Page 377 - Beyond Decommissioning

Glossary 353

In many cases, the only element of this definition that is important is the distinction
between disposal (with no intent to retrieve) and storage (with intent to retrieve).
Structures, systems, and components (SSCs) A general term encompassing all elements
(items) of a facility or activity, except human factors.
Components: Discrete elements of a system. Examples of components are wires,
l
transistors, integrated circuits, motors, relays, solenoids, pipes, fittings, pumps, tanks,
and valves.
l Structures: Passive elements (e.g., buildings, vessels, and shielding).
l Systems: Several components assembled in such a way as to perform a specific (active)
function.
Superfund The US federal government’s program to locate and investigate and cleanup the
worst uncontrolled and abandoned toxic waste sites nationwide; administered by the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Surveillance A type of inspection to verify the integrity of a facility or structure.
Sustain*** Maintain, nurture, and affirm validity.
Sustainable*** Capable of meeting present needs without compromising ability to meet future
needs.
Transparent*** Open to public scrutiny.
Unrestricted use (or release) The use of an area or material without any radiologically based
restrictions. There may be other restrictions on the use of the area or material, such as
planning restrictions on the use of an area of land or restrictions related to the chemical
properties of a material.
Value*** An aspect of worth or importance, here attached by people to qualities of places.
Waste Material for which no further use is foreseen.
Waste zoning “French regulations have not adopted the notion of “clearance threshold,” that
is, the generic levels of radioactivity below which the effluents and waste from nuclear
activity can be disposed of as current waste without specific radioactive supervision. This
policy is based on a “waste zoning” that divides facilities into zones generating nuclear
waste and zones generating conventional waste. In other words, there is no release from
regulatory controls of materials from zones generating nuclear waste. Moreover, there is
also no release criteria for buildings and site after decommissioning, the release of a site is
stated on a case by case study contemplating scenarios and future land use” (ANDRA,
2013, see Chapter 5).