Use of probabilistic safety assessment (PSA) for nuclear installations

摘要

The paper uses a set of predefined questions, based on the EC-JRC Workshop's Guidance Document (see Preface of this special issue) to describe the status of use of Probabilistic Safety Assessment (PSA) within the nuclear industry and Regulatory Organisations, mainly related to nuclear power plants (NPPs). The answers do not cover the area of radiological protection or waste disposal. So far little work has been performed in the area of PSAs for fuel cycle facilities. The paper summarises the basic approaches used for safety assessment, the complementary use of deterministic and probabilistic analyses and their inter-relationship, some specific aspects of PSA related to nuclear technology, and current problems encountered. It describes differences of use in countries and areas where international agreement has been reached or is emerging. It concludes that it should be explored, to which extent a generic standard could harmonise the terminology used, address the principles of using results of risk assessments for decision making and could define the elements needed.