NANTeL Security and Access 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under 10 CFR Part 73, which category of nuclear facility is required to implement the highest level of physical protection measures?
- Category I special nuclear material facilities (Correct answer)
- Category II research reactors
- Category III fuel fabrication plants
- Category IV waste storage sites
Correct answer: Category I special nuclear material facilities
Category I facilities handle the largest quantities of special nuclear material and require the most stringent physical protection systems under 10 CFR Part 73.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of a 'compensatory measure' in nuclear security?
- To reduce radiation exposure to workers
- To maintain adequate protection when a security system element is degraded or inoperable (Correct answer)
- To compensate security officers for overtime work
- To offset the cost of security upgrades
Correct answer: To maintain adequate protection when a security system element is degraded or inoperable
Compensatory measures are actions taken to maintain the required level of protection when a normal security system element (e.g., a sensor or guard post) is temporarily unavailable.
Question 3: Which of the following best describes a 'vital area' at a nuclear power plant?
- Any area where radiation levels exceed 100 mrem/hr
- An area containing equipment whose failure could directly cause a radiological release or prevent reactor shutdown (Correct answer)
- The main control room exclusively
- Any area where spent fuel is stored
Correct answer: An area containing equipment whose failure could directly cause a radiological release or prevent reactor shutdown
A vital area contains equipment, systems, or components whose sabotage could directly cause a significant radiological release or prevent safe shutdown of the reactor.
Question 4: When must a nuclear facility licensee report a safeguards event to the NRC Operations Center?
- Within 30 days via written report only
- Immediately (within 1 hour) for the most serious events, as specified in 10 CFR 73.71 (Correct answer)
- Only during the annual physical security review
- Within 72 hours for all security incidents
Correct answer: Immediately (within 1 hour) for the most serious events, as specified in 10 CFR 73.71
10 CFR 73.71 requires immediate notification (within 1 hour) to the NRC Operations Center for the most serious safeguards events, with follow-up written reports as required.
Question 5: What is the correct procedure when an armed security officer discovers an unattended bag in a protected area?
- Open the bag to inspect contents immediately
- Treat it as a potential improvised explosive device and follow the facility's suspicious item response procedure (Correct answer)
- Move the bag to the security office for safekeeping
- Ignore it if no alarm has been triggered
Correct answer: Treat it as a potential improvised explosive device and follow the facility's suspicious item response procedure
Unattended bags in protected areas must be treated as potential threats and handled per the facility's suspicious item or improvised explosive device response procedure.
Question 6: Which document serves as the legally binding agreement between a nuclear licensee and the NRC specifying the required security measures?
- The facility's Emergency Operating Procedures
- The Physical Security Plan (PSP) (Correct answer)
- The Technical Specifications
- The FSAR (Final Safety Analysis Report)
Correct answer: The Physical Security Plan (PSP)
The Physical Security Plan (PSP) is the NRC-approved, safeguards-sensitive document that details all required security measures and is legally binding on the licensee.
Question 7: A person attempting to enter a protected area presents credentials but the access control system shows their authorization has been suspended. What is the correct security officer response?
- Allow entry if the person appears to be a known employee
- Deny entry, retain the credential if possible, notify the central alarm station, and follow established procedures for unauthorized access attempts (Correct answer)
- Contact the person's supervisor to verify their identity before deciding
- Allow escorted entry until the computer system is corrected
Correct answer: Deny entry, retain the credential if possible, notify the central alarm station, and follow established procedures for unauthorized access attempts
A suspended authorization must result in denial of entry; the officer must notify the central alarm station and follow established response procedures regardless of the individual's apparent identity.
NANTeL Security and Access 2
Under 10 CFR Part 73, which category of nuclear facility is required to implement the highest level of physical protection measures?