Les cahiers de l'ASN #03 - 10 years after Fukushima

REINFORCING SAFETY IN FRANCE 1 2 3 * See glossary page 24 Guided tour of the safety improvements today in place in the nuclear power plants 3 Depressurisation of the containment In the event of an accident situation leading to a pressure rise in the containment, this device enables the air inside it to be depressurised and filtered before release, in order to prevent damage to the containment. The aim is to make the filter more robust so that it remains operational in the event of an earthquake. At the end of 2020, the modification had been made on 10 reactors and should be applied to all EDF* reactors in service by the end of 2022. 2 Ultimate water source This consists of new wells, ponds or tanks, depending on the sites, providing water to supply the steam generators and the spent fuel pool, in addition to the existing means. All the reactors should be equipped in this way by 2023. In the meantime, temporary sources will be installed in 2021. 1 Improving the safety of the spent fuel pool Several improvements have reinforced the safety of this pool: reinforced instrumentation so that it can withstand an earthquake, automatic leak isolation on the piping connected to the pool, etc. 10 • Les cahiers de l’ASN • March 2021