Inspection of installations in France

The purpose of controlling nuclear installations is to check that the equipment, procedures and work conform to the instructions in the regulations made by the controlling bodies, at the construction stage as well as at the operational one. Control also covers documents whose preparation is entrusted to the constructor or the operator; safety reports, general operating rules, etc. At the construction stage, control covers site selection, fabrication of the installation components, their assembly, the preliminary, as well as the final tests. During operation control covers, in particular, the qualifications of the staff, the proper operation of the facilities and conduct of the main operations and the conformity of effluent release with the authorized standards. Finally, control may be exercised over decommissioning and dismantling of the installation. (NEA)