Root Cause Analysis of Failure of Electromechanical Locks on Doors in Nuclear Installations
Raukko, Yani (2023)
Raukko, Yani
2023
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2023073124641
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2023073124641
Tiivistelmä
The safe operation of nuclear power plants is vital to the survival of the nuclear power industry. The safety approach taken by nuclear installations ensures that their activities do not cause harm to employees, the public, or the environment.
Physical protection through locked doors is an integral part of the overall security and safety architecture of a nuclear installation. Failing locks can make an emergency worse by preventing ingress or egress at a time when access is crucial and time sensitive.
After continuous reports of failed locks, an investigation was launched with the objectives of ascertaining the various failure modes, establishing failure mode trends, and identifying the causal and fundamental factors contributing to these failures. To achieve these objectives, a Root Cause Investigation and Analysis was conducted.
The results obtained from this investigation and subsequent analysis strongly suggest that the environmental conditions where the locks operate, as well as human factors contribute significantly to lock malfunctions and failure. The specifics of these findings as well as recommendations, are given in this report.
Physical protection through locked doors is an integral part of the overall security and safety architecture of a nuclear installation. Failing locks can make an emergency worse by preventing ingress or egress at a time when access is crucial and time sensitive.
After continuous reports of failed locks, an investigation was launched with the objectives of ascertaining the various failure modes, establishing failure mode trends, and identifying the causal and fundamental factors contributing to these failures. To achieve these objectives, a Root Cause Investigation and Analysis was conducted.
The results obtained from this investigation and subsequent analysis strongly suggest that the environmental conditions where the locks operate, as well as human factors contribute significantly to lock malfunctions and failure. The specifics of these findings as well as recommendations, are given in this report.