Risk-informed inservice test activities at the NRC
The operational readiness of certain safety-related components is vital to the safe operation of nuclear power plants. Inservice testing (IST) is one of the mechanisms used by licensees to ensure this readiness. In the past, the type and frequency of IST have been based on the collective best judgment of the NRC and industry in an ASME Code consensus process and NRC rulemaking process. Furthermore, IST requirements have not explicitly considered unique component and system designs and contribution to overall plant risk. Because of the general nature of ASME Code test requirements and non-reliance on risk estimates, current IST requirements may not adequately emphasize testing those components that are most important to safety and may overly emphasize testing of less safety significant components. Nuclear power plant licensees are currently interested in optimizing testing by applying resources in more safety significant areas and, where appropriate, reducing measures in less safety-significant areas. They are interested in maintaining system availability and reducing overall maintenance costs in ways that do not adversely affect safety. The NRC has been interested in using probabilistic, as an adjunct to deterministic, techniques to help define the scope, type and frequency of IST. The development of risk-informed IST programs has the potential to optimize the use of NRC and industry resources without adverse affect on safety.
- Research Organization:
- American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), New York, NY (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 402012
- Report Number(s):
- NUREG/CP-0152; CONF-9607103-; ON: TI96013645; TRN: 96:005268-0046
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 4. NRC/ASME symposium on valve and pump testing in nuclear power plants, Washington, DC (United States), 15-18 Jul 1996; Other Information: PBD: [1996]; Related Information: Is Part Of Proceedings of the 4th NRC/ASME symposium on valve and pump testing; PB: 719 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
A practical approach for implementing risk-based inservice testing of pumps at nuclear power plants
Risk-based inservice testing program modifications at Palo Verde nuclear generating station