Key Issues
Nuclear Power Plant Fire Protection
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Evolving Regulations
The NRC and the industry have been working since 1995 to convert fire protection to a more risk-informed, performance-based (RIPB) process.
An RIPB approach assesses plant design and actual fire risks in each plant area, taking into ac-count such factors as the amount of combustible material, potential ignition sources and fire suppression systems.
The resulting regulation, 10 CFR 50.48(c)—which is voluntary—took effect in 2004. A number of plants have committed to adopting this new regulation. The first two plants intend to submit their license amendment requests necessary to adopt 10 CFR 50.48(c) in mid-2008.
In 1998, the NRC directed staff to work with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to create an RIPB alternative to existing regulations. Progress Energy and Duke Energy have adopted the new rule, known as NFPA Standard 805. Duke’s Oconee plants and Progress’ Harris plant will meet the new standard in 2008. Cost is one factor potentially slowing adoption of the alternative rule since it requires several thousand worker-hours of effort, depending on the plant.
Companies may structure their own hybrid standards, however, borrowing RIPB techniques from NFPA 805. This enables plants to risk-inform their fire protection programs without mandating NFPA 805. NEI created a guidance document to aid plants in implementing the standard in whole or part. The document received NRC endorsement.
Evolving Regulations
The NRC and the industry have been working since 1995 to convert fire protection to a more risk-informed, performance-based (RIPB) process.
An RIPB approach assesses plant design and actual fire risks in each plant area, taking into ac-count such factors as the amount of combustible material, potential ignition sources and fire suppression systems.
The resulting regulation, 10 CFR 50.48(c)—which is voluntary—took effect in 2004. A number of plants have committed to adopting this new regulation. The first two plants intend to submit their license amendment requests necessary to adopt 10 CFR 50.48(c) in mid-2008.
In 1998, the NRC directed staff to work with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to create an RIPB alternative to existing regulations. Progress Energy and Duke Energy have adopted the new rule, known as NFPA Standard 805. Duke’s Oconee plants and Progress’ Harris plant will meet the new standard in 2008. Cost is one factor potentially slowing adoption of the alternative rule since it requires several thousand worker-hours of effort, depending on the plant.
Companies may structure their own hybrid standards, however, borrowing RIPB techniques from NFPA 805. This enables plants to risk-inform their fire protection programs without mandating NFPA 805. NEI created a guidance document to aid plants in implementing the standard in whole or part. The document received NRC endorsement.
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