ASN Report 2015

383 / 536

Ten-yearly verifications: conformity checks
EDF carries out periodic safety reviews of the nuclear
reactors every ten years, in accordance with the regulations
(see point 2.9.4). EDF thus compares the actual condition
of the NPPs with their applicable safety requirements
and identifies any deviations. These verifications
can be supplemented by a programme of additional
investigations designed to check the parts of the facility
which are not covered by a preventive maintenance
programme.
Informing ASN and the public
When a deviation is detected, and in the same way as
any BNI licensee, EDF is required to assess the impacts
on nuclear safety, radiation protection or protection
of the environment. If necessary, EDF sends ASN a
significant event notification. As of level 1 on the INES
scale, the public is informed on of the events
thus notified by the licensees.
ASN’s remediation requirements
On 6th January 2015, ASN published Guide No. 21
concerning the handling of non-compliance with a
defined requirement for Equipment Important for
Protection (EIP). This guide applies to all anomalies
affecting an EIP that performs a function necessary
for the nuclear safety case with regard to radiological
accidents affecting a pressurised water reactor.
It presents ASN’s requirements concerning the correction
of non-conformities and presents the approach expected
of the licensee in accordance with the principle of
proportionality. This is based more specifically on an
assessment of the potential or actual consequences of
any deviation identified and on the licensee’s ability
to guarantee control of the reactor in the event of an
accident, by taking appropriate compensatory measures.
2.8.3 Examination of events and operating
experience feedback
Operating experience feedback is a source of continuous
improvement for the protection of the interests mentioned
in Article L. 593-1 of the Environment Code. ASN requires
that EDF notify it of the significant events occurring in
its NPPs, in accordance with predetermined notification
criteria (see point 3.4.2 of chapter 4). Each significant
event is therefore rated by ASN on the International
Nuclear Events Scale (INES), which comprises eight
levels from 0 to 7.
ASN checks how EDF organises and analyses operating
experience feedback from significant events and events
that have occurred in other countries. At the local and
national levels, it examines all significant events notified
(a summary of their analysis for 2015 is given in 4.1.6).
The significant events considered to be noteworthy owing
to their recurrent or generic nature undergo detailed
analysis with the support of IRSN. During inspections
in the NPPs, ASN also reviews the organisation of the
sites and the steps taken to deal with significant events
and take account of operating experience. Finally, at the
request of ASN, the Advisory Committee for Reactors
periodically reviews feedback from PWR operation (see
box point 4.1.6).
Handling deviations
A deviation is non-compliance with a defined requirement
or a requirement set by the licensee’s integrated
management system. A deviation may thus affect a structure,
a system or a component of the facility. It may also concern
compliance with an operating document or an organisation.
The regulations require that the licensee identify all deviations
affecting its facilities and handle them. The activities involved
in deviation handling are important for the protection
of interests (public health and safety and protection of nature
and the environment, as mentioned in Article L. 593-1
of the Environment Code). They are thus subject to oversight
and monitoring requirements, the implementation of which is
regularly checked by ASN.
UNDERSTAND
383 CHAPTER 12: EDF NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS (NPPs)
ASN report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2015