Some areas of concern in Indian PHWRs from regulatory perspective

The basic concern from regulatory perspective in the operation of Indian PHWRs is for radiation exposure to the occupational workers and to the members of public during normal operation as well as abnormal conditions. The radiation exposure to the occupational workers is the result of radiation conditions in the plant and the practices followed for operation and maintenance. Both technical and administrative actions are responsible in controlling the radiation exposures. As far as exposure to the members of public is concerned, integrity of heat transport and moderator systems, performance of the ventilation system and integrity of fuel cladding are important elements during normal operation and some of the anticipated operational occurrences. Containment systems play an important role in controlling the impact in public domain during accident conditions. Elaborate emergency preparedness plans ready in advance perfected and optimised through drills and exercises give an assurance that should a mishap occur requiring emergency action in the public domain, adequate and necessary actions to reduce the radiological consequences will be taken. In this context, four areas of interest are: Radiation Exposure of Occupational Workers, Fuel Performance, Containment Systems and Emergency Preparedness in Public Domain. (author)