Regulation of SLOWPOKE Research Reactor Facilities in Canada

Lucie Désaulniers

Project Officer

Processing and Research Facilities Division, CNSC

National Organization of Test, Research and Training Reactors, 2007 Conference

Lincoln City, Oregon

September 19, 2007

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OUTLINE

• CNSC’s background, history, mandate and structure

• CNSC’s risk based approach to regulation

• SLOWPOKE research reactors

• Compliance program

• Conclusions

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BACKGROUND AND HISTORY

• Atomic Energy Control Board (AECB) created in 1946.

• Nuclear Safety and Control Act (NSCA), 2000

• AECB Replaced by Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), 2000.

• Broader responsibilities for the CNSC

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THE CNSC’s MANDATE

“To regulate the development, production and use of nuclear energy, nuclear substances, prescribed equipment, and prescribed information in order to:

• Prevent unreasonable risk to the environment and to the health and safety of persons;

• Prevent unreasonable risk to national security; and

• Achieve conformity with measures of control and international obligations to which Canada has agreed.”

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THE CNSC STRUCTURE

• Independent

• Quasi-judicial

• Seven member tribunal

• Decision-makers

CNSC

CNSC StaffCommission• Supports tribunal

• Make recommendations

about licensing issues

• Administers tribunal

decisions

CNSC website: www.nuclearsafety.gc.ca

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RISK BASED APPROACH

CNSC objectives

• To be an effective regulator;

• To operate with a high level of transparency; and,

• To ensure that the CNSC is efficient in carrying out its mandate.

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RISK BASED APPROACH

• Facilities assessed in specific risk areas;

• Impact of these risk areas on the facility; and,

• Ranking of the facilities.

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RISK BASED APPROACH

• Five risk areas:

– Operating organization

– Facility design and condition

– Emergency preparedness

– On-site personnel protection; and

– Environmental protection

• Risk provide rationale for regulatory effort

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THE SLOWPOKE REACTOR

10SLOWPOKE Research Reactors in

operation in Canada

Dalhousie University,Halifax, Nova Scotia

École Polytechnique,Montreal , Quebec

Royal Military College,Kingston, Ontario

SRCSaskatoon, Saskatchewan

University of AlbertaEdmonton, Alberta

11SLOWPOKE RESEARCH REACTOR

DESIGNATION AS A CLASS I FACILITY

• Processing and Research Facilities Division (PRFD)

• Compliance and licensing:

– All research reactors

– Particle accelerators

– Uranium processing facilities

– Fuel fabrication facilities

– Other nuclear substance processing facilities

• Class I Facility Regulations

12COMPLIANCE PROGRAM FOR

SLOWPOKE FACILITIES

• Class I SLOWPOKE facility – low to medium risk

• One compliance inspections annually

• CNSC completes specific safety program area inspections

• Key safety areas include RP, QA, training, and emergency preparedness

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RADIATION PROTECTION

• Regulatory effective dose limits

• Review dose records

• Verify training records for staff and users

Person Period Effective Dose (mSv) One year dosimetry period 50

Nuclear Energy Worker Five year dosimetry period 100

Pregnant NEW Balance of pregnancy 4 A person who is not a NEW One calendar year 1

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QUALITY ASSURANCE

• All SLOWPOKE operating > 20 years

• Improvements to their current QA program

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TRAINING

• Training programs using the SAT based approach

– Certified operators

– Certified nuclear technician and engineer

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EMERGENCY PREPARDNESS

• Documented EP and response plan

• Plans developed in accordance with risk

17OTHER RELEVANT COMPLIANCE

INFORMATION

Decommissioning Planning

• Preliminary Decommissioning Plan (PDP)

• Financial Guarantee (FG)

– Ensures funds available for decommissioning

– Two-phase approach

– Regulatory Guides

18OTHER RELEVANT COMPLIANCE

INFORMATION

Longer licence period

• Based on specific factors

• More time spent on assessment and compliance

• Mid-term reports

• Shorter licence period where appropriate

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CONCLUSION

• Challenges result from diversification in nuclear facilities

• Risk based regulatory plan – maximize efficiency

• Safety areas used to measure compliance

• Evaluation of programs and their implementation

• Assurance to the public that the facilities are operated safely

Questions?

www.nuclearsafety.gc.ca