Overview
ABSTRACT
This article presents the safety assessment principles used for nuclear facilities and the corresponding practices adopted in France. It states the responsibilities of the public authorities and the operators and discusses the acceptability concept, in relation with the publications of the International Commission on Radiological Protection and the work of international organizations. It outlines the fundamental role of the defense-in-depth approach, supported by probabilistic safety studies and operating experience. It highlights the importance of organizational and human factors in this context. Lastly it briefly addresses the developments that have occurred since the beginning of the 21st century, especially after the accident at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant.
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Daniel QUéNIART: Consultant Institut de radioprotection et de sûreté nucléaire (IRSN), Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
INTRODUCTION
Nuclear installations, the most important of which (nuclear power plants, fuel cycle facilities, etc.) are referred to as "basic nuclear installations", present risks associated with the use of radioactive substances. In particular, these substances could, in the event of an accident, lead to significant exposure of workers or members of the public to ionizing radiation, as well as more or less extensive and long-lasting contamination of the environment, including the food chain. This is why technical and organizational measures are taken to reduce the corresponding risks to a level deemed acceptable: this is the domain of nuclear safety.
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KEYWORDS
nuclear installation | defence in depth | experience feedback | probability safety assesment
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Safety analysis of nuclear facilities
Nuclear safety and safety analysis of a nuclear facility
Bibliography
Websites
International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) http://www.icrp.org
Legifrance, public service for the dissemination of law via the Internet http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr
Regulations
Directive n° 2009/71/Euratom of June 25, 2009, establishing a Community framework for the nuclear safety of nuclear installations.
Directive No. 2014/87/Euratom of July 8, 2014, establishing a Community framework for the nuclear safety of nuclear installations.
Law no. 2006-686 of June 13, 2006 on nuclear transparency and safety.
Decree no. 2007-1557...
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