Systems Interaction Analyses. Concepts and Techniques (Part II)

The issue of systems interaction events in nuclear power plants was originally raised because of the concern about certain types of dependent failures in nuclear power-plant safety systems. The source of this concern is that the interdisciplinary review process required in designing, constructing, and operating nuclear power-plant systems may not be adequate to ensure that redundant safety systems are truly independent. In fact, some operating events have demonstrated that the current process may not adequately ensure that failures caused by systems interactions do not occur. Part I of this article reviewed three of the four qualitative analysis techniques that can be used to identify possible systems interaction Part II of this article reviews the last and analysis technique that can be used to identify systems interactions.