Testing to the extreme

摘要

The design and performance standards for packages used for the transport of radioactive materials, including nuclear fuel cycle materials, are defined in the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA's) Regykations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material (TS-R-1) to ensure safety under both normal and accident conditions of transport. The underlying philosophy is that safety is vested principally in the package. The design and performance criteria are related to the potential hazard; the more hazardous the material the tougher the package. Appropriate tests are specified to ensure the integrity of the package during transport and there is a large body of evidence demonstrating that the IAEA tests are severe, and cover all the accident situations that could realistically be envisaged in the transport of nuclear fuel cycle materials.