Performance Degradation

Failure or degradation of a facility, process, system, or component that reduces the reliability of critical components of the facility whose loss or degradation prevents the system from performing its intended function. Performance degradation includes the absence of or deficiency with Design Features for which credit has been taken in the Documented Safety Analysis. Performance degradation does not include:

a. A burned out power indicator light on a piece of radiation monitoring equipment that does not prevent the equipment from detecting elevated radiation levels and alarming as designed;

b. A piece of equipment that is determined to be out of calibration on the conservative side (such as a low level alarm that alarms at a higher value than it should); or

c. The temporary loss of a component where redundant components are maintained operable or in operation and the authorization basis is not compromised.