Radiological Access Areas

The specific radiological access areas are designated in the EDCD, Chapter 12 (Reference 12.1), particularly in Sections 12.3 and 12.5. 

Radiologically and industrially safe is the placement of equipment and facility in a condition that does not pose any unusual, unexpected or additional industrial safety risk and does not pose a radiation or contamination risk beyond normal EBR-II levels for controlled access areas. 

The administrative controls for the use of the APIOOO design features provided to control access to radiologically restricted areas ... 

The access and egress of radiologically controlled areas and health physics facilities is considered in Section 12.5 of the EDCD (Reference 12.1). 

Control of access to site maintenance of security Designation of restricted areas, e.g. containing flammable materials, eye protection zones, hearing protection zones, radiological hazards, microbiological hazards... 

Material Locations Radioactive and hazardous materials may be located in all areas of the facility as described in the SAR. Radioactive and hazardous materials may be located in all areas of the facility as described in the SAR. To the maximum extent possible, radioactive and hazardous materials have been removed from any area undergoing maintenance. Radiological and hazardous materials have been removed from areas with unrestricted access. 

An access control point with provisions for contamination monitoring should be arranged. No one should leave the area until he or she has been controlled for contamination and, if required, decontaminated. If the prompt arrival of radiological expertise is not expected at the site of an accident, plans should require a precautionary decontamination of personnel. 

The access control of controlled radiological areas has been strengthened by the installation of persoimel security doors (of air-lock chamber type) replacing turnstiles used in previous installations. 

The commissioning of a nuclear power station differs from that of a conventional plant more in a matter of degree than in principle. It is accepted that once substantial power has been achieved, entry to the core area is impossible within economic time scales, although the rest of the reactor, i.e. boilers and gas circulators, is accessible for inspection. However, the high capital cost of the plant puts a premium on trouble-free operation and the development of maximum attainable load in the minimum possible time. Safety aspects to be considered in order of occurrence are electrical, mechanical and radiological. 

Access to RCAs in the reactor areas is controlled at several levels. Initially, access is controlled by passage through a security gatehouse that the contractor, has chosen to use as the point past which personnel are to be equipped with a TLD for monitoring the annual effective dose equivalent from external irradiation. It is assumed, at this point, that possession of a TLD indicates authorization, for radiological control purposes, to enter the controlled area. This approach has a weakness. 

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