Physical protection systems of nuclear facilities: a proposed nuclear power plant general layout and regulatory requirement

Abstract

At present, great efforts in Egypt are directed towards elaborate physical protection regulations to protect nuclear and radiological facilities from any adversary actions, especially after signing the agreement between Egypt and Russia for the establishment of the first Egyptian nuclear power plant in Dabaa. The upcoming regulations will include a physical protection regulation of nuclear facilities and nuclear materials. Thus, the present work is concerned with a proposal of physical protection regulation of nuclear facilities. This proposal discusses the role of the licensee in defining threat assessment and design basis threat followed by classifying different areas in general layout of nuclear facility or nuclear power plant. Also, the requirements of an efficient physical protection system are discussed based on the four basic elements, i.e. entry control, intrusion detection, delay of intruder, and response force. This suggested regulation takes into consideration the International Atomic Energy Agency recommendations and many other countries’ regulations.