Proposal for Safety Classification of SSC for Land-Based Facilities to Support Nuclear-Powered Submarines

Abstract

The design of land facilities to support nuclear-powered submarines involves complex regulatory challenges due to the unique combination of nuclear, military, and naval aspects. The focus of this paper is the proposal for the safety classification of SSC in these facilities, described as "non-conventional". These SSC are initially designed for maritime/naval operations but due to their structural or functional interface with nuclear aspects of the supported submarines, require a more thorough evaluation to define their significance for safety and the need for additional requirements. The proposal evaluates specific conditions of joint operation between the land support SSCs and the submarine's inherent SSCs, based on American Nuclear Society (ANS) standards, to establish a simplified scheme for the preliminary safety classification of non-conventional SSCs. This analysis emphasizes the importance of considering additional requirements to preserve structural integrity and ensure the safety of these facilities. Overall, the proposed safety classification scheme aims to provide guidance for the design and licensing of land facilities that support nuclear-powered submarines. As a result, a safety classification proposal is presented for the following SSCs (non-conventional for a nuclear facility): quays, pontoons, fenders, crane, dry dock, dry dock gate (caisson), keel blocks, dry dock drainage system, electric power system for the submarine (at quay and the dry dock), cooling water system for the submarine (at quay and the dry dock), and Additional containment (to access the reactor section).