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FAQ

How do I get a copy of the SAPHIRE software? And other questions...

DOCS & TRAINING

Technical and training information.

USER GROUP BENEFITS

Details on the support and software provided with a SAPHIRE Users Group
membership..

SPAR MODELS

Current and Recent versions of SAPHIRE 8 SPAR Models

🔥 New Release!
SAPHIRE 8.2.7.0 is now available for download.Sign In
 


ABOUT SAPHIRE

SAPHIRE was developed for the Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research at the U.S.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The NRC is an independent agency
established by the U.S. Congress to ensure adequate protection of the public
health and safety, the common defense and security, and the environment in the
use of nuclear materials in the United States.

SAPHIRE's purpose is to create and analyze probabilistic risk assessments (PRA),
primarily for nuclear power plants. This development process was started in 1987
at the request of the NRC. The Idaho National Laboratory's (INL) role in the
SAPHIRE program is that of software developer and interface to the user
community, including training and technology transfer.

2 Years1987

THE BEGINNING

Version 1 of the code called IRRAS (now known as SAPHIRE) introduced an
innovative way to draw, edit, and analyze graphical fault trees. The U.S.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission was the originator and sponsor of IRRAS (and now
SAPHIRE).

1 Year1989

EVENT TREES

Version 2 is released incorporating the ability to draw, edit, and analyze
graphical event trees.

2 Years1990

CUTTING EDGE

Analysis improvements to IRRAS led to the release of Version 4 and the formation
of the IRRAS Users Group.

5 Years1992

BIG CHANGES

Creation of 32-bit IRRAS, Version 5, resulted in an order-of-magnitude decrease
in analysis time. New features included: end state analysis; fire, flood, and
seismic modules; rule-base cut set processing; and rule-based fault tree to
event tree linking.

2 Years1997

WINDOWS

SAPHIRE for Windows, version 6.x, is released. Use of a Windows user-inferface
makes SAPHIRE easy to learn. The new "plug-in" feature allows analysts to expand
on the built-in probability calculations.

5 Years1999

EASE OF ACCESS

SAPHIRE for Windows, version 7.x, is released. Enhancements are made to the
event tree "linking rules" and to the use of dual language capability inside the
SAPHIRE database

6 Years2004

NEW UI

SAPHIRE for Windows, version 8.x, is started. This version embodies a complete
redesign of the user interface with the goal of reducing the complexity while
losing none of SAPHIRE's functionality.

2 Years2010

GOVERNMENT USE

SAPHIRE for Windows, version 8.x, is released for US Government and approved
contractor use.

7 Years2012

NRC

SAPHIRE for Windows, version 8.x, is released for use domestically and
internationally with approved non-disclosure agreement with the US Nuclear
Regulatory Commission.

2 Years2019

REMOTE SOLVING

SAPHIRE for Windows, remote/cloud solving option is added to the application be
better enhance performance.

For additional information, see the SAPHIRE Wiki


SAPHIRE USERS GROUP BENEFITS

Here are some of the Benefits of joining a SAPHIRE Users Group

NEW RELEASES OF SAPHIRE ARE POSTED ON THE USERS GROUP SITE

ON-CALL CUSTOMER SUPPORT FOR USE AND MODELING QUESTIONS

REQUEST NEW FEATURES AND REPORT BUGS

NEWSLETTERS AND FORUM ARE PLANNED TO INCREASE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Join the SAPHIRE Users Group today!

Register Now


FAQ

Here are some of our most frequently answered questions.


HOW DO I GET A COPY OF THE SAPHIRE SOFTWARE?

   To get the current version of SAPHIRE 8

   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 * The current version of SAPHIRE is generally distributed through the SAPHIRE
   Users Group.
 * A completed and signed non-disclosure agreement (NDA) must be sent to and
   approved by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission(NRC) prior to receiving a
   authorization to join the SAPHIRE Users Group.
 * Locate a copy of the SAPHIRE NDA form on the Obtaining NRC Codes page at
   NRC's public website.
 * Once you have a NDC on file with the USNRC, INL will proceed with
   establishing your SAPHIRE Users Group membership. Members will be granted
   access to the SAPHIRE Users Group website where you can download the current
   executable for SAPHIRE 8 and receive customer support. Customer support and
   access to updated SAPHIRE releases will continue throughout the membership
   period.
 * For U.S. Government Departments and Agencies, the U.S. NRC may grant
   exceptions to the requirement for SAPHIRE Users Group membership. For these
   requests a completed and signed NDA form is still required.


WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SAPHIRE 7 AND SAPHIRE 8?

   What is the difference?

   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 * Both SAPHIRE 7 and SAPHIRE 8 produce fault trees, event trees and accurate
   cut sets and sequences with importance and uncertainty.
 * SAPHIRE 7 is a legacy code and its development ended with the release of
   version 7.28. SAPHIRE 7 is not stable with operating systems newer than
   Windows XP
 * SAPHIRE 8 will be supported for the foreseeable future with upgrades in
   features and corrections of any bugs found.
 * SAPHIRE 7 does not have many of the reporting and analysis tools that SAPHIRE
   8 does.
 * SAPHIRE 7 is menu driven and doesn't incorporate many of the Windows-based
   features that SAPHIRE 8 does.


WHAT ARE THE CHANGES IN THE LATEST RELEASE OF SAPHIRE?

 * Details coming soon


WHO PAYS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SAPHIRE SOFTWARE?

 * The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commissionis the primary sponsor of the SAPHIRE
   software.


WHY ARE THE SAPHIRE USERS GROUP MEMBERSHIP COSTS SO LOW WHEN COMPARED TO
COMMERCIAL SOFTWARE LICENSE FEES?

 * The price of membership in the Users Group covers our direct costs of
   providing support and training material to end users. Since the INL is a
   national "cost-recovery" laboratory, we are not permitted to (and do not)
   maintain a "profit margin" on activities associated with the SAPHIRE Users
   Group.


WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF JOINING THE SAPHIRE USERS GROUP?

There are several advantages to joining the Users Group

 * Membership provides updates during the length of the contract.
 * Access to the SAPHIRE 'Members' pages and related information is provided.
 * On-call support from SAPHIRE experts and developers is provided.
 * Provide feedback for suggested enhancements and bug reporting.


HOW DO I GET A SAPHIRE MEMBERSHIP?

 * The specific details can be obtained from our Membership Information page.


COULD A COMPANY PAY FOR 1 MEMBER BUT HAVE 2 OR 3 PEOPLE USING THE SOFTWARE?

Yes. The membership pays for customer support, so you would only receive 1
website access and on-call support for a single person. Some entities (company,
university, etc...) choose to funnel all customer support questions through one
individual.

The number of people using SAPHIRE is controlled by the NDA with the USNRC and
not through SAPHIRE Users Group membership.


WHAT TRAINING IS AVAILABLE FOR SAPHIRE?

We teach a SAPHIRE Users Group "SAPHIRE BASICS" course. This class lasts about
three days and covers the important aspects of using SAPHIRE. For information on
the class agenda and costs please see our training page


WHAT ARE THE PC REQUIREMENTS TO RUN SAPHIRE FOR WINDOWS?

Info Coming soon.


DOES SAPHIRE RUN ON A UNIX, APPLE, ETC., MACHINE?

SAPHIRE 8 is designed to run on Intel-based processors. No native language
support is available or planned for non-Intel computers. Intel software or
hardware emulators for other types of computers may be able to run SAPHIRE
assuming the emulator is a 80386 level or higher (also, Windows emulation would
be needed to run SAPHIRE for Windows).

Also, please note that the legacy code SAPHIRE 7 is not stable with operating
systems newer than Windows XP


HOW DO I CONVERT MY OLD SAPHIRE 7 FAULT TREES TO SAPHIRE 8?

SAPHIRE 7 models will open in SAPHIRE 8. Some naming conventions have changed so
if thre are unallowable characters in a gate name, it will create as a blank
name and need to be re-named. Customer support can help you with individual
issues.


HOW DO I CONVERT MY FAULT TREES DEVELOPED IN MY "ABCXYZ" SOFTWARE SO THEY WILL
WORK WITH SAPHIRE?

SAPHIRE for Windows has the ability to load fault tree information in one of two
text formats. First, the SETS file format is supported. Simply copy the SETS
logic file into the SAPHIRE project subdirectory and then load the file via the
"Utility, Load and Extract" option. Second, the native text input-output of
IRRAS and SAPHIRE is a format called MAR-D. Search the help file that is built
into SAPHIRE for "MAR-D" for more information. ANY information that can be put
into SAPHIRE can be loaded or exported using the MAR-D format.


HOW CAN I REPORT MY ANALYSES, INCLUDING INCORPORATING MY FAULT TREES/EVENT TREES
INTO A DOCUMENT?

SAPHIRE can output many reports in .HTML, .PDF, comma delimited, .RTF, and .XLS
formats.

Graphics, including fault and event trees images can be saved as "Windows
meta-files" (.WMF) or "Bitmaps" (.BMP). These types of graphic files can be read
into many different word processing and graphics-editing programs.


SAPHIRE | TRAINING

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


#SAPHIRE USERS GROUP TRAINING COURSE DATES

All courses are offered subject to seating availability. Contact us for
availability.

FREE SAPHIRE TUTORIAL (MAY 2 - 6, 2022 FROM 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM (MDT)) VIA
MICROSOFT TEAMS.

Not to be confused with SAPHIRE Training... This SAPHIRE Tutorial is 100% Free.
Don't miss out!


SAPHIRE TUTORIAL AGENDA

 * Day 1: Overview and Introduction to Event Trees
 * Day 2: Introduction to Fault Trees
 * Day 3: Introduction to Basic Events
 * Day 4: Quantification
 * Day 5: Result Outputs

RSVP

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


#TRAINING COURSE DETAILS

Training Course Details In addition to providing the SAPHIRE software and
support, the SAPHIRE Users Group offers a comprehensive training course on the
operation of the software. Interspaced with details on usage of the software, we
provide instruction on the theory behind many of the analysis aspects of fault
tree and event tree development.

The SAPHIRE Basics course is offered in Idaho Falls on a periodic basis.
Alternatively, if your organization has five or more students you may elect to
conduct a training session tailored exclusively for your organization, with the
class taught at your facility. Other User Group training sessions will be
conducted at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory
facilities in Idaho.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


#COST OF TRAINING

For classes taught in Idaho Falls, the course costs $1,000 per person for
SAPHIRE User Group members ($1,800 for non-Users Group members). For inquiries
on training dates and costs associated with a course at your facility, please
contact:

 * Curtis Smith at phone: (208) 526-9804 | email: Curtis.Smith@inl.gov
 * Jim Knudsen at phone: (208) 526-6432 | email: James.Knudsen@inl.gov

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


#AGENDA FOR THE SAPHIRE BASICS COURSE

DAY 1

 1. Introduction
 2. SAPHIRE Database Concepts
 3. SAPHIRE Menu Structure
 4. Building Event Trees
 5. Building Fault Trees
 6. Basic Event Information
 7. Graphical Output
 8. Generating Fault Tree Cut Sets

DAY 2

 1. Quantifying Fault Tree Cut Sets
 2. Fault Tree Uncertainty Analysis
 3. Fault Tree Importance Analysis
 4. Reporting Information
 5. Linking Event Trees
 6. Generating Event Tree Cut Sets
 7. Sequence Uncertainty Analysis
 8. Sequence Importance Analysis

DAY 3

 1. Reporting Sequence Results
 2. Fault Tree and Event Tree Sensitivity Analysis
 3. Using Database Files
 4. Linking Rules
 5. Post Processing Rules
 6. End State Analysis

** Other topics that may be included if time/pace allows:

 * User-Defined Model Types
 * Large Event Tree Methodology

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


SAPHIRE | DOCUMENTATION

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SAPHIRE documentation has been prepared for its sponsor, the U.S. Nuclear
Regulatory Commission (NRC), and is available at their website:

 * SAPHIRE 8 Volumes 1-7 (NUREG/CR-7039)
 * SAPHIRE 7 Volumes 1-7 (NUREG/CR-6952)


SAPHIRE CURRENT SPAR MODELS

Use the table below to explore current SAPHIRE 8 SPAR Models

   

Model TitleCurrent RevisionWorking Revision*SPAR Model Modification Log
FY-2019Advanced Boiling Water Reactor (GE)8.50Advanced Boiling Water Reactor
(Toshiba)8.50Advanced Pressurized Water Reactor8.508.51AP10008.508.51Arkansas
18.80Arkansas 28.81Beaver Valley 18.80Beaver Valley 28.80Braidwood 1 & 28.81

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Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Idaho National Laboratory
DOE Idaho Office
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