Executive summary
Date(s) of inspection
- July 2026
Aim of inspection
The inspection aimed to ensure that Sellafield Ltd is meeting its obligations under the Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order (RR(FS)O) and is complying with its own arrangements for fire strategy implementation.
This was identified as a required area of focus in amber rated inspection IR-52828 Encapsulation Plants Fire Safety (including life fire safety and nuclear fire) which was further reinforced by Sellafield Ltd.'s Management Investigation BN2406A0636 Gaps in the Fire Protection Arrangements in Encapsulation Plants (2024/42987, ONRW-932509302-27544). This was also identified as an Area for Improvement in the ENSREG TPR2 action plan and will serve as a key tool to collect evidence for the ongoing UK contribution to this activity.
Sellafield Ltd. committed to improving its fire strategy process and this inspection tested implementation of the improved process as part of ensuring systemic and sustained improvement in fire safety.
Subject(s) of inspection
- Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 - Rating: GREEN
Key findings, inspector's opinions and reasons for judgement made
The inspection was carried out on 7 July 2026 and was undertaken by a specialist fire safety inspector and an internal hazards inspector. The inspection was carried out through discussion supported by relevant documentation submitted by Sellafield Ltd., with claims, arguments and evidence, clarified and evaluated through supplementary enquiries. In broad terms, the inspection explored Sellafield Ltd.'s response and arrangements following an amber rated inspection (IR-52828 Encapsulation Plants Fire Safety (including life fire safety and nuclear fire)) and management investigation (2024/42987, ONRW-932509302-27544) into Fire Safety Strategies (FSS).
Topic Areas evaluated were:
- SL Fire Strategies Guidance Note
- Fire Strategy Programme
- Integrated Gap Analysis
- Action Tracking
The inspection centred on the system of work, associated controls and quality assurance measures.
Although there have been programme delays associated with the work being undertaken, these are primarily due to process adjustments made whilst establishing a sustainable and effective system of work. Based on the discussion and evidenced sampled, I judge that Sellafield Ltd.'s revised arrangements for the identification, prioritisation, compilation and quality assurance of FSS are adequate and therefore I rate this inspection GREEN.
Conclusion
In response to IR-52828 Encapsulation Plants Fire Safety (including life fire safety and nuclear fire) and Management Investigation BN2406A0636 Gaps in the Fire Protection Arrangements in Encapsulation Plants (2024/42987, ONRW-932509302-27544), Sellafield Ltd. have made significant progress in developing an effective process for fire safety strategies (FSS), incorporating nuclear and life fire safety aspects, achieving an holistic approach and closing the information gap created by the removal of conventional/life fire safety from nuclear safety cases.
SL have developed a coherent process with the necessary controls and quality assurance measures, however the process adjustments made in development have led to a delay in the initial FSS programme. This is balanced against ensuring an effective system of work is in place.
I judge, based on the evidence provided to date, Sellafield Ltd.'s arrangements for the identification, prioritisation, compilation and quality assurance of FSS are adequate and I rate this inspection as GREEN. As no completed FSS were available for this inspection no opinion of the suitability of the contents aligning with RGP can be made, neither were identified actions available to demonstrate the efficacy of the intended action tracking and remediation elements. Further follow up to sample FSS outcomes and associated remedial measures during planned nuclear and life fire safety inspection activity in relevant SL facilities will be undertaken.