Document: NRC Regulatory Guide
Document ID: 8e45dce1-e1e7-4415-b1dd-7e2a610e545b
Document Type: regulatory_guide
Title: Fire Protection for Nuclear Power Plants (Rev. 4)
Source: NRC Regulatory Guide Division 1
Source URL: https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML2023/ML20231A835.pdf
Revision Date: 2023-06
Chapter: 
Section ID: RG-1.189
CFR Part: 
CFR Title: 

Content:
sures to show operability; such reliance suggests a greater degree of degradation. Similarly, if an operability determination is based on operator action, the licensee should resolve the nonconforming condition expeditiously. NUREG/CR-7135 (CARMEN-FIRE) documents the history of compensatory measures, details the NRC’s regulatory framework established to ensure that they are appropriately implemented and DG-1359, Page 21 maintained, and explores technologies that did not exist when the current plants were licensed that may offer an effective alternative to the measures specified in a licensee’s approved FPP. Temporary changes to specific fire protection features that may be necessary to accomplish maintenance or modifications are acceptable, provided that interim compensatory measures, such as fire watches, temporary fire barriers, or backup suppression capability, are implemented. Licensees should address any degraded or nonconforming condition in a time frame commensurate with the safety significance of the condition. Licensees should make reasonable efforts to complete corrective actions at the first opportunity or should appropriately justify a longer completion schedule. Licensees may want to review and consider guidance provided to NRC inspectors and discussed in the most up-to-date generic communication on timeliness of corrective actions. The reliance on compensatory measures is one of the factors in the inspector guidance when evaluating timeliness of the corrective action. Licensees should promptly complete the corrective action at the first available opportunity and eliminate the reliance on the compensatory measure. For common types of deficiencies, the technical specifications or the NRC-approved FPP generally note specific compensatory measures. For unique situations or for measures that the approved FPP does not include, the licensee may opt to use an alternative to the compensatory measure stated in its FPP, or a combination of measures. A