ML25167A133

01-17-84 - LWR Safety Approaches in Other Countries

ML25167A133
Person / Time
Issue date:	01/17/1984
From:	Ebersole J Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards
To:	Dircks W NRC/EDO
References
Download: ML25167A133 (1)

Text

UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON REACTOR SAFEGUARDS WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 January 17, 1984 Mr. William J. Dircks Executive Director for Operations

u. S. Nuclear Regulatory CoR111ission Washington, DC 20555

SUBJECT:

LWR SAFETY APPROACHES IN OTHER COUNTRIES In several recent ACRS reports on the NRC Safety Research Program (Refer-ences 1, 2, and 3), the Cof'llllittee has recommended that the NRC Staff become knowledgeable and remain up to date on regulatory approaches to LWR safety in foreign countries. It is our belief that it is important that the licensing staff, rather than just the research staff or its contractors, obtain the needed background and insight concerning foreign regulatory practices.

We recommend that steps be taken to facilitate obtaining such knowledge.

The Regulatory Staff's level of activity in this regard has increased. For example, they have visited the United Kingdom to obtain a direct perspective on the bases for the differences in the English Sizewell B plant and a U.S.

PWR.

They have also discussed with the French the latter's approach to guidelines and measures for accidents beyond the design basis.

We believe that more effort of this sort is important and that there should be a well-established continuing activity of this nature.

Two exa111>les of other issues on which deeper technical insight could be valuable are the reasons for the current British approach to "leak before break" and the reasons for the differences between the detailed Japanese approach to seismic design and the trends in some segments of the U.S. nuclear col'llllunity to employ flexible piping.

The ACRS believes it important to have a deep understanding of differences on such issues when they exist. This should lead to a more nearly optimal U.S. approach, one which is based on a broader technical background and perspective.

Sincerely,

~:~.~

Chairman

References:

1. Letter from J. J. Ray, ACRS Chairman, to N. J. Palladino, Chairman, NRC,

Subject:

Conwnents on the NRC Safety Research Program Budget for Fiscal Years 1985 and 1986, dated June 16, 1983 3527

Mr. William January 17, 1984

2.

Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards, *Review and Evaluation of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Safety Research Program for Fiscal Years 1984 and 1985 - A Report to the Congress of the United States," USNRC Report NUREG-0963, dated February 1983

3.

Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards, "Comments on the NRC Safety Research Program Budget for Fiscal Years 1984 and 1985, 11 USNRC Report NUREG-0875, dated July 1982 3528