ML24291A124
| ML24291A124 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 10/28/2024 |
| From: | Bier V Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards |
| To: | Walter Kirchner Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards |
| References | |
| Download: ML24291A124 (1) | |
Text
UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON REACTOR SAFEGUARDS WASHINGTON, DC 20555 - 0001 MEMORANDUM TO:
Walter Kirchner, Chair NuScale Subcommittee Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards FROM:
Vicki Bier, Member NuScale Subcommittee Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards
SUBJECT:
INPUT FOR ACRS REVIEW OF THE NUSCALE STANDARD DESIGN APPROVAL APPLICATION - SAFETY EVALUATION REPORT FOR CHAPTER 18, HUMAN FACTORS ENGINEERING In response to the Subcommittees request, I have reviewed the NRC staffs safety evaluation report (SER) provided to support ACRS review of the standard design approval application (SDAA), and the associated section of the applicants submittal for Chapter 18, Human Factors Engineering. The following is my recommended course of action concerning further review of this chapter and the staffs associated safety evaluation.
Background
Chapter 18 of the SER documents the staffs review of the material provided in the corresponding SDAA chapter.
SER Summary The SER documents the staffs evaluation of the applicants design for compliance with applicable regulations and standards, including Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Part 52, Subpart E, Standard Design Approvals. The NRC staff evaluated the descriptions and discussions of NuScales proposed human factors engineering program, as well as: review of operating experience; functional requirements analysis; task analysis; staffing and qualifications plans; review of potentially important human actions; interface design; and plans for procedure development, design implementation, and human performance monitoring. Based on the above evaluations, the NRC staff found that the descriptions and discussions of NuScales human factors engineering plans are adequate and meet the applicable regulatory requirements, guidance and acceptance criteria for the issuance of an SDA.
In particular, the staff concurs with the NuScale finding that no important human actions were identified. In addition, in comparison with the certified design, the SDAA now proposes only six units (as opposed to 12 initially), and three operators (as opposed to six) - one licensed Vicki M. Bier Digitally signed by Vicki M. Bier Date: 2024.10.28 08:22:38 -04'00' 10/28/24
reactor operator and two licensed senior reactor operators. The staffing plan validation supports the revised staffing plan of three licensed operators.
Concerns I did not identify any specific deficiencies or concerns in my review. I would observe that the application was well documented, and the staffs evaluation was thorough. One observation is that the staffing levels (ratio of the number of operators to the number of units) would need to be re-reviewed if any future NuScale licensees were to propose operation of significantly more than six collocated units. Likewise, approval of this design should not be interpreted as a precedent for required staffing levels at plants of other designs, since appropriate staffing levels may depend on details of plant design, operations, and response. The Committee will also review the finding of no important human actions pending our review of Chapter 19.
Recommendation As lead reviewer for NuScale SDA application, Chapter 18, I recommend that no further Committee review of this chapter is needed at this time.
References
- 1. U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Safety Evaluation of NuScale SDAA Chapter 18, Human Factors Engineering, July 22, 2024 (ADAMS Accession No. ML24019A002).
- 2. NuScale Power, LLC, Standard Design Approval Application, Part 2, Chapter 18, Human Factors Engineering, Revision 1, October 31, 2023 (ADAMS Accession No. ML23304A372).
W. Kirchner
SUBJECT:
INPUT FOR ACRS REVIEW OF THE NUSCALE STANDARD DESIGN APPROVAL APPLICATION - SAFETY EVALUATION REPORT FOR CHAPTER 18, HUMAN FACTORS ENGINEERING Package Accession No: ML24291A111 Accession No: ML24291A124 Publicly Available (Y/N): Y Sensitive (Y/N): N If Sensitive, which category?
Viewing Rights:
NRC Users or ACRS only or See restricted distribution OFFICE ACRS SUNSI Review ACRS ACRS NAME MSnodderly MSnodderly LBurkhart VBier DATE 10/8/24 10/8/24 10/8/24 10/18/24 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY 10/28/24