The status of breeder safety

The objectives of safety for fast breeders are the same as for other reactor types, and the methodology is also the same. The principles of multiple barriers between the fuel and the environment and of engineered safety systems insuring a satisfactory 'defence-in-depth' against abnormal occurrences, are applied in a similar way. The licensing procedure is identical, and the safety analysis must demonstrate with a high degree of confidence that, for both internal and external events, plant accidents will be prevented, or, in case of occurrence, that their consequences will be limited so there will be no unacceptable risk for the public and the environment. It is for specific technical aspects of fast breeders that new safety criteria have to be set-up, and the author concentrates on these specific safety characteristics. (Auth.)