Research on Use of a Graded Approach in Application of Emergency Preparedness and Response Requirements for Research Reactors

The current emergency management of research reactors in China dose not have different requirements for emergency preparedness and response of different types of research reactors. A graded approach is a good means of properly applying these requirements in light of the potential hazards associated with the reactor. According to the steps of the graded approach, based on China's current research reactor safety classification criteria, the power related emergency threat classification criteria of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the graded approach for applying IAEA emergency preparedness and response requirements, this paper puts forward the emergency management classification criteria of Chinese research reactors and the requirements for emergency state classification and emergency planning areas of research reactors with different emergency management categories, which provides a basis for simplifying the scope, extent and level of the content and details of emergency plans for low-power research reactor operating organizations, and for establishing an emergency management system for China’s research reactors that is commensurate with the hazard assessment results for different types of research reactors.