Security during the Lifetime of a Nuclear Facility

Implementing Guide

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• Publisher: International Atomic Energy Agency
• Year: 2019
• ISBN:
  9789201080226
• Topic: Technologie et ingénierie
• Subtopic: Génie mécanique

This publication provides guidance to States, competent authorities and operators on appropriate nuclear security measures during each stage in the lifetime of a nuclear facility, from initial planning of the facility through to its final decommissioning. The publication addresses effective nuclear security in the transition between stages and applies to the nuclear security of nuclear material and nuclear facilities throughout the lifetime of all types of nuclear facility. Although focused on nuclear power, the guidance contained in this publication may be useful for States developing nuclear programmes with other types of facility, including those for research and development.

1. INTRODUCTION

Background

1.1. The lifetime of a nuclear facility extends from the earliest planning stages through to its decommissioning. It is important to consider nuclear security early in the design of new facilities and during partial redesigns or modifications, as it can result in nuclear security for these facilities that is more efficient, more effective and better integrated with other safety, safeguards, operational and other measures. Nuclear security measures are also important during commissioning and operation; and they should not cease at decommissioning, as they are important in addressing the protection of the remaining quantities of nuclear material or other radioactive material, which has accumulated during the operations stage.

1.2. The essential elements of a State’s nuclear security regime and the physical protection measures for nuclear material and nuclear facilities consistent with those essential elements are described in the following IAEA Nuclear Security Series publications:

— No. 20, Objective and Essential Elements of a State’s Nuclear Security Regime [1];

— No. 13, Nuclear Security Recommendations on Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and Nuclear Facilities (INFCIRC/225/Revision 5) [2];

— No. 27-G, Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and Nuclear Facilities (Implementation of INFCIRC/225/Revision 5) [3].

1.3. While Refs [1–3] indicate that nuclear security measures should be planned and introduced as early as possible in the lifetime of a nuclear facility, they focus primarily on security during the operation of a facility, and not on nuclear security measures during all stages in the lifetime of a nuclear facility.

Objective

1.4. The objective of this publication is to provide guidance to States, competent authorities and operators on appropriate nuclear security measures during each stage in the lifetime of a nuclear facility, from initial planning of the facility through to its final decommissioning. This publication also addresses effective nuclear security in the transition between the stages.

Scope

1.5. This publication applies to the nuclear security of nuclear material and nuclear facilities throughout the lifetime of all types of nuclear facility.

1.6. Although focused on nuclear power, the guidance contained in this publication may be useful for States developing nuclear programmes with other types of nuclear facility, including those for research and development.

1.7. This publication does not specifically address the security of nuclear material in transport, which is addressed in other guidance within the IAEA Nuclear Security Series (see Refs [3–8]). This publication also does not address the security of radioactive sources; however, the general concepts and guidance may be applicable, using a graded approach.

1.8. This publication discusses stages of the lifetime of a nuclear facility that correspond — but are not necessarily identical — to those described in other publications. Notably, the IAEA publication Milestones in the Development of a National Infrastructure for Nuclear Power [9] defines three phases in the development of a national nuclear power programme, with associated actions and milestones leading up to the operation of the first nuclear power plant. These three phases generally correspond to the early stages of the lifetime of a nuclear facility discussed in this publication. The three phase structure has also been used in IAEA Nuclear Security Series No. 19, Establishing the Nuclear Security Infrastructure for a Nuclear Power Programme [10], to address security concerns during the development of a national nuclear power programme. In this publication, it is assumed that the actions set out in Ref. [10] to be taken during Phase 1 have either been completed or are in progress. As defined in Ref. [2], the term nuclear security includes all of the elements of a State’s physical protection regime1. Other terms used throughout this document are consistent with Ref. [2] and other publications of the IAEA Nuclear Security Series. In addition, it is assumed the requirements in IAEA Safety Standards Series No. GSR Part 7, Preparedness and Response for a Nuclear or Radiological Emergency [11], are included in emergency preparedness and response processes.

1.9. Safety and safeguards measures to be taken during the lifetime of a nuclear facility are not addressed in this publication.

Structure

1.10. Section 2 provides a description of the concept of security during the lifetime of a nuclear facility and describes the stages in its lifetime. Section 3 details action...

Table of contents

• 1. INTRODUCTION
• REFERENCES