Executive summary
Date(s) of inspection:
February 2026
Aim of inspection
The aim of this intervention is to inspect against compliance with the requirements of:
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRFSO).
Licence Conditions (LC): 23, 24, 27 and 28
This intervention focuses on matters relating to life and nuclear fire safety within HLWP and HALES.
The purpose of this intervention is to gain assurance that Sellafield Limited are meeting their responsibilities as the Responsible Person by the legislation referenced above. It is also to gain assurance that this specific facility's fire safety management and system arrangements are adequately implemented, effective and integrated to ensure the required application of the general fire precautions.
Subject(s) of inspection
- LC23 - Operating rules - Rating: GREEN
- LC24 - Operating instructions - Rating: GREEN
- LC27 - Safety mechanisms, devices and circuits - Rating: GREEN
- 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 inspection was undertaken on 10th and 11th February 2026. The inspection team comprised of the HLWP/HALES site inspector, two internal hazards specialist inspectors and one life fire specialist inspector. The inspection targeted compliance against Licence Conditions (LCs) 23 (Operating rules), 24 (Operating instructions), 27 (Safety mechanism, devices and circuits) and 28 (Examination, inspection, maintenance and testing), specifically in relation to nuclear fire safety, and compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, at HLWP and HALES facilities.
The inspection involved a planning phase and a site visit, which included a facilities walkdown, discussions with relevant Sellafield Limited personnel, review of records, and sampling of information contained within electronic databases and other documentation.
From a mixture of sampling records, discussions with Sellafield Limited personnel and a plant visit, I concluded the following:
Although some minor anomalies were identified, we were satisfied that structures, systems and components (SSCs) delivering the nuclear fire safety functions had been identified in the safety case. No significant matters were identified that required immediate regulatory attention.
For LC 23, I was satisfied that structures, systems and components (SSCs) delivering the nuclear fire safety functions were identified in the safety case.
For LC 24, I was satisfied that Sellafield Limited has suitable operating instructions in place and that these are managed appropriately.
For LC 27, I was satisfied that key Safety Mechanisms, Devices and Circuits (SMDCs) specifically relating to nuclear fire safety have been identified in the nuclear fire safety assessments and these appeared to be in good working order.
For LC 28, I was satisfied that examination, inspection, maintenance and testing was being undertaken in an appropriate and timely manner.
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO) The purpose of this inspection was to enable inspection of the duty holder's arrangements within the HLWP and HALES areas regarding the legislative requirements of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
For the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, I was satisfied that Sellafield Limited arrangements for HLWP / HALES complies with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
Conclusion
On the basis of the evidence sampled at the time of the inspection, I found that Sellafield Limited’s existing arrangements made under the inspected LCs (LC 23, LC 24, LC 27 and LC 28) are adequate from the perspective of controlling fire hazards relevant to the HLWP and HALES facility and on this basis I award a GREEN rating (i.e. no formal action).
Overall, I found that Sellafield Limited’s existing arrangements made under the inspected provisions relevant to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 are adequate from the perspective of Life Fire Safety management and on this basis I award a GREEN rating (i.e. no formal action).
I particularly note the Sellafield Limited’s pragmatic and proportionate approach to delivering a fit for purpose plan to address identified shortfalls which include but are not limited to upgrading Line 1 and 2 fire panels, management of failing assets in B355 and providing mitigation for areas with poor fire detection and obsolescence issues. I encouraged the licensee to take this through to completion.