- Site: Dungeness B
- IR number: 19-131
- Date: December 2019
- LC numbers: 11
Executive summary
Purpose of Intervention
This was a planned compliance inspection of licence condition 11 (Emergency arrangements) at EDF Energy Nuclear Generation Limited’s (NGL’s) Dungeness B power station. It was undertaken as part of the planned intervention strategy for the Operating Facilities Division (OFD) of the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR).
The work was carried out following ONR’s request for a re-demonstration of activities which were deemed to fall short of ONR’s expectations during the Level 1 Demonstration exercise ‘Vanguard’ on the 8th May 2019.
For the partial re-demonstration exercise, the nominated site inspector was supported by the Sizewell B and Heysham 1 site inspectors and a specialist inspector.
Interventions Carried out by ONR
During this intervention, the following activities were undertaken:
- Observed the Station’s Shift Emergency exercise demonstration.
- Routine engagements with the station senior leadership team and station Director
The intervention was performed in line with ONR's guidance requirements (as described in our technical inspection guides) in the areas inspected.
Explanation of Judgement if Safety System Not Judged to be Adequate
No system based inspection undertaken, hence not applicable.
Key Findings, Inspector's Opinions and Reasons for Judgements Made
An ONR team observed the emergency exercise demonstration “Leader”. This exercise was to partially re-demonstrate the implementation of the Beyond Design Basis Equipment (BDBE). The scenario was a nuclear emergency which was initiated by a building fire and malicious interference of plant safety equipment and included casualty recovery. It was clear that site training and a subsequent shift exercise undertaken following the original Level 1 exercise earlier this year including the deployment of the BDBE had been learned from. There were also significant improvements in the operation of the Access Control Point and Emergency Control Centre activities.
ONR has rated this LC 11 compliance inspection as ‘Green – no further regulatory action required’.
Conclusion of Intervention
In relation to LC11, I judge that an inspection rating of Green is warranted based on ONR’s observations made at the deployment of the BDBE.