BASIC CONCEPTS OF EOPS

The word emergency is used in many different contexts and different areas of human activity. In Ret [4] emergency is defined in part as A nonroutine situation or event that necessitates prompt action primarily to mitigate a hazard or adverse consequences for human health and safety, quality of life, property or the environment . In IAEA safety assessment publications the following terms have been established for identification of different operational states and accident conditions of a nuclear power plant normal operation, anticipated operational occurrences (AOOs) (abnormal operation), design basis accidents (DBAs), beyond design basis accidents (BDBAs) and severe accidents. 

To establish a common understanding of the terminology associated with the development and use of EOPs, a clarification of the basic concepts is provided in the following sections. A specific and detailed definition of EOPs will be presented, consistent with international practice and with their common usage in the nuclear industry. 

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