REGULATORY INSPECTION PROGRAMME FOR NIRR-1

BY IDONGESIT ODUNG

NIGERIAN NUCLEAR REGULATORY AUTHORITY. NIGERIA

IAEA WORKSOP ON REGULATORY INSPECTION PROGRAMMES FOR RESEARCH REACTORS 28 SEPTEMBER- 2OCTOBER 2014,

CAIRO, EGYPT

OUTLINE INTRODUCTION NIRR-1 REGULATORY REQUIREMENT REGULATORY OVERSIGHT AUTHORIZATION ENFORCEMENT CONCLUDING REMARK

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INTRODUCTION: Roles and Function of NNRA

The NNRA was established by the Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Act of 1995 with the responsibilities for nuclear safety and radiological protection regulation in Nigeria.

The roles and function of NNRA include amongst others;

Regulating the possession and application of radioactive substances and devices emitting ionizing radiation

Licensing operators of practices under category III in section 29 of it’s Act

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INTRODUCTION:ROLES AND FUNCTION OF NNRA

Protecting the health of all users, handlers and the public from the harmful effect of ionizing radiation

Providing training, information and guidance on nuclear safety and radiation protection

Establishing appropriate register for each category of sources or practices involving ionizing radiation

Review and approve safety standards and documentation

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INTRODUCTION:ROLES AND FUNCTION OF NNRA CONT’D

Regulating the safe promotion of nuclear research and development and the application of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes

Ensure protection of life, health, property and the environment from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation while allowing beneficial practices involving exposure to ionizing radiation

Perform all necessary functions to enable Nigeria meet its national and international safeguards and safety obligations in the application of nuclear energy and ionizing radiation

Liaise with and foster co-operation with international organizations or bodies

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Regulations, Guidance and other Documentations

Regulations I. Nigerian Basic Ionizing Radiation Regulations 2003 (NiBIRR 2003) II. Regulations on the safety of research Reactors (draft). Guidance Documents i. Guidance for Licensing of Nuclear Research Reactor in Nigeria ii. Guidance for Training and Qualification of Reactor Operators.

NNRA Internal Procedures: I. NNRA Inspection Manual for research reactor II. NNRA Guidance on System of Notification, Authorization and Inspection III. NNRA Inspection Manual: Announced and Unannounced IV. NNRA Inspection Notification V. NNRA Inspection Report VI. NNRA Code of Conduct for Inspectors

NIRR-1 PARAMETERS FOR NAA

NIRR-1 is 8th commercial MNSR Licensed for operation June 01, 2004 Suitable flux for NAA is 7x1010 – 1x1012

n/cm2.s Reactor flux stabilizes 15 min after start-up Max. Temp., inner site is 55 °C, thus

suitable for liquid & biological samples

NIRR-1 - DESIGN PARAMETERS

Type: Miniature Neutron Source Reactor (Tank in Pool)

No. of fuel rods installed: 347 No of extra fuel rods: 3 Number of Control Rod: 1 Total U-235: 1 kg. Nominal power: 31 kW Nominal flux: 1.0 × 1012 ncm-2 s-1. Uses NAA, Training/Teaching,

Research and limited Isotope Production

NIRR-1 - DESIGN PARAMETERS

Moderator : Light Water Coolant: Light Water Reflector Metallic Beryllium Control Rod Material: Cadmium Fuel Type: Uranium - Aluminum Alloy Enrichment: Greater 90% (HEU) Neutron Irrad. Channels: 5 inner, 5 outer 6 Irradiation Channels connected for NAA (4 inner, 2

outer)

REACTOR HALL

3 April 2017

3 April 2017 Induction Course for newly Recruited Staff

Legal Basis for Inspection in Nigeria

Section 37 of the NNRA act empowers the Authority to appoint inspectors to inspect practices and installation licensed or proposed to be licensed by it and , an inspector shall submit a report of his inspection or investigation

This inspection shall verify compliance of

the licensee

Types of Inspection Announced(Licensee/Operator

informed at least a week in advance) Unannounced( this is carried out

without any formal arrangement with Licensee

These inspections can be: Compliance, Investigative, Audit and pre- authorization, Preshipment and Decommissioning

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Inspection frequency

High Risk Facilities eg Research reactor (Inspected Quarterly)

Medium – low Risk Facilities eg Xray

Machines (Inspected Every two Years)

Objectives of inspection

To ensure that the operator comply with the conditions set out in legislation, regulations and the conditions set for authorization. To ensure that facilities, equipment and work performance meet relevant regulatory requirements and standards; To ensure that deficiencies and deviations are identified and corrected without undue delay. Any lessons learned are identified and propagated to relevant stakeholders.

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Selection of the Inspection Team

Briefing of the Inspection Team Pre-inspection information gathering Inspection Notification: Prior to the inspection, except for unannounced inspections, the Head of the operating organization is notified at least a week prior to the inspection.

Preparation for an Inspection

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CONDUCT OF INSPECTION

Entrance Briefing The leader informs head of facility about purpose and scope of the inspection Tour of Facility. Brief tour of facility is taken to become familiar with general layout Inspection Protocol (Facility Based). Examination and Assessment of Documentation Walk-through of the facility Observation of Operational Activities and Discussions with Facility Personnel Exit Briefing Leader of inspection team informs management of the facility of observations and any notable deficiences.

CONDUCT OF INSPECTION CONT’D

Note is taken of management responses to these observations. Transaction at this meeting forms part of report and a concordance is signed by both parties INSPECTION REPORTING (Five days after inspection). The inspection report must include administrative information(licensee’s address, license number, RSO, inspection coverage, bases of inspection, dates and name of inspectors)and the methods used are described briefly; findings of deficiencies or violations as compared with regulatory requirements affecting radiation protections and safety. Requirement for corrective action with deadlines are given. 18

INSPECTION AREAS Control Console Power indicator & neutron flux indicator Reactor Water and Pool Water level indicators Control rod position Dose rate indicator for: Top of the reactor Reactor hall Water purification room Rabbit Room

INSPECTION AREAS CONT, Micro Computer System Reactor water and pool water pH and conductivity Comparison of neutron flux, gamma doses with values on the

control console

Water Chemistry Water purification: pH, conductivity, Cl-, Pb2+, Cu2+, Al3+ levels

before and after water purification Radionuclide activities in water before and after water purification Feed water production: pH, conductivity Ventilation Gas purging: duration and monitoring releases (such as Ar-41)

INSPECTION AREAS CONT, Radiation Monitoring/Equipment Measurement of radiation dose (gamma and neutron) before and

during operation and at shut down at: - reactor control room - reactor hall - top of reactor - water purification roomatiroo - gas purge room - counting room - rabbit room - inside the fume hood - waste tank - outside reactor building

INSPECTION AREAS CONT, Rabbit Room Presence of cadmium rabbits or capsules in the rabbit

room

Surveillance Requirement Control of human activities and monitoring with CCTV Public address system Contamination Monitoring: use of hand and foot monitor

Fire Protection Fire extinguishers Fire fighting vehicles Fire detection equipment, alarms

INSPECTION AREAS CONT, Record Keeping • Reactor operation log book • Maintenance , inspection and testing log books • Pre-start up checklist • Shut down checklist • Water purification record • Emergency drills record • Records of minutes of meeting of reactor safety committee • Irradiation records – request, acceptance • Record of clearance and movement of irradiated samples • Radiation monitoring • Personnel monitoring • Environmental monitoring, effluents surveillance • Documentation on training and re-training

INSPECTION AREAS CONT, Housekeeping • Factors that could divert the attention of the Operators • Management of irradiated samples

Quality Assurance • Identification of QA Coordinator • Result of internal (self) review and audit of safety aspect of

facility operations • List of equipment maintained and calibrated

ENFORCEMENT

Appropriate enforcement actions are carried out if there is evidence of non-compliance with the regulatory requirements or any condition upon which authorization was given.

A facility may be suspended or limitations of operations can be applied in case of serious violations

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CONCLUDING REMARK

Nigeria has only one research reactor and quarterly compliance inspections are carried out to ascertain the level of compliance with the Act, Regulations and Terms and Conditions of the Licensee.

Inspection findings and reports are reviewed periodically in order to identify the non-compliance and common safety issues

THANK YOU

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