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Wednesday, 25 April 2012

SAFE AND SECURE: PROTECTING OUR NUCLEAR ENERGY FACILITIES


PART 2 :Nuclear Plant Safety Features

 
Each nuclear plant design features reliable and diverse safety systems and strong physical barriers to prevent incidents that could pose a threat to public health and safety. The same features that safeguard the public and the environment from a radiation release also defend the reactor from outside interference.
  •  Protected by about four feet of steel-reinforced concrete with a thick steel liner.
 
  • ·         Steel-reinforced concrete containment structures are designed to withstand the impact of many natural disasters, including hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and floods, as well as airborne objects with a substantial force.
  • The reactor vessel is made of steel about 6 inches thick.

  • The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) conducted a state-of-the-art computer modelling study on the impact of a Boeing 767 crash. EPRI concluded that typical nuclear plant containment structures—as well as used fuel storage pools and steel and concrete fuel storage containers—would withstand the impact forces and shield the fuel.
  • Increased patrols within security zones.
  • Installed new barriers to protect against vehicle bombs.
  • Installed additional high-tech surveillance equipment.
  • Computer systems that help operate nuclear reactors and their safety equipment are isolated from the Internet to protect against outside intrusion.
  • Access authorization requirements for employees working inside the plants.
  • Intrusion detection systems.
     
     
      

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