Concept for in-service inspection at the Kalkar nuclear power plant

In German regulatory specifications, n-service inspections are a part of the maintenance system of a plant. The original aspect of in-service inspection was concerned with immediate safety of a reactor. Nowadays, the aspect of maintenance is gaining significance. The objectives of in-service inspection requirements at Kalkar NPP are based on the principle: 'The purpose of in-service inspection is the confirmation of the specified state of the plant at various times during the service life of the plant.' This means that the plant can be shut down reliably, decay heat can be removed safely, activity entrapment is secured. This paper describes evaluation of the operational data; in-service functional tests; non-destructive tests; inherent safety properties