Evaluation procedure for simulation facilities certified under 10 CFR 55: Draft report

This document describes the procedure to be followed by the NRC for the inspection of simulation facilities certified by facility licensees under 10 CFR 55. Inspections are divided into four major areas based on the types of evaluations conducted: (1) performance testing; (2) physical fidelity/human factors; (3) control capabilities; and (4) design, updating, modification, and testing. NRC staff representing several disciplines including license examiners, operations specialists, and human factors experts, under the direction of a team leader, will perform these inspections. A simulation facility inspection may include off-site and on-site phases. The off-site phase will consist of an examination of the simulation facility documentation and an identification of those operations and procedures which may be considered for use in performance testing during the on-site phase. In the on-site review, the staff will work closely with the facility licensee to conduct a sound and fair inspection and to evaluate the results of tests that are conducted. Inspection findings will be based upon the staff's judgment of the simulation facility's compliance with 10 CFR 55.45. Findings may range from one of ''no adverse impact on the conduct of operating tests'' through degrees of ''adverse impact requiring correction'' to ''adverse impacts so seriousmore » that the simulation facility may not be used in the conduct of operating tests until the discrepancies are corrected and the simulation facility is recertified to the NRC.''« less