OP-AA-101-111-1003 — Use of Procedures
Purpose
Administrative procedure governing the proper use of Emergency Operating Procedures (EOPs), including rules of usage for CFST monitoring, functional restoration procedure transitions, and continuous action steps.
Key Actions / Information
Exam — 2020 Q100
EOP-TRIP-1 contains specific transitions to EOP-FRHS-1 (Step 20) and EOP-FRSM-1 BEFORE CFST monitoring begins at Step 30. These are procedure-directed transitions that occur within the body of EOP-TRIP-1 — they are NOT CFST-based functional restoration transitions. Trap: CFST monitoring does not begin until Step 30 of EOP-TRIP-1, but EOP-FRHS-1 and EOP-FRSM-1 have explicit step transitions earlier in TRIP-1. Do not confuse procedure-directed transitions (before Step 30) with CFST-based FRP transitions (after Step 30).
Continuous Action Verbs (Step 4.2.9)
Exam — 2020 Q74
Salem EOPs' Continuous Action Steps are either surrounded by a shaded box or contain one of three continuous action verbs: CONTROL, MAINTAIN, and MONITOR. Trap: ADJUST, MODIFY, and VERIFY are NOT continuous action verbs — they are common distractors.
EOP Usage Rules (Section 4.2.5)
| Rule | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Continuous required actions | Apply as soon as the immediate actions are verified | OP-AA-101-111-1003 |
| CFST monitoring | Directed by EOP-TRIP-1 Step 30; functional restoration transitions apply only after this step | OP-AA-101-111-1003 |
| FRHS-1 and FRSM-1 early transitions | EOP-TRIP-1 Steps 20 and earlier specifically direct these transitions before CFST monitoring begins | EOP-TRIP-1 |
| Continuous action steps during FRPs | Should NOT be performed when a Red or Purple path FRP is in progress (per step 2.16.2) | OP-AA-101-111-1003 |
CFST Monitoring Frequency
Exam — 2018 Q47
With verified Red and Purple CFSTs, OP-AA-101-111-1003 states that the CFSTs should be monitored continuously. If no condition more serious than YELLOW is encountered, CFSTs may be monitored every 10-20 minutes. Trap: 10-20 minutes is for Yellow-only conditions — any Red or Purple CFST requires continuous monitoring.
CSF and FRP Implementation Priority
Exam — 2019 Q46
CSF Hierarchy per OP-AA-101-111-1003 (high to low): SHUTDOWN MARGIN, CORE COOLING, HEAT SINK, THERMAL SHOCK, CONTAINMENT ENVIRONMENT, COOLANT INVENTORY. CFST Color Hierarchy (high to low): Red, Purple, Yellow, Green. When multiple CSFs have challenges, color takes precedence over hierarchy position. A Red path for a lower-priority CSF overrides a Purple path for a higher-priority CSF. Example: Heat Sink Red + Shutdown Margin Purple → address Heat Sink first.
Exam — 2018 Q85
Yellow path FRP implementation: FRCE-3 (Response to High Containment Radiation) is a yellow path procedure and is NOT required to be performed. The CRS may elect to GO TO a yellow path FRP but is not mandated to do so. Red and Purple path FRPs are mandatory transitions. Yellow path FRPs are discretionary.
Connections
- Related EOPs: EOP-TRIP-1 — Reactor Trip or Safety Injection, EOP-FRHS-1 — Response to Loss of Secondary Heat Sink, EOP-FRSM-1 — Response to Nuclear Power Generation, EOP-CFST-1 — Critical Safety Function Status Trees
- Related procedures: OP-SA-108-101-2000 — Emergency/Abnormal Operating Procedure Program
- Related exam questions: 2018 Q47, 2018 Q85, 2019 Q46, 2020 Q74, 2020 Q100
- Related exam: 2018 NRC Written Exam, 2019 NRC Written Exam, 2020 NRC Written Exam