Document: NRC Regulatory Guide
Document ID: 1f8fd3ff-bc9e-4b84-b4d9-71d2a51882f7
Document Type: regulatory_guide
Title: Seismic Design Classification for Nuclear Power Plants + HISTORY - HISTORY DG-1315 , Proposed Revision 5, published 09/2015 DG-1156 , Proposed Revision 4, published 10/2006 (Rev. 5)
Source: NRC Regulatory Guide Division 1
Source URL: https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML1506/ML15061A048.pdf
Revision Date: 2023-06
Chapter: 
Section ID: RG-1.29
CFR Part: 
CFR Title: 

Content:
o align with the current program guidance for regulatory guides. Background The initial issuance of RG 1.29 in 1972 by the Atomic Energy Commission was based on reviews of a number of applications for construction permits and operating licenses for boiling-water and pressurized-water nuclear power plants. In that regulatory guide, the staff developed a seismic design classification system for identifying those plant features that must be designed to withstand the effects of the SSE. In so doing, the staff designated as seismic Category I those SSCs that must be designed to remain functional if the SSE occurs. Subsequent revisions to this regulatory guide have incorporated operating experience. DG-1315, Page 4 Harmonization with International Standards The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has established a series of safety guides and standards constituting a high level of safety for protecting people and the environment. IAEA safety guides present international good practices and increasingly reflects best practices to help users striving to achieve high levels of safety. Pertinent to this regulatory guide, IAEA Safety Guide NS-G-1.6, “Seismic Design and Qualification for Nuclear Power Plants” (Ref. 9), includes guidance in Sections 2.11 through 2.26 for establishing seismic categories for various SSCs based on their safety significance. This regulatory guide also addresses classification of SSCs according to their safety significance and is consistent with the basic safety principles provided in NS-G-1.6, though the implementation details are different. As described below in Section D, use of this alternative classification approach instead of the approach presented in this regulatory guide may be deemed acceptable if an applicant or licensee provides sufficient basis and information for the NRC staff to conclude that the proposed alternative demonstrates compliance with GDC 2 and 10 CFR Part 50 Appendices B and S. C. STAFF REGULATORY GUIDANCE 1. The