Integrity concept for piping systems with corresponding leak and break postulates in German nuclear power plants

In order to continuously guarantee the component integrity of light water reactors during operation the ''leak-before-break concept'' is applied in Germany. This has been developed in the past 25 years on the basis of the safety criteria of the guidelines for damage precaution, of the German Reactor Safety Commission guidelines (RSK-LL) and the basis safety concept. The present paper will demonstrate that the German ''leak-before-break concept'' has been proven successfully for the last 25 years and reflects the state of the art of science and technology. (orig.)