Fire alarm: examining the Chernobyl sarcophagus

The potential for explosion or fire in the Chernobyl 4 sarcophagus is examined. A large fire in the sarcophagus could cause a release of radioactive fuel dust on a scale similar to the radioactive release at the accident in 1986. Fire safety problems in the structure are only now beginning to be addressed. The stages in implementing a fire protection system are listed. These include: fire detection; procedures for installation, control maintenance and inspection of systems; fire fighting equipment and measures; passive fire protection; assessment of provisions to reduce the effects of fire which are already in place; protection of personnel and radiological safety. Work is in progress on these stages. (UK)