Executive summary
Date(s) of inspection: October 2024
Aim of inspection
In accordance with the Office for Nuclear Regulation’s (ONR’s) Sellafield Strategy, each year ONR performs a series of planned inspections to seek assurance of compliance against selected licence conditions, targeted at those facilities with significant importance to nuclear safety. One such inspection was undertaken at Special Nuclear Materials South (SNM (S)) facilities within the Sellafield site in West Cumbria to sample evidence of implementation of Sellafield Limited's arrangements for compliance with Licence Conditions (LCs) 27 (Safety mechanism, devices and circuits) and 28 (Examination, inspection, maintenance and testing), specifically in relation to nuclear fire safety, and with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, in order to inform a regulatory judgement regarding the licensee’s compliance with its legal duties under the nuclear site licence and Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
Subject(s) of inspection
- LC27 - Safety mechanisms, devices and circuits - Rating: Green
- LC28 - Examination, inspection, maintenance and testing - Rating: Green
- Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 - Rating: Green
Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made
The inspection was undertaken on 2 and 3 October 2024. The inspection team comprised of the SNM site inspector, two internal hazards specialist inspectors and one life fire specialist inspector. The inspection targeted compliance against Licence Conditions (LCs) 27 (Safety mechanism, devices and circuits) and 28 (Examination, inspection, maintenance and testing), specifically in relation to nuclear fire safety, and compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, at Sellafield Mixed Oxide Plant (SMP), Sellafield Product and Residue Store (SPRS) and Finishing Line 6 (FL6) facilities.
The inspection involved a planning phase and a site visit, which included facilities walkdown, discussions with relevant Sellafield Limited personnel, review of records, and sampling of information contained within electronic databases and other documentation.
From a mixture of sampling records, discussions with Sellafield Limited personnel and a plant visit, I concluded the following:
No significant matters were identified that required immediate regulatory attention.
For LC27 I was satisfied that key Safety Mechanisms, Devices and Circuits (SMDC) specifically to nuclear fire safety have been identified in the nuclear fire safety assessments and these appeared to be in good working order, with the exception of the fire panel in SMP Export where a project is currently being progressed to replace the fire panel in spring 2025. I provided regulatory advice to progress the replacement of the fire panel in SMP Export in a timely manner, and during the intervening period to consider alternative options to minimise the risk and burden on fire watch.
For LC28 I was satisfied that examination, inspection, maintenance and testing was being undertaken in an appropriate and timely manner.
For the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 I was satisfied that Sellafield Limited largely complies with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
Conclusion
No matters were identified as requiring immediate regulatory attention.
Based on the evidence sampled at the time of the inspection, I found that, on balance, SNM South is broadly compliant with the licensee’s corporate arrangements for LCs 27 and 28, in relation to nuclear fire safety, and with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, specifically to SMP, SPRS and FL6 facilities.
Taking all of the above into account, and noting the ONR guidance on inspection ratings, it is my opinion that, on balance, an inspection rating of Green (i.e. no formal action) for LC 27 and 28, and for Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, is appropriate.