CHAPTER 10: Updating of SAMG
Updating of SAMG

The need to update the SAMG should be assessed as new information becomes available that may indicate the potential for new accident scenarios, phenomena or challenges to fission product barriers or any other significant effect on accident management that had not been fully considered previously.
The effect of changes to the plant design, the available non-permanent equipment and the operating organization should be evaluated for any impact on the SAMG. A formal process should be developed for making changes when they are deemed necessary.
For any change in plant configuration, the impact on SAMGs as well as on organizational aspects of accident management should be checked. A revision of the documentation should be made if it is found that there is an impact on the procedures and guidelines.
After any revision of background documentation used in the development of the procedures and guidelines, it should be verified whether a revision of the procedures and guidelines is necessary. Such revisions can also be made by the vendor of the generic program.
The SAMGs should also be assessed to determine if an update is required if the PSA that has been used to develop the SAMG has been updated.
Updating may also be done after modifications to the generic SAMG package used as the basis of the plant-specific version (if deemed relevant).
When new information is received that challenges current design assumptions relating to external events, the capability of installed equipment and the severe accident management procedures and guidelines should be evaluated to determine if fundamental safety functions could be compromised. On the basis of this evaluation, measures for updating the SAMG commensurate with the significance of the new information should be identified.
New insights from research on severe accident phenomena and operating experience at the plant and at other plants (including lessons identified from events) should be evaluated on a regular basis, and a judgement should be made by the operating organization as to their potential impact on the SAMG. When a generic SAMG is used, such processing can be done by the vendor of the generic program. Where plant unique SAMG is used this process will need to be managed by the individual utility. Peer review is a useful approach to establish this processing. The exchange of information with operating organizations of other plants should be used as a means of continuously improving the severe accident management guidance.
When modification of the SAMG is deemed appropriate, the operating organization should be responsible for establishing an action plan aimed at prioritizing the activities necessary for implementation of the modifications. The action plan should identify the time frame and the organization in charge of the practical implementation of the modifications.
Any update of the SAMG should include, as appropriate, a revision of background documentation, including the supporting analysis.
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