ABSTRACT
Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) is a Government of India Enterprise involved in the design, construction and operation of Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) in the country. Right from site selection to design, layout, construction and operation of NPPs, due consideration is given to possible disasters like flood, earthquake, internal/external fires and heavy winds. Adequate provisions are also made to mitigate consequences of these events, which include many components such as layout considerations, seismic design basis, flood design basis, backup power, emergency core cooling, containment philosophy, shutdown cooling, fire water systems, engineered safety features, operational safety features and onsite and offsite emergency preparedness. After the Fukushima Daiichi NPP Accident of Japan in 2011, large scale design improvements and safety system up-gradation have been incorporated in Indian NPPs to ensure safety of employees and public. All NPPs are sited near large water bodies for ensuring ample quantity of cooling water. Therefore, mean flood level is an important consideration for site selection. Since many heavy materials are frequently handled using tower cranes during construction, wind velocity is an important criterion during this stage. Operational safety of the NPPs against any possible disaster is ensured by adopting defense in depth design philosophy and Emergency Operating Procedures (EOPs). Each NPP is designed for handling internal and external fire incidents as per defense in depth and “Matrix-9” philosophy by means of fire prevention, early detection and suppression of fire and mitigation of fire; with the objective of reactor safe shutdown, core-cooling and containment of radioactivity. Each NPP has a well-established fire brigade, which is independent of state fire brigade. All NPPs also have ‘fire squads’ of plant personnel who are trained to act as first responders during fire incidents. In addition, all station personnel are periodically trained on basic firefighting, use of first-aid applications, handling of chemical leaks, rescue operations and radiological emergencies. These trainings are reinforced by conducting periodic exercises. Effectiveness of these is verified by periodic internal and external reviews and audits. This paper gives an overview of basic education on disaster management and preparedness in NPCIL to ensure Safety of Employees and Public.
