- Site: Hinkley Point C
- IR number: 21-051
- Date: March 2022
- LC numbers: 19
Executive summary
Purpose of Intervention
In accordance with the Office for Nuclear Regulation’s (ONR’s) Hinkley Point C (HPC) Construction Inspection Plan, ONR performs a series of planned compliance inspections of identified licence conditions (LC) and other applicable legislation, to ensure that NNB Generation Company (HPC) Ltd (NNB GenCo), is meeting its legal requirements.
Interventions Carried Out by ONR
LC19 requires that where the licensee proposes to construct or install any new plant which may affect safety, the licensee shall make and implement adequate arrangements to control the construction or installation.
ONR carried out the following LC19 intervention:
- A one-day intervention to examine the adequacy of construction surveillance arrangements in relation to bulk mechanical, electrical, and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (MEH) activities within the HGE, HF and HLF buildings.
The following guidance was used in this intervention:
- NS-INSP-GD-019 – LC19: Construction or Installation of New Plant
Explanation of Judgement if Safety System Not Judged to be Adequate
N/A as this was not a safety systems inspection.
Key Findings, Inspector's Opinions and Reasons for Judgements Made
I found that, from the sample observed, NNB GenCo had effectively implemented its MEH construction surveillance arrangements. I reviewed evidence of surveillance records associated with civils structures and MEH plant and equipment and found that they had been managed appropriately. The licensee demonstrated the process for managing non-conformance reports (NCRs) and, in my opinion, the mechanism for managing these items was robust.
NNB GenCo explained the increase of site work associated with MEH equipment installation and the challenge that presents in terms of surveillance scalability. NNB GenCo presented the strategy that will be adopted to maintain adequate surveillance. I found its early recognition of the challenge reassuring and its strategy appropriately managed.
Conclusion of Intervention
I judge that on the basis of the evidence sampled, the licensee has adequately implemented arrangements for control of construction and installation activities, particularly in relation to arrangements for conducting effective construction surveillance of MEH activities. On this basis I judge that an inspection rating of Green (no formal action) is merited for LC19.