Appendix A. " General Design Criteria for Nuclear has been consulted concerning this Suide and has Power Plants," to 10 CFR Part 50 requires, in part, concurred in the regulatory position.
that a control room be provided from which actions can be taken to operate the nuclear power unit safely Any information collection activities mentioned under normal conditions and to maintain the nuclear in this regulatory guide are contained as requirements power plant in a safe condition under accident condi-in 10 CFR Parts 50 or 55, which provide the regula-tions. As defined in 9 50.2 and f 55.4, the term con-tory basis for this guide. The information collection trols, when used with respect to nuclear reactors, requirements in 10 CFR Parts 50 and 55 tave been means apparatus and mechanisms, the manipulation cleared under OMB Clearance Nos. 3150-LO11 and of which directly affects the reactivity or power level 3150-0018, respectively.
of the reactor Paragraph 50.54(m)(2)(iii) requires that, when a nuclear power unit is in an operational B. DISCUSSION mode other than cold shutdown or refueling, as de-fined by the unit's technical specifications, each li-1.
OPERATOR AT THE CONTROLS censee have a person holding a senior operator li-Operating experience has shown that a need ex-cense for the nuclear power unit m the control room at all times. In addition to this senior operator, a li-sts for guidance on acceptable methods of complying censed operator or senior operator must be present at with the Commission's requirement for the presence the controls at all times for each fueled nuclear power of en operator at the controls of a facility. The opera-unit.
tor at the controls of a nuclear power unit has many responsibilities that include, but are not limited to.
This guide describes a method acceptable to the (1) adhering to the unit's technical specifications, I
NRC staff for complying with the Commission's regu-plant operating procedures, and NRC regulations; lations that require the presence of an operator at the (2) reviewing operating data, ini.oding data logging controls of a nuclear power unit and a senior operator and review, in orden to ensure safe operation of the j
i USNRC REoUIAToRY oUIDEs The guldes are issued in the followirig ten broad divisions:
Regulatory Guides are issued to desorlte and make available to the pub-lic rrmthods acceptable to the NRC staff of Implementing specif4c parts of its Commission's regulations, to delineate techniques used by the
- 1. Power Reactors
- 6. Products staff in evaluating specific problems or postulated acc6 dents, or to pro-
- 2. Research and Test Reactors
- 7. Transportation vide guidance to appl 6 cants. ReOulatory Guidns are riot substitutes for
- 3. Fuels and Materials Facilities
- 8. occupational Health regulations, and compliance with them is not required. Methods and
- 4. Environmental and Siting
- 9. Antitrust and Financial Review soluttorw different frorn those set out in the guidos will te acceptable if
- s. Materials and Plant Protection
- 10. General l
they provide a basis for tte faruhngs requisite to the issuance or continu-ance of a permit or floense by the Commission.
Coples of issund Oulues may be purchased from the Govemment Printing i
This guide was issued after consideration of comments received from oftece at the current GPo prica. Information on current GPo prices may 1
the pubhc. Comments and suggestions for improvements in these be obtained by contacting the Superintendent of Documents. U.S.
j guides are encouraged at all times, and Duldes will t a revised, as ap.
Government Pr6nting offion, Post office Box 37082. Washington, DC l
propriate, to accommodate comments and to reflect rew information er 20013-7082, telephone (202)275-20GO or (202)275-2171.
l experience.
Written comments may te submitted w the Regulatory Publications issued gukles may also be purchased fmm the National Technical infor-Oranch. DFIPS, ARM, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washing-mation Service on a standing order t> asis, ootalls on this service may to ton, DC 20555.
obtained by writing NTIS,5265 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161 i
y 8906200342 89063"1 6
j PDR ADOCK 05000r95 L
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l unft; and (3) being able to manually initiate engi-neered safety features during various transient and access to the operational control panels, including in-strumentation displays and alarms, to be able to initi-accident conditions.
ate prompt corrective action when necessary on re-In order for the operator at the controls of a nu-
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- MSponn w clear power unit to be able to carry out these and alarm) of a changing condit."*
- Operational control on.
other responsibilities in a timely fashion, the opera-panels are defined as control panels that enable the tor s attention must be given to the condinon of the operator at the controls to perform required manual unit at all times. The operator must be alert to ensure safety functions and equipment surveillance and to that the unit is operating safely and must be capable monitor plant conditions under normal and accident of taking action to prevent any progress toward a condition that may be unsafe. This is facilitated by 1.2.
The operator at the controls should not control room design and layout in which all controls, instrumentation displays, and alarms required for the normally leave the area where continuous attention, safe operation, shutdown, and cooldown of the unit including visual surveillance of annunciators and in-are readily available to the operator in the control strumentation, can be given to reactor operating con-mom.
ditions and where the operator has access to the reac-tor controls. For example, the operator should not 2.
SENIOR OPERATOR IN TIIE CONTROL routinely enter areas behind control panels where ROOM plant performance cannot be monitored. If the con-A need exists for guidance on acceptable meth-trol room design is such that back panels must be ods of complying with the Commission's requirement monitored, either a senior operator or reactor opera-in paragraph 50.54(m)(2)(iii) that a senior operator tor assigned to the current control room shift must be be present in the control room at all times when a within the view of the control panels during the time nuclear power unit is in an operational mode other that the normally assigned operator is monitoring the than cold shutdown or refueling as defined by the back panels. The operator at the controls should not, unit's rechnical specifications. A senior operator, under any circumstances, leave the surveillance area currently assigned to control room duties and within (defined by the. administrative procedures described the confines of the control room, is expected to be in in response to Regulatory Position 1.3 of this guide) sight of, or in audible range of, the operator at the for any nonemergency reason (e.g., to confer with controls or be in audible range of the control. room others or for personal reasons) without obtaining a annunciators. A senior operator's technical expertise qualified relief operator at the controls. In the event is required in the control room in addition to a reac-of an emergency affecting the safety of operations, tor operator's technical expertise because of the dif-the operator at the controls may momentarily be ab-ferences in their training programs and experience, sent from the defined surveillance' area in order to The staffing rule requires the continuous presence of verify the receipt of an annunciator alarm or initiate a senior operator in the control room to ensure that corrective action provided the operator remains (1) an individual is available who can provide the within the confines of the control room.
oversight function of the supervisor so that the prob-1.'3. Administrative procedures should be estab-ability of correctly detecting abnormal events early lished that define and outline (preferably with enough to mitigate potential adverse consequences is increased; (2) the senior operator in the control sketches) the specific area within the control room room is aware of plant conditions prior to and result-designated as the " surveillance area" where the op-erator at the controls should remain. The procedures ing from an abnormal event so that the senior opera-should define the surveillance area and the areas that tor's extra experience, training, and knowledge can may be entered by the operator at the controls to be used to act promptly to mitigate that event; and (3) the operator at the controls is able to direct atten-verify receipt of an annunciator alarm or to initiate tion to performirg the immediate actions necessary to corrective action in the event of an emergency affect-ing the safety of operations.
mitigate an event, rathey than having to brief the sen-l ior operator about the background of that event, if 1.4. Before assuming responsibility as ti;e opera-the senior operator had been absent from the control tor at the controls, the relief operator should be prop-
- room, erly briefed on the unit's status. Administrative pro-t cedures should describe what is required to ensure I
C.
REGULATORY POSITION that pmper transfer of responsibility occurs during the change of shifts or when an operator on duty is 1.
OPERATOR AT Tile CONTROLS relieved as operator at the controls during a shift and should include, as a minimum, a definition of proper 1.1.
The operator at the controls of a nuclear relief (e.g., what informatio is required to be passed power unit should have an unobstructed view of and on and acknowledged between the two operators).
1.114-2
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A single operator should not assume re-rnally should remain while performing designated sponsibibty as the operator at the controls for more duties.
than one nuclear power unit at the same time. This is one of the minimum requirements per shift for on-2.5. Before assuming responsibility as senior op-site staffing of nuclear power units by licensed opera-erator in the control room, the relief senior operator tors contained in paragraph 50.54(m)(2)(i).
should be properly briefed on the unit's status. Ad-ministrative procedures should describe what is re-2.
SENIOR OPERATOR IN TIIE CONTROL quired to ensure that proper transfer of responsibili-ROOM ties occurs when a senior operator on duty in the control room is relieved of control room responsibil-2.1. A designated senior operator, as defined in ity during a shift or during a change of shifts, and paragraph 55.4 of 10 CFR Part 55, should be present should include, as a minimum, a definition of proper in the control room to meet the requirements of para-relief (e.g., what information is required to be passed graph 50.54(m)(2)(iii).
on and acknowledged between the two senior opera-tors) and notification to the control room shift crew 2.2. The senior operator in the control room is by the senior operator in charge.
expected to spend most of the time in that portion of the control room where there is direct and prompt 2.6. A single senior operator in the control room access to information on current unit conditions and should not assume the responsibility for more than where the senior operator can directly supervise and one control room but may have responsibility for all communicate with the operator at the controls.
units operated from a single control room. This is one of the minimum requirements for on-site staffing per 2.3. The senior operator should have the flexi-shift of nuclear power units by senior operators con-bility to periodically move for a brief period of time tained in paragraph 50.54(m)(2)(i).
to other parts of the control room, as long as the sen-ior operator is at all times within the control room D. IMPLEMENTATION vital area and either The purpose of this section is to provide informa-1.
in sight of or in the audible range of tion to applicants and licensees regarding the NRC the reactor operator at the controls, or staff's plans for using this regulatory guide.
Except in those cases in which an applicant or 2.
in the audible range of the control licensee proposes an acceptable alternative method room annunciators.
for complying with paragraphs 50.54(k) and 50.54(m) of 10 CFR Part 50, the method described 2.4. Administrative procedures should be estab-in this guide will be used in the evaluation of the per-lished that define and outline (preferably with sketches) the specific area within the control room formance of licensees and in the evahation of appli-(Section 2.2 above) where the senior opert.ar nor-cations for construction permits and operating li-censes docketed after May 31,1989.
1.114-3
VALUE/ IMPACT STATEMENT 1
A draft value/ impact statement was published statement for the Gnal guide has not been prepared.
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v.ith the proposed Revision 2 to Regulatory Guide A copy of the draft value/ impact statement is avail-1.114 (Task HF 601-4) when the draft guide was able for inspection and copying for a fee at the Com-published for public comment in December 1986. No mission's Public Document Room at 2120 L Street changes were necessary, so a separate value/ impact NW., Washington, DC, under Task HF 601-4.
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60 CLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Postace e ears raio
- ""C WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555 l
PERMIT No. G47 OFFICIAL BUSINESS PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE. $300 1.114-4