Overview
IEC TR 63214:2019 is an informative Technical Report from the IEC that establishes the technical basis and argumentation for developing a dedicated Human Factors Engineering (HFE) standard for nuclear power plant control rooms. It recommends aligning and limiting IEC 60964 to pure control room design while creating a new, holistic HFE standard that covers plant‑wide control rooms, HMI, and local control stations. The report frames the nuclear installation as a sociotechnical system and aims to stimulate WG 8 and IEC SC 45A discussion and international vote on progressing a new HFE standard.
Keywords: IEC TR 63214:2019, human factors engineering, nuclear power plants, control room design, HMI, IEC 60964.
Key Topics and Technical Focus
IEC TR 63214 does not set normative requirements but identifies gaps and direction for normative work. Key topics covered include:
- Scope gaps in IEC 60964 - limitations stemming from a narrow electrical-systems focus and incomplete HFE content.
- Missing and outdated information - where current guidance needs modernization (terminology, task analysis wording and HFE lifecycle content).
- Industry needs - practical expectations for HFE across design, operation, verification and validation.
- Proposed HFE structure - a suggested table of contents for the new standard and a graphical HFE process to guide design decisions.
- Holistic HMI coverage - plant-wide HMI including local control stations, operator interfaces, and integrated control room ecosystems.
- Impact analysis - how a new HFE standard would affect IEC 60964 and other SC45A standards.
Practical Applications and Who Uses It
IEC TR 63214 is targeted at practitioners and stakeholders involved in nuclear control room and HMI design, including:
- Human factors engineers and ergonomists planning HFE programs
- Control room designers and I&C system engineers implementing operator interfaces
- Plant operators and utilities for design, modification, and safety-case justification
- Regulatory bodies and reviewers assessing HFE coverage in licensing and reviews
- Vendors and integrators supplying control room equipment and software
- Standards developers within IEC SC45A and national committees
Use cases include shaping HFE requirements during conceptual design, defining task analysis and functional assignment, guiding HFE verification & validation (V&V), and aligning national practice with international guidance.
Related Standards and Context
IEC TR 63214 positions the new HFE work within the SC45A framework alongside:
- IEC 60964 (control room design) - proposed to be refocused
- IEC 61513 and IEC 63046 - top‑level I&C and electrical system requirements
- Other SC45A standards and IAEA safety and security guidance (e.g., SSR‑2/1, SSG series)
This Technical Report is a preparatory, non‑normative document intended to spur development of a formal IEC HFE standard that is integrated, modern, and aligned with international nuclear safety practices.