Hinkley Point C - Inspection ID: 53098

This inspection sought to gain assurance as to the adequacy of the implementation of NNB Generation Company (HPC) Ltd's (NNB GenCo) arrangements for civil engineering design management. The inspection sought evidence that designs were sufficiently mature to justify safety prior to the start of construction. It also sought evidence that design changes, however generated, were being appropriately managed, such as to maintain design intent and that design substantiation was appropriate to the safety claims made and to the stage of construction. 

The evidence sampled provided confidence that the implementation of arrangements for civil engineering design management were adequately controlled. Based on sampling of the surveillance activities undertaken by NNB GenCo on both completed designs and design modifications, I was satisfied that designs were sufficiently mature to justify safety prior to construction and that design changes were being managed such as to maintain design intent. I was satisfied that, where sampled, the nuclear safety significance of design modifications was being adequately assessed and that such modifications did not invalidate the claims made in the safety case.

 

This inspection did not raise any regulatory issues. A small number of observations were made, which will be followed up as part of routine regulatory business.

 

On the basis of the evidence sampled, and in recognition of progress to date, I was satisfied that the arrangements in place comply with both Licence Condition (LC) 19 (construction or installation of new plant) and LC20 (modification to design of plant under construction).

On the basis of the evidence sampled, I judge that NNB GenCo has adequate arrangements under LCs 19 and 20 in relation to civil engineering design management and that those arrangements are under implementation.

 

Upon consideration of the ONR guidance in relation to inspection ratings, I judge that a rating of Green (no formal action) is appropriate.