Information Notice No. 84-07: Design-Basis Threat and Review of Vehicular Access Controls

                                                           SSINS No.:  6835 
                                                           IN 84-07        

                               UNITED STATES 
                       NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION 
                    OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT 
                           WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555 
                                     
                              February 3, 1984 

Information Notice No. 84-07:   DESIGN-BASIS THREAT AND REVIEW OF 
                                   VEHICULAR ACCESS CONTROLS 

Addressees: 

All nuclear power reactor facilities holding an operating license (OL) or 
construction permit (CP), and certain fuel fabrication and processing 
facilities using or possessing a formula quantity of special nuclear 
material. 

Purpose: 

This information notice is provided to inform addressees of NRC concerns 
regarding potential use of vehicle bombs by terrorists against nuclear 
activities or facilities, and of actions NRC is taking and considering as a 
result of these concerns. It is expected that licensees will review this 
information for applicability to their activities. No specific action or 
response is required at this time. 

Description of Circumstances: 

Recent publicized events indicate that U.S. installations in overseas areas 
have become the target of terrorist groups using vehicle bombs. The 
Executive Branch recently announced that security precautions at certain 
government facilities in this country have been upgraded as a matter of 
prudence. Also, as a matter of prudence, the NRC is considering revision to 
the design-basis threat defined in 10 CFR 73.1. 

Discussion: 

Licensees are not required by 10 CFR 73 to protect against vehicle bombs, 
however, it would appear appropriate for addressees to review their 
vehicular access control equipment and procedures at this time. It would 
also be prudent for addressees to examine their contingency plans and the 
tactical measures to be employed by members of the security organization to 
impede penetration of protected areas by unauthorized vehicles. In the 
meantime, NRC has initiated a task to estimate the consequences of vehicular 
attacks at nuclear facilities and to identify cost effective measures to 
protect against such tactics. 



8401190016  
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                                                         IN 83-07          
                                                         February 3, 1984  
                                                         Page 2 of 2       

If you need additional information about this matter, please contact the 
Regional Administrator of the appropriate NRC Regional Office or the 
Division of Safeguards, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards. 


                                   Edward L. Jordan, Director 
                                   Division of Emergency Preparedness 
                                     and Engineering Response 
                                   Office of Inspection and Enforcement 

Technical Contacts: Donald J. Kasun, NMSS 
                    (301) 427-4383 

                    Loren L. Bush, Jr, IE 
                    (301) 492-8080 

Attachment: 
List of Recently Issued IE Information Notices