Page 130 - AERB

Follow-up of feedback received from stakeholders (b) Provisions of the Atomic Energy (Factories)
during the 2 NCRI during December 27-28, Rules, 1996
nd
2018
It was deliberated that some provisions of the Atomic
(a) Feedback from licensees and AERB committee Energy (Factories) Rules, 1996 need to be revisited for
experts on Consenting Process NPPs and other nuclear facilities including imported
reactor designs, also considering current industrial
(b) Issues related implementation of Atomic Energy practices. The compliance issues or issues requiring
(Factories) Rules, 1996 exemption for some of the building of nuclear facilities
(c) Expectations from DAE units heads on regulatory were discussed. Exemptions for certain rules may be
framework and processes of AERB obtained on case-to-case basis and every departure
from the provisions of the Rules should be justified. It
(d) R&D activities to support regulatory activities, and was opined that while considering the revision of the
Rules, all sections of the Factories Act, 1948 should be
(e) Emergency planning and response. considered. AERB may adopt an approach to exempt
certain buildings from certain provisions of Atomic
These topics were meant to get insight into some
of the current issues faced by AERB and DAE utilities Energy (Factories) Rules, 1996. To address the various
together and receive feedback on important aspects. feedback received on this topic, a Committee has been
constituted by AERB for revision of the Rules, where
Various feedbacks and suggestions were made by these aspects will be considered appropriately.
the stakeholders of Nuclear Facilities of DAE. These
feedbacks were analyzed and necessary actions have (c) Regulatory Inspection
been initiated by AERB to harmonize the requirements, There were feedback on AERB’s inspection process
to ease the procedures which will help to the end users including scope of inspection, frequency of inspection
for regulatory compliances without affecting the nuclear and involvement of AERB in inspection and review
& radiation safety. Some of the issues are cross-cutting of quality assurance programmes (QAP) during
among AERB and utilities, which require a regular manufacture, construction & erection. There were mix
interaction and synergy for the common goal of nuclear views from licensee about involvement of AERB during
safety. The important action items / feedbacks which manufacturing stage. AERB has enhanced its scope to
have been implemented by AERB are brought out cover vendor inspections and based on the experience
below: gained & feedback, the extent of AERB involvement in
off-site manufacturing will be decided.
(a) Feedback on Consenting Process
There was feedback about scope of optimization (d) Infrastructure Expectation in R&D Activities
in the regulatory process and regulatory review for There was feedback on building in-house capability in
nuclear facilities other than NPPs. It was discussed that new technology (expected Imported Reactors) including
same yard stick being applied to Hazardous facility/ validation of new computer codes being used for new
Non-Hazardous/ Low hazardous facility and Nuclear designs. More focused R&D is required for Passive
& Non-nuclear facilities. There is a scope to reduce Devices, Qualification of Core Catcher, Radiological
review time lines if separate guidelines are available Impact Assessment. Research needs for regulatory
based on the hazard potential. The revision of AERB/ decision making should be identified by regulatory body
SG/G-2 is undertaken by AERB to address the concerns and appropriate steps taken for formulation of research
raised based on detailed discussion in AERB on each programs and development of TECDOCs. These
of the aspects considering graded approach. There was aspects are being deliberated in AERB. Research needs
feedback about revision of AERB/SG/G-1 to include the are identified at AERB during the multi-tier technical
aspects related to early site review, early design review, review process. Based on the submissions independent
clarity on main submissions & supporting submissions, verification studies are taken up on Severe Accident,
optimization of sub-stages of consenting process. These Hydrogen Generation and distribution, Containment
are being addressed in revision of AERB/SG/G-1. Filtered Venting System, Steam Water Interaction, In-

102 AERB Annual Report 2019