Managing deviations from the Design Target with the Safety Case IAEA GEOSAF II Plenary 2014

Content Walk through of the safety case loop diagram Role of safety case during construction and operation Prerequisites for high quality operations (build and Operate) Role of monitoring, QA/QC and qualification procedures Assessment of deviations Examples Updating the Safety Case

Disposal facility life cycle At the time of disposal facility operational period the safety case has passed stepwise process on development (concept, siting, preliminary design,...) After authorization the disposal facility will in many case be operated for several decades. The facility is also likely to be extended in several stages with concurrent activities (excavation, waste emplacement, partial closure) The continuous use of Safety Case and demonstrations that performed activities comply with safety envelope is fundamental for success.

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Role of the Safety Case Discussed in earlier presentations For disposal facility the important aspects of safety case is that it integrates operational and post-closure safety Safety case should define requirements that construction and operation shall fulfill (fulfilled as-built initial state “assures” assessed long-term safety) These requirements define safety envelope which again gives provisions for design target.

Prerequisites for high quality operations Integrated management system – Systematic process for development and management of requirements – Comprehensive project management procedures – Design specifications and plans that construction and operation must follow – Procedures for constructions and operation activities – Monitoring of safety related key parameters – Demonstration of compliance within design target (DT) Discussed for example in IAEA GS-R-3 and Safety Guide GS-G-3.4

Monitoring and demonstration of compliance Discussed in earlier presentation Monitoring is discussed for example in IAEA draft Safety guide (DS357) Management system should include detailed procedures for demonstration compliance with design target Monitoring should focus on parameters that are important for safety and also observable in real disposal facility Monitoring and QA/QC procedures are a tool for verifying that as-built state is acceptable Examples – Tolerances of disposal rooms – Waste package testing – Waste acceptance verification – Monitoring of favorable site properties – … In compliance?

In case of deviation from DT (1) Most likely deviations are found during construction and operation – if not, the management system is not working properly Deviations should be addressed through predefined procedures – First step in deviation analysis is to assess it safety significance – Analysis may focus on estimation of large enough safety margin or call for more detailed analysis of the effect – Based on the analysis deviation can be approved, documented and closed or it may require corrective actions or rejection product Deviation management process is discussed in further detail for example in IAEA GS-R-3 (non-conformances and corrective and preventive actions)

In case of deviation from DT (2) Possible, more safety case related, actions for the implementer based on monitoring results or in case of deviation : – Refine construction or operational procedures to reverse a trend that if left unaddressed could cause the parameter eventually to fall outside of the DT (and potentially outside of the SE); – Commission further research to understand the consequences of the deviation. This may have the effect of expanding the DT and consequently bringing the value into compliance; – Review the safety case to determine whether additional safety features can be claimed thereby compensating for the design deviation. An updated safety envelope could be also envisioned at this stage. – In extremis the deviation may be so severe, so far from the SE that the operator will need to consider whether it is still possible to achieve a satisfactory safety case.

Examples from “real life” Exceeding excavation damage zone (EDZ) tolerance – Maximum EDZ is given in tunnel technical specification – Depth of EDZ is examined with ground penetrating radar – Continuous EDZ might have effect on post-closure safety as a potential transport route Possible actions: – In any case assessment of causes for exceeding specification – Approval and documentation of exceeding, if only local – Cutting and plugging of continuous EDZ (engineering solution) – Re-assessment and update of safety case, if continuous EDZ can’t be avoided

Examples from “real life” Exceeding tunnel profile specification – Theoretical tunnel profile is given in tunnel specification and in design drawings – As-built profile is examined with laser scanning and other measurements – Over excavation has an effect on tunnel backfill emplacement and possibly on post-closure performance Possible actions: – In any case assessment of causes for exceeding specification – Approval and documentation of exceeding, if not affecting DT when assessed together with backfill performance – Redesign of tunnel backfill and assessment of performance if needed to meet DT

Examples from “real life” Waste package tested to have too large defects – Waste package specification includes acceptable defect size and type – Larger defect can have an effect on corrosion resistance or mechanical integrity in extreme loading cases (operational and post-closure) – Waste container is a key safety barrier and deviations have always safety implication Possible actions: – More detailed re-evaluation of the defect size using more accurate methods or detailed sizing of defect – rejection of waste container component or welding that does not meet design specification

Examples from “real life” Water inflow to tunnel exceeds maximum limit used in safety case – In crystalline bedrock a key target is to maintain favorable site properties – Large water inflow has an effect on hydrological and geochemical features of the whole site (water table drawdown, up coning of deeper groundwater) Possible actions: – More detailed re-evaluation of the possible change in the site properties – a long-lasting or irreversible change might recall for large re-assessment, change of disposal design or even rejection of site

Updating the Safety Case Safety case should be updated during disposal facility operation A comprehensive update will take place according to national approach, but should be done for example in case of – stepwise facility authorization – other facility modification – periodic safety review – relicensing of facility (if for example required by national legislation) – Before closure of the facility New information from operational period should be integrated into the safety case – Assessment that operation has demonstration that operation (as-built state) has been in compliance with design target and safety envelope – experience (more knowledge from construction, fabrication and emplacement) – Site characterization data – New safety related information (R&D, other facilities, …)

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