Executive summary
Date(s) of inspection: October 2024
Aim of inspection
To gain confidence that Sellafield Ltd. are compliant with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and Licence Condition (LC) 28 (specifically in relation to nuclear fire safety) within B33 and associated facilities at the Sellafield site to inform a regulatory judgement regarding the licensee’s compliance with its legal duties.
Subject(s) of inspection
- 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 purpose of this inspection was to sample evidence of implementation of the arrangements under Licence Condition (LC) 28 and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) 2005 Order (FSO) for building B33 (Mox Demonstrator Facility).
I reviewed nuclear and life fire documents ahead of the inspection, sampled the maintenance and system health history of fire safety systems on Sellafield's platforms and conducted a walkdown covering much of the ground floor of the B33 facility. I also observed a trial laser cutting operation in an active demonstrator.
I spoke to operators, building managers, reliability and maintenance engineers and the safety case managers. I also spoke to corporate fire protection and NIO representatives as part of the inspections.
On the basis of the evidence sampled at the time of the inspection, I found that B33 is largely compliant with the licensee’s corporate arrangements for LC 28 specifically to nuclear fire safety, and for the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
I particularly note the Sellafield Limited’s pragmatic and proportionate approach to delivering a fit for purpose replacement of the fire warning system in B33. I encouraged the licensee to take this through to completion and to use the learning of this design and delivery means to aid similar plants at the site.
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 both Licence Condition 28, and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 is merited here.
I particularly note the Sellafield Limited’s pragmatic and proportionate approach to delivering a fit for purpose replacement of the fire warning system in B33. I encouraged the licensee to take this through to completion and to use the learning of this design and delivery means to aid similar plants at the site.
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 both Licence Condition 28, and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 is merited here.
Conclusion
On the basis of the evidence sampled at the time of the inspection, I found that B33 is largely compliant with the licensee’s corporate arrangements for LC 28 specifically to nuclear fire safety, and for the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
I particularly note the Sellafield Limited’s pragmatic and proportionate approach to delivering a fit for purpose replacement of the fire warning system in B33. I encouraged the licensee to take this through to completion and to use the learning of this design and delivery means to aid similar plants at the site.
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 both Licence Condition 28, and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 is merited here.
I particularly note the Sellafield Limited’s pragmatic and proportionate approach to delivering a fit for purpose replacement of the fire warning system in B33. I encouraged the licensee to take this through to completion and to use the learning of this design and delivery means to aid similar plants at the site.
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 both Licence Condition 28, and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 is merited here.