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Evaluation of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s Policies and Procedures for Emergency Evacuation of Disabled Personnel

Report Information

Date Issued
Report Number
OIG-24-E-03
Report Type
Inspection / Evaluation
Description
The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) found that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) headquarters occupant emergency plan includes adequate procedures to facilitate the emergency evacuation of disabled personnel and other personnel needing assistance. However, the agency must remedy problems with two-way communication systems, area of refuge signage, and fire door accessibility to align with safety codes and better support personnel needing assistance during emergency evacuations. Additionally, NRC headquarters personnel could benefit from more frequent limited-scope training to supplement annual full-scope evacuation and accountability drills.This report makes four recommendations to improve two-way communication systems, area of refuge signage, and fire door accessibility, and one recommendation to enhance training for personnel needing or rendering assistance during an emergency evacuation.
Joint Report
Yes
Participating OIG
Nuclear Regulatory Commission OIG
Agency Wide
Yes (agency-wide)
Questioned Costs
$0
Funds for Better Use
$0
View report on Oversight.gov

Recommendations

Establish working two-way communications systems adjacent to areas of refuge in accordance with NFPA 101 standards.

Agency Response Dated October 24, 2024: Agree. The Office of Administration (ADM) acknowledges and agrees with the importance of communication at areas of refuge. ADM has conducted a thorough assessment of the locations and functionality of telephones in all areas of<br />
refuge. A comprehensive list of the identified deficiencies was provided to the Office of the Chief Information Officer which has been remedied. The remaining floors without working telephones are active construction sites. Moving forward, this assessment will be conducted annually. As a temporary compensatory measure, a responder will be immediately dispatched if an individual is observed in an area of refuge without a functioning telephone. As a standard practice, all areas of refuge are monitored via visual surveillance system in the Central Alarm Station during building emergencies.<br />
OIG Analysis: The OIG checked the areas of refuge for working two-way communication systems (phones) and confirmed the implementation of the recommendation as stated. This recommendation is now closed.

Install area of refuge signage in accordance with NFPA 101 standards and remove any signage showing incorrect or outdated emergency information.

Agency Response Dated October 24, 2024: Agree. ADM acknowledges and agrees with the importance of consistent conspicuous signage. ADM will conduct annual inspections of all areas of refuge, removing outdated or incorrect signage and installing compliant signs. Additional<br />
inspections and updates will be performed as needed due to construction or changes in workplace conditions. Target Completion Date: December 27, 2024<br />
OIG Analysis: The proposed action meets the intent of this recommendation. The OIG will close this recommendation upon verifying that the area of refuge signage has been updated as needed to show correct information and comply with NFPA 101 standards.

Assess the force required to open fire doors leading to areas of refuge under a range of conditions, and as practicable, adjust fire door opening force to the minimum allowable level.

Agency Response Dated October 24, 2024: Agree. ADM acknowledges and agrees with the recommendation to assess the force required to<br />
open fire doors. ADM will assess the force required to open fire doors under normal and pressurization conditions and make prudent adjustments within applicable building code requirements. Additionally, this assessment will be performed on all newly installed doors.<br />
Target Completion Date: December 27, 2024 <br />
OIG Analysis: The proposed action meets the intent of this recommendation. The OIG will close this recommendation after reviewing the proposed assessment and verifying adjustments made to fire doors based on this assessment.

Develop and implement more frequent limited-scope drills, emphasizing roles and responsibilities for personnel needing or rendering emergency evacuation assistance.

Agency Response Dated October 24, 2024: Agree. ADM and the Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer acknowledges and agrees with the importance of frequent drills and training opportunities and intends to conduct more frequent limited-scope drills. The scopes of<br />
these drills will include employee responses to Mass Notification System messages, building-specific evacuations, evacuation actions for those with specific needs, and responder actions for disabled personnel. ADM regularly engages the Advisory Committee for Employees with<br />
Disabilities to provide refresher training, present an opportunity for question-and-answer sessions, and offer availability to discuss individual plans and needs. ADM will continue offering one-on-one exercises as an expansion to these resources for anyone, at their request. Occupant<br />
Emergency Plan procedures will be updated to require these activities on a recurring basis.<br />
Target Completion Date: December 27, 2024.<br />
OIG Analysis: The proposed action meets the intent of this recommendation. The OIG will close this recommendation upon verifying that the updated Occupant Emergency Plan procedures include the new required activities, and after verifying the completion of at least one limited-scope drill.