Los Alamos National Laboratory updated its sitewide seismic hazard analysis and is expected to influence future facility design, safety-basis evaluations and infrastructure projects supporting the National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA) nuclear weapons mission.
According to a Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB) report from May 22, the updated probabilistic seismic hazard analysis was recently approved by the Department of Energy’s Los Alamos Field Office, replacing a version issued in 2009. The report said the study incorporates geotechnical investigations and provides improved estimates of earthquake-induced ground motion, reducing “uncertainty” in assessments used to establish design and safety requirements for nuclear facilities.
The revised analysis is expected to be incorporated into engineering standards and documented safety analyses across the laboratory, including facilities supporting plutonium operations.
Separately, DNFSB discussed in the report the potential changes to contamination-control practices associated with deactivation and decommissioning work at the Plutonium Facility. Proposed measures include expanded use of temporary containment structures and modifications to glovebox isolation practices intended to limit the spread of radioactive contamination during maintenance activities.