Appendix A to Part 52 - Design Certification Rule for the U.S. Advanced Boiling Water Reactor
10:2.0.1.1.2.8.62.3.3 : Appendix A
Appendix A to Part 52 - Design Certification Rule for the U.S.
Advanced Boiling Water Reactor I. Introduction
A. Appendix A constitutes the standard design certification for
the U.S. Advanced Boiling Water Reactor (U.S. ABWR) design, in
accordance with 10 CFR part 52, subpart B. The applicant for the
original certification of the U.S. ABWR design was GE Nuclear
Energy (GE).
B. The applicant for the amendment to the U.S. ABWR design to
address the requirements in 10 CFR 50.150, “Aircraft impact
assessment,” (AIA rule) is the STP Nuclear Operating Company
(STPNOC).
II. Definitions
A. Generic design control document (generic DCD) means
either or both of the documents containing the Tier 1 and Tier 2
information and generic technical specifications that are
incorporated by reference into this appendix.
B. Generic technical specifications means the information,
required by 10 CFR 50.36 and 50.36a, for the portion of the plant
that is within the scope of this appendix.
C. Plant-specific DCD means the document, maintained by an
applicant or licensee who references this appendix, consisting of
the information in the generic DCD, as modified and supplemented by
the plant-specific departures and exemptions made under Section
VIII of this appendix.
D. Tier 1 means the portion of the design-related
information contained in the generic DCD that is approved and
certified by this appendix (hereinafter Tier 1 information). The
design descriptions, interface requirements, and site parameters
are derived from Tier 2 information. Tier 1 information
includes:
1. Definitions and general provisions;
2. Design descriptions;
3. Inspections, tests, analyses, and acceptance criteria
(ITAAC);
4. Significant site parameters; and
5. Significant interface requirements.
E. Tier 2 means the portion of the design-related
information contained in the generic DCD that is approved but not
certified by this appendix (Tier 2 information). Compliance with
Tier 2 is required, but generic changes to and plant-specific
departures from Tier 2 are governed by Section VIII of this
appendix. Compliance with Tier 2 provides a sufficient, but not the
only acceptable, method for complying with Tier 1. Compliance
methods differing from Tier 2 must satisfy the change process in
Section VIII of this appendix. Regardless of these differences, an
applicant or licensee must meet the requirement in Section III.B of
this appendix to reference Tier 2 when referencing Tier 1. Tier 2
information includes:
1. Information required by §§ 52.47(a) and 52.47(c), with the
exception of generic technical specifications and conceptual design
information;
2. Supporting information on the inspections, tests, and
analyses that will be performed to demonstrate that the acceptance
criteria in the ITAAC have been met; and
3. Combined license (COL) action items (COL license
information), which identify certain matters that must be addressed
in the site-specific portion of the final safety analysis report
(FSAR) by an applicant who references this appendix. These items
constitute information requirements but are not the only acceptable
set of information in the FSAR. An applicant may depart from or
omit these items, provided that the departure or omission is
identified and justified in the FSAR. After issuance of a
construction permit or COL, these items are not requirements for
the licensee unless such items are restated in the FSAR.
F. Tier 2* means the portion of the Tier 2 information,
designated as such in the generic DCD, which is subject to the
change process in Section VIII.B.6 of this appendix. This
designation expires for some Tier 2* information under Section
VIII.B.6.
G. Departure from a method of evaluation described in the
plant-specific DCD used in establishing the design bases or in the
safety analyses means:
(1) Changing any of the elements of the method described in the
plant-specific DCD unless the results of the analysis are
conservative or essentially the same; or
(2) Changing from a method described in the plant-specific DCD
to another method unless that method has been approved by NRC for
the intended application.
H. All other terms in this appendix have the meaning set out in
10 CFR 50.2 or 52.1, or Section 11 of the Atomic Energy Act of
1954, as amended, as applicable.
III. Scope and Contents A. Design Control Documents
1. Incorporation by reference approval. Certain documents
identified in paragraphs III.A.2 and III.A.3 of this section are
approved for incorporation by reference into this appendix by the
Director of the Office of the Federal Register in accordance with 5
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Documents approved for
incorporation by reference and created or received at the NRC are
available online in the NRC Library at
http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. From this page,
the public can gain entry into ADAMS, which provides text and image
files of the NRC's public documents. If you do not have access to
ADAMS or if there are problems in accessing the documents located
in ADAMS, then contact the NRC's Public Document Room (PDR)
reference staff at (800) 397-4209, (301) 415-3747, or by email at
[email protected]. A copy of these DCDs approved for
incorporation by reference are available for examination and
copying at the NRC's PDR located at Room O-1F21, One White Flint
North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852. Copies are
also available for examination at the NRC Library located at Two
White Flint North, 11545 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852,
telephone: (301) 415-5610, email: [email protected].
All approved material is available for inspection at the National
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the
availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030 or go to
http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
2. GE DCD: All Tier 1, Tier 2, and the generic technical
specifications in the GE Nuclear Energy (GE) “ABWR Design Control
Document, Revision 4, March 1997” (GE DCD). You may obtain copies
of the GE DCD from the National Technical Information Service, 5285
Port Royal Road, Springfield, Virginia 22161, (703) 605-6515. To
view the GE DCD in ADAMS, search under ADAMS Accession No.
ML11126A129. The GE DCD can also be viewed at the Federal
Rulemaking Web site, http://www.regulations.gov, by
searching for documents filed under Docket ID NRC-2010-0134.
3. STPNOC DCD: All Tier 1 and Tier 2 information in the
STP Nuclear Operating Company “Design Control Document ABWR STP
Aircraft Impact Assessment Amendment Revision 3, Copyright @ 2010”
(STPNOC DCD). You may obtain copies of the STPNOC DCD from the
Regulatory Affairs Manager for STP Units 3 and 4, STP Nuclear
Operating Company, P.O. Box 289, Wadsworth, Texas 77483, telephone:
(361) 972-8440. To view the STPNOC DCD in ADAMS, search under ADAMS
Accession No. ML102870017. The STPNOC DCD can also be viewed at the
Federal Rulemaking Web site, http://www.regulations.gov, by
searching for documents filed under Docket ID NRC-2010-0134.
B.1. An applicant or licensee referencing this appendix, in
accordance with section IV of this appendix, shall incorporate by
reference and comply with the requirements of this appendix,
including Tier 1, Tier 2, and the generic technical specifications
except as otherwise provided in this appendix. An applicant or
licensee referencing this appendix may reference either the GE DCD,
or both the GE DCD and the STPNOC DCD. An applicant referencing
this appendix shall indicate in its application and in all
necessary supporting documentation whether it is implementing the
GE DCD, or both the GE DCD and the STPNOC DCD.
2. Conceptual design information, as set forth in the generic
DCD, and the “Technical Support Document for the ABWR” are not part
of this appendix. Tier 2 references to the probabilistic risk
assessment (PRA) in the ABWR standard safety analysis report do not
incorporate the PRA into Tier 2.
C. If there is a conflict between Tier 1 and Tier 2 of a DCD,
then Tier 1 controls.
D. If there is a conflict between the generic DCD and the
application for design certification of the U.S. ABWR design,
NUREG-1503, “Final Safety Evaluation Report related to the
Certification of the Advanced Boiling Water Reactor Design” (ABWR
FSER), and Supplement No. 1, or NUREG-1948 “Safety Evaluation
Report - The STP Nuclear Operating Company Amendment to the
Advanced Boiling Water Reactor (ABWR) Design Certification” (AIA
FSER), then the generic DCD controls.
E. Design activities for structures, systems, and components
that are wholly outside the scope of this appendix may be performed
using site characteristics, provided the design activities do not
affect the DCD or conflict with the interface requirements.
IV. Additional Requirements and Restrictions
A. An applicant for a combined license that wishes to reference
this appendix shall, in addition to complying with the requirements
of 10 CFR 52.77, 52.79, and 52.80, comply with the following
requirements:
1. Incorporate by reference, as part of its application, this
appendix;
2. Include, as part of its application:
a. A plant-specific DCD containing the same type of information
and using the same organization and numbering as the generic DCD
for the U.S. ABWR design, as modified and supplemented by the
applicant's exemptions and departures;
b. The reports on departures from and updates to the
plant-specific DCD required by paragraph X.B of this appendix;
c. Plant-specific technical specifications, consisting of the
generic and site-specific technical specifications, that are
required by 10 CFR 50.36 and 50.36a;
d. Information demonstrating compliance with the site parameters
and interface requirements;
e. Information that addresses the COL action items; and
f. Information required by 10 CFR 52.47 that is not within the
scope of this appendix.
3. Include, in the plant-specific DCD, the sensitive
unclassified non-safeguards information (including proprietary
information) and safeguards information referenced in the GE DCD
and the STPNOC DCD, as applicable.
4.a. Include, as part of its application, a demonstration that
an entity other than GE Nuclear Energy is qualified to supply the
U.S. ABWR-certified design unless GE Nuclear Energy supplies the
design for the applicant's use.
b. For an applicant referencing the STPNOC-certified design
option, include, as part of its application, a demonstration that
an entity other than the STPNOC and Toshiba America Nuclear Energy
(TANE) acting together is qualified to supply the STPNOC-certified
design option, unless the STPNOC and TANE acting together supply
the design option for the applicant's use.
B. The Commission reserves the right to determine in what manner
this appendix may be referenced by an applicant for a construction
permit or operating license under 10 CFR part 50.
V. Applicable Regulations
A.1. Except as indicated in paragraph B of this section, the
regulations that apply to the U.S. ABWR design as contained in the
GE DCD are in 10 CFR parts 20, 50, 73, and 100, codified as of May
2, 1997, that are applicable and technically relevant, as described
in the FSER (NUREG-1503) and Supplement No. 1.
2. Except as indicated in paragraph B of this section, the
regulations that apply to the U.S. ABWR design as contained in the
STPNOC DCD are those described in paragraph A.1 of this section and
10 CFR 50.150, codified as of December 7, 2011, as described in the
FSER on the STPNOC amendment addressing the AIA rule
(NUREG-1948).
B. The U.S. ABWR design is exempt from portions of the following
regulations:
1. Paragraph (f)(2)(iv) of 10 CFR 50.34 - Separate Plant Safety
Parameter Display Console;
2. Paragraph (f)(2)(viii) of 10 CFR 50.34 - Post-Accident
Sampling for Boron, Chloride, and Dissolved Gases; and
3. Paragraph (f)(3)(iv) of 10 CFR 50.34 - Dedicated Containment
Penetration.
VI. Issue Resolution
A.1. GE DCD. The Commission has determined that the
structures, systems, components, and design features of the U.S.
ABWR design, as contained in the GE DCD, comply with the provisions
of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, and the applicable
regulations identified in section V.A.1 of this appendix; and,
therefore, provide adequate protection to the health and safety of
the public. A conclusion that a matter is resolved includes the
finding that additional or alternative structures, systems,
components, design features, design criteria, testing, analyses,
acceptance criteria, or justifications are not necessary for the
U.S. ABWR design. This conclusion does not include a finding with
respect to compliance with the requirements of 10 CFR 50.150.
2. STPNOC DCD. The Commission has determined that the
structures, systems, components, and design features of the STPNOC
amendment to the U.S. ABWR design, as contained in the STPNOC DCD,
comply with the provisions of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as
amended, and the applicable regulations identified in section V.A.2
of this appendix, including 10 CFR 50.150; and, therefore, provide
enhanced protection to the health and safety of the public afforded
by compliance with 10 CFR 50.150. A conclusion that a matter is
resolved includes the finding that additional or alternative
structures, systems, components, design features, design criteria,
testing, analyses, acceptance criteria, or justifications to meet
the requirements of 10 CFR 50.150 are not necessary for the STPNOC
amendment to the U.S. ABWR design.
3. GE and STPNOC DCD referenced together. The Commission
has determined that the structures, systems, components, and design
features of the U.S. ABWR, as contained in both the GE DCD and the
STPNOC DCD, when referenced together, comply with the provisions of
the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, and the applicable
regulations identified in section V.A. of this appendix; and,
therefore, provide adequate protection to the health and safety of
the public. A conclusion that a matter is resolved includes the
finding that additional or alternative structures, systems,
components, design features, design criteria, testing, analyses,
acceptance criteria, or justifications are not necessary for the
U.S. ABWR design, when the GE DCD and the STPNOC DCD are referenced
together.
B. The Commission considers the following matters resolved
within the meaning of 10 CFR 52.63(a)(5) in subsequent proceedings
for issuance of a combined license, amendment of a combined
license, or renewal of a combined license, proceedings held under
10 CFR 52.103, and enforcement proceedings involving plants
referencing this appendix:
1. All nuclear safety issues, except for the generic technical
specifications and other operational requirements, associated with
the information in the ABWR FSER and Supplement No. 1, Tier 1, Tier
2 (including referenced information which the context indicates is
intended as requirements), and the rulemaking record for the
original certification of the U.S. ABWR design and all nuclear
safety issues, except for operational requirements, associated with
the information in the AIA FSER, Tier 1, Tier 2 (including
referenced information which the context indicates is intended as
requirements), and the rulemaking record for certification of the
AIA amendment to the U.S. ABWR design;
2. All nuclear safety and safeguards issues associated with the
referenced sensitive unclassified non-safeguards information
(including proprietary information) and safeguards information
which, in context, are intended as requirements in the GE DCD and
the STPNOC DCD;
3. All generic changes to the DCD under and in compliance with
the change processes in sections VIII.A.1 and VIII.B.1 of this
appendix;
4. All exemptions from the DCD under and in compliance with the
change processes in sections VIII.A.4 and VIII.B.4 of this
appendix, but only for that plant;
5. All departures from the DCD that are approved by license
amendment, but only for that plant;
6. Except as provided in paragraph VIII.B.5.g of this appendix,
all departures from Tier 2 pursuant to and in compliance with the
change processes in paragraph VIII.B.5 of this appendix that do not
require prior NRC approval, but only for that plant;
7. All environmental issues concerning severe accident
mitigation design alternatives associated with the information in
the NRC's final environmental assessment for the U.S. ABWR design
and Revision 1 of the technical support document for the U.S. ABWR,
dated December 1994, and for the NRC's final environmental
assessment and Revision 0 of ABWR-LIC-09-621, “Applicant's
Supplemental Environmental Report-Amendment to ABWR Standard Design
Certification,” for the AIA amendment to the U.S. ABWR design for
plants referencing this appendix whose site parameters are within
those specified in the technical support document.
C. The Commission does not consider operational requirements for
an applicant or licensee who references this appendix to be matters
resolved within the meaning of 10 CFR 52.63(a)(5). The Commission
reserves the right to require operational requirements for an
applicant or licensee who references this appendix by rule,
regulation, order, or license condition.
D. Except in accordance with the change processes in Section
VIII of this appendix, the Commission may not require an applicant
or licensee who references this appendix to:
1. Modify structures, systems, components, or design features as
described in the generic DCD;
2. Provide additional or alternative structures, systems,
components, or design features not discussed in the generic DCD;
or
3. Provide additional or alternative design criteria, testing,
analyses, acceptance criteria, or justification for structures,
systems, components, or design features discussed in the generic
DCD.
E. The NRC will specify at an appropriate time the procedures to
be used by an interested person who wishes to review portions of
the design certification or references containing safeguards
information or sensitive unclassified non-safeguards information
(including proprietary information, such as trade secrets and
commercial or financial information obtained from a person that are
privileged or confidential (10 CFR 2.390 and 10 CFR part 9)), for
the purpose of participating in the hearing required by 10 CFR
52.85, the hearing provided under 10 CFR 52.103, or in any other
proceeding relating to this appendix in which interested persons
have a right to request an adjudicatory hearing.
VII. Duration of This Appendix
This appendix may be referenced for a period of 15 years from
June 11, 1997, except as provided for in 10 CFR 52.55(b) and
52.57(b). This appendix remains valid for an applicant or licensee
who references this appendix until the application is withdrawn or
the license expires, including any period of extended operation
under a renewed license.
VIII. Processes for Changes and Departures
A. Tier 1 information.
1. Generic changes to Tier 1 information are governed by the
requirements in 10 CFR 52.63(a)(1).
2. Generic changes to Tier 1 information are applicable to all
applicants or licensees who reference this appendix, except those
for which the change has been rendered technically irrelevant by
action taken under paragraphs A.3 or A.4 of this section.
3. Departures from Tier 1 information that are required by the
Commission through plant-specific orders are governed by the
requirements in 10 CFR 52.63(a)(4).
4. Exemptions from Tier 1 information are governed by the
requirements in 10 CFR 52.63(b)(1) and 52.98(f). The Commission
will deny a request for an exemption from Tier 1, if it finds that
the design change will result in a significant decrease in the
level of safety otherwise provided by the design.
B. Tier 2 information.
1. Generic changes to Tier 2 information are governed by the
requirements in 10 CFR 52.63(a)(1).
2. Generic changes to Tier 2 information are applicable to all
applicants or licensees who reference this appendix, except those
for which the change has been rendered technically irrelevant by
action taken under paragraphs B.3, B.4, B.5, or B.6 of this
section.
3. The Commission may not require new requirements on Tier 2
information by plant-specific order while this appendix is in
effect under §§ 52.55 or 52.61, unless:
a. A modification is necessary to secure compliance with the
Commission's regulations applicable and in effect at the time this
appendix was approved, as set forth in Section V of this appendix,
or to assure adequate protection of the public health and safety or
the common defense and security; and
b. Special circumstances as defined in 10 CFR 52.7 are
present.
4. An applicant or licensee who references this appendix may
request an exemption from Tier 2 information. The Commission may
grant such a request only if it determines that the exemption will
comply with the requirements of 10 CFR 52.7. The Commission will
deny a request for an exemption from Tier 2, if it finds that the
design change will result in a significant decrease in the level of
safety otherwise provided by the design. The grant of an exemption
to an applicant must be subject to litigation in the same manner as
other issues material to the license hearing. The grant of an
exemption to a licensee must be subject to an opportunity for a
hearing in the same manner as license amendments.
5.a. An applicant or licensee who references this appendix may
depart from Tier 2 information, without prior NRC approval, unless
the proposed departure involves a change to or departure from Tier
1 information, Tier 2* information, or the technical
specifications, or requires a license amendment under paragraphs
B.5.b or B.5.c of this section. When evaluating the proposed
departure, an applicant or licensee shall consider all matters
described in the plant-specific DCD.
b. A proposed departure from Tier 2, other than one affecting
resolution of a severe accident issue identified in the
plant-specific DCD or one affecting information required by 10 CFR
52.47(a)(28) to address 10 CFR 50.150, requires a license amendment
if it would:
(1) Result in more than a minimal increase in the frequency of
occurrence of an accident previously evaluated in the
plant-specific DCD;
(2) Result in more than a minimal increase in the likelihood of
occurrence of a malfunction of a structure, system, or component
(SSC) important to safety previously evaluated in the
plant-specific DCD;
(3) Result in more than a minimal increase in the consequences
of an accident previously evaluated in the plant-specific DCD;
(4) Result in more than a minimal increase in the consequences
of a malfunction of a SSC important to safety previously evaluated
in the plant-specific DCD;
(5) Create a possibility for an accident of a different type
than any evaluated previously in the plant-specific DCD;
(6) Create a possibility for a malfunction of an SSC important
to safety with a different result than any evaluated previously in
the plant-specific DCD;
(7) Result in a design basis limit for a fission product barrier
as described in the plant-specific DCD being exceeded or altered;
or
(8) Result in a departure from a method of evaluation described
in the plant-specific DCD used in establishing the design bases or
in the safety analyses.
c. A proposed departure from Tier 2 affecting resolution of an
ex-vessel severe accident design feature identified in the
plant-specific DCD, requires a license amendment if:
(1) There is a substantial increase in the probability of an
ex-vessel severe accident such that a particular ex-vessel severe
accident previously reviewed and determined to be not credible
could become credible; or
(2) There is a substantial increase in the consequences to the
public of a particular ex-vessel severe accident previously
reviewed.
d. If an applicant or licensee proposes to depart from the
information required by 10 CFR 52.47(a)(28) to be included in the
FSAR for the standard design certification, then the applicant or
licensee shall consider the effect of the changed feature or
capability on the original assessment required by 10 CFR 50.150(a).
The applicant or licensee must also document how the modified
design features and functional capabilities continue to meet the
assessment requirements in 10 CFR 50.150(a)(1) in accordance with
section X of this appendix.
e. If a departure requires a license amendment pursuant to
paragraphs B.5.b or B.5.c of this section, it is governed by 10 CFR
50.90.
f. A departure from Tier 2 information that is made under
paragraph B.5 of this section does not require an exemption from
this appendix.
g. A party to an adjudicatory proceeding for either the
issuance, amendment, or renewal of a license or for operation under
10 CFR 52.103(a), who believes that an applicant or licensee who
references this appendix has not complied with paragraph VIII.B.5
of this appendix when departing from Tier 2 information, may
petition the NRC to admit into the proceeding such a contention. In
addition to compliance with the general requirements of 10 CFR
2.309, the petition must demonstrate that the departure does not
comply with paragraph VIII.B.5 of this appendix. Further, the
petition must demonstrate that the change bears on an asserted
noncompliance with an ITAAC acceptance criterion in the case of a
10 CFR 52.103 preoperational hearing, or that the change bears
directly on the amendment request in the case of a hearing on a
license amendment. Any other party may file a response. If, on the
basis of the petition and any response, the presiding officer
determines that a sufficient showing has been made, the presiding
officer shall certify the matter directly to the Commission for
determination of the admissibility of the contention. The
Commission may admit such a contention if it determines the
petition raises a genuine issue of material fact regarding
compliance with paragraph VIII.B.5 of this appendix.
6.a. An applicant who references this appendix may not depart
from Tier 2* information, which is designated with italicized text
or brackets and an asterisk in the generic DCD, without NRC
approval. The departure will not be considered a resolved issue,
within the meaning of Section VI of this appendix and 10 CFR
52.63(a)(5).
b. A licensee who references this appendix may not depart from
the following Tier 2* matters without prior NRC approval. A request
for a departure will be treated as a request for a license
amendment under 10 CFR 50.90.
(1) Fuel burnup limit (4.2).
(2) Fuel design evaluation (4.2.3).
(3) Fuel licensing acceptance criteria (appendix 4B).
c. A licensee who references this appendix may not, before the
plant first achieves full power following the finding required by
10 CFR 52.103(g), depart from the following Tier 2* matters except
in accordance with paragraph B.6.b of this section. After the plant
first achieves full power, the following Tier 2* matters revert to
Tier 2 status and are thereafter subject to the departure
provisions in paragraph B.5 of this section.
(1) ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code, Section III.
(2) ACI 349 and ANSI/AISC N-690.
(3) Motor-operated valves.
(4) Equipment seismic qualification methods.
(5) Piping design acceptance criteria.
(6) Fuel system and assembly design (4.2), except burnup
limit.
(7) Nuclear design (4.3).
(8) Equilibrium cycle and control rod patterns (App. 4A).
(9) Control rod licensing acceptance criteria (App. 4C).
(10) Instrument setpoint methodology.
(11) EMS performance specifications and architecture.
(12) SSLC hardware and software qualification.
(13) Self-test system design testing features and
commitments.
(14) Human factors engineering design and implementation
process.
d. Departures from Tier 2* information that are made under
paragraph B.6 of this section do not require an exemption from this
appendix.
C. Operational requirements.
1. Generic changes to generic technical specifications and other
operational requirements that were completely reviewed and approved
in the design certification rulemaking and do not require a change
to a design feature in the generic DCD are governed by the
requirements in 10 CFR 50.109. Generic changes that do require a
change to a design feature in the generic DCD are governed by the
requirements in paragraphs A or B of this section.
2. Generic changes to generic TS and other operational
requirements are applicable to all applicants who reference this
appendix, except those for which the change has been rendered
technically irrelevant by action taken under paragraphs C.3 or C.4
of this section.
3. The Commission may require plant-specific departures on
generic technical specifications and other operational requirements
that were completely reviewed and approved, provided a change to a
design feature in the generic DCD is not required and special
circumstances as defined in 10 CFR 2.335 are present. The
Commission may modify or supplement generic technical
specifications and other operational requirements that were not
completely reviewed and approved or require additional technical
specifications and other operational requirements on a
plant-specific basis, provided a change to a design feature in the
generic DCD is not required.
4. An applicant who references this appendix may request an
exemption from the generic technical specifications or other
operational requirements. The Commission may grant such a request
only if it determines that the exemption will comply with the
requirements of 10 CFR 52.7. The grant of an exemption must be
subject to litigation in the same manner as other issues material
to the license hearing.
5. A party to an adjudicatory proceeding for either the
issuance, amendment, or renewal of a license or for operation under
10 CFR 52.103(a), who believes that an operational requirement
approved in the DCD or a technical specification derived from the
generic technical specifications must be changed may petition to
admit into the proceeding such a contention. Such petition must
comply with the general requirements of 10 CFR 2.309 and must
demonstrate why special circumstances as defined in 10 CFR 2.335
are present, or for compliance with the Commission's regulations in
effect at the time this appendix was approved, as set forth in
Section V of this appendix. Any other party may file a response
thereto. If, on the basis of the petition and any response, the
presiding officer determines that a sufficient showing has been
made, the presiding officer shall certify the matter directly to
the Commission for determination of the admissibility of the
contention. All other issues with respect to the plant-specific
technical specifications or other operational requirements are
subject to a hearing as part of the license proceeding.
6. After issuance of a license, the generic technical
specifications have no further effect on the plant-specific
technical specifications and changes to the plant-specific
technical specifications will be treated as license amendments
under 10 CFR 50.90.
IX. Inspections, Tests, Analyses, and Acceptance Criteria (ITAAC)
A.1. An applicant or licensee who references this appendix shall
perform and demonstrate conformance with the ITAAC before fuel
load. With respect to activities subject to an ITAAC, an applicant
for a license may proceed at its own risk with design and
procurement activities, and a licensee may proceed at its own risk
with design, procurement, construction, and preoperational
activities, even though the NRC may not have found that any
particular ITAAC has been met.
2. The licensee who references this appendix shall notify the
NRC that the required inspections, tests, and analyses in the ITAAC
have been successfully completed and that the corresponding
acceptance criteria have been met.
3. In the event that an activity is subject to an ITAAC, and the
applicant or licensee who references this appendix has not
demonstrated that the ITAAC has been met, the applicant or licensee
may either take corrective actions to successfully complete that
ITAAC, request an exemption from the ITAAC in accordance with
Section VIII of this appendix and 10 CFR 52.97(b), or petition for
rulemaking to amend this appendix by changing the requirements of
the ITAAC, under 10 CFR 2.802 and 52.97(b). Such rulemaking changes
to the ITAAC must meet the requirements of paragraph VIII.A.1 of
this appendix.
B.1. The NRC shall ensure that the required inspections, tests,
and analyses in the ITAAC are performed. The NRC shall verify that
the inspections, tests, and analyses referenced by the licensee
have been successfully completed and, based solely thereon, find
the prescribed acceptance criteria have been met. At appropriate
intervals during construction, the NRC shall publish notices of the
successful completion of ITAAC in the Federal Register.
2. In accordance with 10 CFR 52.103(g), the Commission shall
find that the acceptance criteria in the ITAAC for the license are
met before fuel load.
3. After the Commission has made the finding required by 10 CFR
52.103(g), the ITAAC do not, by virtue of their inclusion within
the DCD, constitute regulatory requirements either for licensees or
for renewal of the license; except for specific ITAAC, which are
the subject of a § 52.103(a) hearing, their expiration will occur
upon final Commission action in such proceeding. However,
subsequent modifications must comply with the Tier 1 and Tier 2
design descriptions in the plant-specific DCD unless the licensee
has complied with the applicable requirements of 10 CFR 52.98 and
Section VIII of this appendix.
X. Records and Reporting
A. Records.
1. The applicants for this appendix shall maintain a copy of the
applicable generic DCD that includes all generic changes to Tier 1,
Tier 2, and the generic technical specifications and other
operational requirements. The applicants shall maintain the
sensitive unclassified non-safeguards information (including
proprietary information) and safeguards information referenced in
the applicable generic DCD for the period that this appendix may be
referenced, as specified in Section VII of this appendix.
2. An applicant or licensee who references this appendix shall
maintain the plant-specific DCD to accurately reflect both generic
changes to the generic DCD and plant-specific departures made under
Section VIII of this appendix throughout the period of application
and for the term of the license (including any period of
renewal).
3. An applicant or licensee who references this appendix shall
prepare and maintain written evaluations which provide the bases
for the determinations required by Section VIII of this appendix.
These evaluations must be retained throughout the period of
application and for the term of the license (including any period
of renewal).
4.a. The applicant for the amendment to the U.S. ABWR design to
address the requirements in 10 CFR 50.150, “Aircraft impact
assessment,” shall maintain a copy of the aircraft impact
assessment performed to comply with the requirements of 10 CFR
50.150(a) for the term of the certification (including any period
of renewal).
b. An applicant or licensee who references this appendix to
include both the GE DCD and the STPNOC DCD shall maintain a copy of
the aircraft impact assessment performed to comply with the
requirements of 10 CFR 50.150(a) throughout the pendency of the
application and for the term of the license (including any period
of renewal).
B. Reporting.
1. An applicant or licensee who references this appendix shall
submit a report to the NRC containing a brief description of any
plant-specific departures from the DCD, including a summary of the
evaluation of each. This report must be filed in accordance with
the filing requirements applicable to reports in 10 CFR 52.3.
2. An applicant or licensee who references this appendix shall
submit updates to its DCD, which reflect the generic changes and
the plant-specific departures from the generic DCD made under
Section VIII of this appendix. These updates must be filed under
the filing requirements applicable to final safety analysis report
updates in 10 CFR 52.3 and 50.71(e).
3. The reports and updates required by paragraphs X.B.1 and
X.B.2 must be submitted as follows:
a. On the date that an application for a license referencing
this appendix is submitted, the application must include the report
and any updates to the generic DCD.
b. During the interval from the date of application for a
license to the date the Commission makes the finding required by 10
CFR 52.103(g), the report must be submitted semiannually. Updates
to the plant-specific DCD must be submitted annually and may be
submitted along with amendments to the application.
c. After the Commission makes the finding required by 10 CFR
52.103(g), reports and updates to the plant-specific DCD must be
submitted, along with updates to the site-specific portion of the
final safety analysis report for the facility, at the intervals
required by 10 CFR 50.59(d)(2) and 10 CFR 50.71(e)(4),
respectively, or at shorter intervals as specified in the
license.
[72 FR 49517, Aug. 28, 2007, as amended at 76 FR 72085, Nov. 22,
2011; 76 FR 78119, Dec. 16, 2011; 84 FR 63568, Nov. 18, 2019]
Appendix B to Part 52 - Design Certification Rule for the System 80 + Design
10:2.0.1.1.2.8.62.3.4 : Appendix B
Appendix B to Part 52 - Design Certification Rule for the System 80
+ Design I. Introduction
Appendix B constitutes design certification for the System 80 +
1 standard plant design, in accordance with 10 CFR part 52, subpart
B. The applicant for certification of the System 80 + design was
Combustion Engineering, Inc. (ABB-CE), which is now Westinghouse
Electric Company LLC.
1 “System 80 + ” is a trademark of Westinghouse Electric Company
LLC.
II. Definitions
A. Generic design control document (generic DCD) means the
document containing the Tier 1 and Tier 2 information and generic
technical specifications that is incorporated by reference into
this appendix.
B. Generic technical specifications means the information,
required by 10 CFR 50.36 and 50.36a, for the portion of the plant
that is within the scope of this appendix.
C. Plant-specific DCD means the document, maintained by an
applicant or licensee who references this appendix, consisting of
the information in the generic DCD, as modified and supplemented by
the plant-specific departures and exemptions made under Section
VIII of this appendix.
D. Tier 1 means the portion of the design-related
information contained in the generic DCD that is approved and
certified by this appendix (hereinafter Tier 1 information). The
design descriptions, interface requirements, and site parameters
are derived from Tier 2 information. Tier 1 information
includes:
1. Definitions and general provisions;
2. Design descriptions;
3. Inspections, tests, analyses, and acceptance criteria
(ITAAC);
4. Significant site parameters; and
5. Significant interface requirements.
E. Tier 2 means the portion of the design-related
information contained in the generic DCD that is approved but not
certified by this appendix (Tier 2 information). Compliance with
Tier 2 is required, but generic changes to and plant-specific
departures from Tier 2 are governed by Section VIII of this
appendix. Compliance with Tier 2 provides a sufficient, but not the
only acceptable, method for complying with Tier 1. Compliance
methods differing from Tier 2 must satisfy the change process in
Section VIII of this appendix. Regardless of these differences, an
applicant or licensee must meet the requirement in Section III.B of
this appendix to reference Tier 2 when referencing Tier 1. Tier 2
information includes:
1. Information required by §§ 52.47(a) and 52.47(c), with the
exception of generic technical specifications and conceptual design
information;
2. Supporting information on the inspections, tests, and
analyses that will be performed to demonstrate that the acceptance
criteria in the ITAAC have been met; and
3. Combined license (COL) action items (COL license
information), which identify certain matters that must be addressed
in the site-specific portion of the final safety analysis report
(FSAR) by an applicant who references this appendix. These items
constitute information requirements but are not the only acceptable
set of information in the FSAR. An applicant may depart from or
omit these items, provided that the departure or omission is
identified and justified in the FSAR. After issuance of a
construction permit or COL, these items are not requirements for
the licensee unless such items are restated in the FSAR.
F. Tier 2* means the portion of the Tier 2 information,
designated as such in the generic DCD, which is subject to the
change process in Section VIII.B.6 of this appendix. This
designation expires for some Tier 2* information under Section
VIII.B.6 of this appendix.
G. Departure from a method of evaluation described in the
plant-specific DCD used in establishing the design bases or in the
safety analyses means:
(1) Changing any of the elements of the method described in the
plant-specific DCD unless the results of the analysis are
conservative or essentially the same; or
(2) Changing from a method described in the plant-specific DCD
to another method unless that method has been approved by NRC for
the intended application.
H. All other terms in this appendix have the meaning set out in
10 CFR 50.2 or 52.1, or Section 11 of the Atomic Energy Act of
1954, as amended, as applicable.
III. Scope and Contents
A. Tier 1, Tier 2, and the generic technical specifications in
the System 80 + Design Control Document, ABB-CE, with revisions
dated January 1997, are approved for incorporation by reference by
the Director of the Office of the Federal Register in accordance
with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies of the generic DCD
may be obtained from the National Technical Information Service,
5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, Virginia 22161. A copy is
available for examination and copying at the NRC Public Document
Room located at One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike (first
floor), Rockville, Maryland 20852. Copies are also available for
examination at the NRC Library located at Two White Flint North,
11545 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852 and the Office of
the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., Suite 700,
Washington, DC.
B. An applicant or licensee referencing this appendix, in
accordance with Section IV of this appendix, shall incorporate by
reference and comply with the requirements of this appendix,
including Tier 1, Tier 2, and the generic technical specifications
except as otherwise provided in this appendix. Conceptual design
information, as set forth in the generic DCD, and the Technical
Support Document for the System 80 + design are not part of this
appendix.
C. If there is a conflict between Tier 1 and Tier 2 of the DCD,
then Tier 1 controls.
D. If there is a conflict between the generic DCD and either the
application for design certification of the System 80 + design or
NUREG-1462, “Final Safety Evaluation Report Related to the
Certification of the System 80 + Design,” (FSER) and Supplement No.
1, then the generic DCD controls.
E. Design activities for structures, systems, and components
that are wholly outside the scope of this appendix may be performed
using site characteristics, provided the design activities do not
affect the DCD or conflict with the interface requirements.
IV. Additional Requirements and Restrictions
A. An applicant for a combined license that wishes to reference
this appendix shall, in addition to complying with the requirements
of 10 CFR 52.77, 52.79, and 52.80, comply with the following
requirements:
1. Incorporate by reference, as part of its application, this
appendix;
2. Include, as part of its application:
a. A plant-specific DCD containing the same type of information
and using the same organization and numbering as the generic DCD
for the System 80 + design, as modified and supplemented by the
applicant's exemptions and departures;
b. The reports on departures from and updates to the
plant-specific DCD required by paragraph X.B of this appendix;
c. Plant-specific technical specifications, consisting of the
generic and site-specific technical specifications, that are
required by 10 CFR 50.36 and 50.36a;
d. Information demonstrating compliance with the site parameters
and interface requirements;
e. Information that addresses the COL action items; and
f. Information required by 10 CFR 52.47 that is not within the
scope of this appendix.
3. Include, in the plant-specific DCD, the proprietary
information referenced in the System 80 + DCD.
B. The Commission reserves the right to determine in what manner
this appendix may be referenced by an applicant for a construction
permit or operating license under 10 CFR part 50.
V. Applicable Regulations
A. Except as indicated in paragraph B of this section, the
regulations that apply to the System 80 + design are in 10 CFR
parts 20, 50, 73, and 100, codified as of May 9, 1997, that are
applicable and technically relevant, as described in the FSER
(NUREG-1462) and Supplement No. 1.
B. The System 80 + design is exempt from portions of the
following regulations:
1. Paragraph (f)(2)(iv) of 10 CFR 50.34 - Separate Plant Safety
Parameter Display Console;
2. Paragraphs (f)(2) (vii), (viii), (xxvi), and (xxviii) of 10
CFR 50.34 - Accident Source Terms;
3. Paragraph (f)(2)(viii) of 10 CFR 50.34 - Post-Accident
Sampling for Hydrogen, Boron, Chloride, and Dissolved Gases;
4. Paragraph (f)(3)(iv) of 10 CFR 50.34 - Dedicated Containment
Penetration; and
5. Paragraphs III.A.1(a) and III.C.3(b) of Appendix J to 10 CFR
50 - Containment Leakage Testing.
VI. Issue Resolution
A. The Commission has determined that the structures, systems,
components, and design features of the System 80 + design comply
with the provisions of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended,
and the applicable regulations identified in Section V of this
appendix; and therefore, provide adequate protection to the health
and safety of the public. A conclusion that a matter is resolved
includes the finding that additional or alternative structures,
systems, components, design features, design criteria, testing,
analyses, acceptance criteria, or justifications are not necessary
for the System 80 + design.
B. The Commission considers the following matters resolved
within the meaning of 10 CFR 52.63(a)(5) in subsequent proceedings
for issuance of a combined license, amendment of a combined
license, or renewal of a combined license, proceedings held under
10 CFR 52.103, and enforcement proceedings involving plants
referencing this appendix:
1. All nuclear safety issues, except for the generic technical
specifications and other operational requirements, associated with
the information in the FSER and Supplement No. 1, Tier 1, Tier 2
(including referenced information which the context indicates is
intended as requirements), and the rulemaking record for
certification of the System 80 + design;
2. All nuclear safety and safeguards issues associated with the
information in proprietary and safeguards documents, referenced and
in context, are intended as requirements in the generic DCD for the
System 80 + design;
3. All generic changes to the DCD under and in compliance with
the change processes in Sections VIII.A.1 and VIII.B.1 of this
appendix;
4. All exemptions from the DCD under and in compliance with the
change processes in Sections VIII.A.4 and VIII.B.4 of this
appendix, but only for that plant;
5. All departures from the DCD that are approved by license
amendment, but only for that plant;
6. Except as provided in paragraph VIII.B.5.f of this appendix,
all departures from Tier 2 under and in compliance with the change
processes in paragraph VIII.B.5 of this appendix that do not
require prior NRC approval, but only for that plant;
7. All environmental issues concerning severe accident
mitigation design alternatives associated with the information in
the NRC's final environmental assessment for the System 80 + design
and the technical support document for the System 80 + design,
dated January 1995, for plants referencing this appendix whose site
parameters are within those specified in the technical support
document.
C. The Commission does not consider operational requirements for
an applicant or licensee who references this appendix to be matters
resolved within the meaning of 10 CFR 52.63(a)(5). The Commission
reserves the right to require operational requirements for an
applicant or licensee who references this appendix by rule,
regulation, order, or license condition.
D. Except in accordance with the change processes in Section
VIII of this appendix, the Commission may not require an applicant
or licensee who references this appendix to:
1. Modify structures, systems, components, or design features as
described in the generic DCD;
2. Provide additional or alternative structures, systems,
components, or design features not discussed in the generic DCD;
or
3. Provide additional or alternative design criteria, testing,
analyses, acceptance criteria, or justification for structures,
systems, components, or design features discussed in the generic
DCD.
E.1. Persons who wish to review proprietary information or other
secondary references in the DCD for the System 80 + design, in
order to request or participate in the hearing required by 10 CFR
52.85 or the hearing provided under 10 CFR 52.103, or to request or
participate in any other hearing relating to this appendix in which
interested persons have adjudicatory hearing rights, shall first
request access to such information from Westinghouse. The request
must state with particularity:
a. The nature of the proprietary or other information
sought;
b. The reason why the information currently available to the
public at the NRC Web site, http://www.nrc.gov, and/or at
the NRC Public Document Room, is insufficient;
c. The relevance of the requested information to the hearing
issue(s) which the person proposes to raise; and
d. A showing that the requesting person has the capability to
understand and utilize the requested information.
2. If a person claims that the information is necessary to
prepare a request for hearing, the request must be filed no later
than 15 days after publication in the Federal Register of the
notice required either by 10 CFR 52.85 or 10 CFR 52.103. If
Westinghouse declines to provide the information sought,
Westinghouse shall send a written response within ten (10) days of
receiving the request to the requesting person setting forth with
particularity the reasons for its refusal. The person may then
request the Commission (or presiding officer, if a proceeding has
been established) to order disclosure. The person shall include
copies of the original request (and any subsequent clarifying
information provided by the requesting party to the applicant) and
the applicant's response. The Commission and presiding officer
shall base their decisions solely on the person's original request
(including any clarifying information provided by the requesting
person to Westinghouse), and Westinghouse's response. The
Commission and presiding officer may order Westinghouse to provide
access to some or all of the requested information, subject to an
appropriate non-disclosure agreement.
VII. Duration of This Appendix
This appendix may be referenced for a period of 15 years from
June 20, 1997, except as provided for in 10 CFR 52.55(b) and
52.57(b). This appendix remains valid for an applicant or licensee
who references this appendix until the application is withdrawn or
the license expires, including any period of extended operation
under a renewed license.
VIII. Processes for Changes and Departures
A. Tier 1 information.
1. Generic changes to Tier 1 information are governed by the
requirements in 10 CFR 52.63(a)(1).
2. Generic changes to Tier 1 information are applicable to all
applicants or licensees who reference this appendix, except those
for which the change has been rendered technically irrelevant by
action taken under paragraphs A.3 or A.4 of this section.
3. Departures from Tier 1 information that are required by the
Commission through plant-specific orders are governed by the
requirements in 10 CFR 52.63(a)(4).
4. Exemptions from Tier 1 information are governed by the
requirements in 10 CFR 52.63(b)(1) and 52.98(f). The Commission
will deny a request for an exemption from Tier 1, if it finds that
the design change will result in a significant decrease in the
level of safety otherwise provided by the design.
B. Tier 2 Information
1. Generic changes to Tier 2 information are governed by the
requirements in 10 CFR 52.63(a)(1).
2. Generic changes to Tier 2 information are applicable to all
applicants or licensees who reference this appendix, except those
for which the change has been rendered technically irrelevant by
action taken under paragraphs B.3, B.4, B.5, or B.6 of this
section.
3. The Commission may not require new requirements on Tier 2
information by plant-specific order while this appendix is in
effect under §§ 52.55 or 52.61, unless:
a. A modification is necessary to secure compliance with the
Commission's regulations applicable and in effect at the time this
appendix was approved, as set forth in Section V of this appendix,
or to assure adequate protection of the public health and safety or
the common defense and security; and
b. Special circumstances as defined in 10 CFR 52.7 are
present.
4. An applicant or licensee who references this appendix may
request an exemption from Tier 2 information. The Commission may
grant such a request only if it determines that the exemption will
comply with the requirements of 10 CFR 52.7. The Commission will
deny a request for an exemption from Tier 2, if it finds that the
design change will result in a significant decrease in the level of
safety otherwise provided by the design. The grant of an exemption
to an applicant must be subject to litigation in the same manner as
other issues material to the license hearing. The grant of an
exemption to a licensee must be subject to an opportunity for a
hearing in the same manner as license amendments.
5.a. An applicant or licensee who references this appendix may
depart from Tier 2 information, without prior NRC approval, unless
the proposed departure involves a change to or departure from Tier
1 information, Tier 2* information, or the technical
specifications, or requires a license amendment under paragraphs
B.5.b or B.5.c of this section. When evaluating the proposed
departure, an applicant or licensee shall consider all matters
described in the plant-specific DCD.
b. A proposed departure from Tier 2, other than one affecting
resolution of a severe accident issue identified in the
plant-specific DCD, requires a license amendment if it would -
(1) Result in more than a minimal increase in the frequency of
occurrence of an accident previously evaluated in the
plant-specific DCD;
(2) Result in more than a minimal increase in the likelihood of
occurrence of a malfunction of a structure, system, or component
(SSC) important to safety previously evaluated in the
plant-specific DCD;
(3) Result in more than a minimal increase in the consequences
of an accident previously evaluated in the plant-specific DCD;
(4) Result in more than a minimal increase in the consequences
of a malfunction of an SSC important to safety previously evaluated
in the plant-specific DCD;
(5) Create a possibility for an accident of a different type
than any evaluated previously in the plant-specific DCD;
(6) Create a possibility for a malfunction of an SSC important
to safety with a different result than any evaluated previously in
the plant-specific DCD;
(7) Result in a design basis limit for a fission product barrier
as described in the plant-specific DCD being exceeded or altered;
or
(8) Result in a departure from a method of evaluation described
in the plant-specific DCD used in establishing the design bases or
in the safety analyses.
c. A proposed departure from Tier 2 affecting resolution of an
ex-vessel severe accident design feature identified in the
plant-specific DCD, requires a license amendment if:
(1) There is a substantial increase in the probability of an
ex-vessel severe accident such that a particular ex-vessel severe
accident previously reviewed and determined to be not credible
could become credible; or
(2) There is a substantial increase in the consequences to the
public of a particular ex-vessel severe accident previously
reviewed.
d. If a departure requires a license amendment under paragraph
B.5.b or B.5.c of this section, it is governed by 10 CFR 50.90.
e. A departure from Tier 2 information that is made under
paragraph B.5 of this section does not require an exemption from
this appendix.
f. A party to an adjudicatory proceeding for either the
issuance, amendment, or renewal of a license or for operation under
10 CFR 52.103(a), who believes that an applicant or licensee who
references this appendix has not complied with paragraph VIII.B.5
of this appendix when departing from Tier 2 information, may
petition the NRC to admit into the proceeding such a contention. In
addition to compliance with the general requirements of 10 CFR
2.309, the petition must demonstrate that the departure does not
comply with paragraph VIII.B.5 of this appendix. Further, the
petition must demonstrate that the change bears on an asserted
noncompliance with an ITAAC acceptance criterion in the case of a
10 CFR 52.103 preoperational hearing, or that the change bears
directly on the amendment request in the case of a hearing on a
license amendment. Any other party may file a response. If, on the
basis of the petition and any response, the presiding officer
determines that a sufficient showing has been made, the presiding
officer shall certify the matter directly to the Commission for
determination of the admissibility of the contention. The
Commission may admit such a contention if it determines the
petition raises a genuine issue of material fact regarding
compliance with paragraph VIII.B.5 of this appendix.
6.a. An applicant who references this appendix may not depart
from Tier 2* information, which is designated with italicized text
or brackets and an asterisk in the generic DCD, without NRC
approval. The departure will not be considered a resolved issue,
within the meaning of Section VI of this appendix and 10 CFR
52.63(a)(5).
b. A licensee who references this appendix may not depart from
the following Tier 2* matters without prior NRC approval. A request
for a departure will be treated as a request for a license
amendment under 10 CFR 50.90.
(1) Maximum fuel rod average burnup.
(2) Control room human factors engineering.
c. A licensee who references this appendix may not, before the
plant first achieves full power following the finding required by
10 CFR 52.103(g), depart from the following Tier 2* matters except
in accordance with paragraph B.6.b of this section. After the plant
first achieves full power, the following Tier 2* matters revert to
Tier 2 status and are thereafter subject to the departure
provisions in paragraph B.5 of this section.
(1) ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code, Section III.
(2) ACI 349 and ANSI/AISC N-690.
(3) Motor-operated valves.
(4) Equipment seismic qualification methods.
(5) Piping design acceptance criteria.
(6) Fuel and control rod design, except burnup limit.
(7) Instrumentation and controls setpoint methodology.
(8) Instrumentation and controls hardware and software
changes.
(9) Instrumentation and controls environmental
qualification.
(10) Seismic design criteria for non-seismic Category I
structures.
d. Departures from Tier 2* information that are made under
paragraph B.6 of this section do not require an exemption from this
appendix.
C. Operational requirements.
1. Generic changes to generic technical specifications and other
operational requirements that were completely reviewed and approved
in the design certification rulemaking and do not require a change
to a design feature in the generic DCD are governed by the
requirements in 10 CFR 50.109. Generic changes that do require a
change to a design feature in the generic DCD are governed by the
requirements in paragraphs A or B of this section.
2. Generic changes to generic TS and other operational
requirements are applicable to all applicants who reference this
appendix, except those for which the change has been rendered
technically irrelevant by action taken under paragraphs C.3 or C.4
of this section.
3. The Commission may require plant-specific departures on
generic technical specifications and other operational requirements
that were completely reviewed and approved, provided a change to a
design feature in the generic DCD is not required and special
circumstances as defined in 10 CFR 2.335 are present. The
Commission may modify or supplement generic technical
specifications and other operational requirements that were not
completely reviewed and approved or require additional technical
specifications and other operational requirements on a
plant-specific basis, provided a change to a design feature in the
generic DCD is not required.
4. An applicant who references this appendix may request an
exemption from the generic technical specifications or other
operational requirements. The Commission may grant such a request
only if it determines that the exemption will comply with the
requirements of 10 CFR 52.7. The grant of an exemption must be
subject to litigation in the same manner as other issues material
to the license hearing.
5. A party to an adjudicatory proceeding for either the
issuance, amendment, or renewal of a license or for operation under
10 CFR 52.103(a), who believes that an operational requirement
approved in the DCD or a technical specification derived from the
generic technical specifications must be changed may petition to
admit into the proceeding such a contention. Such a petition must
comply with the general requirements of 10 CFR 2.309 and must
demonstrate why special circumstances as defined in 10 CFR 2.335
are present, or for compliance with the Commission's regulations in
effect at the time this appendix was approved, as set forth in
Section V of this appendix. Any other party may file a response
thereto. If, on the basis of the petition and any response, the
presiding officer determines that a sufficient showing has been
made, the presiding officer shall certify the matter directly to
the Commission for determination of the admissibility of the
contention. All other issues with respect to the plant-specific
technical specifications or other operational requirements are
subject to a hearing as part of the license proceeding.
6. After issuance of a license, the generic technical
specifications have no further effect on the plant-specific
technical specifications and changes to the plant-specific
technical specifications will be treated as license amendments
under 10 CFR 50.90.
IX. Inspections, Tests, Analyses, and Acceptance Criteria (ITAAC)
A.1 An applicant or licensee who references this appendix shall
perform and demonstrate conformance with the ITAAC before fuel
load. With respect to activities subject to an ITAAC, an applicant
for a license may proceed at its own risk with design and
procurement activities, and a licensee may proceed at its own risk
with design, procurement, construction, and preoperational
activities, even though the NRC may not have found that any
particular ITAAC has been met.
2. The licensee who references this appendix shall notify the
NRC that the required inspections, tests, and analyses in the ITAAC
have been successfully completed and that the corresponding
acceptance criteria have been met.
3. In the event that an activity is subject to an ITAAC, and the
applicant or licensee who references this appendix has not
demonstrated that the ITAAC has been met, the applicant or licensee
may either take corrective actions to successfully complete that
ITAAC, request an exemption from the ITAAC in accordance with
Section VIII of this appendix and 10 CFR 52.97(b), or petition for
rulemaking to amend this appendix by changing the requirements of
the ITAAC, under 10 CFR 2.802 and 52.97(b). Such rulemaking changes
to the ITAAC must meet the requirements of Section VIII.A.1 of this
appendix.
B.1 The NRC shall ensure that the required inspections, tests,
and analyses in the ITAAC are performed. The NRC shall verify that
the inspections, tests, and analyses referenced by the licensee
have been successfully completed and, based solely thereon, find
the prescribed acceptance criteria have been met. At appropriate
intervals during construction, the NRC shall publish notices of the
successful completion of ITAAC in the Federal Register.
2. In accordance with 10 CFR 52.103(g), the Commission shall
find that the acceptance criteria in the ITAAC for the license are
met before fuel load.
3. After the Commission has made the finding required by 10 CFR
52.103(g), the ITAAC do not, by virtue of their inclusion within
the DCD, constitute regulatory requirements either for licensees or
for renewal of the license; except for specific ITAAC, which are
the subject of a § 52.103(a) hearing, their expiration will occur
upon final Commission action in such proceeding. However,
subsequent modifications must comply with the Tier 1 and Tier 2
design descriptions in the plant-specific DCD unless the licensee
has complied with the applicable requirements of 10 CFR 52.98 and
Section VIII of this appendix.
X. Records and Reporting
A. Records.
1. The applicant for this appendix shall maintain a copy of the
generic DCD that includes all generic changes to Tier 1, Tier 2,
and the generic TS and other operational requirements. The
applicant shall maintain the proprietary and safeguards information
referenced in the generic DCD for the period that this appendix may
be referenced, as specified in Section VII of this appendix.
2. An applicant or licensee who references this appendix shall
maintain the plant-specific DCD to accurately reflect both generic
changes to the generic DCD and plant-specific departures made under
Section VIII of this appendix throughout the period of application
and for the term of the license (including any period of
renewal).
3. An applicant or licensee who references this appendix shall
prepare and maintain written evaluations which provide the bases
for the determinations required by Section VIII of this appendix.
These evaluations must be retained throughout the period of
application and for the term of the license (including any period
of renewal).
B. Reporting.
1. An applicant or licensee who references this appendix shall
submit a report to the NRC containing a brief description of any
plant-specific departures from the DCD, including a summary of the
evaluation of each. This report must be filed in accordance with
the filing requirements applicable to reports in 10 CFR 52.3.
2. An applicant or licensee who references this appendix shall
submit updates to its DCD, which reflect the generic changes to and
plant-specific departures from the generic DCD made under Section
VIII of this appendix. These updates must be filed under the filing
requirements applicable to final safety analysis report updates in
10 CFR 52.3 and 50.71(e).
3. The reports and updates required by paragraphs X.B.1 and
X.B.2 must be submitted as follows:
a. On the date that an application for a license referencing
this appendix is submitted, the application must include the report
and any updates to the generic DCD.
b. During the interval from the date of application for a
license to the date the Commission makes the finding required by 10
CFR 52.103(g), the report must be submitted semi-annually. Updates
to the plant-specific DCD must be submitted annually and may be
submitted along with amendments to the application.
c. After the Commission makes the finding required by 10 CFR
52.103(g), the reports and updates to the plant-specific DCD must
be submitted, along with updates to the site-specific portion of
the final safety analysis report for the facility, at the intervals
required by 10 CFR 50.59(d)(2) and 50.71(e)(4), respectively, or at
shorter intervals as specified in the license.
[72 FR 49517, Aug. 28, 2007, as amended at 76 FR 72085, Nov. 22,
2011; 84 FR 63568, Nov. 18, 2019]
Appendix C to Part 52 - Design Certification Rule for the AP600 Design
10:2.0.1.1.2.8.62.3.5 : Appendix C
Appendix C to Part 52 - Design Certification Rule for the AP600
Design I. Introduction
Appendix C constitutes the standard design certification for the
AP600 1 design, in accordance with 10 CFR part 52, subpart B. The
applicant for certification of the AP600 design is Westinghouse
Electric Company LLC.
1 AP600 is a trademark of Westinghouse Electric Company LLC.
II. Definitions
A. Generic design control document (generic DCD) means the
document containing the Tier 1 and Tier 2 information and generic
technical specifications that is incorporated by reference into
this appendix.
B. Generic technical specifications means the information,
required by 10 CFR 50.36 and 50.36a, for the portion of the plant
that is within the scope of this appendix.
C. Plant-specific DCD means the document, maintained by an
applicant or licensee who references this appendix, consisting of
the information in the generic DCD, as modified and supplemented by
the plant-specific departures and exemptions made under Section
VIII of this appendix.
D. Tier 1 means the portion of the design-related
information contained in the generic DCD that is approved and
certified by this appendix (hereinafter Tier 1 information). The
design descriptions, interface requirements, and site parameters
are derived from Tier 2 information. Tier 1 information
includes:
1. Definitions and general provisions;
2. Design descriptions;
3. Inspections, tests, analyses, and acceptance criteria
(ITAAC);
4. Significant site parameters; and
5. Significant interface requirements.
E. Tier 2 means the portion of the design-related
information contained in the generic DCD that is approved but not
certified by this appendix (Tier 2 information). Compliance with
Tier 2 is required, but generic changes to and plant-specific
departures from Tier 2 are governed by Section VIII of this
appendix. Compliance with Tier 2 provides a sufficient, but not the
only acceptable, method for complying with Tier 1. Compliance
methods differing from Tier 2 must satisfy the change process in
Section VIII of this appendix. Regardless of these differences, an
applicant or licensee must meet the requirement in Section III.B of
this appendix to reference Tier 2 when referencing Tier 1. Tier 2
information includes:
1. Information required by §§ 52.47(a) and 52.47(c), with the
exception of generic technical specifications and conceptual design
information;
2. Supporting information on the inspections, tests, and
analyses that will be performed to demonstrate that the acceptance
criteria in the ITAAC have been met; and
3. Combined license (COL) action items (COL license
information), which identify certain matters that must be addressed
in the site-specific portion of the final safety analysis report
(FSAR) by an applicant who references this appendix. These items
constitute information requirements but are not the only acceptable
set of information in the FSAR. An applicant may depart from or
omit these items, provided that the departure or omission is
identified and justified in the FSAR. After issuance of a
construction permit or COL, these items are not requirements for
the licensee unless such items are restated in the FSAR.
4. The investment protection short-term availability controls in
Section 16.3 of the DCD.
F. Tier 2* means the portion of the Tier 2 information,
designated as such in the generic DCD, which is subject to the
change process in Section VIII.B.6 of this appendix. This
designation expires for some Tier 2* information under Section
VIII.B.6.
G. Departure from a method of evaluation described in the
plant-specific DCD used in establishing the design bases or in the
safety analyses means:
(1) Changing any of the elements of the method described in the
plant-specific DCD unless the results of the analysis are
conservative or essentially the same; or
(2) Changing from a method described in the plant-specific DCD
to another method unless that method has been approved by NRC for
the intended application.
H. All other terms in this appendix have the meaning set out in
10 CFR 50.2 or 52.1, or Section 11 of the Atomic Energy Act of
1954, as amended, as applicable.
III. Scope and Contents
A. Tier 1, Tier 2 (including the investment protection
short-term availability controls in Section 16.3), and the generic
technical specifications in the AP600 DCD (12/99 revision) are
approved for incorporation by reference by the Director of the
Office of the Federal Register on January 24, 2000, in accordance
with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies of the generic DCD
may be obtained from Ronald P. Vijuk, Manager, Passive Plant
Engineering, Westinghouse Electric Company, P.O. Box 355,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15230-0355. A copy of the generic DCD is
available for examination and copying at the NRC Public Document
Room located at One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike (first
floor), Rockville, Maryland 20852. Copies are also available for
examination at the NRC Library located at Two White Flint North,
11545 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852; and the Office of
the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., Suite 700,
Washington, DC.
B. An applicant or licensee referencing this appendix, in
accordance with Section IV of this appendix, shall incorporate by
reference and comply with the requirements of this appendix,
including Tier 1, Tier 2 (including the investment protection
short-term availability controls in Section 16.3), and the generic
technical specifications except as otherwise provided in this
appendix. Conceptual design information in the generic DCD and the
evaluation of severe accident mitigation design alternatives in
Appendix 1B of the generic DCD are not part of this appendix.
C. If there is a conflict between Tier 1 and Tier 2 of the DCD,
then Tier 1 controls.
D. If there is a conflict between the generic DCD and either the
application for design certification of the AP600 design or
NUREG-1512, “Final Safety Evaluation Report Related to
Certification of the AP600 Standard Design,” (FSER), then the
generic DCD controls.
E. Design activities for structures, systems, and components
that are wholly outside the scope of this appendix may be performed
using site characteristics, provided the design activities do not
affect the DCD or conflict with the interface requirements.
IV. Additional Requirements and Restrictions
A. An applicant for a combined license that wishes to reference
this appendix shall, in addition to complying with the requirements
of 10 CFR 52.77, 52.79, and 52.80, comply with the following
requirements:
1. Incorporate by reference, as part of its application, this
appendix;
2. Include, as part of its application:
a. A plant-specific DCD containing the same type of information
and utilizing the same organization and numbering as the generic
DCD for the AP600 design, as modified and supplemented by the
applicant's exemptions and departures;
b. The reports on departures from and updates to the
plant-specific DCD required by paragraph X.B of this appendix;
c. Plant-specific technical specifications, consisting of the
generic and site-specific technical specifications, that are
required by 10 CFR 50.36 and 50.36a;
d. Information demonstrating compliance with the site parameters
and interface requirements;
e. Information that addresses the COL action items; and
f. Information required by 10 CFR 52.47 that is not within the
scope of this appendix.
3. Include, in the plant-specific DCD, the proprietary
information and safeguards information referenced in the AP600
DCD.
B. The Commission reserves the right to determine in what manner
this appendix may be referenced by an applicant for a construction
permit or operating license under 10 CFR part 50.
V. Applicable Regulations
A. Except as indicated in paragraph B of this section, the
regulations that apply to the AP600 design are in 10 CFR parts 20,
50, 73, and 100, codified as of December 16, 1999, that are
applicable and technically relevant, as described in the FSER
(NUREG-1512) and the supplementary information for this
section.
B. The AP600 design is exempt from portions of the following
regulations:
1. Paragraph (a)(1) of 10 CFR 50.34 - whole body dose
criterion;
2. Paragraph (f)(2)(iv) of 10 CFR 50.34 - Plant Safety Parameter
Display Console;
3. Paragraphs (f)(2)(vii), (viii), (xxvi), and (xxviii) of 10
CFR 50.34 - Accident Source Term in TID 14844;
4. Paragraph (a)(2) of 10 CFR 50.55a - ASME Boiler and Pressure
Vessel Code;
5. Paragraph (c)(1) of 10 CFR 50.62 - Auxiliary (or emergency)
feedwater system;
6. Appendix A to 10 CFR part 50, GDC 17 - Offsite Power Sources;
and
7. Appendix A to 10 CFR part 50, GDC 19 - whole body dose
criterion.
VI. Issue Resolution
A. The Commission has determined that the structures, systems,
components, and design features of the AP600 design comply with the
provisions of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, and the
applicable regulations identified in Section V of this appendix;
and therefore, provide adequate protection to the health and safety
of the public. A conclusion that a matter is resolved includes the
finding that additional or alternative structures, systems,
components, design features, design criteria, testing, analyses,
acceptance criteria, or justifications are not necessary for the
AP600 design.
B. The Commission considers the following matters resolved
within the meaning of 10 CFR 52.63(a)(5) in subsequent proceedings
for issuance of a combined license, amendment of a combined
license, or renewal of a combined license, proceedings held under
10 CFR 52.103, and enforcement proceedings involving plants
referencing this appendix:
1. All nuclear safety issues, except for the generic technical
specifications and other operational requirements, associated with
the information in the FSER and Supplement No. 1, Tier 1, Tier 2
(including referenced information which the context indicates is
intended as requirements and the investment protection short-term
availability controls in Section 16.3), and the rulemaking record
for certification of the AP600 design;
2. All nuclear safety and safeguards issues associated with the
information in proprietary and safeguards documents, referenced and
in context, are intended as requirements in the generic DCD for the
AP600 design;
3. All generic changes to the DCD under and in compliance with
the change processes in Sections VIII.A.1 and VIII.B.1 of this
appendix;
4. All exemptions from the DCD under and in compliance with the
change processes in Sections VIII.A.4 and VIII.B.4 of this
appendix, but only for that plant;
5. All departures from the DCD that are approved by license
amendment, but only for that plant;
6. Except as provided in paragraph VIII.B.5.f of this appendix,
all departures from Tier 2 under and in compliance with the change
processes in paragraph VIII.B.5 of this appendix that do not
require prior NRC approval, but only for that plant;
7. All environmental issues concerning severe accident
mitigation design alternatives associated with the information in
the NRC's environmental assessment for the AP600 design and
appendix 1B of the generic DCD, for plants referencing this
appendix whose site parameters are within those specified in the
severe accident mitigation design alternatives evaluation.
C. The Commission does not consider operational requirements for
an applicant or licensee who references this appendix to be matters
resolved within the meaning of 10 CFR 52.63(a)(5). The Commission
reserves the right to require operational requirements for an
applicant or licensee who references this appendix by rule,
regulation, order, or license condition.
D. Except in accordance with the change processes in Section
VIII of this appendix, the Commission may not require an applicant
or licensee who references this appendix to:
1. Modify structures, systems, components, or design features as
described in the generic DCD;
2. Provide additional or alternative structures, systems,
components, or design features not discussed in the generic DCD;
or
3. Provide additional or alternative design criteria, testing,
analyses, acceptance criteria, or justification for structures,
systems, components, or design features discussed in the generic
DCD.
E.1. Persons who wish to review proprietary and safeguards
information or other secondary references in the AP600 DCD, in
order to request or participate in the hearing required by 10 CFR
52.85 or the hearing provided under 10 CFR 52.103, or to request or
participate in any other hearing relating to this appendix in which
interested persons have adjudicatory hearing rights, shall first
request access to such information from Westinghouse. The request
must state with particularity:
a. The nature of the proprietary or other information
sought;
b. The reason why the information currently available to the
public at the NRC Web site, http://www.nrc.gov, and/or at
the NRC Public Document Room, is insufficient;
c. The relevance of the requested information to the hearing
issue(s) which the person proposes to raise; and
d. A showing that the requesting person has the capability to
understand and utilize the requested information.
2. If a person claims that the information is necessary to
prepare a request for hearing, the request must be filed no later
than 15 days after publication in the Federal Register of the
notice required either by 10 CFR 52.85 or 10 CFR 52.103. If
Westinghouse declines to provide the information sought,
Westinghouse shall send a written response within 10 days of
receiving the request to the requesting person setting forth with
particularity the reasons for its refusal. The person may then
request the Commission (or presiding officer, if a proceeding has
been established) to order disclosure. The person shall include
copies of the original request (and any subsequent clarifying
information provided by the requesting party to the applicant) and
the applicant's response. The Commission and presiding officer
shall base their decisions solely on the person's original request
(including any clarifying information provided by the requesting
person to Westinghouse), and Westinghouse's response. The
Commission and presiding officer may order Westinghouse to provide
access to some or all of the requested information, subject to an
appropriate non-disclosure agreement.
VII. Duration of This Appendix
This appendix may be referenced for a period of 15 years from
January 24, 2000, except as provided for in 10 CFR 52.55(b) and
52.57(b). This appendix remains valid for an applicant or licensee
who references this appendix until the application is withdrawn or
the license expires, including any period of extended operation
under a renewed license.
VIII. Processes for Changes and Departures
A. Tier 1 information.
1. Generic changes to Tier 1 information are governed by the
requirements in 10 CFR 52.63(a)(1).
2. Generic changes to Tier 1 information are applicable to all
applicants or licensees who reference this appendix, except those
for which the change has been rendered technically irrelevant by
action taken under paragraphs A.3 or A.4 of this section.
3. Departures from Tier 1 information that are required by the
Commission through plant-specific orders are governed by the
requirements in 10 CFR 52.63(a)(4).
4. Exemptions from Tier 1 information are governed by the
requirements in 10 CFR 52.63(b)(1) and 52.98(f). The Commission
will deny a request for an exemption from Tier 1, if it finds that
the design change will result in a significant decrease in the
level of safety otherwise provided by the design.
B. Tier 2 information.
1. Generic changes to Tier 2 information are governed by the
requirements in 10 CFR 52.63(a)(1).
2. Generic changes to Tier 2 information are applicable to all
applicants or licensees who reference this appendix, except those
for which the change has been rendered technically irrelevant by
action taken under paragraphs B.3, B.4, B.5, or B.6 of this
section.
3. The Commission may not require new requirements on Tier 2
information by plant-specific order while this appendix is in
effect under §§ 52.55 or 52.61, unless:
a. A modification is necessary to secure compliance with the
Commission's regulations applicable and in effect at the time this
appendix was approved, as set forth in Section V of this appendix,
or to assure adequate protection of the public health and safety or
the common defense and security; and
b. Special circumstances as defined in 10 CFR 52.7 are
present.
4. An applicant or licensee who references this appendix may
request an exemption from Tier 2 information. The Commission may
grant such a request only if it determines that the exemption will
comply with the requirements of 10 CFR 52.7. The Commission will
deny a request for an exemption from Tier 2, if it finds that the
design change will result in a significant decrease in the level of
safety otherwise provided by the design. The grant of an exemption
to an applicant must be subject to litigation in the same manner as
other issues material to the license hearing. The grant of an
exemption to a licensee must be subject to an opportunity for a
hearing in the same manner as license amendments.
5.a. An applicant or licensee who references this appendix may
depart from Tier 2 information, without prior NRC approval, unless
the proposed departure involves a change to or departure from Tier
1 information, Tier 2* information, or the technical
specifications, or requires a license amendment under paragraphs
B.5.b or B.5.c of this section. When evaluating the proposed
departure, an applicant or licensee shall consider all matters
described in the plant-specific DCD.
b. A proposed departure from Tier 2, other than one affecting
resolution of a severe accident issue identified in the
plant-specific DCD, requires a license amendment if it would:
(1) Result in more than a minimal increase in the frequency of
occurrence of an accident previously evaluated in the
plant-specific DCD;
(2) Result in more than a minimal increase in the likelihood of
occurrence of a malfunction of a structure, system, or component
(SSC) important to safety previously evaluated in the
plant-specific DCD;
(3) Result in more than a minimal increase in the consequences
of an accident previously evaluated in the plant-specific DCD;
(4) Result in more than a minimal increase in the consequences
of a malfunction of an SSC important to safety previously evaluated
in the plant-specific DCD;
(5) Create a possibility for an accident of a different type
than any evaluated previously in the plant-specific DCD;
(6) Create a possibility for a malfunction of an SSC important
to safety with a different result than any evaluated previously in
the plant-specific DCD;
(7) Result in a design basis limit for a fission product barrier
as described in the plant-specific DCD being exceeded or altered;
or
(8) Result in a departure from a method of evaluation described
in the plant-specific DCD used in establishing the design bases or
in the safety analyses.
c. A proposed departure from Tier 2 affecting resolution of an
ex-vessel severe accident design feature identified in the
plant-specific DCD, requires a license amendment if:
(1) There is a substantial increase in the probability of an
ex-vessel severe accident such that a particular ex-vessel severe
accident previously reviewed and determined to be not credible
could become credible; or
(2) There is a substantial increase in the consequences to the
public of a particular ex-vessel severe accident previously
reviewed.
d. If a departure requires a license amendment under paragraphs
B.5.b or B.5.c of this section, it is governed by 10 CFR 50.90.
e. A departure from Tier 2 information that is made under
paragraph B.5 of this section does not require an exemption from
this appendix.
f. A party to an adjudicatory proceeding for either the
issuance, amendment, or renewal of a license or for operation under
10 CFR 52.103(a), who believes that an applicant or licensee who
references this appendix has not complied with paragraph VIII.B.5
of this appendix when departing from Tier 2 information, may
petition the NRC to admit into the proceeding such a contention. In
addition to compliance with the general requirements of 10 CFR
2.309, the petition must demonstrate that the departure does not
comply with paragraph VIII.B.5 of this appendix. Further, the
petition must demonstrate that the change bears on an asserted
noncompliance with an ITAAC acceptance criterion in the case of a
10 CFR 52.103 preoperational hearing, or that the change bears
directly on the amendment request in the case of a hearing on a
license amendment. Any other party may file a response. If, on the
basis of the petition and any response, the presiding officer
determines that a sufficient showing has been made, the presiding
officer shall certify the matter directly to the Commission for
determination of the admissibility of the contention. The
Commission may admit such a contention if it determines the
petition raises a genuine issue of material fact regarding
compliance with paragraph VIII.B.5 of this appendix.
6a. An applicant who references this appendix may not depart
from Tier 2* information, which is designated with italicized text
or brackets and an asterisk in the generic DCD, without NRC
approval. The departure will not be considered a resolved issue,
within the meaning of Section VI of this appendix and 10 CFR
52.63(a)(5).
b. A licensee who references this appendix may not depart from
the following Tier 2* matters without prior NRC approval. A request
for a departure will be treated as a request for a license
amendment under 10 CFR 50.90.
(1) Maximum fuel rod average burn-up.
(2) Fuel principal design requirements.
(3) Fuel criteria evaluation process.
(4) Fire areas.
(5) Human factors engineering.
c. A licensee who references this appendix may not, before the
plant first achieves full power following the finding required by
10 CFR 52.103(g), depart from the following Tier 2* matters except
in accordance with paragraph B.6.b of this section. After the plant
first achieves full power, the following Tier 2* matters revert to
Tier 2 status and are thereafter subject to the departure
provisions in paragraph B.5 of this section.
(1) Nuclear Island structural dimensions.
(2) ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section III, and Code
Case - 284.
(3) Design Summary of Critical Sections.
(4) ACI 318, ACI 349, and ANSI/AISC N - 690.
(5) Definition of critical locations and thicknesses.
(6) Seismic qualification methods and standards.
(7) Nuclear design of fuel and reactivity control system, except
burn-up limit.
(8) Motor-operated and power-operated valves.
(9) Instrumentation and control system design processes,
methods, and standards.
(10) PRHR natural circulation test (first plant only).
(11) ADS and CMT verification tests (first three plants
only).
d. Departures from Tier 2* information that are made under
paragraph B.6 of this section do not require an exemption from this
appendix.
C. Operational requirements.
1. Generic changes to generic technical specifications and other
operational requirements that were completely reviewed and approved
in the design certification rulemaking and do not require a change
to a design feature in the generic DCD are governed by the
requirements in 10 CFR 50.109. Generic changes that do require a
change to a design feature in the generic DCD are governed by the
requirements in paragraphs A or B of this section.
2. Generic changes to generic TS and other operational
requirements are applicable to all applicants who reference this
appendix, except those for which the change has been rendered
technically irrelevant by action taken under paragraphs C.3 or C.4
of this section.
3. The Commission may require plant-specific departures on
generic technical specifications and other operational requirements
that were completely reviewed and approved, provided a change to a
design feature in the generic DCD is not required and special
circumstances as defined in 10 CFR 2.335 are present. The
Commission may modify or supplement generic technical
specifications and other operational requirements that were not
completely reviewed and approved or require additional technical
specifications and other operational requirements on a
plant-specific basis, provided a change to a design feature in the
generic DCD is not required.
4. An applicant who references this appendix may request an
exemption from the generic technical specifications or other
operational requirements. The Commission may grant such a request
only if it determines that the exemption will comply with the
requirements of 10 CFR 52.7. The grant of an exemption must be
subject to litigation in the same manner as other issues material
to the license hearing.
5. A party to an adjudicatory proceeding for either the
issuance, amendment, or renewal of a license or for operation under
10 CFR 52.103(a), who believes that an operational requirement
approved in the DCD or a technical specification derived from the
generic technical specifications must be changed may petition to
admit into the proceeding such a contention. Such petition must
comply with the general requirements of 10 CFR 2.309 and must
demonstrate why special circumstances as defined in 10 CFR 2.335
are present, or for compliance with the Commission's regulations in
effect at the time this appendix was approved, as set forth in
Section V of this appendix. Any other party may file a response
thereto. If, on the basis of the petition and any response, the
presiding officer determines that a sufficient showing has been
made, the presiding officer shall certify the matter directly to
the Commission for determination of the admissibility of the
contention. All other issues with respect to the plant-specific
technical specifications or other operational requirements are
subject to a hearing as part of the license proceeding.
6. After issuance of a license, the generic technical
specifications have no further effect on the plant-specific
technical specifications and changes to the plant-specific
technical specifications will be treated as license amendments
under 10 CFR 50.90.
IX. Inspections, Tests, Analyses, and Acceptance Criteria (ITAAC)
A.1 An applicant or licensee who references this appendix shall
perform and demonstrate conformance with the ITAAC before fuel
load. With respect to activities subject to an ITAAC, an applicant
for a license may proceed at its own risk with design and
procurement activities, and a licensee may proceed at its own risk
with design, procurement, construction, and preoperational
activities, even though the NRC may not have found that any
particular ITAAC has been met.
2. The licensee who references this appendix shall notify the
NRC that the required inspections, tests, and analyses in the ITAAC
have been successfully completed and that the corresponding
acceptance criteria have been met.
3. In the event that an activity is subject to an ITAAC, and the
applicant or licensee who references this appendix has not
demonstrated that the ITAAC has been met, the applicant or licensee
may either take corrective actions to successfully complete that
ITAAC, request an exemption from the ITAAC in accordance with
Section VIII of this appendix and 10 CFR 52.97(b), or petition for
rulemaking to amend this appendix by changing the requirements of
the ITAAC, under 10 CFR 2.802 and 52.97(b). Such rulemaking changes
to the ITAAC must meet the requirements of paragraph VIII.A.1 of
this appendix.
B.1. The NRC shall ensure that the required inspections, tests,
and analyses in the ITAAC are performed. The NRC shall verify that
the inspections, tests, and analyses referenced by the licensee
have been successfully completed and, based solely thereon, find
the prescribed acceptance criteria have been met. At appropriate
intervals during construction, the NRC shall publish notices of the
successful completion of ITAAC in the Federal Register.
2. In accordance with 10 CFR 52.103(g), the Commission shall
find that the acceptance criteria in the ITAAC for the license are
met before fuel load.
3. After the Commission has made the finding required by 10 CFR
52.103(g), the ITAAC do not, by virtue of their inclusion within
the DCD, constitute regulatory requirements either for licensees or
for renewal of the license; except for specific ITAAC, which are
the subject of a § 52.103(a) hearing, their expiration will occur
upon final Commission action in such proceeding. However,
subsequent modifications must comply with the Tier 1 and Tier 2
design descriptions in the plant-specific DCD unless the licensee
has complied with the applicable requirements of 10 CFR 52.98 and
Section VIII of this appendix.
X. Records and Reporting
A. Records.
1. The applicant for this appendix shall maintain a copy of the
generic DCD that includes all generic changes to Tier 1, Tier 2,
and the generic TS and other operational requirements. The
applicant shall maintain the proprietary and safeguards information
referenced in the generic DCD for the period that this appendix may
be referenced, as specified in Section VII of this appendix.
2. An applicant or licensee who references this appendix shall
maintain the plant-specific DCD to accurately reflect both generic
changes to the generic DCD and plant-specific departures made under
Section VIII of this appendix throughout the period of application
and for the term of the license (including any period of
renewal).
3. An applicant or licensee who references this appendix shall
prepare and maintain written evaluations which provide the bases
for the determinations required by Section VIII of this appendix.
These evaluations must be retained throughout the period of
application and for the term of the license (including any period
of renewal).
B. Reporting.
1. An applicant or licensee who references this appendix shall
submit a report to the NRC containing a brief description of any
plant-specific departures from the DCD, including a summary of the
evaluation of each. This report must be filed in accordance with
the filing requirements applicable to reports in 10 CFR 52.3.
2. An applicant or licensee who references this appendix shall
submit updates to its DCD, which reflect the generic changes to and
plant-specific departures from the generic DCD made under Section
VIII of this appendix. These updates must be filed under the filing
requirements applicable to final safety analysis report updates in
10 CFR 52.3 and 50.71(e).
3. The reports and updates required by paragraphs X.B.1 and
X.B.2 must be submitted as follows:
a. On the date that an application for a license referencing
this appendix is submitted, the application must include the report
and any updates to the generic DCD.
b. During the interval from the date of application for a
license to the date the Commission makes the finding required by 10
CFR 52.103(g), the report must be submitted semi-annually. Updates
to the plant-specific DCD must be submitted annually and may be
submitted along with amendments to the application.
c. After the Commission makes the finding required by 10 CFR
52.103(g), the reports and updates to the plant-specific DCD must
be submitted, along with updates to the site-specific portion of
the final safety analysis report for the facility, at the intervals
required by 10 CFR 50.59(d)(2) and 50.71(e), respectively, or at
shorter intervals as specified in the license.
[72 FR 49517, Aug. 28, 2007, as amended at 76 FR 72085, Nov. 22,
2011; 84 FR 63568, Nov. 18, 2019]
Appendix D to Part 52 - Design Certification Rule for the AP1000 Design
10:2.0.1.1.2.8.62.3.6 : Appendix D
Appendix D to Part 52 - Design Certification Rule for the AP1000
Design I. Introduction
Appendix D constitutes the standard design certification for the
AP1000 1 design, in accordance with 10 CFR part 52, subpart B. The
applicant for certification of the AP1000 design is Westinghouse
Electric Company LLC.
1 AP1000 is a trademark of Westinghouse Electric Company
LLC.
II. Definitions
A. Generic design control document (generic DCD) means
the document containing the Tier 1 and Tier 2 information and
generic technical specifications that is incorporated by reference
into this appendix.
B. Generic technical specifications means the information
required by 10 CFR 50.36 and 50.36a for the portion of the plant
that is within the scope of this appendix.
C. Plant-specific DCD means the document maintained by an
applicant or licensee who references this appendix consisting of
the information in the generic DCD as modified and supplemented by
the plant-specific departures and exemptions made under Section
VIII of this appendix.
D. Tier 1 means the portion of the design-related
information contained in the generic DCD that is approved and
certified by this appendix (Tier 1 information). The design
descriptions, interface requirements, and site parameters are
derived from Tier 2 information. Tier 1 information includes:
1. Definitions and general provisions;
2. Design descriptions;
3. Inspections, tests, analyses, and acceptance criteria
(ITAAC);
4. Significant site parameters; and
5. Significant interface requirements.
E. Tier 2 means the portion of the design-related
information contained in the generic DCD that is approved but not
certified by this appendix (Tier 2 information). Compliance with
Tier 2 is required, but generic changes to and plant-specific
departures from Tier 2 are governed by Section VIII of this
appendix. Compliance with Tier 2 provides a sufficient, but not the
only acceptable, method for complying with Tier 1. Compliance
methods differing from Tier 2 must satisfy the change process in
Section VIII of this appendix. Regardless of these differences, an
applicant or licensee must meet the requirement in Section III.B of
this appendix to reference Tier 2 when referencing Tier 1. Tier 2
information includes:
1. Information required by §§ 52.47(a) and 52.47(c), with the
exception of generic technical specifications and conceptual design
information;
2. Supporting information on the inspections, tests, and
analyses that will be performed to demonstrate that the acceptance
criteria in the ITAAC have been met; and
3. Combined license (COL) action items (COL license
information), which identify certain matters that must be addressed
in the site-specific portion of the final safety analysis report
(FSAR) by an applicant who references this appendix. These items
constitute information requirements but are not the only acceptable
set of information in the FSAR. An applicant may depart from or
omit these items, provided that the departure or omission is
identified and justified in the FSAR. After issuance of a
construction permit or COL, these items are not requirements for
the licensee unless such items are restated in the FSAR.
4. The investment protection short-term availability controls in
Section 16.3 of the DCD.
F. Tier 2* means the portion of the Tier 2 information,
designated as such in the generic DCD, which is subject to the
change process in Section VIII.B.6 of this appendix. This
designation expires for some Tier 2* information under paragraph
VIII.B.6.
G. Departure from a method of evaluation described in the
plant-specific DCD used in establishing the design bases or in the
safety analyses means:
1. Changing any of the elements of the method described in the
plant-specific DCD unless the results of the analysis are
conservative or essentially the same; or
2. Changing from a method described in the plant-specific DCD to
another method unless that method has been approved by the NRC for
the intended application.
H. All other terms in this appendix have the meaning set out in
10 CFR 50.2, or 52.1, or Section 11 of the Atomic Energy Act of
1954, as amended, as applicable.
III. Scope and Contents
A. Tier 1, Tier 2 (including the investment protection
short-term availability controls in Section 16.3), and the generic
TSs in the AP1000 Design Control Document, Revision 19, (Public
Version) (AP1000 DCD), APP-GW-GL-702, dated June 13, 2011, are
approved for incorporation by reference by the Director of the
Office of the Federal Register under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part
51. Copies of the generic DCD may be obtained from Stanley E.
Ritterbusch, Manager, AP1000 Design Certification, Westinghouse
Electric Company, 1000 Westinghouse Drive, Cranberry Township,
Pennsylvania 16066, telephone (412) 374-3037. A copy of the generic
DCD is also available for examination and copying at the NRC's PDR,
Room O-1F21, One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike,
Rockville, Maryland 20852. Copies are available for examination at
the NRC Library, Two White Flint North, 11545 Rockville Pike,
Rockville, Maryland 20852, telephone (301) 415-5610, email
[email protected]. The DCD can also be viewed online
in the NRC Library at
http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html by searching under
ADAMS Accession No. ML11171A500. All approved material is available
for inspection at the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at
NARA, call (202) 741-6030 or go to
http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
B. An applicant or licensee referencing this appendix, in
accordance with Section IV of this appendix, shall incorporate by
reference and comply with the requirements of this appendix,
including Tier 1, Tier 2 (including the investment protection
short-term availability controls in Section 16.3 of the DCD), and
the generic TS except as otherwise provided in this appendix.
Conceptual design information in the generic DCD and the evaluation
of severe accident mitigation design alternatives in appendix 1B of
the generic DCD are not part of this appendix.
C. If there is a conflict between Tier 1 and Tier 2 of the DCD,
then Tier 1 controls.
D.1. If there is a conflict between the generic DCD and either
the application for the initial design certification of the AP1000
design or NUREG-1793, “Final Safety Evaluation Report Related to
Certification of the Westinghouse Standard Design,” and Supplement
No. 1, then the generic DCD controls.
2. If there is a conflict between the generic DCD and either the
application for Amendment 1 to the design certification of the
AP1000 design or NUREG-1793, “Final Safety Evaluation Report
Related to Certification of the Westinghouse Standard Design,”
Supplement No. 2, then the generic DCD controls.
E. Design activities for structures, systems, and components
that are wholly outside the scope of this appendix may be performed
using site characteristics, provided the design activities do not
affect the DCD or conflict with the interface requirements.
IV. Additional Requirements and Restrictions
A. An applicant for a combined license that wishes to reference
this appendix shall, in addition to complying with the requirements
of 10 CFR 52.77, 52.79, and 52.80, comply with the following
requirements:
1. Incorporate by reference, as part of its application, this
appendix.
2. Include, as part of its application:
a. A plant-specific DCD containing the same type of information
and using the same organization and numbering as the generic DCD
for the AP1000 design, as modified and supplemented by the
applicant's exemptions and departures;
b. The reports on departures from and updates to the
plant-specific DCD required by paragraph X.B of this appendix;
c. Plant-specific TS, consisting of the generic and
site-specific TS that are required by 10 CFR 50.36 and 50.36a;
d. Information demonstrating compliance with the site parameters
and interface requirements;
e. Information that addresses the COL action items; and
f. Information required by 10 CFR 52.47(a) that is not within
the scope of this appendix.
3. Include, in the plant-specific DCD, the sensitive
unclassified non-safeguards information (including proprietary
information) and safeguards information referenced in the AP1000
DCD.
4. Include, as part of its application, a demonstration that an
entity other than Westinghouse is qualified to supply the AP1000
design, unless Westinghouse supplies the design for the applicant's
use.
B. The Commission reserves the right to determine in what manner
this appendix may be referenced by an applicant for a construction
permit or operating license under 10 CFR part 50.
V. Applicable Regulations
A.1. Except as indicated in paragraph B of this section, the
regulations that apply to the AP1000 design are in 10 CFR parts 20,
50, 73, and 100, codified as of January 23, 2006, that are
applicable and technically relevant, as described in the FSER
(NUREG-1793) and Supplement No. 1.
2. The regulations that apply to those portions of the AP1000
design approved by Amendment 1 are in 10 CFR parts 20, 50, 73, and
100, codified as of December 30, 2011, that are applicable and
technically relevant, as described in the Supplement No. 2 of the
FSER (NUREG-1793).
B. The AP1000 design is exempt from portions of the following
regulations:
1. Paragraph (f)(2)(iv) of 10 CFR 50.34 - Plant Safety Parameter
Display Console;
2. Paragraph (c)(1) of 10 CFR 50.62 - Auxiliary (or emergency)
feedwater system; and
3. Appendix A to 10 CFR part 50, GDC 17 - Second offsite power
supply circuit.
VI. Issue Resolution
A. The Commission has determined that the structures, systems,
components, and design features of the AP1000 design comply with
the provisions of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, and
the applicable regulations identified in Section V of this
appendix; and therefore, provide adequate protection to the health
and safety of the public. A conclusion that a matter is resolved
includes the finding that additional or alternative structures,
systems, components, design features, design criteria, testing,
analyses, acceptance criteria, or justifications are not necessary
for the AP1000 design.
B. The Commission considers the following matters resolved
within the meaning of 10 CFR 52.63(a)(5) in subsequent proceedings
for issuance of a COL, amendment of a COL, or renewal of a COL,
proceedings held under 10 CFR 52.103, and enforcement proceedings
involving plants referencing this appendix:
1. All nuclear safety issues, except for the generic TS and
other operational requirements, associated with the information in
the FSER and Supplement Nos. 1 and 2, Tier 1, Tier 2 (including
referenced information, which the context indicates is intended as
requirements, and the investment protection short-term availability
controls in Section 16.3 of the DCD), and the rulemaking records
for initial certification and Amendment 1 of the AP1000 design;
2. All nuclear safety and safeguards issues associated with the
referenced sensitive unclassified non-safeguards information
(including proprietary information) and safeguards information
which, in context, are intended as requirements in the generic DCD
for the AP1000 design;
3. All generic changes to the DCD under and in compliance with
the change processes in Sections VIII.A.1 and VIII.B.1 of this
appendix;
4. All exemptions from the DCD under and in compliance with the
change processes in Sections VIII.A.4 and VIII.B.4 of this
appendix, but only for that plant;
5. All departures from the DCD that are approved by license
amendment, but only for that plant;
6. Except as provided in paragraph VIII.B.5.g of this appendix,
all departures from Tier 2 under and in compliance with the change
processes in paragraph VIII.B.5 of this appendix that do not
require prior NRC approval, but only for that plant;
7. All environmental issues concerning severe accident
mitigation design alternatives associated with the information in
the NRC's EA for the AP1000 design, Appendix 1B of Revision 15 of
the generic DCD, the NRC's final EA for Amendment 1 to the AP1000
design, and Appendix 1B of Revision 19 of the generic DCD, for
plants referencing this appendix whose site parameters are within
those specified in the severe accident mitigation design
alternatives evaluation.
C. The Commission does not consider operational requirements for
an applicant or licensee who references this appendix to be matters
resolved within the meaning of 10 CFR 52.63(a)(5). The Commission
reserves the right to require operational requirements for an
applicant or licensee who references this appendix by rule,
regulation, order, or license condition.
D. Except under the change processes in Section VIII of this
appendix, the Commission may not require an applicant or licensee
who references this appendix to:
1. Modify structures, systems, components, or design features as
described in the generic DCD;
2. Provide additional or alternative structures, systems,
components, or design features not discussed in the generic DCD;
or
3. Provide additional or alternative design criteria, testing,
analyses, acceptance criteria, or justification for structures,
systems, components, or design features discussed in the generic
DCD.
E. The NRC will specify at an appropriate time the procedures to
be used by an interested person who wishes to review portions of
the design certification or references containing safeguards
information or sensitive unclassified non-safeguards information
(including proprietary information, such as trade secrets or
financial information obtained from a person that are privileged or
confidential (10 CFR 2.390 and 10 CFR part 9)), for the purpose of
participating in the hearing required by 10 CFR 52.85, the hearing
provided under 10 CFR 52.103, or in any other proceeding relating
to this appendix in which interested persons have a right to
request an adjudicatory hearing.
VII. Duration of This Appendix
This appendix may be referenced for a period of 15 years from
February 27, 2006, except as provided for in 10 CFR 52.55(b) and
52.57(b). This appendix remains valid for an applicant or licensee
who references this appendix until the application is withdrawn or
the license expires, including any period of extended operation
under a renewed license.
VIII. Processes for Changes and Departures
A. Tier 1 information.
1. Generic changes to Tier 1 information are governed by the
requirements in 10 CFR 52.63(a)(1).
2. Generic changes to Tier 1 information are applicable to all
applicants or licensees who reference this appendix, except those
for which the change has been rendered technically irrelevant by
action taken under paragraphs A.3 or A.4 of this section.
3. Departures from Tier 1 information that are required by the
Commission through plant-specific orders are governed by the
requirements in 10 CFR 52.63(a)(4).
4. Exemptions from Tier 1 information are governed by the
requirements in 10 CFR 52.63(b)(1) and 52.98(f). The Commission
will deny a request for an exemption from Tier 1, if it finds that
the design change will result in a significant decrease in the
level of safety otherwise provided by the design.
B. Tier 2 information.
1. Generic changes to Tier 2 information are governed by the
requirements in 10 CFR 52.63(a)(1).
2. Generic changes to Tier 2 information are applicable to all
applicants or licensees who reference this appendix, except those
for which the change has been rendered technically irrelevant by
action taken under paragraphs B.3, B.4, B.5, or B.6 of this
section.
3. The Commission may not require new requirements on Tier 2
information by plant-specific order while this appendix is in
effect under 10 CFR 52.55 or 52.61, unless:
a. A modification is necessary to secure compliance with the
Commission's regulations applicable and in effect at the time this
appendix was approved, as set forth in Section V of this appendix,
or to ensure adequate protection of the public health and safety or
the common defense and security; and
b. Special circumstances as defined in 10 CFR 50.12(a) are
present.
4. An applicant or licensee who references this appendix may
request an exemption from Tier 2 information. The Commission may
grant such a request only if it determines that the exemption will
comply with the requirements of 10 CFR 50.12(a). The Commission
will deny a request for an exemption from Tier 2, if it finds that
the design change will result in a significant decrease in the
level of safety otherwise provided by the design. The grant of an
exemption to an applicant must be subject to litigation in the same
manner as other issues material to the license hearing. The grant
of an exemption to a licensee must be subject to an opportunity for
a hearing in the same manner as license amendments.
5.a. An applicant or licensee who references this appendix may
depart from Tier 2 information, without prior NRC approval, unless
the proposed departure involves a change to or departure from Tier
1 information, Tier 2* information, or the TS, or requires a
license amendment under paragraphs B.5.b or B.5.c of this section.
When evaluating the proposed departure, an applicant or licensee
shall consider all matters described in the plant-specific DCD.
b. A proposed departure from Tier 2, other than one affecting
resolution of a severe accident issue identified in the
plant-specific DCD or one affecting information required by 10
CFR52.47(a)(28) to address 10 CFR 50.150, requires a license
amendment if it would:
(1) Result in more than a minimal increase in the frequency of
occurrence of an accident previously evaluated in the
plant-specific DCD;
(2) Result in more than a minimal increase in the likelihood of
occurrence of a malfunction of a structure, system, or component
(SSC) important to safety and previously evaluated in the
plant-specific DCD;
(3) Result in more than a minimal increase in the consequences
of an accident previously evaluated in the plant-specific DCD;
(4) Result in more than a minimal increase in the consequences
of a malfunction of an SSC important to safety previously evaluated
in the plant-specific DCD;
(5) Create a possibility for an accident of a different type
than any evaluated previously in the plant-specific DCD;
(6) Create a possibility for a malfunction of an SSC important
to safety with a different result than any evaluated previously in
the plant-specific DCD;
(7) Result in a design basis limit for a fission product barrier
as described in the plant-specific DCD being exceeded or altered;
or
(8) Result in a departure from a method of evaluation described
in the plant-specific DCD used in establishing the design bases or
in the safety analyses.
c. A proposed departure from Tier 2 affecting resolution of an
ex-vessel severe accident design feature identified in the
plant-specific DCD, requires a license amendment if:
(1) There is a substantial increase in the probability of an
ex-vessel severe accident such that a particular ex-vessel severe
accident previously reviewed and determined to be not credible
could become credible; or
(2) There is a substantial increase in the consequences to the
public of a particular ex-vessel severe accident previously
reviewed.
d. If an applicant or licensee proposes to depart from the
information required by 10 CFR 52.47(a)(28) to be included in the
FSAR for the standard design certification, then the applicant or
licensee shall consider the effect of the changed feature or
capability on the original assessment required by 10 CFR 50.150(a).
The applicant or licensee must also document how the modified
design features and functional capabilities continue to meet the
assessment requirements in 10 CFR 50.150(a)(1) in accordance with
Section X of this appendix.
e. If a departure requires a license amendment under paragraph
B.5.b or B.5.c of this section, it is governed by 10 CFR 50.90.
f. A departure from Tier 2 information that is made under
paragraph B.5 of this section does not require an exemption from
this appendix.
g. A party to an adjudicatory proceeding for either the
issuance, amendment, or renewal of a license or for operation under
10 CFR 52.103(a), who believes that an applicant or licensee who
references this appendix has not complied with paragraph VIII.B.5
of this appendix when departing from Tier 2 information, may
petition to admit into the proceeding such a contention. In
addition to compliance with the general requirements of 10 CFR
2.309, the petition must demonstrate that the departure does not
comply with paragraph VIII.B.5 of this appendix. Further, the
petition must demonstrate that the change bears on an asserted
noncompliance with an ITAAC acceptance criterion in the case of a
10 CFR 52.103 preoperational hearing, or that the change bears
directly on the amendment request in the case of a hearing on a
license amendment. Any other party may file a response. If, on the
basis of the petition and any response, the presiding officer
determines that a sufficient showing has been made, the presiding
officer shall certify the matter directly to the Commission for
determination of the admissibility of the contention. The
Commission may admit such a contention if it determines the
petition raises a genuine issue of material fact regarding
compliance with paragraph VIII.B.5 of this appendix.
6.a. An applicant who references this appendix may not depart
from Tier 2* information, which is designated with italicized text
or brackets and an asterisk in the generic DCD, without NRC
approval. The departure will not be considered a resolved issue,
within the meaning of Section VI of this appendix and 10 CFR
52.63(a)(5).
b. A licensee who references this appendix may not depart from
the following Tier 2* matters without prior NRC approval. A request
for a departure will be treated as a request for a license
amendment under 10 CFR 50.90.
(1) Maximum fuel rod average burn-up.
(2) Fuel principal design requirements.
(3) Fuel criteria evaluation process.
(4) Fire areas.
(5) Reactor coolant pump type.
(6) Small-break loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA) analysis
methodology.
(7) Screen design criteria.
(8) Heat sink data for containment pressure analysis.
c. A licensee who references this appendix may not, before the
plant first achieves full power following the finding required by
10 CFR 52.103(g), depart from the following Tier 2* matters except
under paragraph B.6.b of this section. After the plant first
achieves full power, the following Tier 2* matters revert to Tier 2
status and are subject to the departure provisions in paragraph B.5
of this section.
(1) Nuclear Island structural dimensions.
(2) American Society of Mechanical Engineers Boiler & Pressure
Vessel Code (ASME Code) piping design and welding restrictions, and
ASME Code Cases.
(3) Design Summary of Critical Sections.
(4) American Concrete Institute (ACI) 318, ACI 349, American
National Standards Institute/American Institute of Steel
Construction (ANSI/AISC)N-690, and American Iron and Steel
Institute (AISI), “Specification for the Design of Cold Formed
Steel Structural Members, Part 1 and 2,” 1996 Edition and 2000
Supplement.
(5) Definition of critical locations and thicknesses.
(6) Seismic qualification methods and standards.
(7) Nuclear design of fuel and reactivity control system, except
burn-up limit.
(8) Motor-operated and power-operated valves.
(9) Instrumentation and control system design processes,
methods, and standards.
(10) Passive residual heat removal (PRHR) natural circulation
test (first plant only).
(11) Automatic depressurization system (ADS) and core make-up
tank (CMT) verification tests (first three plants only).
(12) Polar crane parked orientation.
(13) Piping design acceptance criteria.
(14) Containment vessel design parameters, including ASME Code,
Section III, Subsection NE.
(15) Human factors engineering.
(16) Steel composite structural module details.
d. Departures from Tier 2* information that are made under
paragraph B.6 of this section do not require an exemption from this
appendix.
C. Operational requirements.
1. Generic changes to generic TS and other operational
requirements that were completely reviewed and approved in the
design certification rulemaking and do not require a change to a
design feature in the generic DCD are governed by the requirements
in 10 CFR 50.109. Generic changes that require a change to a design
feature in the generic DCD are governed by the requirements in
paragraphs A or B of this section.
2. Generic changes to generic TS and other operational
requirements are applicable to all applicants who reference this
appendix, except those for which the change has been rendered
technically irrelevant by action taken under paragraphs C.3 or C.4
of this section.
3. The Commission may require plant-specific departures on
generic TS and other operational requirements that were completely
reviewed and approved, provided a change to a design feature in the
generic DCD is not required and special circumstances as defined in
10 CFR 2.335 are present. The Commission may modify or supplement
generic TS and other operational requirements that were not
completely reviewed and approved or require additional TS and other
operational requirements on a plant-specific basis, provided a
change to a design feature in the generic DCD is not required.
4. An applicant who references this appendix may request an
exemption from the generic technical specifications or other
operational requirements. The Commission may grant such a request
only if it determines that the exemption will comply with the
requirements of 10 CFR 52.7. The grant of an exemption must be
subject to litigation in the same manner as other issues material
to the license hearing.
5. A party to an adjudicatory proceeding for either the
issuance, amendment, or renewal of a license, or for operation
under 10 CFR 52.103(a), who believes that an operational
requirement approved in the DCD or a TS derived from the generic TS
must be changed may petition to admit such a contention into the
proceeding. The petition must comply with the general requirements
of 10 CFR 2.309 and must demonstrate why special circumstances as
defined in 10 CFR 2.335 are present, or demonstrate compliance with
the Commission's regulations in effect at the time this appendix
was approved, as set forth in Section V of this appendix. Any other
party may file a response to the petition. If, on the basis of the
petition and any response, the presiding officer determines that a
sufficient showing has been made, the presiding officer shall
certify the matter directly to the Commission for determination of
the admissibility of the contention. All other issues with respect
to the plant-specific TS or other operational requirements are
subject to a hearing as part of the license proceeding.
6. After issuance of a license, the generic TS have no further
effect on the plant-specific TS. Changes to the plant-specific TS
will be treated as license amendments under 10 CFR 50.90.
IX. Inspections, Tests, Analyses, and Acceptance Criteria (ITAAC)
A.1. An applicant or licensee who references this appendix shall
perform and demonstrate conformance with the ITAAC before fuel
load. With respect to activities subject to an ITAAC, an applicant
for a license may proceed at its own risk with design and
procurement activities. A licensee may also proceed at its own risk
with design, procurement, construction, and preoperational
activities, even though the NRC may not have found that any
particular ITAAC has been met.
2. The licensee who references this appendix shall notify the
NRC that the required inspections, tests, and analyses in the ITAAC
have been successfully completed and that the corresponding
acceptance criteria have been met.
3. If an activity is subject to an ITAAC and the applicant or
licensee who references this appendix has not demonstrated that the
ITAAC has been met, the applicant or licensee may either take
corrective actions to successfully complete that ITAAC, request an
exemption from the ITAAC under Section VIII of this appendix and 10
CFR 52.97(b), or petition for rulemaking to amend this appendix by
changing the requirements of the ITAAC, under 10 CFR 2.802 and
52.97(b). Such rulemaking changes to the ITAAC must meet the
requirements of paragraph VIII.A.1 of this appendix.
B.1. The NRC shall ensure that the required inspections, tests,
and analyses in the ITAAC are performed. The NRC shall verify that
the inspections, tests, and analyses referenced by the licensee
have been successfully completed and, based solely thereon, find
that the prescribed acceptance criteria have been met. At
appropriate intervals during construction, the NRC shall publish
notices of the successful completion of ITAAC in the Federal
Register.
2. In accordance with 10 CFR 52.103(g), the Commission shall
find that the acceptance criteria in the ITAAC for the license are
met before fuel load.
3. After the Commission has made the finding required by 10 CFR
52.103(g), the ITAAC do not, by virtue of their inclusion within
the DCD, constitute regulatory requirements either for licensees or
for renewal of the license; except for specific ITAAC, which are
the subject of a § 52.103(a) hearing, their expiration will occur
upon final Commission action in such a proceeding. However,
subsequent modifications must comply with the Tier 1 and Tier 2
design descriptions in the plant-specific DCD unless the licensee
has complied with the applicable requirements of 10 CFR 52.98 and
Section VIII of this appendix.
X. Records and Reporting
A. Records
1. The applicant for this appendix shall maintain a copy of the
generic DCD that includes all generic changes it makes to Tier 1
and Tier 2, and the generic TS and other operational requirements.
The applicant shall maintain sensitive unclassified non-safeguards
information (including proprietary information) and safeguards
information referenced in the generic DCD for the period that this
appendix may be referenced, as specified in Section VII of this
appendix.
2. An applicant or licensee who references this appendix shall
maintain the plant-specific DCD to accurately reflect both generic
changes to the generic DCD and plant-specific departures made under
Section VIII of this appendix throughout the period of application
and for the term of the license (including any period of
renewal).
3. An applicant or licensee who references this appendix shall
prepare and maintain written evaluations which provide the bases
for the determinations required by Section VIII of this appendix.
These evaluations must be retained throughout the period of
application and for the term of the license (including any period
of renewal).
4.a. The applicant for the AP1000 design shall maintain a copy
of the AIA performed to comply with the requirements of 10 CFR
50.150(a) for the term of the certification (including any period
of renewal).
b. An applicant or licensee who references this appendix shall
maintain a copy of the AIA performed to comply with the
requirements of 10 CFR 50.150(a) throughout the pendency of the
application and for the term of the license (including any period
of renewal).
B. Reporting
1. An applicant or licensee who references this appendix shall
submit a report to the NRC containing a brief description of any
plant-specific departures from the DCD, including a summary of the
evaluation of each. This report must be filed in accordance with
the filing requirements applicable to reports in 10 CFR 52.3.
2. An applicant or licensee who references this appendix shall
submit updates to its DCD, which reflect the generic changes to and
plant-specific departures from the generic DCD made under Section
VIII of this appendix. These updates must be filed under the filing
requirements applicable to final safety analysis report updates in
10 CFR 52.3 and 50.71(e).
3. The reports and updates required by paragraphs X.B.1 and
X.B.2 must be submitted as follows:
a. On the date that an application for a license referencing
this appendix is submitted, the application must include the report
and any updates to the generic DCD.
b. During the interval from the date of application for a
license to the date the Commission makes its findings required by
10 CFR 52.103(g), the report must be submitted semi-annually.
Updates to the plant-specific DCD must be submitted annually and
may be submitted along with amendments to the application.
c. After the Commission makes the finding required by 10 CFR
52.103(g), the reports and updates to the plant-specific DCD must
be submitted, along with updates to the site-specific portion of
the final safety analysis report for the facility, at the intervals
required by 10 CFR 50.59(d)(2) and 50.71(e)(4), respectively, or at
shorter intervals as specified in the license.
[72 FR 49517, Aug. 28, 2007, as amended at 76 FR 82102, Dec. 30,
2011; 84 FR 63568, Nov. 18, 2019]
Appendix E to Part 52 - Design Certification Rule for the ESBWR Design
10:2.0.1.1.2.8.62.3.7 : Appendix E
Appendix E to Part 52 - Design Certification Rule for the ESBWR
Design I. Introduction
Appendix E constitutes the standard design certification for the
Economic Simplified Boiling-Water Reactor (ESBWR) design, in
accordance with 10 CFR part 52, subpart B. The applicant for
certification of the ESBWR design is GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy.
II. Definitions
A. Generic design control document (generic DCD) means
the document containing the Tier 1 and Tier 2 information and
generic technical specifications that is incorporated by reference
into this appendix.
B. Generic technical specifications (generic TS) means
the information required by 10 CFR 50.36 and 50.36a for the portion
of the plant that is within the scope of this appendix.
C. Plant-specific DCD means that portion of the combined
license (COL) final safety analysis report (FSAR) that sets forth
both the generic DCD information and any plant-specific changes to
generic DCD information.
D. Tier 1 means the portion of the design-related
information contained in the generic DCD that is approved and
certified by this appendix (Tier 1 information). The design
descriptions, interface requirements, and site parameters are
derived from Tier 2 information. Tier 1 information includes:
1. Definitions and general provisions;
2. Design descriptions;
3. Inspections, tests, analyses, and acceptance criteria
(ITAACs);
4. Significant site parameters; and
5. Significant interface requirements.
E. Tier 2 means the portion of the design-related
information contained in the generic DCD that is approved but not
certified by this appendix (Tier 2 information). Compliance with
Tier 2 is required, but generic changes to and plant-specific
departures from Tier 2 are governed by Section VIII of this
appendix. Compliance with Tier 2 provides a sufficient, but not the
only acceptable, method for complying with Tier 1. Compliance
methods differing from Tier 2 must satisfy the change process in
Section VIII of this appendix. Regardless of these differences, an
applicant or licensee must meet the requirement in paragraph III.B
of this appendix to reference Tier 2 when referencing Tier 1. Tier
2 information includes:
1. Information required by §§ 52.47(a) and 52.47(c), with the
exception of generic TS and conceptual design information;
2. Supporting information on the inspections, tests, and
analyses that will be performed to demonstrate that the acceptance
criteria in the ITAACs have been met;
3. COL action items (COL license information), which identify
certain matters that must be addressed in the site-specific portion
of the FSAR by an applicant who references this appendix. These
items constitute information requirements but are not the only
acceptable set of information in the FSAR. An applicant may depart
from or omit these items, provided that the departure or omission
is identified and justified in the FSAR. After issuance of a
construction permit or COL, these items are not requirements for
the licensee unless such items are restated in the FSAR; and
4. The availability controls in Appendix 19ACM of the DCD.
F. Tier 2* means the portion of the Tier 2 information,
designated as such in the generic DCD, which is subject to the
change process in paragraph VIII.B.6 of this appendix. This
designation expires for some Tier 2* information under paragraph
VIII.B.6 of this appendix.
G. Departure from a method of evaluation described in the
plant-specific DCD used in establishing the design bases or in the
safety analyses means:
1. Changing any of the elements of the method described in the
plant-specific DCD unless the results of the analysis are
conservative or essentially the same; or
2. Changing from a method described in the plant-specific DCD to
another method unless that method has been approved by the NRC for
the intended application.
H. All other terms in this appendix have the meaning set out in
10 CFR 50.2, 10 CFR 52.1, or Section 11 of the Atomic Energy Act of
1954, as amended, as applicable.
III. Scope and Contents
A. Incorporation by reference approval. The documents in Table 1
are approved for incorporation by reference by the Director of the
Office of the Federal Register under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part
51. You may obtain copies of the generic DCD from Jerald G. Head,
Senior Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, GE-Hitachi Nuclear
Energy, 3901 Castle Hayne Road, MC A-18, Wilmington, NC 28401,
telephone: 1-910-819-5692. You can view the generic DCD online in
the NRC Library at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html.
In ADAMS, search under the ADAMS Accession No. listed in Table 1.
If you do not have access to ADAMS or if you have problems
accessing documents located in ADAMS, contact the NRC's Public
Document Room (PDR) reference staff at 1-800-397-4209,
1-301-415-3747, or by email at [email protected]. These
documents can also be viewed at the Federal rulemaking Web site,
http://www.regulations.gov, by searching for documents filed
under Docket ID NRC-2010-0135. Copies of these documents are
available for examination and copying at the NRC's PDR located at
Room O-1F21, One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike,
Rockville, Maryland 20852. Copies are also available for
examination at the NRC Library located at Two White Flint North,
11545 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852, telephone:
301-415-5610, email: [email protected]. All approved
material is available for inspection at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, call 1-202-741-6030 or go to
http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html.
Table 1 - Documents Approved for
Incorporation by Reference
Document No. |
Document title |
ADAMS Accession No. |
GE Hitachi: |
|
|
26A6642AB Rev.
10 |
ESBWR Design Control Document,
Revision 10, Tier 1, dated April 2014 |
ML14104A929 (package) |
26A6642AB Rev.
10 |
ESBWR Design Control Document,
Revision 10, Tier 2, dated April 2014 |
ML14104A929 (package) |
Bechtel Power
Corporation: |
|
|
BC-TOP-3-A |
“Tornado and Extreme Wind
Design Criteria for Nuclear Power Plants,” Topical Report, Revision
3, August 1974 |
ML14093A218 |
BC-TOP-9A |
“Design of Structures for
Missile Impact,” Topical Report, Revision 2, September 1974 |
ML14093A217 |
General
Electric: |
|
|
GEZ-4982A |
General Electric Large Steam
Turbine Generator Quality Control Program, The STG Global Supply
Chain Quality Management System (MFGGLO-GEZ-0010) Revision 1.2,
February 7, 2006 |
ML14093A215 |
GE Nuclear
Energy: |
|
|
NEDO-11209-04A |
“GE Nuclear Energy Quality
Assurance Program Description,” Class 1, Revision 8, March 31,
1989 |
ML14093A209 |
NEDO-31960-A |
“BWR Owners' Group Long-Term
Stability Solutions Licensing Methodology,” Class I, November
1995 |
ML14093A212 |
NEDO-31960-A -
Supplement 1 |
“BWR Owners' Group Long-Term
Stability Solutions Licensing Methodology,” Class I, November
1995 |
ML14093A211 |
NEDO-32465-A |
GE Nuclear Energy and BWR
Owners' Group, “Reactor Stability Detect and Suppress Solutions
Licensing Basis Methodology for Reload Applications,” Class I,
August 1996 |
ML14093A210 |
GE-Hitachi Nuclear
Energy: |
|
|
NEDO-33181 |
“NP-2010 COL Demonstration
Project Quality Assurance Plan,” Revision 6, August 2009 |
ML14248A297 |
NEDO-33219 |
“ESBWR Human Factors
Engineering Functional Requirements Analysis Implementation Plan,”
Revision 4, Class I, February 2010 |
ML100350104 |
NEDO-33260 |
“Quality Assurance
Requirements for Suppliers of Equipment and Services to the GEH
ESBWR Project,” Revision 5, Class I, April 2008 |
ML14248A648 |
NEDO-33262 |
“ESBWR Human Factors
Engineering Operating Experience Review Implementation Plan,”
Revision 3, Class I, January 2010 |
ML100340030 |
NEDO-33266 |
“ESBWR Human Factors
Engineering Staffing and Qualifications Implementation Plan,”
Revision 3, Class I, January 2010 |
ML100350167 |
NEDO-33267 |
“ESBWR Human Factors
Engineering Human Reliability Analysis Implementation Plan,”
Revision 4, Class I, January 2010 |
ML100330609 |
NEDO-33277 |
“ESBWR Human Factors
Engineering Human Performance Monitoring Implementation Plan,”
Revision 4, Class I, January 2010 |
ML100270770 |
NEDO-33278 |
“ESBWR Human Factors
Engineering Design Implementation Plan,” Revision 4, Class I,
January 2010 |
ML100270468 |
NEDO-33289 |
“ESBWR Reliability Assurance
Program,” Revision 2, Class II, September 2008 |
ML14248A662 |
NEDO-33337 |
“ESBWR Initial Core Transient
Analyses,” Revision 1, Class I, April 2009 |
ML091130628 |
NEDO-33338 |
“ESBWR Feedwater Temperature
Operating Domain Transient and Accident Analysis,” Revision 1,
Class I, May 2009 |
ML091380173 |
NEDO-33373-A |
“Dynamic, Load-Drop, and
Thermal-Hydraulic Analyses for ESBWR Fuel Racks,” Revision 5, Class
I, October 2010 |
ML102990226 (part 1)
ML102990228 (part 2) |
NEDO-33411 |
“Risk Significance of
Structures, Systems and Components for the Design Phase of the
ESBWR,” Revision 2, Class I, February 2010 |
ML100610417 |
B. An applicant or licensee referencing this appendix, in
accordance with Section IV of this appendix, shall incorporate by
reference and comply with the requirements of this appendix,
including Tier 1, Tier 2 (including the availability controls in
Appendix 19ACM of the DCD), and the generic TS except as otherwise
provided in this appendix. Conceptual design information in the
generic DCD and the evaluation of severe accident mitigation design
alternatives in NEDO-33306, Revision 4, “ESBWR Severe Accident
Mitigation Design Alternatives,” are not part of this appendix.
C. If there is a conflict between Tier 1 and Tier 2 of the DCD,
then Tier 1 controls.
D. If there is a conflict between the generic DCD and either the
application for design certification of the ESBWR design or
NUREG-1966, “Final Safety Evaluation Report Related to
Certification of the ESBWR Standard Design,” (FSER) and Supplement
No. 1 to NUREG-1966, then the generic DCD controls.
E. Design activities for structures, systems, and components
that are wholly outside the scope of this appendix may be performed
using site characteristics, provided the design activities do not
affect the DCD or conflict with the interface requirements.
IV. Additional Requirements and Restrictions
A. An applicant for a COL who references this appendix shall, in
addition to complying with the requirements of §§ 52.77, 52.79, and
52.80, comply with the following requirements:
1. Incorporate by reference, as part of its application, this
appendix.
2. Include, as part of its application:
a. A plant-specific DCD containing the same type of information
and using the same organization and numbering as the generic DCD
for the ESBWR design, either by including or incorporating by
reference the generic DCD information, and as modified and
supplemented by the applicant's exemptions and departures;
b. The reports on departures from and updates to the
plant-specific DCD required by paragraph X.B of this appendix;
c. Plant-specific TS, consisting of the generic and
site-specific TS that are required by 10 CFR 50.36 and 50.36a;
d. Information demonstrating that the site characteristics fall
within the site parameters and that the interface requirements have
been met;
e. Information that addresses the COL action items;
f. Information required by § 52.47(a) that is not within the
scope of this appendix;
g. Information demonstrating that hurricane loads on those
structures, systems, and components described in Section 3.3.2 of
the generic DCD are either bounded by the total tornado loads
analyzed in Section 3.3.2 of the generic DCD or will meet
applicable NRC requirements with consideration of hurricane loads
in excess of the total tornado loads; and hurricane-generated
missile loads on those structures, systems, and components
described in Section 3.5.2 of the generic DCD are either bounded by
tornado-generated missile loads analyzed in Section 3.5.1.4 of the
generic DCD or will meet applicable NRC requirements with
consideration of hurricane-generated missile loads in excess of the
tornado-generated missile loads; and
h. Information demonstrating that the spent fuel pool level
instrumentation is designed to allow the connection of an
independent power source, and that the instrumentation will
maintain its design accuracy following a power interruption or
change in power source without requiring recalibration.
3. Include, in the plant-specific DCD, the sensitive,
unclassified, non-safeguards information (including proprietary
information and security-related information) and safeguards
information referenced in the ESBWR generic DCD.
4. Include, as part of its application, a demonstration that an
entity other than GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy is qualified to supply
the ESBWR design unless GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy supplies the
design for the applicant's use.
B. The Commission reserves the right to determine in what manner
this appendix may be referenced by an applicant for a construction
permit or operating license under 10 CFR part 50.
V. Applicable Regulations
A. Except as indicated in paragraph B of this section, the
regulations that apply to the ESBWR design are in 10 CFR parts 20,
50, 73, and 100, codified as of October 6, 2014, that are
applicable and technically relevant, as described in the FSER
(NUREG-1966) and Supplement No. 1.
B. The ESBWR design is exempt from portions of the following
regulations:
1. Paragraph (f)(2)(iv) of 10 CFR 50.34 - Contents of
Applications: Technical Information - codified as of October 6,
2014.
VI. Issue Resolution
A. The Commission has determined that the structures, systems,
components, and design features of the ESBWR design comply with the
provisions of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, and the
applicable regulations identified in Section V of this appendix;
and therefore, provide adequate protection to the health and safety
of the public. A conclusion that a matter is resolved includes the
finding that additional or alternative structures, systems,
components, design features, design criteria, testing, analyses,
acceptance criteria, or justifications are not necessary for the
ESBWR design.
B. The Commission considers the following matters resolved
within the meaning of § 52.63(a)(5) in subsequent proceedings for
issuance of a COL, amendment of a COL, or renewal of a COL,
proceedings held under § 52.103, and enforcement proceedings
involving plants referencing this appendix:
1. All nuclear safety issues associated with the information in
the FSER and Supplement No. 1; Tier 1, Tier 2 (including referenced
information, which the context indicates is intended as
requirements, and the availability controls in Appendix 19ACM of
the DCD), the 20 documents referenced in Table 1 of paragraph
III.A, and the rulemaking record for certification of the ESBWR
design, with the exception of: generic TS and other operational
requirements such as human factors engineering procedure
development and training program development in Sections 18.9 and
18.10 of the generic DCD; hurricane loads on those structures,
systems, and components described in Section 3.3.2 of the generic
DCD that are not bounded by the total tornado loads analyzed in
Section 3.3.2 of the generic DCD; hurricane-generated missile loads
on those structures, systems, and components described in Section
3.5.2 of the generic DCD that are not bounded by tornado-generated
missile loads analyzed in Section 3.5.1.4 of the generic DCD; and
spent fuel pool level instrumentation design in regard to the
connection of an independent power source, and how the
instrumentation will maintain its design accuracy following a power
interruption or change in power source without recalibration;
2. All nuclear safety and safeguards issues associated with the
referenced information in the 50 non-public documents in Tables
1.6-1 and 1.6-2 of Tier 2 of the DCD which contain sensitive
unclassified non-safeguards information (including proprietary
information and security-related information) and safeguards
information and which, in context, are intended as requirements in
the generic DCD for the ESBWR design, with the exception of human
factors engineering procedure development and training program
development in Chapters 18.9 and 18.10 of the generic DCD;
3. All generic changes to the DCD under and in compliance with
the change processes in paragraphs VIII.A.1 and VIII.B.1 of this
appendix;
4. All exemptions from the DCD under and in compliance with the
change processes in paragraphs VIII.A.4 and VIII.B.4 of this
appendix, but only for that plant;
5. All departures from the DCD that are approved by license
amendment, but only for that plant;
6. Except as provided in paragraph VIII.B.5.g of this appendix,
all departures from Tier 2 under and in compliance with the change
processes in paragraph VIII.B.5 of this appendix that do not
require prior NRC approval, but only for that plant;
7. All environmental issues concerning severe accident
mitigation design alternatives associated with the information in
the NRC's Environmental Assessment for the ESBWR design (ADAMS
Accession No. ML111730382) and NEDO-33306, Revision 4, “ESBWR
Severe Accident Mitigation Design Alternatives,” (ADAMS Accession
No. ML102990433) for plants referencing this appendix whose site
characteristics fall within those site parameters specified in
NEDO-33306.
C. The Commission does not consider operational requirements for
an applicant or licensee who references this appendix to be matters
resolved within the meaning of § 52.63(a)(5). The Commission
reserves the right to require operational requirements for an
applicant or licensee who references this appendix by rule,
regulation, order, or license condition.
D. Except under the change processes in Section VIII of this
appendix, the Commission may not require an applicant or licensee
who references this appendix to:
1. Modify structures, systems, components, or design features as
described in the generic DCD;
2. Provide additional or alternative structures, systems,
components, or design features not discussed in the generic DCD;
or
3. Provide additional or alternative design criteria, testing,
analyses, acceptance criteria, or justification for structures,
systems, components, or design features discussed in the generic
DCD.
E. The NRC will specify at an appropriate time the procedures to
be used by an interested person who seeks to review portions of the
design certification or references containing safeguards
information or sensitive unclassified non-safeguards information
(including proprietary information, such as trade secrets and
commercial or financial information obtained from a person that are
privileged or confidential (10 CFR 2.390 and 10 CFR part 9), and
security-related information), for the purpose of participating in
the hearing required by § 52.85, the hearing provided under §
52.103, or in any other proceeding relating to this appendix in
which interested persons have a right to request an adjudicatory
hearing.
VII. Duration of This Appendix
This appendix may be referenced for a period of 15 years from
November 14, 2014, except as provided for in §§ 52.55(b) and
52.57(b). This appendix remains valid for an applicant or licensee
who references this appendix until the application is withdrawn or
the license expires, including any period of extended operation
under a renewed license.
VIII. Processes for Changes and Departures A. Tier 1 information
1. Generic changes to Tier 1 information are governed by the
requirements in § 52.63(a)(1).
2. Generic changes to Tier 1 information are applicable to all
applicants or licensees who reference this appendix, except those
for which the change has been rendered technically irrelevant by
action taken under paragraphs A.3 or A.4 of this section.
3. Departures from Tier 1 information that are required by the
Commission through plant-specific orders are governed by the
requirements in § 52.63(a)(4).
4. Exemptions from Tier 1 information are governed by the
requirements in §§ 52.63(b)(1) and 52.98(f). The Commission will
deny a request for an exemption from Tier 1, if it finds that the
design change will result in a significant decrease in the level of
safety otherwise provided by the design.
B. Tier 2 information
1. Generic changes to Tier 2 information are governed by the
requirements in 10 CFR 52.63(a)(1).
2. Generic changes to Tier 2 information are applicable to all
applicants or licensees who reference this appendix, except those
for which the change has been rendered technically irrelevant by
action taken under paragraphs B.3, B.4, B.5, or B.6 of this
section.
3. The Commission may not require new requirements on Tier 2
information by plant-specific order while this appendix is in
effect under 10 CFR 52.55 or 52.61, unless:
a. A modification is necessary to secure compliance with the
Commission's regulations applicable and in effect at the time this
appendix was approved, as set forth in Section V of this appendix,
or to ensure adequate protection of the public health and safety or
the common defense and security; and
b. Special circumstances as defined in 10 CFR 50.12(a) are
present.
4. An applicant or licensee who references this appendix may
request an exemption from Tier 2 information. The Commission may
grant such a request only if it determines that the exemption will
comply with the requirements of 10 CFR 50.12(a). The Commission
will deny a request for an exemption from Tier 2, if it finds that
the design change will result in a significant decrease in the
level of safety otherwise provided by the design. The grant of an
exemption to an applicant must be subject to litigation in the same
manner as other issues material to the license hearing. The grant
of an exemption to a licensee must be subject to an opportunity for
a hearing in the same manner as license amendments.
5.a. An applicant or licensee who references this appendix may
depart from Tier 2 information, without prior NRC approval, unless
the proposed departure involves a change to or departure from Tier
1 information, Tier 2* information, or the TS, or requires a
license amendment under paragraph B.5.b or B.5.c of this section.
When evaluating the proposed departure, an applicant or licensee
shall consider all matters described in the plant-specific DCD.
b. A proposed departure from Tier 2, other than one affecting
resolution of a severe accident issue identified in the
plant-specific DCD or one affecting information required by §
52.47(a)(28) to address aircraft impacts, requires a license
amendment if it would:
(1) Result in more than a minimal increase in the frequency of
occurrence of an accident previously evaluated in the
plant-specific DCD;
(2) Result in more than a minimal increase in the likelihood of
occurrence of a malfunction of a structure, system, or component
(SSC) important to safety and previously evaluated in the
plant-specific DCD;
(3) Result in more than a minimal increase in the consequences
of an accident previously evaluated in the plant-specific DCD;
(4) Result in more than a minimal increase in the consequences
of a malfunction of an SSC important to safety previously evaluated
in the plant-specific DCD;
(5) Create a possibility for an accident of a different type
than any evaluated previously in the plant-specific DCD;
(6) Create a possibility for a malfunction of an SSC important
to safety with a different result than any evaluated previously in
the plant-specific DCD;
(7) Result in a design-basis limit for a fission product barrier
as described in the plant-specific DCD being exceeded or altered;
or
(8) Result in a departure from a method of evaluation described
in the plant-specific DCD used in establishing the design bases or
in the safety analyses.
c. A proposed departure from Tier 2 affecting resolution of an
ex-vessel severe accident design feature identified in the
plant-specific DCD, requires a license amendment if:
(1) There is a substantial increase in the probability of an
ex-vessel severe accident such that a particular ex-vessel severe
accident previously reviewed and determined to be not credible
could become credible; or
(2) There is a substantial increase in the consequences to the
public of a particular ex-vessel severe accident previously
reviewed.
d. A proposed departure from Tier 2 information required by §
52.47(a)(28) to address aircraft impacts shall consider the effect
of the changed design feature or functional capability on the
original aircraft impact assessment required by 10 CFR 50.150(a).
The applicant or licensee shall describe in the plant-specific DCD
how the modified design features and functional capabilities
continue to meet the aircraft impact assessment requirements in 10
CFR 50.150(a)(1).
e. If a departure requires a license amendment under paragraph
B.5.b or B.5.c of this section, it is governed by 10 CFR 50.90.
f. A departure from Tier 2 information that is made under
paragraph B.5 of this section does not require an exemption from
this appendix.
g. A party to an adjudicatory proceeding for either the
issuance, amendment, or renewal of a license or for operation under
§ 52.103(a), who believes that an applicant or licensee who
references this appendix has not complied with paragraph VIII.B.5
of this appendix when departing from Tier 2 information, may
petition to admit into the proceeding such a contention. In
addition to compliance with the general requirements of 10 CFR
2.309, the petition must demonstrate that the departure does not
comply with paragraph VIII.B.5 of this appendix. Further, the
petition must demonstrate that the change bears on an asserted
noncompliance with an ITAAC acceptance criterion in the case of a §
52.103 preoperational hearing, or that the change bears directly on
the amendment request in the case of a hearing on a license
amendment. Any other party may file a response. If, on the basis of
the petition and any response, the presiding officer determines
that a sufficient showing has been made, the presiding officer
shall certify the matter directly to the Commission for
determination of the admissibility of the contention. The
Commission may admit such a contention if it determines the
petition raises a genuine issue of material fact regarding
compliance with paragraph VIII.B.5 of this appendix.
6.a. An applicant who references this appendix may not depart
from Tier 2* information, which is designated with italicized text
or brackets and an asterisk in the generic DCD, without NRC
approval. The departure will not be considered a resolved issue,
within the meaning of Section VI of this appendix and §
52.63(a)(5).
b. A licensee who references this appendix may not depart from
the following Tier 2* matters without prior NRC approval. A request
for a departure will be treated as a request for a license
amendment under 10 CFR 50.90.
(1) Fuel mechanical and thermal-mechanical design evaluation
reports, including fuel burnup limits.
(2) Control rod mechanical and nuclear design reports.
(3) Fuel nuclear design report.
(4) Critical power correlation.
(5) Fuel licensing acceptance criteria.
(6) Control rod licensing acceptance criteria.
(7) Mechanical and structural design of spent fuel storage
racks.
(8) Steam dryer pressure load analysis methodology.
c. A licensee who references this appendix may not, before the
plant first achieves full power following the finding required by §
52.103(g), depart from the following Tier 2* matters except under
paragraph B.6.b of this section. After the plant first achieves
full power, the following Tier 2* matters revert to Tier 2 status
and are subject to the departure provisions in paragraph B.5 of
this section.
(1) ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section III,
Subsections NE (Division 1) and CC (Division 2) for containment
vessel design.
(2) American Concrete Institute 349 and American National
Standards Institute/American Institute of Steel Construction -
N690.
(3) Power-operated valves.
(4) Equipment seismic qualification methods.
(5) Piping design acceptance criteria.
(6) Instrument setpoint methodology.
(7) Safety-Related Distribution Control and Information System
performance specification and architecture.
(8) Safety System Logic and Control hardware and software.
(9) Human factors engineering design and implementation.
(10) First of a kind testing for reactor stability (first plant
only).
(11) Reactor precritical heatup with reactor water
cleanup/shutdown cooling (first plant only).
(12) Isolation condenser system heatup and steady state
operation (first plant only).
(13) Power maneuvering in the feedwater temperature operating
domain (first plant only).
(14) Load maneuvering capability (first plant only).
(15) Defense-in-depth stability solution evaluation test (first
plant only).
d. Departures from Tier 2* information that are made under
paragraph B.6 of this section do not require an exemption from this
appendix.
C. Operational requirements.
1. Generic changes to generic TS and other operational
requirements that were completely reviewed and approved in the
design certification rulemaking and do not require a change to a
design feature in the generic DCD are governed by the requirements
in 10 CFR 50.109. Generic changes that require a change to a design
feature in the generic DCD are governed by the requirements in
paragraphs A or B of this section.
2. Generic changes to generic TS and other operational
requirements are applicable to all applicants who reference this
appendix, except those for which the change has been rendered
technically irrelevant by action taken under paragraphs C.3 or C.4
of this section.
3. The Commission may require plant-specific departures on
generic TS and other operational requirements that were completely
reviewed and approved, provided a change to a design feature in the
generic DCD is not required and special circumstances as defined in
10 CFR 2.335 are present. The Commission may modify or supplement
generic TS and other operational requirements that were not
completely reviewed and approved or require additional TS and other
operational requirements on a plant-specific basis, provided a
change to a design feature in the generic DCD is not required.
4. An applicant who references this appendix may request an
exemption from the generic TS or other operational requirements.
The Commission may grant such a request only if it determines that
the exemption will comply with the requirements of § 52.7. The
grant of an exemption must be subject to litigation in the same
manner as other issues material to the license hearing.
5. A party to an adjudicatory proceeding for the issuance,
amendment, or renewal of a license, or for operation under §
52.103(a), who believes that an operational requirement approved in
the DCD or a TS derived from the generic TS must be changed may
petition to admit such a contention into the proceeding. The
petition must comply with the general requirements of 10 CFR 2.309
and must demonstrate why special circumstances as defined in 10 CFR
2.335 are present, or demonstrate compliance with the Commission's
regulations in effect at the time this appendix was approved, as
set forth in Section V of this appendix. Any other party may file a
response to the petition. If, on the basis of the petition and any
response, the presiding officer determines that a sufficient
showing has been made, the presiding officer shall certify the
matter directly to the Commission for determination of the
admissibility of the contention. All other issues with respect to
the plant-specific TS or other operational requirements are subject
to a hearing as part of the license proceeding.
6. After issuance of a license, the generic TS have no further
effect on the plant-specific TS. Changes to the plant-specific TS
will be treated as license amendments under 10 CFR 50.90.
IX. [Reserved] X. Records and Reporting A. Records
1. The applicant for this appendix shall maintain a copy of the
generic DCD that includes all generic changes it makes to Tier 1
and Tier 2, and the generic TS and other operational requirements.
The applicant shall maintain the sensitive unclassified
non-safeguards information (including proprietary information and
security-related information) and safeguards information referenced
in the generic DCD for the period that this appendix may be
referenced, as specified in Section VII of this appendix.
2. An applicant or licensee who references this appendix shall
maintain the plant-specific DCD to accurately reflect both generic
changes to the generic DCD and plant-specific departures made under
Section VIII of this appendix throughout the period of application
and for the term of the license (including any period of
renewal).
3. An applicant or licensee who references this appendix shall
prepare and maintain written evaluations that provide the bases for
the determinations required by Section VIII of this appendix. These
evaluations must be retained throughout the period of application
and for the term of the license (including any period of
renewal).
4.a. The applicant for the ESBWR design shall maintain a copy of
the aircraft impact assessment performed to comply with the
requirements of 10 CFR 50.150(a) for the term of the certification
(including any period of renewal).
b. An applicant or licensee who references this appendix shall
maintain a copy of the aircraft impact assessment performed to
comply with the requirements of 10 CFR 50.150(a) throughout the
pendency of the application and for the term of the license
(including any period of renewal).
B. Reporting
1. An applicant or licensee who references this appendix shall
submit a report to the NRC containing a brief description of any
plant-specific departures from the DCD, including a summary of the
evaluation of each. This report must be filed in accordance with
the filing requirements applicable to reports in § 52.3.
2. An applicant or licensee who references this appendix shall
submit updates to its plant-specific DCD that reflect the generic
changes to and plant-specific departures from the generic DCD made
under Section VIII of this appendix. These updates shall be filed
under the filing requirements applicable to final safety analysis
report updates in 10 CFR 52.3 and 50.71(e).
3. The reports and updates required by paragraphs X.B.1 and
X.B.2 of this appendix must be submitted as follows:
a. On the date that an application for a license referencing
this appendix is submitted, the application must include the report
and any updates to the generic DCD.
b. During the interval from the date of application for a
license to the date the Commission makes its finding required by §
52.103(g), the report must be submitted semi-annually. Updates to
the plant-specific DCD must be submitted annually and may be
submitted along with amendments to the application.
c. After the Commission makes the finding required by §
52.103(g), the reports and updates to the plant-specific DCD must
be submitted, along with updates to the site-specific portion of
the final safety analysis report for the facility, at the intervals
required by 10 CFR 50.59(d)(2) and 50.71(e)(4), respectively, or at
shorter intervals as specified in the license.
[79 FR 61983, Oct. 15, 2014, as amended at 84 FR 63568, Nov. 18,
2019]
Appendix F to Part 52 - Design Certification Rule for the APR1400 Design
10:2.0.1.1.2.8.62.3.8 : Appendix F
Appendix F to Part 52 - Design Certification Rule for the APR1400
Design I. Introduction
Appendix F constitutes the standard design certification for the
Advanced Power Reactor 1400 (APR1400) design, in accordance with 10
CFR part 52, subpart B. The applicant for certification of the
APR1400 design is Korea Electric Power Corporation and Korea Hydro
& Nuclear Power Co., Ltd. (KEPCO/KHNP).
II. Definitions
A. Generic design control document (generic DCD) means
the document containing the Tier 1 and Tier 2 information
(including the technical and topical reports referenced in Chapter
1) and generic technical specifications that is incorporated by
reference into this appendix.
B. Generic technical specifications (generic TS) means
the information required by 10 CFR 50.36 and 50.36a for the portion
of the plant that is within the scope of this appendix.
C. Plant-specific DCD means that portion of the combined
license (COL) final safety analysis report that sets forth both the
generic DCD information and any plant-specific changes to generic
DCD information.
D. Tier 1 means the portion of the design-related
information contained in the generic DCD that is approved and
certified by this appendix (Tier 1 information). The design
descriptions, interface requirements, and site parameters are
derived from Tier 2 information. Tier 1 information includes:
1. Definitions and general provisions;
2. Design descriptions;
3. Inspections, tests, analyses, and acceptance criteria
(ITAAC);
4. Significant site parameters; and
5. Significant interface requirements.
E. Tier 2 means the portion of the design-related
information contained in the generic DCD that is approved but not
certified by this appendix (Tier 2 information). Compliance with
Tier 2 is required, but generic changes to and plant-specific
departures from Tier 2 are governed by Section VIII of this
appendix. Compliance with Tier 2 provides a sufficient, but not the
only acceptable, method for complying with Tier 1. Compliance
methods differing from Tier 2 must satisfy the change process in
Section VIII of this appendix. Regardless of these differences, an
applicant or licensee must meet the requirement in paragraph III.B
of this appendix to reference Tier 2 when referencing Tier 1. Tier
2 information includes:
1. Information required by § 52.47(a) and (c), with the
exception of generic TS and conceptual design information;
2. Supporting information on the inspections, tests, and
analyses that will be performed to demonstrate that the acceptance
criteria in the ITAAC have been met; and
3. COL Items (COL license information), which identify certain
matters that must be addressed in the site-specific portion of the
final safety analysis report by an applicant who references this
appendix. These items constitute information requirements but are
not the only acceptable set of information in the final safety
analysis report. An applicant may depart from or omit these items,
provided that the departure or omission is identified and justified
in the final safety analysis report. After issuance of a
construction permit or COL, these items are not requirements for
the licensee unless such items are restated in the final safety
analysis report.
F. Departure from a method of evaluation described in the
plant-specific DCD used in establishing the design bases or in the
safety analyses means:
1. Changing any of the elements of the method described in the
plant-specific DCD unless the results of the analysis are
conservative or essentially the same; or
2. Changing from a method described in the plant-specific DCD to
another method unless that method has been approved by the NRC for
the intended application.
G. All other terms in this appendix have the meaning set out in
10 CFR 50.2, 10 CFR 52.1, or Section 11 of the Atomic Energy Act of
1954, as amended, as applicable.
III. Scope and Contents
A. Incorporation by reference approval. The APR1400 material is
approved for incorporation by reference by the Director of the
Office of the Federal Register under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part
51. You may obtain copies of the generic DCD from Yun-Ho Kim,
President, KHNP Central Research Institute, 70, 1312-gil,
Yuseong-daero, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34101, Korea. You can view the
generic DCD online in the NRC Library at
https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. In ADAMS, search
under ADAMS Accession No. ML18228A667. If you do not have access to
ADAMS or if you have problems accessing documents located in ADAMS,
contact the NRC's Public Document Room (PDR) reference staff at
1-800-397-4209, at 301-415-3747, or by email at
[email protected]. Copies of this document are available
for examination and copying at the NRC's PDR located at Room
O1-F21, One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville,
Maryland 20852. Copies are also available for examination at the
NRC Library located at Two White Flint North, 11545 Rockville Pike,
Rockville, Maryland 20852, telephone: 301-415-5610, email:
[email protected]. All approved material is available
for inspection at the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at
NARA, call 202-741-6030 or go to
https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html.
1. Korea Electric Power Corporation and Korea Hydro & Nuclear
Power Co, Ltd
a. APR1400 Design Control Document Tier 1
(APR1400-K-X-IT-14001-NP), Revision 3 (August 2018).
b. APR1400 Design Control Document Tier 2
(APR1400-K-X-FS-14002-NP), Revision 3 (August 2018), including:
i. Chapter 1, Introduction and General Description of the
Plant.
ii. Chapter 2, Site Characteristics.
iii. Chapter 3, Design of Structures, Systems, Components, and
Equipment.
iv. Chapter 4, Reactor.
v. Chapter 5, Reactor Coolant System and Connecting Systems.
vi. Chapter 6, Engineered Safety Features.
vii. Chapter 7, Instrumentation and Controls.
viii. Chapter 8, Electric Power.
ix. Chapter 9, Auxiliary Systems.
x. Chapter 10, Steam and Power Conversion System.
xi. Chapter 11, Radioactive Waste Management.
xii. Chapter 12, Radiation Protection.
xiii. Chapter 13, Conduct of Operations.
xiv. Chapter 14, Verification Programs.
xv. Chapter 15, Transient and Accident Analyses.
xvi. Chapter 16, Technical Specifications.
xvii. Chapter 17, Quality Assurance and Reliability
Assurance.
xviii. Chapter 18, Human Factors Engineering.
xix. Chapter 19, Probabilistic Risk Assessment and Severe
Accident Evaluation.
c. APR1400-E-B-NR-16001-NP, Evaluation of Main Steam and
Feedwater Piping Applied to the Graded Approach for the APR1400,
Rev. 0 (July 2017).
d. APR1400-E-B-NR-16002-NP, Evaluation of Safety Injection and
Shutdown Cooling Piping Applied to the Graded Approach for the
APR1400, Rev. 1 (May 2018).
e. APR1400-E-I-NR-14001-NP, Human Factors Engineering Program
Plan, Rev. 4 (July 2018).
f. APR1400-E-I-NR-14002-NP, Operating Experience Review
Implementation Plan, Rev. 2 (January 2018).
g. APR1400-E-I-NR-14003-NP, Functional Requirements Analysis and
Function Allocation Implementation Plan, Rev. 2 (January 2018).
h. APR1400-E-I-NR-14004-NP, Task Analysis Implementation Plan,
Rev. 3 (May 2018).
i. APR1400-E-I-NR-14006-NP, Treatment of Important Human Actions
Implementation Plan, Rev. 3 (May 2018).
j. APR1400-E-I-NR-14007-NP, Human-System Interface Design
Implementation Plan, Rev. 3 (May 2018).
k. APR1400-E-I-NR-14008-NP, Human Factors Verification and
Validation Implementation Plan, Rev. 3 (May 2018).
l. APR1400-E-I-NR-14010-NP, Human Factors Verification and
Validation Scenarios, Rev. 2 (January 2018).
m. APR1400-E-I-NR-14011-NP, Basic Human-System Interface, Rev. 3
(May 2018).
n. APR1400-E-I-NR-14012-NP, Style Guide, Rev. 2 (January
2018).
o. APR1400-E-J-NR-14001-NP, Component Interface Module, Rev. 1
(March 2017).
p. APR1400-E-J-NR-17001-NP, Secure Development and Operational
Environment for APR1400 Computer-Based I&C Safety Systems, Rev.
0 (September 2017).
q. APR1400-E-N-NR-14001-NP, Design Features To Address GSI-191,
Rev. 3 (February 2018).
r. APR1400-E-P-NR-14005-NP, Evaluations and Design Enhancements
To Incorporate Lessons Learned from Fukushima Dai-Ichi Nuclear
Accident, Rev. 2 (July 2017).
s. APR1400-E-S-NR-14004-NP, Evaluation of Effects of HRHF
Response Spectra on SSCs, Rev. 3 (December 2017).
t. APR1400-E-S-NR-14005-NP, Evaluation of
Structure-Soil-Structure Interaction (SSSI) Effects, Rev. 2
(December 2017).
u. APR1400-E-S-NR-14006-NP, Stability Check for NI Common
Basemat, Rev. 5 (May 2018).
v. APR1400-E-X-NR-14001-NP, Equipment Qualification Program,
Rev. 4 (July 2018).
w. APR1400-F-A-NR-14001-NP, Small Break LOCA Evaluation Model,
Rev. 1 (March 2017).
x. APR1400-F-A-NR-14003-NP, Post-LOCA Long Term Cooling
Evaluation Model, Rev. 1 (March 2017).
y. APR1400-F-A-TR-12004-NP-A, Realistic Evaluation Methodology
for Large-Break LOCA of the APR1400 (August 2018).
z. APR1400-F-C-NR-14001-NP, CPC Setpoint Analysis Methodology
for APR1400, Rev. 3 (June 2018).
aa. APR1400-F-C-NR-14002-NP, Functional Design Requirements for
a Core Operating Limit Supervisory System for APR1400, Rev. 1
(February 2017).
ab. APR1400-F-C-NR-14003-NP, Functional Design Requirements for
a Core Protection Calculator System for APR1400, Rev. 1 (March
2017).
ac. APR1400-F-C-TR-12002-NP-A, KCE-1 Critical Heat Flux
Correlation for PLUS7 Thermal Design (April 2017).
ad. APR1400-F-M-TR-13001-NP-A, PLUS7 Fuel Design for the APR1400
(August 2018).
ae. APR1400-H-N-NR-14005-NP, Summary Stress Report for Primary
Piping, Rev. 2 (September 2016).
af. APR1400-H-N-NR-14012-NP, Mechanical Analysis for New and
Spent Fuel Storage Racks, Rev. 3 (August 2017).
ag. APR1400-K-I-NR-14005-NP, Staffing and Qualifications
Implementation Plan, Rev. 1 (February 2017).
ah. APR1400-K-I-NR-14009-NP, Design Implementation Plan, Rev. 1
(February 2017).
ai. APR1400-K-Q-TR-11005-NP-A, KHNP Quality Assurance Program
Description (QAPD) for the APR1400 Design Certification, Rev. 2
(October 2016).
aj. APR1400-Z-A-NR-14006-NP, Non-LOCA Safety Analysis
Methodology, Rev. 1 (February 2017).
ak. APR1400-Z-A-NR-14007-NP, Mass and Energy Release
Methodologies for LOCA and MSLB, Rev. 2 (May 2018).
al. APR1400-Z-A-NR-14011-NP, Criticality Analysis of New and
Spent Fuel Storage Racks, Rev. 3 (May 2018).
am. APR1400-Z-A-NR-14019-NP, CCF Coping Analysis, Rev. 3 (July
2018).
an. APR1400-Z-J-NR-14001-NP, Safety I&C System, Rev. 3 (May
2018).
ao. APR1400-Z-J-NR-14002-NP, Diversity and Defense-in-Depth,
Rev. 3 (May 2018).
ap. APR1400-Z-J-NR-14003-NP, Software Program Manual, Rev. 3
(May 2018).
aq. APR1400-Z-J-NR-14004-NP, Uncertainty Methodology and
Application for Instrumentation, Rev. 2 (January 2018).
ar. APR1400-Z-J-NR-14005-NP, Setpoint Methodology for
Safety-Related Instrumentation, Rev. 2 (January 2018).
as. APR1400-Z-J-NR-14012-NP, Control System CCF Analysis, Rev. 3
(May 2018).
at. APR1400-Z-J-NR-14013-NP, Response Time Analysis of Safety
I&C System, Rev. 2 (January 2018).
au. APR1400-Z-M-NR-14008-NP, Pressure-Temperature Limits
Methodology for RCS Heatup and Cooldown, Rev. 1 (January 2018).
av. APR1400-Z-M-TR-12003-NP-A, Fluidic Device Design for the
APR1400 (April 2017).
2. Combustion Engineering, Inc.
a. CEN-310-NP-A, CPC and Methodology Changes for the CPC
Improvement Program (April 1986).
b. CEN-312-NP, Overview Description of the Core Operating Limit
Supervisory System (COLSS), Rev. 01-NP (November 1986).
3. Westinghouse
a. WCAP-10697-NP-A, Common Qualified Platform Topical Report,
Rev. 3 (February 2013).
b. WCAP-17889-NP (APR1400-A-N-NR-17001-NP), Validation of SCALE
6.1.2 with 238-Group ENDF/B-VII.0 Cross Section Library for APR1400
Design Certification, Rev. 0 (June 2014).
B. An applicant or licensee referencing this appendix, in
accordance with Section IV of this appendix, shall incorporate by
reference and comply with the requirements of this appendix except
as otherwise provided in this appendix.
C. If there is a conflict between Tier 1 and Tier 2 of the DCD,
then Tier 1 controls.
D. If there is a conflict between the generic DCD and either the
application for the design certification of the APR1400 design or
the NUREG, “Final Safety Evaluation Report Related to Certification
of the APR1400 Standard Design,” then the generic DCD controls.
E. Design activities for structures, systems, and components
that are entirely outside the scope of this appendix may be
performed using site characteristics, provided the design
activities do not affect the DCD or conflict with the interface
requirements.
IV. Additional Requirements and Restrictions
A. An applicant for a COL that wishes to reference this appendix
shall, in addition to complying with the requirements of §§ 52.77,
52.79, and 52.80, comply with the following requirements:
1. Incorporate by reference, as part of its application, this
appendix.
2. Include, as part of its application:
a. A plant-specific DCD containing the same type of information
and using the same organization and numbering as the generic DCD
for the APR1400 design, either by including or incorporating by
reference the generic DCD information, and as modified and
supplemented by the applicant's exemptions and departures;
b. The reports on departures from and updates to the
plant-specific DCD required by paragraph X.B of this appendix;
c. Plant-specific TS, consisting of the generic and
site-specific TS that are required by 10 CFR 50.36 and 50.36a;
d. Information demonstrating that the site characteristics fall
within the site parameters and that the interface requirements have
been met;
e. Information that addresses the COL items; and
f. Information required by § 52.47(a) that is not within the
scope of this appendix.
3. Include, in the plant-specific DCD, the sensitive,
unclassified, non-safeguards information (including proprietary
information and security-related information) and safeguards
information referenced in the APR1400 generic DCD.
4. Include, as part of its application, a demonstration that an
entity other than KEPCO/KHNP is qualified to supply the APR1400
design, unless KEPCO/KHNP supplies the design for the applicant's
use.
B. The Commission reserves the right to determine in what manner
this appendix may be referenced by an applicant for a construction
permit or operating license under 10 CFR part 50.
V. Applicable Regulations
A. Except as indicated in paragraph B of this section, the
regulations that apply to the APR1400 design are in 10 CFR parts
20, 50, 52, 73, and 100, codified as of September 19, 2019, that
are applicable and technically relevant, as described in the final
safety evaluation report.
B. The APR1400 design is exempt from portions of the following
regulations:
1. Paragraph (f)(2)(iv) of 10 CFR 50.34 - Contents of
Applications: Technical Information - codified as of September 19,
2019.
VI. Issue Resolution
A. The Commission has determined that the structures, systems,
and components and design features of the APR1400 design comply
with the provisions of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended,
and the applicable regulations identified in Section V of this
appendix; and therefore, provide adequate protection to the health
and safety of the public. A conclusion that a matter is resolved
includes the finding that additional or alternative structures,
systems, and components, design features, design criteria, testing,
analyses, acceptance criteria, or justifications are not necessary
for the APR1400 design.
B. The Commission considers the following matters resolved
within the meaning of § 52.63(a)(5) in subsequent proceedings for
issuance of a COL, amendment of a COL, or renewal of a COL,
proceedings held under § 52.103, and enforcement proceedings
involving plants referencing this appendix:
1. All nuclear safety issues associated with the information in
the final safety evaluation report, Tier 1, Tier 2, and the
rulemaking record for certification of the APR1400 design, with the
exception of generic TS and other operational requirements;
2. All nuclear safety and safeguards issues associated with the
referenced information in the 53 non-public documents in Tables
1.6-1 and 1.6-2 of Tier 2 of the DCD, which contain sensitive
unclassified non-safeguards information (including proprietary
information and security-related information) and safeguards
information and which, in context, are intended as requirements in
the generic DCD for the APR1400 design;
3. All generic changes to the DCD under and in compliance with
the change processes in paragraphs VIII.A.1 and VIII.B.1 of this
appendix;
4. All exemptions from the DCD under and in compliance with the
change processes in paragraphs VIII.A.4 and VIII.B.4 of this
appendix, but only for that plant;
5. All departures from the DCD that are approved by license
amendment, but only for that plant;
6. Except as provided in paragraph VIII.B.5.f of this appendix,
all departures from Tier 2 under and in compliance with the change
processes in paragraph VIII.B.5 of this appendix that do not
require prior NRC approval, but only for that plant; and
7. All environmental issues concerning severe accident
mitigation design alternatives associated with the information in
the NRC's environmental assessment for the APR1400 design (ADAMS
Accession No. ML18306A607) and APR1400-E-P-NR-14006, Revision 2,
“Severe Accident Mitigation Design Alternatives (SAMDAs) for the
APR1400” (ML18235A158) for plants referencing this appendix whose
site characteristics fall within those site parameters specified in
APR1400-E-P-NR-14006.
C. The Commission does not consider operational requirements for
an applicant or licensee who references this appendix to be matters
resolved within the meaning of § 52.63(a)(5). The Commission
reserves the right to require operational requirements for an
applicant or licensee who references this appendix by rule,
regulation, order, or license condition.
D. Except under the change processes in Section VIII of this
appendix, the Commission may not require an applicant or licensee
who references this appendix to:
1. Modify structures, systems, components, or design features as
described in the generic DCD;
2. Provide additional or alternative structures, systems,
components, or design features not discussed in the generic DCD;
or
3. Provide additional or alternative design criteria, testing,
analyses, acceptance criteria, or justification for structures,
systems, components, or design features discussed in the generic
DCD.
E. The NRC will specify, at an appropriate time, the procedures
to be used by an interested person who wishes to review portions of
the design certification or references containing safeguards
information or sensitive unclassified non-safeguards information
(including proprietary information, such as trade secrets and
commercial or financial information obtained from a person that are
privileged or confidential (10 CFR 2.390 and 10 CFR part 9), and
security-related information), for the purpose of participating in
the hearing required by § 52.85, the hearing provided under §
52.103, or in any other proceeding relating to this appendix, in
which interested persons have a right to request an adjudicatory
hearing.
VII. Duration of This Appendix
This appendix may be referenced for a period of 15 years from
September 19, 2019, except as provided for in §§ 52.55(b) and
52.57(b). This appendix remains valid for an applicant or licensee
who references this appendix until the application is withdrawn or
the license expires, including any period of extended operation
under a renewed license.
VIII. Processes for Changes and Departures A. Tier 1 Information
1. Generic changes to Tier 1 information are governed by the
requirements in § 52.63(a)(1).
2. Generic changes to Tier 1 information are applicable to all
applicants or licensees who reference this appendix, except those
for which the change has been rendered technically irrelevant by
action taken under paragraphs A.3 or A.4 of this section.
3. Departures from Tier 1 information that are required by the
Commission through plant-specific orders are governed by the
requirements in § 52.63(a)(4).
4. Exemptions from Tier 1 information are governed by the
requirements in §§ 52.63(b)(1) and 52.98(f). The Commission will
deny a request for an exemption from Tier 1, if it finds that the
design change will result in a significant decrease in the level of
safety otherwise provided by the design.
B. Tier 2 Information
1. Generic changes to Tier 2 information are governed by the
requirements in § 52.63(a)(1).
2. Generic changes to Tier 2 information are applicable to all
applicants or licensees who reference this appendix, except those
for which the change has been rendered technically irrelevant by
action taken under paragraphs B.3, B.4, or B.5, of this
section.
3. The Commission may not require new requirements on Tier 2
information by plant-specific order, while this appendix is in
effect under § 52.55 or § 52.61, unless:
a. A modification is necessary to secure compliance with the
Commission's regulations applicable and in effect at the time this
appendix was approved, as set forth in Section V of this appendix,
or to ensure adequate protection of the public health and safety or
the common defense and security; and
b. Special circumstances as defined in 10 CFR 50.12(a) are
present.
4. An applicant or licensee who references this appendix may
request an exemption from Tier 2 information. The Commission may
grant such a request only if it determines that the exemption will
comply with the requirements of 10 CFR 50.12(a). The Commission
will deny a request for an exemption from Tier 2, if it finds that
the design change will result in a significant decrease in the
level of safety otherwise provided by the design. The granting of
an exemption to an applicant must be subject to litigation in the
same manner as other issues material to the license hearing. The
granting of an exemption to a licensee must be subject to an
opportunity for a hearing in the same manner as license
amendments.
5.a. An applicant or licensee who references this appendix may
depart from Tier 2 information, without prior NRC approval, unless
the proposed departure involves a change to or departure from Tier
1 information, or the TS, or requires a license amendment under
paragraph B.5.b or B.5.c of this section. When evaluating the
proposed departure, an applicant or licensee shall consider all
matters described in the plant-specific DCD.
b. A proposed departure from Tier 2, other than one affecting
resolution of a severe accident issue identified in the
plant-specific DCD or one affecting information required by §
52.47(a)(28) to address aircraft impacts, requires a license
amendment if it would:
(1) Result in more than a minimal increase in the frequency of
occurrence of an accident previously evaluated in the
plant-specific DCD;
(2) Result in more than a minimal increase in the likelihood of
occurrence of a malfunction of a structure, system, or component
important to safety and previously evaluated in the plant-specific
DCD;
(3) Result in more than a minimal increase in the consequences
of an accident previously evaluated in the plant-specific DCD;
(4) Result in more than a minimal increase in the consequences
of a malfunction of a structure, system, or component important to
safety previously evaluated in the plant-specific DCD;
(5) Create a possibility for an accident of a different type
than any evaluated previously in the plant-specific DCD;
(6) Create a possibility for a malfunction of a structure,
system, or component important to safety with a different result
than any evaluated previously in the plant-specific DCD;
(7) Result in a design-basis limit for a fission product barrier
as described in the plant-specific DCD being exceeded or altered;
or
(8) Result in a departure from a method of evaluation described
in the plant-specific DCD used in establishing the design bases or
in the safety analyses.
c. A proposed departure from Tier 2, affecting resolution of an
ex-vessel severe accident design feature identified in the
plant-specific DCD, requires a license amendment if:
(1) There is a substantial increase in the probability of an
ex-vessel severe accident such that a particular ex-vessel severe
accident previously reviewed and determined to be not credible
could become credible; or
(2) There is a substantial increase in the consequences to the
public of a particular ex-vessel severe accident previously
reviewed.
d. A proposed departure from Tier 2 information required by §
52.47(a)(28) to address aircraft impacts shall consider the effect
of the changed design feature or functional capability on the
original aircraft impact assessment required by 10 CFR 50.150(a).
The applicant or licensee shall describe, in the plant-specific
DCD, how the modified design features and functional capabilities
continue to meet the aircraft impact assessment requirements in 10
CFR 50.150(a)(1).
e. If a departure requires a license amendment under paragraph
B.5.b or B.5.c of this section, it is governed by 10 CFR 50.90.
f. A departure from Tier 2 information that is made under
paragraph B.5 of this section does not require an exemption from
this appendix.
g. A party to an adjudicatory proceeding for either the
issuance, amendment, or renewal of a license or for operation under
§ 52.103(a), who believes that an applicant or licensee who
references this appendix has not complied with paragraph VIII.B.5
of this appendix when departing from Tier 2 information, may
petition to admit into the proceeding such a contention. In
addition to complying with the general requirements of 10 CFR
2.309, the petition must demonstrate that the departure does not
comply with paragraph VIII.B.5 of this appendix. Further, the
petition must demonstrate that the change bears on an asserted
noncompliance with an ITAAC acceptance criterion in the case of a §
52.103 preoperational hearing, or that the change bears directly on
the amendment request in the case of a hearing on a license
amendment. Any other party may file a response. If, on the basis of
the petition and any response, the presiding officer determines
that a sufficient showing has been made, the presiding officer
shall certify the matter directly to the Commission for
determination of the admissibility of the contention. The
Commission may admit such a contention if it determines the
petition raises a genuine issue of material fact regarding
compliance with paragraph VIII.B.5 of this appendix.
C. Operational Requirements
1. Changes to APR1400 DC generic TS and other operational
requirements that were completely reviewed and approved in the
design certification rulemaking and do not require a change to a
design feature in the generic DCD are governed by the requirements
in 10 CFR 50.109. Changes that require a change to a design feature
in the generic DCD are governed by the requirements in paragraphs A
or B of this section.
2. Changes to APR1400 DC generic TS and other operational
requirements are applicable to all applicants who reference this
appendix, except those for which the change has been rendered
technically irrelevant by action taken under paragraphs C.3 or C.4
of this section.
3. The Commission may require plant-specific departures on
generic TS and other operational requirements that were completely
reviewed and approved, provided a change to a design feature in the
generic DCD is not required and special circumstances, as defined
in 10 CFR 2.335 are present. The Commission may modify or
supplement generic TS and other operational requirements that were
not completely reviewed and approved or require additional TS and
other operational requirements on a plant-specific basis, provided
a change to a design feature in the generic DCD is not
required.
4. An applicant who references this appendix may request an
exemption from the generic TS or other operational requirements.
The Commission may grant such a request only if it determines that
the exemption will comply with the requirements of § 52.7. The
granting of an exemption must be subject to litigation in the same
manner as other issues material to the license hearing.
5. A party to an adjudicatory proceeding for the issuance,
amendment, or renewal of a license, or for operation under §
52.103(a), who believes that an operational requirement approved in
the DCD or a TS derived from the generic TS must be changed, may
petition to admit such a contention into the proceeding. The
petition must comply with the general requirements of 10 CFR 2.309
and must demonstrate why special circumstances as defined in 10 CFR
2.335 are present, or demonstrate compliance with the Commission's
regulations in effect at the time this appendix was approved, as
set forth in Section V of this appendix. Any other party may file a
response to the petition. If, on the basis of the petition and any
response, the presiding officer determines that a sufficient
showing has been made, the presiding officer shall certify the
matter directly to the Commission for determination of the
admissibility of the contention. All other issues with respect to
the plant-specific TS or other operational requirements are subject
to a hearing as part of the licensing proceeding.
6. After issuance of a license, the generic TS have no further
effect on the plant-specific TS. Changes to the plant-specific TS
will be treated as license amendments under 10 CFR 50.90.
IX. [Reserved] X. Records and Reporting A. Records
1. The applicant for this appendix shall maintain a copy of the
generic DCD that includes all generic changes that are made to Tier
1 and Tier 2, and the generic TS and other operational
requirements. The applicant shall maintain the sensitive
unclassified non-safeguards information (including proprietary
information and security-related information) and safeguards
information referenced in the generic DCD for the period that this
appendix may be referenced, as specified in Section VII of this
appendix.
2. An applicant or licensee who references this appendix shall
maintain the plant-specific DCD to accurately reflect both generic
changes to the generic DCD and plant-specific departures made under
Section VIII of this appendix throughout the period of application
and for the term of the license (including any periods of
renewal).
3. An applicant or licensee who references this appendix shall
prepare and maintain written evaluations which provide the bases
for the determinations required by Section VIII of this appendix.
These evaluations must be retained throughout the period of
application and for the term of the license (including any periods
of renewal).
4.a. The applicant for the APR1400 design shall maintain a copy
of the aircraft impact assessment performed to comply with the
requirements of 10 CFR 50.150(a) for the term of the certification
(including any period of renewal).
b. An applicant or licensee who references this appendix shall
maintain a copy of the aircraft impact assessment performed to
comply with the requirements of 10 CFR 50.150(a) throughout the
pendency of the application and for the term of the license
(including any periods of renewal).
B. Reporting
1. An applicant or licensee who references this appendix shall
submit a report to the NRC containing a brief description of any
plant-specific departures from the DCD, including a summary of the
evaluation of each departure. This report must be filed in
accordance with the filing requirements applicable to reports in §
52.3.
2. An applicant or licensee who references this appendix shall
submit updates to its plant-specific DCD, which reflect the generic
changes to and plant-specific departures from the generic DCD made
under Section VIII of this appendix. These updates shall be filed
under the filing requirements applicable to final safety analysis
report updates in 10 CFR 50.71(e) and 52.3.
3. The reports and updates required by paragraphs X.B.1 and
X.B.2 of this appendix must be submitted as follows:
a. On the date that an application for a license referencing
this appendix is submitted, the application must include the report
and any updates to the generic DCD.
b. During the interval from the date of application for a
license to the date the Commission makes its finding required by §
52.103(g), the report must be submitted semi-annually. Updates to
the plant-specific DCD must be submitted annually and may be
submitted along with amendments to the application.
c. After the Commission makes the finding required by §
52.103(g), the reports and updates to the plant-specific DCD must
be submitted, along with updates to the site-specific portion of
the final safety analysis report for the facility, at the intervals
required by 10 CFR 50.59(d)(2) and 50.71(e)(4), respectively, or at
shorter intervals as specified in the license.
[84 FR 23452, May 22, 2019]
Appendixes G-M to Part 52 [Reserved]
10:2.0.1.1.2.8.62.3.9 :
Appendixes G-M to Part 52 [Reserved]
Appendix N to Part 52 - Standardization of Nuclear Power Plant Designs: Combined Licenses To Construct and Operate Nuclear Power Reactors of Identical Design at Multiple Sites
10:2.0.1.1.2.8.62.3.10 : Appendix N
Appendix N to Part 52 - Standardization of Nuclear Power Plant
Designs: Combined Licenses To Construct and Operate Nuclear Power
Reactors of Identical Design at Multiple Sites
The Commission's regulations in part 2 of this chapter
specifically provide for the holding of hearings on particular
issues separately from other issues involved in hearings in
licensing proceedings, and for the consolidation of adjudicatory
proceedings and of the presentations of parties in adjudicatory
proceedings such as licensing proceedings (§§ 2.316 and 2.317 of
this chapter).
This appendix sets out the particular requirements and
provisions applicable to situations in which applications for
combined licenses under subpart C of this part are filed by one or
more applicants for licenses to construct and operate nuclear power
reactors of identical design (“common design”) to be located at
multiple sites. 1
1 If the design for the power reactor(s) proposed in a
particular application is not identical to the others, that
application may not be processed under this appendix and subpart D
of part 2 of this chapter.
1. Except as otherwise specified in this appendix or as the
context otherwise indicates, the provisions of subpart C of this
part and subpart D of part 2 of this chapter apply to combined
license applications subject to this appendix.
2. Each combined license application submitted pursuant to this
appendix must be submitted as specified in § 52.75 and 10 CFR
2.101. Each application must state that the applicant wishes to
have the application considered under 10 CFR part 52, appendix N,
and must list each of the applications to be treated together under
this appendix.
3. Each application must include the information required by §§
52.77, 52.79, and 52.80(a), provided however, that the
application must identify the common design, and, if applicable,
reference a standard design certification under subpart B of this
part, or the use of a reactor manufactured under subpart F of this
part. The final safety analysis report for each application must
either incorporate by reference or include the final safety
analysis of the common design, including, if applicable, the final
safety analysis report for the referenced design certification or
the manufactured reactor. 2
2 As used in this appendix, the design of a nuclear power
reactor included in a single referenced safety analysis report
means the design of those structures, systems, and components
important to radiological health and safety and the common defense
and security.
4. Each combined license application submitted pursuant to this
appendix must contain an environmental report as required by §
52.80(b), and which complies with the applicable provisions of 10
CFR part 51, provided, however, that the application may
incorporate by reference a single environmental report on the
environmental impacts of the common design.
5. Upon a determination that each application is acceptable for
docketing under 10 CFR 2.101, each application will be docketed and
a notice of docketing for each application will be published in the
Federal Register, in accordance with 10 CFR 2.104, provided,
however, that the notice must state that the application will
be processed under the provisions of 10 CFR part 52, appendix N,
and subpart D of part 2 of this chapter. As the discretion of the
Commission, a single notice of docketing for multiple applications
may be published in the Federal Register.
6. The NRC staff shall prepare draft and final environmental
impact statements for each of the applications under part 51 of
this chapter. Scoping under 10 CFR 51.28 and 51.29 for each of the
combined license applications may be conducted simultaneously and
joint scoping may be conducted with respect to the environmental
issues relevant to the common design.
If the applications reference a standard design certification,
then the environmental impact statement for each of the
applications must incorporate by reference the design certification
environmental assessment. If the applications do not reference a
standard design certification, then the NRC staff shall prepare
draft and final supplemental environmental impact statements which
address severe accident mitigation design alternatives for the
common design, which must be incorporated by reference into the
environmental impact statement prepared for each application.
Scoping under 10 CFR 51.28 and 51.29 for the supplemental
environmental impact statement may be conducted simultaneously, and
may be part of the scoping for each of the combined license
applications.
7. The ACRS shall report on each of the applications as required
by § 52.87. Each report must be limited to those safety matters for
each application which are not relevant to the common design. In
addition, the ACRS shall separately report on the safety of the
common design, provided, however, that the report need not
address the safety of a referenced standard design certification or
reactor manufactured under subpart F of this part.
8. The Commission shall designate a presiding officer to conduct
the proceeding with respect to the health and safety, common
defense and security, and environmental matters relating to the
common design. The hearing will be governed by the applicable
provisions of subparts A, C, G, L, N, and O of part 2 of this
chapter relating to applications for combined licenses. The
presiding officer shall issue a partial initial decision on the
common design.