Contamination event at research facility


Print View Posted on: 05 December 2017

Event Date: 21 September 2017 Event Type: Research Facility
Event Location: Sweden, Studsvik Nuclear AB INES Rating: 2 (Final)

On the 21 of September 2017 an event occured at Studsvik Nuclear AB in Sweden (SNAB). In the hot cell laboratory (HCL) the fire alarm was trigged accidentally and inergen gas was pressed into the cells in the cell line. This, in return, pushed contaminated air out from the cells. The contaminated air was spread through the entire controlled area of the laboratory. No personnel was present at the time. The licensee is a research facility authorised to perform laboratory assessments on spent nuclear fuel in hot cells. The event resulted in contamination in an area not expected and failures in barriers but with no actual consequences.

INES Rating: 2 - Incident (Final) as per 05 December 2017
Release beyond authorized limits? No
Overexposure of a member of the public? No
Overexposure of a worker? No

Contamination spread within the facility? No
Damage to radiological barriers (incl. fuel damage) within the facility? No

Degradation of Defence In-Depth Yes

Person injured physically or casualty? No
Is there a continuing problem? No

Maria Gabrielsson
Swedish Radiation Safety Authority

Maria.Gabrielsson@ssm.se
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