Most SMR designs are intended to use multiple modules at one site as a complete ‘reference’ application of the technology. These designs also contemplate the control of multiple reactors from one control room. Current US NRC requirements for operator staffing outlined in 10 CFR 50.54(m) prescribe the number of operators required for each unit and for each control room. As an example, for three operating nuclear power units at one site, NRC regulations and guidelines assume there are at least two control rooms and a total of eight licensed operators. These requirements are based on the operation of a large LWR. They are not based on new SMR designs that are safer and simpler in operation and shutdown mode. Also, the regulation does not address a situation where three or more units are controlled from a single control room.

The NRC staff reviewed pre-application submittals from SMR vendors on operator staffing. The staff considered proposed operator staffing based on control room designs and new technologies, proposed human factors and instrument and controls, and proposed research and development in this area (both by the domestic and the international community) to resolve the issue. In SECY-11-0098 (22 July 2011), the NRC staff recommended a two step approach to this issue: (1) in the near term allow SMRs to deviate from current staffing requirements through the exemption process, and (2) conduct further assessments and propose revisions to NRC staffing requirements based on human factors engineering (HFE) analysis of staffing needs and design. Some international SMR applications are considering remote operation of a reactor from a considerable distance. This application is not considered in this chapter since the type of SMR that might support remote operation is not being considered for near-term licensing and deployment.