Overview
Title
Final Revision to Branch Technical Position 7-19 Guidance for Evaluation of Defense in Depth and Diversity to Address Common-Cause Failure Due to Latent Design Defects in Digital Safety Systems; Correction
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission made a small fix to some important instructions about making sure safety systems in nuclear plants work well. They changed a special code so people can find the right information online easily.
Summary AI
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is making a correction to a previous notice about Branch Technical Position (BTP) 7-19, which focuses on guidelines for addressing common-cause failures due to latent design defects in digital safety systems. The correction involves the ADAMS Accession number, which is used to access the staff responses to public comments on the document. The revised document is now available with the correct Accession number. This correction became effective on February 22, 2021.
Abstract
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is correcting a notice that was published in the Federal Register on January 29, 2021, regarding the final revision to Branch Technical Position (BTP) 7-19, "Guidance for Evaluation of Defense in Depth and Diversity to Address Common-Cause Failure Due to Latent Design Defects in Digital Safety Systems." This action is necessary to correct the Agency Document Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession number for the staff responses to public comments on the draft version of BTP 7-19.
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Sources
AnalysisAI
The document in question is a notice from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) concerning a correction to a previous entry regarding a technical guideline, known as Branch Technical Position (BTP) 7-19. This guideline is related to addressing potential failures in digital safety systems that can occur due to inherent design faults. The initial notice had an incorrect reference number, used to locate staff responses to public feedback, which has since been corrected to ensure proper access to these documents.
General Summary
The NRC has issued a correction notice for a previously published document regarding BTP 7-19. This document serves as guidance for evaluating the robustness of digital safety systems in nuclear installations, ensuring they can adequately handle failures arising from latent design defects. Such guidelines are crucial in maintaining the safety and reliability of nuclear facilities. The notice corrects an error in the Agency Document Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession number, a critical reference for accessing related documents online.
Significant Issues or Concerns
A notable issue with the document is its technical nature, which might not be easily understood by the general public. Since it deals with highly specific nuclear regulatory terms, those not familiar with the field may find it challenging to grasp its full implications. Additionally, the need for correction indicates potential administrative oversight, which could lead to confusion among those attempting to access the relevant public commentary or further information.
Moreover, there is some ambiguity regarding the status of the Public Document Room (PDR). While the document mentions its closure, it simultaneously provides instructions for contacting the PDR, leading to possible confusion regarding public accessibility.
Impact on the Public
For the general public, the correction ensures transparency and accessibility regarding safety evaluations of nuclear systems. Reassuringly, this notice reflects the NRC's commitment to maintaining rigorous standards for public safety in nuclear power operations by providing correct and accessible information. However, its technical jargon and procedural nature mean it is less likely to affect daily lives directly, serving more as an assurance that oversight and regulatory corrections are taking place.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For nuclear industry professionals, regulators, and stakeholders involved in the development and oversight of digital safety systems, this correction is significant. It ensures that these parties have accurate and unimpeded access to crucial guidelines and public comments necessary for compliance and further development. The corrected Accession number is particularly vital for parties researching safety system improvements or reviewing public feedback.
By addressing such administrative errors, the NRC reinforces its transparency and reliability, preventing any misinformation or procedural backlog that might arise from accessing incorrect documents. Specific stakeholders in the regulatory and safety domains can thus continue their work with greater confidence in the accuracy of available resources.
In conclusion, while primarily administrative, this corrective action by the NRC underscores the importance of accuracy and clear communication in regulatory practices, especially in fields as sensitive as nuclear safety.
Issues
• The document does not indicate any specific spending, making it difficult to identify potential wasteful spending or favoritism.
• The language used in the document is technical and may be difficult for individuals not familiar with nuclear regulatory terms to understand.
• There is ambiguity in the availability of PDR (Public Document Room) services as it is mentioned that the PDR is closed, yet it suggests how to submit requests.
• The correction of the ADAMS Accession Number could lead to confusion due to its original incorrect publication.