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Frequently Asked Questions About Emergency Action Level Development

These FAQ are a compilation of commonly asked questions and answers related to EAL guidance. The NRC and industry review FAQ and work to achieve a consensus view during periodic public meetings. If the stakeholders do not reach alignment on an issue, the NRC makes the final decision and approval determination. The approved FAQ should be used in clarifying current guidance for EAL development.

On this page:

The determination of the areas of concern and the appropriate radiation level to trigger this EAL is difficult to determine using the guidance provided in NEI 99-01. What is the expectation for licensee response to this EAL? (NESP-007) (AA3.2)
Does a licensee need to have this EAL if they do not have a Tech Spec value for coolant activity that is applicable in Cold S/D or Refuel Operating Modes? (NEI 99-01) (CU5.2)
Are licensees required to implement this EAL related to transportation of a contaminated injured person to an offsite hospital? (NUREG-0654/APP. A) (U.16)

Index to All Frequently Asked Questions Pages

The determination of the areas of concern and the appropriate radiation level to trigger this EAL is difficult to determine using the guidance provided in NEI 99-01. What is the expectation for licensee response to this EAL? (NESP-007) (AA3.2)

This EAL has two components: determine the area(s) of concern and then determine the radiation level that would significantly impede normal access to these area(s).

An acceptable method for determining the criteria for this EAL is as follows:

Issue 1: Areas: A licensee must review their emergency operating procedures (EOPs), abnormal operating procedures (AOPs), and normal operating procedures to determine what areas they are required to access for normal plant operations and normal shutdown. They must also review their Appendix R for areas that need to be entered normally to support Appendix R needs.

Issue 2: Rad Levels: A licensee must determine the appropriate value that would cause a significant delay, or impediment, in accessing the given area. This value may be the either of the following, whichever is higher:

a licensee's admin limit for the year, obtained in 1 hour, or
a licensee's admin limit for entry into a high radiation environment that causes significant delays due to briefings, establishment of special RWPs, requiring special surveys to be conducted by health physics staff, etc., as applicable to the site.

Does a licensee need to have this EAL if they do not have a Tech Spec value for coolant activity that is applicable in Cold S/D or Refuel Operating Modes? (NEI 99-01) (CU5.2)

No. If a licensee can show that they do not have an applicable Tech Spec value in these Operating Modes, then they do not need to address CU5.2. Note: This is not an excuse to not address CU5.1.

Are licensees required to implement this EAL related to transportation of a contaminated injured person to an offsite hospital? (NUREG-0654/APP. A) (U.16)

Yes, unless the licensee seeks approval for a deviation to NUREG-0654 or performs an upgrade to NEI 99-01 EALs. The NEI 99-01 EALs do not have this specific EAL.