Fire Protection in Nuclear Power Plants

Előszó

FOREWORD
by the Director General
Nuclear power is well established and can be expected to become an even more significant part of the energy programmes of many countries, provided that its safe use can be ensured and be perceived to be so ensured. Although accidents have occurred, the nuclear power industry has generally maintained a good safety record. However, improvements are always possible and necessary. Safety is not a static concept.
The International Atomic Energy Agency, recognizing the importance of the safety of the industry and desiring to promote an improving safety record, set up a programme in 1974 to give guidance to its Member States on the many aspects of the safety of nuclear power reactors. Under this Nuclear Safety Standards (NUSS) programme, some 60 Codes and Safety Guides dealing with radiological safety were published in the IAEA Safety Series between 1978 and 1986. The NUSS programme was developed for land based stationary plants with thermal neutron reactors designed for the production of power but the provisions may be appropriate to a wider range of nuclear applications.
In order to take account of lessons learned since the first publication of the NUSS programme was issued, it was decided in 1986 to revise and reissue the Codes and Safety Guides. During the original development of these publications, as well as during the revision process, care was taken to ensure that all Member States, in particular those with active nuclear power programmes, could provide their input. Several independent reviews took place including a final one by the Nuclear Safety Standards Advisory Group (NUSSAG). The revised Codes were approved by the Board of Governors in June 1988. In the revision process new developments in technology and methods of analysis have been incorporated on the basis of international consensus. It is hoped that the revised Codes will be used, and that they will be accepted and respected by Member States as a basis for regulation of the safety of power reactors within the national legal and regulatory framework.
Any Member State wishing to enter into an agreement with the IAEA for its assistance in connection with the siting, design, construction, commissioning, operation or decommissioning of a nuclear power plant will be required to follow those parts of the Codes and Safety Guides that pertain to the activities to be covered by the agreement. However, it is recognized that the final decisions and legal responsibilities in any licensing procedures rest with the Member States.
The Codes and Safety Guides are presented in such a form as to enable a Member State, should it so desire, to make their contents directly applicable to activities under its jurisdiction. Therefore, consistent with the accepted practice for codes and guides, and in accordance with a proposal of the Senior Advisory Group, Vissza