Stages of the Model Site Implementation at “LUCH”

The work upon the model site was established at the 8-th session of the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) held in March, 2006. The system upgrade plan, approved by the Rosatom and American team in August 2006 was developed. First contracts on this plan’s implementation were concluded with Brookhaven National laboratory in September 2006. Concurrently with the work upon the model site, the efforts on the following programs in the framework of joint collaboration continued: long-term support of MPC&A systems operability, material consolidation and conversion, nuclear security culture, pilot program of sealing, and others. For more than biannual period of the model site construction at Luch, a significant work upon MPC&A systems upgrade has been carried out in the framework of joint collaboration. The initial stage saw carrying out the analysis of the functioning MPC&A system with regard to its compliance with valid normative documents. The principle aspects of the work upon nuclear material control and accounting include the following: - improvement of the automated nuclear material accounting system including software upgrade and replacement; - build-up of the auxiliary network; - development and subsequent attestation of the measurement procedures and standard samples; - upgrade and replacement of the measuring devices; - staff training in the system self assessment. The principle aspects of the work upon nuclear material physical protection include the following: - development of the conceptual project on physical protection; - upgrade of the perimeter physical protection systems; - upgrade of the main and back-up vehicle control and access points; - introduction of additional improvements in the buildings; - upgrade of the video surveillance system; - creation of physical protection training facility. Close cooperation between the Luch’s specialists and USPT, control and assistance provided by the Project supervisors benefit to intensive implementation of these tasks. Since 2006, in accordance to the agreed work plan on the Model Site, LUCH has signed a number of Tasks with Brookhaven National Laboratory.