Using MORRZ, the ANS team was able to develop a design concept that addressed the conflicting maintenance, security, research, and operations requirements of the facility. In this manner, MORRZ was able to verify or correct assumptions made early id the design process. It provided the basis for designing personnel control, which subsequently reduces operating costs. The ANS design represents a significant departure from previous research reactor designs by solving the security and safety issues through facility arrangement and smart instruments. Some features of the ANS design have already been cited as an example for other research facilities to emulate.

Figure 6 depicts the arrangement of the buildings on the candidate site. The site is divided into distinct security and activity zones. Additional graded levels of security, as described below, are provided inside the main building complex. The northern portion is dedicated to research facilities and has the minimum required security services and controls and is dedicated to research facilities. The southern portion employs stringent security controls and is limited to personnel supporting reactor operation. All employees and visitors, as well as some delivery and service vehicles, enter the north portion of the facility through the security-manned main gate. Employees' and visitors' parking is included within the single site-boundary fence. Entrance to the double-fenced operations zone is limited and is obtained via a manned security gate in the southwest.

The conceptual design (Fig 7), which departs from HFIR II and other research reactor facility designs, keeps the two distinctly different functions of research and reactor operation physically separate, linked only through a common traffic-security point. Internal traffic patterns are straightforward with minimal distances between different functions. The ANS design concept recognizes the frequent need for expansion. The general arrangement of the buildings is such that future expansion needs are not compromised. Each function can grow without impacting the shape and function of adjacent areas. Two examples here are (1) the design of the guide hall which already includes a larger number of experiments than planned for HFIR II and allows for further expansion after construction and (2) the modular design of the of office building based on office modules.

Fig. 6. ANS building arrangement on candidate sites

"Smart" security controls around the facility reduce operating costs by enabling a smaller security and radiation monitoring contingent. Computerized sensing devices monitor possible movements between the security zones; entry to designated areas is by badge readers, etc. The computer network is also equipped with video/computer terminals all around the facility that allow the scientist to monitor his/her experiment from his/her office using computer and video links. This system allows viewing any activity in the facility from remote points. Guests can now view the control room activities, research setups, etc. without the problems of a physical visit.

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Revised by hbs 3/21/95