Introduction - std60030023

DOE-STD-6003-96

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Purpose

This document provides guidance for the implementation of the requirements identified

in DOE-STD-6002-96, Safety of Magnetic Fusion Facilities: Requirements. This guidance is

intended for the managers, designers, operators, and other personnel with safety responsibili-

ties for facilities designated as magnetic fusion facilities. While the requirements in DOE-STD-

6002-96 are generally applicable to a wide range of fusion facilities, this Standard, DOE-STD-

6003-96, is concerned mainly with the implementation of those requirements in large facilities

such as the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). Using a risk-based

prioritization, the concepts presented here may also be applied to other magnetic fusion

facilities. This Standard is oriented toward regulation in the Department of Energy (DOE)

environment as opposed to regulation by other regulatory agencies. As the need for guidance

involving other types of fusion facilities or other regulatory environments emerges, additional

guidance volumes should be prepared. The concepts, processes, and recommendations set

forth here are for guidance only. They will contribute to safety at magnetic fusion facilities.

1. 2 Background

When the development of fusion facilities began changing from comparatively small-scale

experiments in physics to large facilities with megawatt-power levels and significant activation

concerns, a need to develop safety requirements and associated guidance for fusion became

apparent. Fusion systems are sufficiently different from other nuclear facilities that the require-

ments and regulations governing existing nuclear facilities are not fully appropriate for the regu-

lation of magnetic fusion facilities.

Efforts were begun to develop a group of documents that would be appropriate for safety

regulation in magnetic fusion facilities. The documents that resulted from that process consist

of a requirements document, DOE-STD-6002-96, Safety of Magnetic Fusion Facilities: Require-

ments, which attempts to assemble in one place those requirements needed for safety, and this

guidance document, which sets forth information that will assist fusion developers in meeting

those requirements.

The intent in this guidance document is to provide a fairly complete, though not exhaus-

tive, set of instructions that if followed will contribute to the achievement of safety. There has

been a conscious effort to include either directly or by reference those items that are germane

to safety so that the manager, designer, or operator will be able to clearly identify actions that

should be taken to meet the requirements using risk-based prioritization.

The guidance provided here represents the collective wisdom of a broad and diverse

group with experience in nuclear facility safety as well as with fusion. The concepts presented

are included not only because they have been applied successfully to other kinds of facilities,

but because they were deemed to make sense for fusion.