Draft Details

1.1 General

This Standard sets forth the general requirements for seismic design and qualification of nuclear power plants (NPPs).

Note: This Standard also provides guidance for preparing a seismic qualification governance document (see Clause 5.3.7).

1.2 Application

This Standard applies to all structures, systems, and components (SSCs) of NPPs requiring seismic qualification based on nuclear safety considerations (see Annex A). This Standard may also be applied to other SSCs, as deemed appropriate by the operating organization or by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) such as the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC).

1.3 Seismic hazard level for NPPs

This Standard was developed for NPPs in regions of low to moderate seismic hazard, comparable to the levels near Canada’s existing NPPs. In regions of higher seismic hazard, the engineering required for reliable design under strong earthquake shaking is more complex, and is beyond the scope of this Standard. Therefore, while the provisions of this Standard can be applied to any NPP site, additional provisions can be required for high seismic hazard sites.

1.4 Application to other nuclear facilities

This Standard may be applied, as appropriate, to nuclear facilities under the jurisdiction of the Nuclear Safety and Control Act.

1.5 Terminology

In this Standard, “shall” is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the standard; “should” is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and “may” is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the standard.

Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material.

Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements.

Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (nonmandatory) to define their application.

1.6  Terminology – “shall consider”

In this Standard, “shall be considered” or “shall consider” means that the user evaluates the impact and documents any decisions.