AMEC1

Spent fuel transport casks are built to meet stringent safety and quality assurance requirements to prevent the risk of exposure of workers or the public to radiation during the loading, transport and unloading of the spent fuel elements. Regular servicing is necessary to maintain the ability of the casks to resist the thermal, mechanical and corrosive forces that are encountered in normal use. Cogema, Nuclear Transport Ltd and Pacific Nuclear Transport Ltd service their 100 large-payload casks in AMEC 1 at La Hague in France. The regulations applying to cask maintenance are explained, the maintenance policy is stated and the way the maintenance is organised is described. (UK)