The application of safety criteria in the assessment of nuclear power plants in the UK

The administration of the licensing function for nuclear installations in the UK, which is carried out by the Health and Safety Executive of the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate, is described. Having outlined the basic philosophy of the Inspectorate, the fundamental principles applied to all assessments which include consideration of normal operation, accident conditions and the evaluation of fault conditions and their protection, are examined. A number of the more important engineering requirements on which implementation of the fundamental principles depends (general principles of engineering design, reactor core and fuel, primary coolant circuits, protection equipment, containment systems, reliability analysis), are discussed. (U.K.)