§ 53.1610 Unfettered access for inspections.

(a) Each applicant for or holder of a manufacturing license (ML), operating license (OL), combined license (COL), construction permit (CP), or early site permit must permit inspection, by duly authorized representatives of the Commission, of its records, premises, activities, and of licensed materials in possession or use, related to the license or CP or early site permit as may be necessary to effectuate the purposes of the Atomic Energy Act of 1956, as amended, (the Act) and the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, as amended. (b)(1) Each holder of an ML, OL, COL, or CP must, upon request by the Director, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, provide rent-free office space for the exclusive use of the Commission inspection personnel. Heat, air conditioning, light, electrical outlets, and janitorial services must be furnished by each licensee and each holder of a CP. The office must be convenient to and have full access to the facility and must provide the inspectors both visual and acoustic privacy. (2) For a site or facility with an assigned resident inspector, the space provided must be adequate to accommodate a full-time inspector, a part-time secretary, and transient NRC personnel and must be generally commensurate with other office facilities at the site. For sites or facilities assigned multiple resident inspectors, additional space may be requested. The office space that is provided must be subject to the approval of the Director, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation. All furniture, supplies, and communication equipment will be furnished by the Commission. (3) For a site or facility without an assigned resident inspector, temporary space to accommodate periodic or special inspections must be provided. The office space must be generally commensurate with other office accommodations at the site. (4) The licensee or permit holder must afford any NRC resident inspector assigned to that site, or other NRC inspectors identified by the Regional Administrator as likely to inspect the facility, immediate unfettered access, equivalent to access provided regular plant employees, following proper identification and compliance with applicable access control measures for security, radiological protection, and personal safety. (5) The licensee or permit holder must ensure that the arrival and presence of an NRC inspector, who has been properly authorized facility access as described in paragraph (b)(4) of this section, is not announced or otherwise communicated by its employees or contractors to other persons at the facility unless specifically requested by the NRC inspector.