CSA N290.12-14 (R2019)

This is the first edition of CSA N290.12, Human factors in design for nuclear power plants.

The CSA N-Series of Standards provide an interlinked set of requirements for the management of nuclear facilities and activities. The CSA N286 Standard provides overall direction to management to develop and implement sound management practices and controls, while the other CSA nuclear Standards provide technical requirements and guidance that support the management system. This Standard works in harmony with CSA N286 and does not duplicate the generic requirements of CSA N286; however, it may provide more specific direction for those requirements.

This Standard reflects the operating experience of the Canadian nuclear power industry.

Users of this Standard are reminded that the design, manufacture, construction, commissioning, operation, and decommissioning of nuclear facilities in Canada are subject to the provisions of the Nuclear Safety and Control Act and its supporting Regulations.

Introduction

0.1

Human factors (HF) in design applies to nuclear safety, protection of the environment, health and safety of persons, security, productivity, and economics.

0.2

The goal of HF in design is to apply theory, principles, data, and other methods to the design of structures, systems, and components (SSCs) to optimize human and system performance.

0.3

HF in design is an integrated, systematic approach that considers the human as an integral part of the overall system.

0.4

HF in design applies to the entire system design, including human-systems interfaces (HSIs).

Note: Examples include the design of plant layouts, control areas, panels, annunciation, communication systems, displays, and field equipment.

0.5

HF in design extends beyond nuclear systems of nuclear power plants (NPPs).

Note: Examples include balance of plant, fuel handling, engineered tooling, waste management systems, offsite emergency centre, and emergency equipment.

0.6

HF in design can influence procedures, training, safety analysis, and staffing considerations.

Scope:

1.1

This Standard covers HF in design for existing and new NPPs.

Notes:

1) This Standard applies to new designs or modifications, large and small, temporary and permanent, to internally and externally engineered solutions, and to commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) products.

2) This Standard may provide guidance for nuclear facilities other than NPPs, using a graded approach.

1.2

This Standard covers HF in design activities related to construction, commissioning, operation, maintenance, inspection, testing, and decommissioning.

1.3

This Standard applies to HF in design for the following plant states:

a) normal operation;

b) anticipated operational occurrences (AOOs);

c) design basis accidents (DBAs); and

d) design extension conditions (DECs) as a subset of beyond design basis accidents (BDBAs).

1.4

In this Standard, “shall” is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the standard; “should” is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and “may” is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the Standard. Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material. Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements. Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (non-mandatory) to define their application.