Powering the Future Safely: An In-Depth Dive into Nuclear Innovation Compliance

Challenges

Finch conducted an assessment detailing the requirements to aid all stakeholders with understanding their responsibilities under Directive 2006/42/EC (Machinery Directive – MD) and Directive 204/30/EU (Electromagnetic Compatibility – EMC).

Finch identified the relevant Harmonised Standards and reviewed the Technical File with a view of incorporating the requirements of the ‘Standards’ to meet the EHSR’s and ER’s.

A report was produced that evaluated the machines design, the content of the technical file and the capability of the technical file to meet the compliance objectives and achieve ‘best practice.’

The report produced identified challenges including:

• Absence of documentation within the technical file
• Lack of detail in identifying and specifying the safety requirements
• The presence of ‘fault masking’ within the safety system electrical design

Finch was requested to provide solutions to these challenges, which led Finch to:

• Produce a machinery design risk assessment – identifying the requirements of the safety related parts of the control system.
• Produce a Safety Requirements Specification – detailing the functional requirements of the safety system and reliability to BS EN ISO 13849-1:2015.
• Propose changes to the wiring to remove the fault masking.
• Provide verification of the functional safety design (using SISTEMA software)

Conclusion

Finch was able to inform and provide the client with the tools needed to ensure they were supplying a safe and reliable system protecting the integrity of the system and the safety of the end users’ assets.

Finch were able to identify and assist in the production of the technical file elements that were absent, enabling the manufacturer to comply with the relevant directives and standards.