IEEE 577: Standard Requirements for Reliability Analysis in the Design and Operation of Safety Systems for Nuclear Power Generating Stations

This standard sets forth the minimum, acceptable requirements for the performance of reliability analyses for safety systems when used to address the reliability considerations discussed in industry standards and guidelines.

The methods of this standard may also be applied to other systems, including the interactions, if any, between safety and non-safety systems. The requirements should be applied during the phases of design, fabrication, testing, maintenance, and repair of systems and components in nuclear power generating stations. The timing of the analysis depends upon the purpose for which the analysis is performed. This standard applies to the facility owner and other organizations responsible for the activities previously stated.

Purpose

The purpose of this standard is to provide uniform, minimum, acceptable requirements for the performance of reliability analyses for safety systems found in nuclear facilities, but not to define the need for an analysis. The need for reliability analysis has been identified in other standards (e.g., IEEE Std 379™-2000 [B36]¹ which describes the application of the single-failure criterion).

IEEE Std 352™ provides guidance in the application and use of reliability techniques referred to in this standard. ²

¹ The numbers in brackets correspond to those of the Bibliography in Annex A.

² Information on references can be found in Clause 2.

IEEE 577

nuclear facilities

reliability analysis

safety systems