Assuring and maintaining the survivability of the safety-related systems at Darlington nuclear generating station A

This paper presents the Environmental Qualification Program developed for the CANDU 4X881MW(e) Darlington Nuclear Generating Station. This program, which affects Design, Operations, and Construction, is designed to provide the required assurance that all safety-related components will meet their intended performance requirements at the end of their design life under the postulated design basis accident conditions. The Environmental Qualification requirements are in accordance with those outlined in the Darlington Nuclear Safety Guide. The EQP addresses the effects of aging, on the performance of safety-related components under normal, abnormal, and design basis accident conditions. In addition, it provides to Operations the essential inputs needed to maintain the qualification status of the safety-related equipment throughout the station life. The incorporation of the inputs provided by the EQP into the normal plant maintenance practices along with the plant's surveillance and monitoring program provide a basis for life extension of the affected components