The RSK closed the discussion on the topics of consultations for 2010 and continued discussions on the statement “Requirements for dowel connections in nuclear power plants”. The RSK asked the Committee on PRESSURE-RETAINING COMPONENTS AND MATERIALS (DKW) to consult on the draft statement on the "Evaluation of the three-pillar concept for testing of safety-relevant valves" of the RSK Committee on REACTOR OPERATION (RB) since the statement might concern issues related to the integrity of the valves.

The RSK discussed the draft of the RSK Committee on REACTOR OPERATION on “Requirements on the determination of the minimum shift staffing at nuclear power plants to ensure safe operational management” and adopted the draft as RSK recommendation (in German). The consultations on the issue of increased risk of a containment failure due to hydrogen reactions caused by the ignition effect of passive autocatalytic recombiners were continued.

The RSK addressed the current status of draft revisions of KTA standards. Regarding the issue of increased risk of a containment failure due to hydrogen reactions caused by the ignition effect of passive autocatalytic recombiners, the RSK agreed to revise the draft according to the results of consultations achieved so far.

The RSK adopted the statement on "Increased risk of a containment failure due to hydrogen reactions caused by the ignition effect of passive autocatalytic recombiners" (in German).

Within the framework of BMU order, the RSK entered the consultation on a statement prepared by the working group on structural engineering (assigned to the RSK Committee on PLANT AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING) on requirements for dowel connections in nuclear power plants.

The BMU welcomed the newly appointed RSK members and briefly reported on the current activities of the BMU (including lifetime extension of nuclear power plants, the amendment of the Atomic Energy Act, further development of the rules and regulations).The RSK discussed the main topics of consultation planned for 2010 and made proposals to the BMU on the compositions of the RSK Committees on PLANT- AND SYSTEMS-ENGINEERING (AST), PRESSURE-RETAINING COMPONENTS AND MATERIALS (DKW), ELECTRIC INSTALLATIONS (EE) and REACTOR OPERATION (RB).

The RSK called in the ad hoc working group on the use of computer-based I&C (ERL) which is directly associated with the RSK. The ad hoc working group is to consult on various issues related to use of computer-based safety I&C in reactor protection systems. The ad hoc working group consists of members of the RSK Committees on PLANT- AND SYSTEMS-ENGINEERING (AST) and ELECTRIC INSTALLATIONS (EE). The working programme of the ad hoc working group is to be specified at the next RSK meeting.

The RSK specified the tasks for the ad hoc working group ERL (use of computer-based I&C). It was informed on the background and objectives of the statements on "Steam generator tube degradation – cause and identification" and on "Leakages from steam generator tubes to be postulated; multiple tube rupture/leak opening of wall thickness-reduced steam generator tubes" by the chairman of the RSK Committee on PRESSURE-RETAINING COMPONENTS AND MATERIALS (DKW).

Within the framework of regular exchange of experiences with the American, French and Japanese reactor safety commission, the RSK prepared its contributions for a common workshop on digital instrumentation and control in October 2009 in Tokyo. Der RSK Committee on ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS will prepare the technical issues.

Regarding the issue of increased risk of a containment failure due to hydrogen reactions caused by the ignition effect of passive autocatalytic recombiners, the RSK continued its consultations for the preparation of a statement.

The RSK discussed the KTA standards at issue for the meeting of the Nuclear Safety Standards Commission (KTA) and casted its vote on the resolution documents concerned.

It continued the consultation on the draft of an RSK statement on requirements for dowel connections in nuclear power plants.