Engineering Services/Nuclear: Design Bases Integration
The development of a successful utility engineering organization, capable of providing timely and
accurate solutions to plant problems and satisfying industry regulator, requirements, depends on
the successful integration of the unit design basis with the evolving condition of the plant.
This requires a long-term commitment to understand, maintain and comply with the unit design basis
in performing all plant activities. The key to success in this is establishing the ownership of
the plant design basis. Our experience suggests that ownership can only come after the discipline
engineers develop an understanding of how to apply the design basis in their activities and become
familiar with the design basis documents and their maintenance.
MPR has developed a plan for integrating the design basis into the ongoing activities of
engineering work. Reviews of recent engineering work products together with hands-on instruction
are key components of any successful integration plan. Our approach focuses on the root cause of
the issue: changing engineering work habits to ensure correct and complete use of design bases
information and instilling the vital sense of engineering responsibility for maintaining control of
the unit design basis and configuration agreement of design documents. The MPR approach developed to
achieve this goal consists of the following four steps:
Contact
For further information on our approach to Design Bases Integration or other engineering services
provided by MPR Associates contact Phil Kasik
or Larry Cundy
The specific approach to Design Basis Integration is tailored to meet the specific needs of a
generating station and its staff. This approach to Design Basis Integration has been successfully
implemented at a number of nuclear generating stations. An immediate improvement in engineering
personnel approach and attitude has been observed. This has translated into the longer term
improvement of the plant operation through more complete engineering and identification and
resolution of potential problems with modifications prior to their implementation in the plant.
Improvement in the engineering efficiency, has also been realized from the improved understanding of
all plant individuals of the role and responsibilities of engineering for design basis.
The specific uses of design basis products that support the design input definition are defined.
Engineering data management tools are identified that will facilitate the use of design basis
products. Specific improvements in the technical tools available to engineer solutions to plant
problems are also identified. Provisions in existing procedures controlling design input are
evaluated.
The specific activities necessary to control design basis documentation as a result of a change to
the unit are defined. Engineering data management tools are identified to facilitate control of
design basis documentation. The specific feedback from plant changes and their impact on utility
documentation and commitments is identified. Provisions in existing procedures controlling design
closeout are evaluated.
A Design Control Manual is developed to foster personnel commititment by utility engineers to the
principles and practices of Design Basis Integration. Major topics include the importance of an
accurate and accessible design basis to effective technical support of the plant, characteristics of
design basis reconstitution (DBR) products, the use of DBR products in design input, and
configuration management controls on design basis. These guidelines provide guidance for the
completion of specific engineering tasks within the requirements defined in the existing engineering
procedures.
The principles of Design Bases Integration in daily practice are demonstrated. Classroom instruction
and/or individual assistance with actual utility problems can be used to provide this demonstration.
Instruction in the use of configuration management tools and the meaning of design basis is provided,
as well as how to address and resolve discrepancies involving the design basis.
- ALWR Development
- Configuration Management
- Design Bases Integration
- License Renewal Engr Svcs
- Main Coolant Pumps
- MPR BWR ECCS Suction Strainer Svcs
- MPR Qualifications Related to Restart & Startup Assessments for The Office of Nuclear Safety
- Soviet-Designed Nuclear Reactor Plants
- Valve Experience
The following pages provide insight on our experience in a few of MPR's nuclear D&D projects:
- Three Mile Island Unit 2 Reactor
- Technical Assistance for PUREX
- Technical Oversight at Fort St. Vrain
- Radioactive Waste Handling
- Spent Nuclear Fuel Handling Shipping and Storage
- Radiation Shielding Design
- Chernobyl
- Hanford Spent Nuclear Fuel Project
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