regulation of slowpoke research reactor facilities in canada lucie désaulniers project officer...
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Regulation of SLOWPOKE Research Reactor Facilities in Canada
Lucie Désaulniers
Project Officer
Processing and Research Facilities Division, CNSC
National Organization of Test, Research and Training Reactors, 2007 Conference
Lincoln City, Oregon
September 19, 2007
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OUTLINE
• CNSC’s background, history, mandate and structure
• CNSC’s risk based approach to regulation
• SLOWPOKE research reactors
• Compliance program
• Conclusions
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BACKGROUND AND HISTORY
• Atomic Energy Control Board (AECB) created in 1946.
• Nuclear Safety and Control Act (NSCA), 2000
• AECB Replaced by Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), 2000.
• Broader responsibilities for the CNSC
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THE CNSC’s MANDATE
“To regulate the development, production and use of nuclear energy, nuclear substances, prescribed equipment, and prescribed information in order to:
• Prevent unreasonable risk to the environment and to the health and safety of persons;
• Prevent unreasonable risk to national security; and
• Achieve conformity with measures of control and international obligations to which Canada has agreed.”
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THE CNSC STRUCTURE
• Independent
• Quasi-judicial
• Seven member tribunal
• Decision-makers
CNSC
CNSC StaffCommission• Supports tribunal
• Make recommendations
about licensing issues
• Administers tribunal
decisions
CNSC website: www.nuclearsafety.gc.ca
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RISK BASED APPROACH
CNSC objectives
• To be an effective regulator;
• To operate with a high level of transparency; and,
• To ensure that the CNSC is efficient in carrying out its mandate.
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RISK BASED APPROACH
• Facilities assessed in specific risk areas;
• Impact of these risk areas on the facility; and,
• Ranking of the facilities.
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RISK BASED APPROACH
• Five risk areas:
– Operating organization
– Facility design and condition
– Emergency preparedness
– On-site personnel protection; and
– Environmental protection
• Risk provide rationale for regulatory effort
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THE SLOWPOKE REACTOR
10SLOWPOKE Research Reactors in
operation in Canada
Dalhousie University,Halifax, Nova Scotia
École Polytechnique,Montreal , Quebec
Royal Military College,Kingston, Ontario
SRCSaskatoon, Saskatchewan
University of AlbertaEdmonton, Alberta
11SLOWPOKE RESEARCH REACTOR
DESIGNATION AS A CLASS I FACILITY
• Processing and Research Facilities Division (PRFD)
• Compliance and licensing:
– All research reactors
– Particle accelerators
– Uranium processing facilities
– Fuel fabrication facilities
– Other nuclear substance processing facilities
• Class I Facility Regulations
12COMPLIANCE PROGRAM FOR
SLOWPOKE FACILITIES
• Class I SLOWPOKE facility – low to medium risk
• One compliance inspections annually
• CNSC completes specific safety program area inspections
• Key safety areas include RP, QA, training, and emergency preparedness
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RADIATION PROTECTION
• Regulatory effective dose limits
• Review dose records
• Verify training records for staff and users
Person Period Effective Dose (mSv) One year dosimetry period 50
Nuclear Energy Worker Five year dosimetry period 100
Pregnant NEW Balance of pregnancy 4 A person who is not a NEW One calendar year 1
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QUALITY ASSURANCE
• All SLOWPOKE operating > 20 years
• Improvements to their current QA program
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TRAINING
• Training programs using the SAT based approach
– Certified operators
– Certified nuclear technician and engineer
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EMERGENCY PREPARDNESS
• Documented EP and response plan
• Plans developed in accordance with risk
17OTHER RELEVANT COMPLIANCE
INFORMATION
Decommissioning Planning
• Preliminary Decommissioning Plan (PDP)
• Financial Guarantee (FG)
– Ensures funds available for decommissioning
– Two-phase approach
– Regulatory Guides
18OTHER RELEVANT COMPLIANCE
INFORMATION
Longer licence period
• Based on specific factors
• More time spent on assessment and compliance
• Mid-term reports
• Shorter licence period where appropriate
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CONCLUSION
• Challenges result from diversification in nuclear facilities
• Risk based regulatory plan – maximize efficiency
• Safety areas used to measure compliance
• Evaluation of programs and their implementation
• Assurance to the public that the facilities are operated safely
Questions?
www.nuclearsafety.gc.ca