Survey of status and challenges of radiation monitoring systems at nuclear power plants

A questionnaire concerning radiation monitoring instrumentation was sent to most nuclear power plants in the USA, and answers from the 55 plants that responded are reported. The focus is on defining current problems in a way that may lead to proper solutions. The problems most frequently reported are summarized in the following categories: obsolescence, low reliability, unresolved technical problems, software and digital communications, the need for calibration guidelines, and spare parts availability. Many responses expressed a strong interest in industry-wide participation in resolving these problems