Executive summary
Date(s) of inspection:
- February 2025
Aim of inspection
The aim of the inspection was to sample evidence to support (or otherwise) the recommendation to the project inspector that the plant may be safely started up and safely operated until the next periodic shutdown in support of Licence Condition 30 (periodic shutdown), from a civil engineering perspective.
This was achieved by confirming that the Appointed Examiner (APEX) identified the correct areas for selection and completion to comply with the maintenance schedule requirements.
This intervention was one of a number of Licence Condition (LC) 28 (examination, inspection, maintenance and testing) compliance inspections performed by ONR during the periodic shutdown of HYB Reactor 7 (R7). These inspections inform the ONR’s decision (PR-01869) on whether to issue a licence instrument granting Consent for the return to service of HYB R7 following its 2025 periodic shutdown, as required by LC30(1).
This intervention specifically focussed on arrangements for the management of the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations (PSSR) review of the APEX report regarding the R7 prestressed concrete pressure vessel.
Subject(s) of inspection
- LC23 - Operating rules - Rating: Not rated
- LC28 - Examination, inspection, maintenance and testing - Rating: Not rated
Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made
I carried out a civil engineering inspection at Heysham 2 Reactor 7 during the statutory outage (S13R7) to support (or otherwise) the recommendation to the project inspector that the plant may be safely started up and safely operated until the next periodic shutdown in support of Licence Condition 30 (periodic shutdown), from a civil engineering perspective.
At the time of the inspection, I judged that the progress of works during the outage was adequate for the APEX to form their conclusions for the Statutory Examination Report.
I observed a minor shortfall in the management of Pressure Vessel Cooling System (PVCS) leaks together with procedural adherence with Company Standard CTS-042 regarding recording and classification of active leaks to the Leak Management Database.
The existing level 4 regulatory issue will be used to track improvements in oversight and governance of PVCS leaks.
Conclusion
From the inspection, I judged that the progress in the outage was adequate for the APEX to form their conclusions for the Statutory Examination Report.
At the time of inspection, I was of the opinion that the maintenance schedule requirements would be complied with, and the relevant safety case requirements would be met. The work was progressing adequately during the outage and the APEX identified the correct areas for selection and completion to comply with the maintenance schedule requirements. Notwithstanding this, there was not enough evidence to give an inspection rating but my Assessment Report will take note of the findings of this intervention, which will include maintenance schedule requirements.