LLNL, Livermore, California, USA
The National Ignition Facility (NIF) is the world’s largest and most energetic laser system and has the potential to generate significant levels of ionizing radiation. The NIF employs real time safety systems to monitor and mitigate the potential hazards presented by the facility. The Machine Safety System (MSS) monitors key components in the facility to allow operations while also protecting against configurations that could damage equipment. The NIF Safety Interlock System (SIS) monitors for oxygen deficiency, radiological alarms, and controls access to the facility preventing exposure to laser light and radiation. Together the SIS and MSS control permissives to the hazard generating equipment and annunciate hazard levels in the facility. To do this reliably and safely, the SIS and MSS have been designed as fail safe systems with a proven performance record now spanning over 12 years. This presentation discusses the SIS and MSS, design, implementation, operator interfaces, validation/verification, and the hazard mitigation approaches employed in the NIF. A brief discussion of common failures encountered in the design of safety systems and how to avoid them will be presented.
