in accordance with 10 CFR 50.59
General Course Description:
This is a speciality course intended to provide the student with the required knowledge and skills to properly screen and potentially evaluate proposed alterations to calculations and analyses in accordance with 10 CFR 50.59. The course considers the treatment of all types of analyses that might be involved with the 10 CFR 50.59 process, including the use of PRAs.
However, its primary emphasis is on the identification of proposed alterations that "screen in" and those that result in a "Departure" under 10 CFR 50.59 c(2) viii, commonly known as "criterion eight".
Recommended Student Population:
This course is appropriate for personnel who are previously qualified as 10 CFR 50.59 screeners and evaluators and who are familiar with the use of analytical methods in the design and licensing of nuclear power plants.
Course Length:
The course is one and a-half days in length.
Method of Instruction:
The course identifies the elements of the 10 CFR 50.59 screening and evaluation process that are crucial to the use of analytical methods. The details associated with "adverse" method alterations that "screen in" are reviewed. It examines these aspects in detail, drawing from the guidance in NEI 96-07 (endorsed in Regulatory Guide 1.187).
The course also addresses those alterations that result in "Departures...", thus requiring prior NRC prior review and approval.
All learning objectives are illustrated with realistic examples supported by actual licensing basis material. Summary flowcharts are developed in a sequential and logical fashion which are used to analyze pre-prepared classroom exercises and student-supplied examples.
The second day is spent with classroom exercises drawn from industry experience that further reinforce the learning objectives
Time will be alloted for students to discuss specific questions regarding their experiences or problems.
Degree of Site-Specific Customization,
if developed for a single site:
The class is not customized for a specific site. Therefore, the course is the same whether it is presented at a nuclear power plant site or at a central location such as Chicago, Illinois.
Special Course Features or Prerequisites:
As described above, prior qualification in both 10 CFR 50.59 screening and evaluation is essential. Additionally, familiarity with the use of analytical methods in the design and licensing of nuclear power plants is very desirable. As discussed above, this is an advanced course that addresses the details of 10 CFR 50.59's application to analytical methods.
Major Course Goals Extracted from the Presentation:
| 1. | Overview the major segments of 10 CFR 50.59 sorted by: > Applicability > Screening > Evaluation |
| 2. | Describe the screening process |
| 3. | Define and Identify a Design Function |
| 4. | Define and Identify the term “Affects” |
| 5. | Define the use of PRA techniques to support 10 CFR 50.59 Evaluations |
| 6. | Define “Minimal” for dose consequences |
| 7. | Define and Identify when a Design Basis Limit for a Fission Product Barrier (DBLFPB) has been “exceeded or altered” |
| 8. | Define a “Method of Evaluation” and “Input Parameter” |
| 9. | Define and Identify when a “Departure from a methodology…” has occurred |
| 10. | Identify techniques for the “creation of operating margin” |
| 11. | Identify the restrictions on the “creation of operating margin” |
| 12. | Identify the conditions when a non-NRC approved method may be implemented. |
Additional information (file is a PowerPoint slide show)
is available here: Crit8Overview.pps
