MTA-RP-003

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Administrative Items
Date	12/15/2020
Functional Area Where Benefits Will Be Realized	Radiation Protection Maintenance Operations
Reference Implementation Guidance	Implementation Guideline for Wireless Networks and Wireless Equipment Condition Monitoring (EPRI 1019186)
Industry SME	EPRI – Chemistry and Radiation Safety Contact: NuclearPlantMod@epri.com
Previous Implementation	Different wearable communication solutions have been implemented at several nuclear plants. Contact EPRI for specific implementation examples and utility SME contact information.
Implementation Enablers	Some advanced communications systems require site‑wide data transmission network, such as: MTA-MA-003 - Implement Wireless Network Infrastructure Using a Distributed Antenna System (DAS) MTA-MA-004 – Implement a Wireless Network Infrastructure Using WiFi
Applicability	All reactor types All geographic regions
Keywords	Communication; Wearables; Industrial Safety; Radiological Risk; Dose
Business Case Analysis Cross-Reference	N/A

Description

Effective communication is key for both efficiency and safety of plant personnel. Nuclear power plants typically use some combination of communication solutions to manage many workers during both refueling outages and day‑to‑day operations. Wide‑scale implementation of wearable communication systems allows for quick, hands‑free communication of controls or instructions to groups or individuals within the network. This can be a viable solution for social distancing requirements. Additionally, communication devices can be used to deploy nearby resources promptly in order to address emerging activities with greater efficiency.

The device can be worn as a lanyard or attached to typical security card holders. It operates at a low power, with minimal interference with other plant equipment. These devices will work in all plant spaces as long as wireless network access point requirements are met. Devices can also be operated with a headset underneath noise protection to add clarity in noisy environments. Some systems allow personnel to utilize voice recognition capabilities, removing the need for handling a communication device or needing to know the specific name or number of the intended recipient. Some devices are also capable of pairing to a dosimeter, allowing for dose to be indicated out loud as necessary. Furthermore, radiation protection can use the communication system to alert staff of changes to radiological conditions in real‑time. Note that vendor solutions vary in features, cost, and access point requirements.

Benefits

Benefits Estimate

Level 1 – Savings are typically less than $1 million through savings in dose and labor costs. These savings can increase if critical path times or outage labor is reduced.

Benefits Description

• Reduction of labor hours through the increased efficiency in communication.
• Decreased dose and radiological risk by allowing radiation protection staff to communicate radiological conditions in real‑time. Some devices are able to pair with a dosimeter, further enhancing this effect.
• Improved industrial safety with ease of communication and emergency reporting features to quickly report high‑risk conditions.
• Increased communication distance between plant personnel allows for social‑distancing guidelines to be satisfied.

Costs and Schedule

Cost

Level 3 – Implementation cost is typically less than $1 million.

Schedule

Less than six months. Installation of access points can take approximately three months when extending existing Wi‑Fi infrastructure services. Deployment of access points inside areas under configuration management and when existing Wi‑Fi services cannot be extended will require additional time and investment. Time can vary depending on whether access point installations are permanent or temporary.

Scope Context

Per nuclear plant.

Risks

Standard cybersecurity risks are incurred if the nuclear plant uses site‑wide data transmission (e.g., Wi‑Fi) with the selected communication system. This risk can be mitigated by following cybersecurity guidance (see reference implementation guidance).

Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) can be a concern to nearby equipment, but can be addressed by an engineering assessment that provides guidance on properly locating fixed access points and establishing exclusion zones that minimize emissions risks associated with portable Wi‑Fi devices. The existing industry operating experience suggests the operating configuration of the available technology hasn’t introduced interference with telemetry or other communication systems.

SWEEP Score

Category	Level	Description
Cost	3	Implementation and installation of an advanced communication system should be limited to $1 million or less.
Savings	1	Savings achieved through the reduction of rem and labor costs are generally expected to be less than $1 million, but can increase if critical path time or outage labor is reduced.
Payback	3	Based upon estimated cost and savings information, the payback period would typically be within a year of implementation.
Licensing Readiness	3	This technology has already been implemented at nuclear power plants.
Technology Readiness	3	The technology is commercially available and has already been used at multiple nuclear plants.
Implementation Proficiency	3	The implementation of this technology can range between levels of complexity, with only some solutions requiring a site‑wide data transmission network and IT support.