NCJ Number
59816
Journal
NUCLEAR MATERIALS MANAGEMENT Volume: 6 Issue: 3 Dated: (FALL 1977) Pages: 277-291
Date Published
1977
Length
15 pages
Annotation
A STEP-BY-STEP APPROACH FOR USING CHECKS BASED ON PERFORMANCE CRITERIA TO EVALUATE PHYSICAL PROTECTION, MATERIALS CONTROL, AND MATERIALS ACCOUNTING IN SAFEGUARDING NUCLEAR MATERIALS IS DESCRIBED.
Abstract
IN THE UNITED STATES, NUCLEAR LICENSEE SAFEGUARDS REQUIREMENTS ARE GIVEN IN THE FEDERAL REGULATIONS, AND THE LICENSE CONDITIONS ARE SET FORTH IN TERMS OF SPECIFIC PROCEDURES AND FACILITY REQUIREMENTS. THESE REGULATIONS DO NOT DEFINE THE THREAT AND DO NOT DEFINE EXPLICITLY THE AMOUNT OF THEFT WHICH IS OF IMPORTANCE. THUS IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A LICENSEE'S SAFEGUARDS SYSTEM TO BE IN FULL COMPLIANCE WITH THE REGULATIONS AND YET BE FOUND DEFECTIVE WHEN MEASURED AGAINST THE IMPLIED THREAT. A SUPERIOR SYSTEM IS A SET OF PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES AND CRITERIA FROM WHICH LICENSEES CAN OPTIMIZE THEIR PLANT TO SUIT THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES AND BY WHICH THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE FINAL SAFEGUARDS SYSTEM CAN BE EVALUATED. IN THIS APPROACH, THE DETAILS OF THE SYSTEM AND PROCEDURES ARE ESTABLISHED BY THE LICENSEE SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION. PERIODIC DEMONSTRATION OF PERFORMANCE WOULD BE MADE BY THE LICENSEE AND WITNESSED BY INSPECTORS. THIS APPROACH TO SAFEGUARDS PERMITS MORE FLEXIBILITY FOR THE INDUSTRY, AND PROVIDES INCREASED ASSURANCE THAT NUCLEAR FUEL CAN BE SAFEGUARDED IN AN ACCEPTABLE MANNER. THE PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES APPROACH USES GOVERNMENT CRITERIA AND LICENSEE PLANT DESIGN, WITH RELIANCE ON ACTIVE DEMONSTRATION OF SECURITY. ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION OF THE APPROACH CONCERNS THE EVALUATION MODELS AND TESTING. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (TWK)