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Fire Protection Program for Operating Reactors (NUREG/BR-0522, Initial Release)

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Publication Information

Date Published: August 2014

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Washington, DC 20555-0001

Overview

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) requires every U.S. nuclear power plant to reduce the chances of a fire and be able to safely handle the consequences of any fires that might occur. Each plant owner, or licensee, must maintain a robust fire protection program and ensure the reactor can shut down safely in the event of a fire. The NRC uses operational experience and information about fires in making regulatory decisions about U.S. commercial nuclear power plants. Only the March 1975 fire at the Browns Ferry plant near Decatur, AL., has affected the safe operation of a U.S. reactor. Even in that case, plant personnel were able to safely shut down the Browns Ferry reactors.

Page Last Reviewed/Updated Monday, December 19, 2022