Control-room Conduct of Operations¶
The control room operates as a small, hierarchical team. Each role carries a licence class and a defined authority boundary; the boundary matters because EOP execution routinely crosses between roles (reactor operator manipulating controls, senior reactor operator authorising the action, shift technical advisor monitoring critical safety functions in parallel, shift supervisor holding final decision authority).
Roles¶
- Reactor Operator (RO) — licensed under 10 CFR 55 to manipulate
the controls of a single unit. Performs
Action:steps. Reports parameters out loud during EOPs so the SRO + STA can cross-check. - Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) — licensed to direct RO actions and authorise procedure entry, branching, and termination. Reads the procedure aloud; the RO performs the actions.
- Shift Technical Advisor (STA) — typically a degreed engineer in a non-licensed advisory role; monitors the critical safety function status trees in parallel with the EOP execution. Independent of the active EOP team — see STA role.
- Shift Supervisor (SS) — senior licensed individual holding command authority for the shift; can override any step under the conservative-decision-making principle but rarely does without also escalating.
Watch-standing¶
Each role keeps an independent log: RO logbook (parameter readings + surveillance test results), SRO/SS turnover log (shift events, plant status, equipment out of service), STA log (CSF excursions observed). At turnover all three brief the oncoming watch jointly — incoming SRO does not assume command until the briefing is complete and the oncoming SS signs the turnover.
Cross-reference¶
- Three-way / peer-check communication covers the verbal-protocol layer that underlies every RO/SRO interaction.
- Procedure usage hierarchy covers the deviation rules and SRO override.
- Configuration control covers tag-out and independent verification.