Systemic approach to the development of risk- informed management of fire situations at nuclear power plants

This paper describes a methodological approach aiming at supporting risk-informed management of fire situations at nuclear power plants. A conceptual framework has been developed for the analysis of the management as a co-operational whole. The development has been made by utilizing interdisciplinary expert group work in co-operation with Loviisa and Olkiluoto plants in Finland. The object of the analysis provided by the framework is the controllability of the fire situations from the co-operation point of view. The interaction of the responsible different parties in the accomplishment of the most important co-operational control tasks of the operational management is conceptualized. The approach takes a systemic view on the management by focusing on the interdependencies at the different parties’ task interfaces. The framework provides a shared frame of reference that facilitates crossing the disciplinary boundaries and enhancing mutual understanding at the plants. The shared understanding of the co-operational factors that deteriorate the controllability of the situation and of the risk impact of these factors lays the basis for the development of risk- informed and integrated procedures and training for the parties.