An Overview of Safety Barrier at EPR Reactor in France

The fission of atomic nuclei, performed in reactors to generate heat, brings into play large quantities of radiation-emitting radioactive substances from which people and the environment must be protected. This paper explains the need for nuclear safety, which consists of the set of technical and organizational provisions taken at each stage in the design, construction and operation of a nuclear plant to ensure normal service, prevent the risks of an accident and limit its consequences in the unlikely event of its occurrence. (author)