Executive summary
- Inspection date(s): 2o/10/2022
Purpose of inspection
A total of six level 4 meetings and a level 3 meeting were held with the licensee in 2020/2021 to understand the implications of the move from the Control Build toolchain to the Funbase (functional specification database) tool in the translation of the protection system software functional requirements to functional logic used in the development of the protection system (PS) application software.
Based on the meetings and initial confidence gained through NNB Generation Company (HPC) Limited (NNB GenCo) performing adequate optioneering, the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) agreed with the decision by NNB GenCo in 2021 to use the Funbase tool.
The aim of this inspection was to gather sufficient evidence in the use of the Funbase tool in the development of the PS application software to form a judgement as to whether it will provide proportionate confidence in the final PS design in alignment with the expectations of Safety Assessment Principle (SAP) ESS.27 (specifically production excellence).
The objective was to undertake an inspection examining the people, process and product when utilising the Funbase tool in the development of the PS application software.
Subject(s) of inspection
The following actives were the subject of this inspection:
- LC12 - Duly authorised and other suitably qualified and experienced persons - Rating - Green
- LC14 - Safety documentation - Rating - Green
- LC17 - Management systems - Rating - Green
Key findings
Based on the evidence presented, areas of good practice relate to the people, processes and outcome with regard to the use of the Funbase tool in delivery of the Hinkley Point C (HPC) PS application software, notably:
- personnel performing duties which may affect safety are suitable qualified and experienced persons (SQEP);
- the licensee has produced and updated (based on operational experience) specific processes which facilitate delivery of the PS application software in a consistent and repeatable manner; and
- the licensee has implemented its arrangements to enable the production and assessment of the HPC safety case.
Judgements made
I judge that an intervention rating of GREEN (no formal action) is appropriate for licence condition (LC) 12 (duly authorised and other suitably qualified and experienced persons), LC17 (management systems) and LC14 (safety documentation).
LC12 – I found adequate arrangements in place which had been implemented to ensure that only SQEPs are performing duties which may affect safety. This relates to the use of the Funbase tool in the production of the HPC PS application software.
LC17 – I found that the licensee has established and implemented adequate management systems which support the production of the HPC PS application software utilising the Funbase tool. These arrangements have been reviewed following OPEX and updated to the benefit of nuclear safety.
LC14 – I consider that the licensee has implemented its arrangements to enable the production and assessment of the HPC safety case with specific regard to the HPC PS application software.