The training of utility engineers for nuclear plant seismic evaluation for USI A-46 and seismic IPEEE

In response to Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Unresolved Safety Issue (USI) A-46, ''Seismic Qualification of Equipment in Operating Nuclear Plants,'' the Seismic Qualification Utility Group (SQUG), with the support of the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), has developed procedures, criteria, and data to apply actual experience on the performance of equipment during earthquakes and shake table tests to the verification of seismic adequacy of similar equipment in nuclear power plants. The procedure developed by SQUG requires that the individuals who will utilize the SQUG earthquake and shake table test experience data complete a SQUG-approved training program on seismic evaluation of nuclear power plant equipment. Therefore, SQUG developed a training program to meet this requirement. In addition, through collaboration between SQUG, EPRI and NUMARC, an add-on course was developed and implemented to address the seismic portion of GL 88-20, Supplement 4, ''Individual Plant Examination, External Events (IPEEE).'' The NRC does not require, but does highly recommend integration and coordination of the similar A-46 and seismic IPEEE programs at A-46 plants; thus the training programs were integrated. The purpose of this paper is to describe the development, implementation, and current status of the training program developed as part of the response to USI A-46 and GL 88-20