- Site: Hinkley Point B
- IR number: 19-007
- Date: April 2019
- LC numbers: 28
Executive summary
Purpose of Intervention
The purpose of this intervention was to carry out licence compliance inspections at EDF Energy Nuclear Generation Limited’s Hinkley Point B power station in line with the planned inspection programme contained in the Hinkley Point B Integrated intervention Strategy.
Interventions Carried Out by ONR
ONR inspectors carried out inspections against the requirements of Licence Condition 28: examination, inspection, maintenance and testing, to inform the ONR decision relating to the issue of a licence instrument for consent for return to service of Hinkley Point B Reactor 3 following its periodic shutdown. The activities examined were selected due to their nuclear safety significance.
The intervention included:
- Examination, inspection, maintenance and testing of:
- Gas circulators
- Reactor gas safety relief valves
- Control rod drop times
- Turbine LP rotors exchange
- Generator rotor exchange
- Standard of Nuclear Significant Maintenance Facilities during walk downs of maintenance facilities/areas
- Emerging Mechanical issues
The intervention was performed in line with ONR's guidance requirements (as described in our technical inspection guides) in the areas inspected.
Key Findings, Inspector's Opinions and Reasons for Judgements Made
Based on my sampling, I am satisfied from a mechanical engineering perspective that during the Hinkley Point B Reactor 3 2019 periodic shutdown:
- Examination, inspection, maintenance and testing associated with gas circulators and reactor gas safety relief valves is being adequately controlled, in line with the requirements of the safety case.
- Control rod drop times are within safety case limits.
- Sufficient records are being kept and monitored to identify problems both reactively and proactively.
- The SAP training record system does not reflect current training completion of maintenance technician’s workbooks. This is currently being addressed as part of a previous system based intervention finding.
Conclusion of Intervention
Based on my sampling undertaken as part of this intervention, I am satisfied that the Licence Condition 28 arrangements in place are adequate and have been adequately implemented with no significant shortfalls. I have therefore given this inspection a rating of GREEN.
I am content, from a Mechanical Engineering perspective, for the Project Inspector to support restart of Hinkley Point B Reactor 3, following its 2019 periodic shutdown.