Document: NRC Regulatory Guide
Document ID: edb75cf4-27e1-4166-989c-25781bd48b98
Document Type: regulatory_guide
Title: Fire Protection Program for Nuclear Power Plants During Decommissioning and Permanent Shutdown (Rev. 1)
Source: NRC Regulatory Guide Division 1
Source URL: https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML2007/ML20078K920.pdf
Revision Date: 2023-06
Chapter: 
Section ID: RG-1.191
CFR Part: 
CFR Title: 

Content:
threat of fires. Defense-in-depth for fire protection involves a comprehensive program of administrative controls, physical fire protection features, emergency response capabilities, and protection of SSCs necessary to prevent or mitigate the potential of an unacceptable release of radioactive materials. This combination of elements reduces both the probability and consequences of fire events, and it ensures that the failure of any one element within the fire protection program is adequately compensated for by the others, thereby minimizing the risks to the public, environment, and plant personnel. Licensees that have permanently shut down their nuclear power plants and have made the submittals to the NRC required by 10 CFR 50.82 have 60 years to complete radiological decommissioning and may choose from to immediate dismantling, DECON, or deferred dismantling, SAFSTOR. o Under DECON (immediate dismantling), soon after the nuclear facility closes, equipment, structures, and portions of the facility containing radioactive contaminants are removed or decontaminated to a level that permits release of the property and termination of the NRC license. o Under SAFSTOR (long-term safe storage), often considered “deferred dismantling,” a nuclear facility is maintained and monitored in a condition that allows the radioactivity to decay. Afterwards, the plant is dismantled, and the property is decontaminated. The licensee may also choose to adopt a combination of the first two choices in which some portions of the facility are dismantled or decontaminated, while other parts are left in SAFSTOR. The decision may be based on factors other than radioactive decay, such as availability of waste disposal sites. The fire protection requirements may differ considerably, depending on the licensee’s approach to decommissioning. Reactors that have permanently ceased operations and have no fuel in the reactor vessel present a significantly reduced risk to public health and safety