Implementing Severe Accident Management In Nuclear Power Plants

This report provides a description of the elements which should be addressed by the team responsible for the preparation, development and implementation of a plant specific accident management programme at a nuclear power plant. The issues addressed include formation of the team, selection of accident management strategies, safety analyses required, evaluation of the performance of plant systems, development of accident management procedures and guidelines, staffing and qualification of accident management personnel, and training needs. The report is intended to facilitate the work to be done by NPP operators, utilities and their technical support organizations, but it can also be used for the preparation of relevant national regulatory requirements.

This Safety Guide provides recommendations for the development of accident management programmes to prevent, and to mitigate the consequences of, beyond design basis accidents, including severe accidents. Although primarily developed for use for light water reactors, the recommendations are valid for a wide range of nuclear reactors, both existing and new.

Available tools and support material, applicable to the training of the staff involved in accident management are discussed in this publication. Examples of such tools and materials are provided in the appendices. The report is intended to facilitate the work to be performed by NPP operators, utilities and their technical support organisations.

This guidebook provides a systematic, structured approach to the development and implementation of plant specific accident management programmes. It describes the major elements of accident management and their relationships, presents possible methods and techniques to solve specific problems and gives practical examples. Its main emphasis is on generic accident management guidelines, including evaluation of vulnerabilities, accident management strategies, symptom oriented emergency operating procedures, system utilization, training and organization.

The March 11, 2011, Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami sparked a humanitarian disaster in northeastern Japan. They were responsible for more than 15,900 deaths and 2,600 missing persons as well as physical infrastructure damages exceeding $200 billion. The earthquake and tsunami also initiated a severe nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. Three of the six reactors at the plant sustained severe core damage and released hydrogen and radioactive materials. Explosion of the released hydrogen damaged three reactor buildings and impeded onsite emergency response efforts. The accident prompted widespread evacuations of local populations, large economic losses, and the eventual shutdown of all nuclear power plants in Japan. "Lessons Learned from the Fukushima Nuclear Accident for Improving Safety and Security of U.S. Nuclear Plants" is a study of the Fukushima Daiichi accident. This report examines the causes of the crisis, the performance of safety systems at the plant, and the responses of its operators following the earthquake and tsunami. The report then considers the lessons that can be learned and their implications for U.S. safety and storage of spent nuclear fuel and high-level waste, commercial nuclear reactor safety and security regulations, and design improvements. "Lessons Learned" makes recommendations to improve plant systems, resources, and operator training to enable effective ad hoc responses to severe accidents. This report's recommendations to incorporate modern risk concepts into safety regulations and improve the nuclear safety culture will help the industry prepare for events that could challenge the design of plant structures and lead to a loss of critical safety functions. In providing a broad-scope, high-level examination of the accident, "Lessons Learned" is meant to complement earlier evaluations by industry and regulators. This in-depth review will be an essential resource for the nuclear power industry, policy makers, and anyone interested in the state of U.S. preparedness and response in the face of crisis situations.

This Safety Guide provides recommendations for the development of accident management programmes to prevent, and to mitigate the consequences of, beyond design basis accidents, including severe accidents. Although primarily developed for use for light water reactors, the recommendations are valid for a wide range of nuclear reactors, both existing and new. Contents: 1. Introduction; 2. Concept of the accident management programme; 3. Development of an accident management programme; Appendix: Practical use of SAMG; Annex: Example of a categorization scheme for accident sequences.