RESOLUTION OF ALARMS FOR LOSS OF BULK NUCLEAR MATERIAL

Under methods of material accountability considered in the NRC's Reform Amendment (Federal Register, 46(175):45144-45151 dated September 10, 1981) prompt detection of losses and resolution of alarms play a central role in the day-to-day activities of the Material Control and Accounting (MC&A) System. This paper will discuss the two basic pathways of alarm resolution, namely, verification of the magnitude of the loss indicated by the initial alarm, and detection of deliberate or accidental accounting discrepancies. Progress along these pathways leads to a consensus that either 1) a loss occurred, 2) the original alarm was caused by HC&A error, or 3) the cause of the original alarm is uncertain. Three phases of response will be outlined and an example of response to alarms will be given for a mixed oxide powder processing control unit.