Aging research impact on component and system reliability and maintenance in nuclear power plants

A program of aging research on safety-related components and systems in nuclear power plants is being conducted by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research. Data on the performance and failure of existing components and systems in nuclear power plants, current maintenance practices, and surveillance and monitoring techniques is being collected and evaluated to determine what effect aging could have on plant operation, reliability and maintenance. The results of these studies are being used also in the resolution of NRC generic safety issues, the development of an NRC rule for future plant license extension beyond 40 years and a maintenance rule