- Site: Dungeness B
- IR number: 21-156
- Date: February 2022
- LC numbers: 7, 28
Executive summary
Purpose of Intervention
This was a planned inspection of EDF Energy Nuclear Generation Limited’s (NGL) Dungeness B (DNB) power station, undertaken as part of the intervention strategy for the Operating Facilities Division (OFD) of the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR).
The intervention was conducted in accordance with the planned inspection programme in the Dungeness B Integrated Intervention Strategy (IIS) for 2021/22.
Interventions Carried Out by ONR
The inspection was carried out by a Mechanical Specialist Inspector, a Mechanical/Transport Specialist Inspector and the Dungeness B Nominated Site Inspector. The inspection consisted of a planned on-site compliance inspection against:
- Licence Condition 17 (LC17) – Management Systems
- License Condition 28 (LC28) – Examination, Inspection, Maintenance and Testing
The purpose of the LC17 and LC28 compliance inspection was to provide regulatory confidence that:
- The regulatory issues raised due to a Fuel Route System Based Inspection (SBI), in July / August 2020, on the Fuel Machine and the Plug Unit Maintenance Facility (ONR-OFD-IR-20-032), are being satisfactorily managed and progressed.
- The station can demonstrate an appropriate management system for transport of irradiated fuel within the Advanced Gas Reactor (AGR) A2 transport flasks.
This inspection was partially a joint inspection with the Environment Agency (EA) as there was a specific area which both inspection teams shared a common interest. The EA inspection focused on Dungeness B’s ponds, defueling plans, and flask contamination control. The EA’s findings and conclusions are reported separately from this intervention report.
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
Not applicable (this was not a system-based inspection).
Key Findings, Inspector's Opinions and Reasons for Judgements Made
This compliance inspection targeted the station’s LC28 arrangements relevant to the inspection and maintenance of the Plug Unit Maintenance Facility (PUMF). The inspection also targeted the station’s LC17 arrangements with regard to their management system for the AGR A2 transport flasks.
During the inspection, ONR identified that the material condition of the Neutron Scatter Plug Recovery Facility glove box required improvement and a regulatory issue was raised. I judged these to be minor shortfalls and as there are currently no operations required to be carried out within the glove box, I was content that the shortfalls will be resolved prior to the next use of the glove box.
For the LC28 compliance inspection, the station has addressed previous regulatory issues from the Fuel Route SBI, ONR-OFD-IR-20-032, and therefore I judged that this inspection be rated Green, no formal regulatory action.
For the AGR A2 transport flasks, I judged that NGL adequately demonstrated compliance with the requirements of LC17 and therefore rated this inspection as Green, no formal regulatory action.
Conclusion of Intervention
There were no findings from this inspection that could significantly undermine nuclear safety. At present, no additional regulatory action is needed over and above the planned interventions at Dungeness B Power Station as set out in the Integrated Intervention Strategy.