Independent Assessment of the Fire Protection Program at the Nevada National Security Sites - December 2023

December 2023,

Independent Assessment of the Fire Protection Program at the Nevada National Security Sites

The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Enterprise Assessments (EA) conducted an independent assessment of the fire protection program (FPP) and related elements of the underground safety program at the Nevada National Security Sites (NNSS) in July and August 2023. Mission Support and Test Services, LLC (MSTS) manages and operates NNSS for the National Nuclear Security Administration and is overseen by the Nevada Field Office (NFO). This assessment evaluated the effectiveness of MSTS in managing and maintaining the FPP, including fire and related safety hazards analyses; fire hazards analysis and documented safety analysis integration; design; associated technical safety requirement surveillances; and inspection, testing, and maintenance. Federal oversight by NFO relating to fire protection was also evaluated. The scope of this assessment focused on the U1a Complex, an underground facility. Fire prevention and protection related structures, systems, and components under design by projects in the U1a Complex Enhanced Capabilities for Subcritical Experiments program portfolio were also reviewed. Finally, the status and resolution of fire protection issues previously identified by EA at the NNSS Device Assembly Facility were reviewed.