Specific considerations in the safety assessment of predisposal radioactive waste management facilities in light of the lessons learned from the accident at the fukushima-daiichi nuclear power plant

Abstract EN

This paper discusses the specific aspects to be considered in performing safety assessment of different types of predisposal radioactive waste management facilities in light of the lessons learned from the Fukushima-Daiichi accident.

The assessment methodology, which is developed on a similar approach used for nuclear reactors and fuel cycle facilities, evaluates the robustness of the facility safety systems against the impact of extreme external events, with emphasis on the fulfilment of the basic safety functions.

It also considers the existence of spent fuel storage at predisposal radioactive waste management facilities, and the changes of the site characteristics since the time of facilities’ construction.

These elements are presented along with discussions, which also include the associated regulatory considerations.