The design of cranes for BNFL plants

The design of cranes for nuclear duties is based upon the operational requirements of the process and the need to withstand selected abnormal events. The functional requirements are first established and the design evolves in parallel with safety assessment to demonstrate that the criteria for the plant are satisfied. This paper reviews the design process from front end through to manufacture and installation demonstrating how the required integrity is achieved. Three BNFL (British Nuclear Fuels Limited) cranes are referenced as examples of high integrity cranes. (author)