Executive summary
Date(s) of inspection:
February 2026
Aim of inspection
To gain confidence that Sellafield Ltd. are compliant with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and Licence Condition (LC) 28 (specifically in relation to nuclear fire safety) within FGMSP and PFSP at the Sellafield site to inform a regulatory judgement regarding the licensee’s compliance with its legal duties.
This inspection will seek confidence that the licensee’s fire arrangements and systems provision is suitable to support ongoing and future retrievals activities at the facility and to confirm that fire safety considerations do not pose a risk to delivery of key decommissioning milestones (KDM) such as KDM18, KDM19 and KDM22.
Finally, the inspection will follow up on improvements implemented in response to previous formal enforcement action at the facility.
Aligns to SDFW Focus Areas:
- S1 Deliver nuclear site health and safety, nuclear safety, security, transport and safeguards compliance, investigation and enforcement
- S2 Enable HHRR activities including Pond and Silo Retrievals, Remediation, SNM and analytical capability
- S7 Review asset management and obsolescence management at Sellafield appropriate for facility ages and conditions.
Subject(s) of inspection
- LC28 - Examination, inspection, maintenance and testing - Rating: Green
- Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 - Rating: Green
Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made
The purpose of this inspection was to gain confidence that Sellafield Ltd. is compliant in its duties under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and Licence Condition (LC) 28 (specifically in relation to nuclear fire safety) within FGMSP and PFSP at the Sellafield site.
The inspection covered all relevant fire safety aspects with a focus on sustained compliance and system health in support of the retrievals mission with an aim of gaining confidence that that fire safety considerations do not pose a risk to delivery of key decommissioning milestones (KDM) such as KDM18, KDM19 and KDM22. The inspection also addressed learning, improvements and ongoing fire protection system management following closure of Enforcement notice ONR-EN-22-001.
The inspection was carried out in three phases:
- Review of submitted requested documentation and information to establish targeted areas where further enquiries and inspection are required.
- A walk through of the Legacy Ponds areas to ensure documented processes and controls are in place and effective.
- Supplementary document review and clarification of identified matters as appropriate.
The licensee gave a short overview of the facility including the current and future status of fire safety arrangements.
Known issues include:
FGMSP (B30) Long standing obsolescence issues of fire detection and warning system, with compensatory measures introduced until full remediation is achieved (including full installation of a WES3 fire alarm and detection system).
PFSP (B29) Legacy challenges indicate improved detection is required to achieve L2/P2 in accordance with fire strategy.
These matters are discussed within the main body of this report.
I examined a sample of fire safety documentation including but not exclusively:
- Fire Risk Assessments
- Fire Safety Strategies
- Fire Safety dashboards
- Fire Safety related maintenance and testing records, including tracking associated actions where appropriate
- System Health Reports
I met with safety representatives to understand their perspective regarding fire safety management within Legacy Ponds.
I recognise the legacy challenges faced by the facilities and actions taken to mitigate deficiencies whilst awaiting full remediation.
I'm satisfied that Sellafield Ltd understands the basis and the causes of the previous enforcement action in FGMSP and that lessons have been learned. For fire systems I have gained confidence that Sellafield Ltd understand the current system, how it is functioning and that the deficiencies are known. This also gives confidence in future condition required to underpin high hazard risk reduction. I support the installation of the new system and will monitor progress of this project via normal regulatory engagement.
I reviewed maintenance against the requirements of the FSO and the similar requirements of LC28 and found this to be in good order. I saw evidence of maintenance records for the fire alarm system in FGMSP and emergency lighting in PFSP.
I reviewed the actions on the PFSP Fire Risk Assessment and I am happy that these have been addressed.
I reviewed the Fire Safety Dashboard for B30 and am content that this accurately represents the plant.
On plant I found the condition was generally adequate with respect to fire safety, with some advice given within the Observations / Advice section of this report.
Overall, I found the duty holder to be compliant with the requirements of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and LC28. Minor matters were discussed with the dutyholder during the inspection are covered within the advice section of this report. They will be monitored during routine engagements.
I judge it appropriate to rate this inspection of the Legacy Ponds areas for both the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and Licence Condition 28 as green.
Conclusion
I'm satisfied that Sellafield Ltd understands the basis and the causes of the previous enforcement action in FGMSP and that lessons have been learned.
For fire systems I have gained confidence that Sellafield Ltd understand the current system, how it is functioning and that the deficiencies are known – this also gives confidence in future condition.
I support the installation of the new system and will monitor progress of this project via normal regulatory engagement.
I reviewed maintenance against the requirements of the RRO and the similar requirements of LC28 and found this to be in good order . I saw evidence of maintenance records for the fire alarm system in FGMSP and Emergency lighting in PFSP.
I reviewed the actions on the PFSP FRA and I am happy that these have been addressed.
I reviewed the FSD for B30 and am content that this accurately represents the plant.
On plant I found the condition was generally adequate with respect to fire safety, with some advice given within the Observations / Advice section of this report.