Nuclear safety is paramount in power plant planning, and stringent regulations, licensing and continuous monitoring make it a reliable industry. Before nuclear power plant construction, engineers and developers consider every possible threat, from cybersecurity to location and seismic events.
Atomic power offers a sustainable alternative to finite energy resources. However, constructing nuclear power plants requires adherence to strict codes, regulations and inspections to ensure long-term operational safety with designs that account for the estimated threat levels.
Unlike conventional power plants, nuclear facilities require intense international and national regulatory bodies’ oversight.
Regulatory framework for nuclear power plant construction
Nuclear power plant construction is subject to multi-layered safety regulations designed to prevent accidents and ensure global security. Since atomic infrastructure involves international suppliers, regulators coordinate safety codes to streamline the movement of materials across borders. Official bodies oversee these activities.
- International Atomic Energy Agency:Â The IAEA creates global safety frameworks and provides technical guidance on reactor construction and operations.
- National regulatory bodies: Each country with an atomic program has a separate regulatory body. The UK’s Office for Nuclear Regulation manages all British atomic operations, while the European Nuclear Safety Regulators Group oversees all facilities in the EU nations. In the U.S., the Nuclear Regulatory Commission fulfils this role.
- World Association of Nuclear Operators:Â WANO supports best practices in nuclear safety by promoting peer reviews and information sharing among operators.
Hazards addressed by nuclear power plant construction
Nuclear power plant construction must account for multiple environmental and human-induced risks.
- Seismic activity like earthquakes and landslides
- Meteorological events like storms, winds, flooding and tsunamis
- External impact events like explosions and aircraft crashes
- Temperature-related risks like extreme cold that can damage coolant lines and cause overheating or extreme heat and heat illnesses that may affect operator performance
- Cybersecurity threats like malware or ransomware
Site selection and licensing requirements
An atomic power plant must meet strict site selection and licensing regulations before construction begins.
Criteria for choosing a nuclear plant’s location
Suitable sites must resist earthquakes, tremors and other ground movement. Soil integrity requires careful assessment to prevent structural failure due to landslides or sinkholes.
Hydrological assessment for cooling requirements
Proximity to stable water sources is vital for water-cooled reactors. Hydrological studies determine whether a site offers a long-term sustainable water supply.
Environmental impact assessments and public consultations
Performing comprehensive EIAs determines the effect on local ecosystems, groundwater and air quality. Regulatory bodies review all assessments before granting construction licenses.
Licensing process — from permit to construction approval
Licenses receive approval after consultations with all relevant stakeholders, including environmental agencies, government departments and public committees. Once fully licensed, projects receive construction permits for groundbreaking.
Design and engineering safety standards
One of the most critical phases is the design and engineering stage when multiple integrated safety measures limit and manage unforeseen risks.
Including various layers of protection — also called defence-in-depth — during planning and building minimises the likelihood of a single catastrophic failure causing a breach or leak. The integrated approach allows construction plans to accommodate all possible threats.
Engineering redundancy on components like the reactor, vessel, cooling systems and containment structures ensures these can handle stress and potential failures that exceed their specifications.
The reactor building is a third barrier between radioactive materials and the external environment, so its design and construction must meet stringent requirements. It’s non-negotiable that these structures withstand extreme external forces like earthquakes, bombings or aircraft impact.
Lastly, integrating reactor designs, passive cooling, and automated emergency shutdown mechanisms that function without external power can increase resilience against accidents.
Construction safety protocols
Extreme safety measures during construction must meet design specifications and ensure the facility is up to standards. New construction or enhancements to an existing facility should adhere to strict radiation limits. Protective measures include shielding, monitoring and controlling access to hazardous zones to limit exposure.
All approved construction materials undergo rigorous testing to meet the strength and durability requirements. Pre-stressed concrete and other precision materials must align with regulatory standards. These withstand the pressure of nuclear fission processes, which generate high pressure from the steam turbine system and forces from the rotating shaft.
Inspectors can use ultrasonic and radiographic testing to verify the integrity of welds and structural components without compromising them. These methods also provide quantifiable data that ensures sustained quality to satisfy regulatory requirements.
Regulatory inspectors are on-site during all construction phases, overseeing installations and determining whether these comply with approved designs. Deviations require immediate rectification before proceeding to the next stage.
Seismic and natural disaster considerations
Natural disasters, such as tsunamis or earthquakes, often present a formidable threat to nuclear plants.
The Fukushima Daiichi reactor
Of the three recorded nuclear reactor accidents, one resulted from tsunami damage. In 2011, the Japanese Fukushima Daiichi reactor lost cooling because a massive 15-metre wave disrupted power at the plant. Modern regulations ensure that construction is dynamic enough to withstand nature’s destructive forces.
Plants in earthquake-prone areas absorb seismic shocks using base isolation techniques, reinforced concrete foundations and flexible piping systems. Nuclear power plants require a robust anchorage system to ensure no construction damage causes malfunctions. If an earthquake’s shearing force compromises a nuclear reactor building, it could lead to a reactor leak. Engineers and construction experts should plan the base at the onset of the atomic project.
Elevated construction platforms, reinforced seawalls, and waterproofed electrical systems may have prevented the reactor meltdown that caused the incident at the Fukushima Daiichi plant. Safety regulations should consider and minimise flood and storm damage.
Chernobyl Nuclear meltdown
The infrastructure and design of atomic power plants may cause or avert disasters. The Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine exploded in 1986, ejecting 70 tonnes of nuclear fuel into the air as a cloud that spanned Europe, causing massive radiation contamination at levels of 300 sieverts per hour.
While reactor design and human error were the primary culprits, the construction of Chernobyl also didn’t favour containment during the disaster. If the plant had adequate fire-resistant materials and automatic fire suppression systems, better containment protocols may have prevented critical systems from failing.
Security measures in nuclear construction
Security is integral to nuclear power plant construction, and measures to prevent sabotage and unauthorised access are vital to overall safety. Digital security protocols protect reactor systems from hacking attempts or cyberattack threats that could compromise operations. In 2023, various industries and businesses reported 317.59 million ransomware attacks, though the actual number is likely even higher. The danger to atomic facilities is high.
Ransomware could severely damage plant systems, trigger a reactor breach and threaten the surrounding environment. For this reason, a nuclear power plant’s security — from construction to completion and operation — is rigorous. In the US, each plant requires an NRC-approved cybersecurity plan to prevent attacks.
Workers undergo extensive background checks and advanced security measures control access to high-security zones. Construction regulations require sites to have fencing, security checkpoints and 24/7 monitoring systems that detect and deter intrusion or trespassing before breaking ground.
Waste management and environmental protection during construction
Minimising environmental impact during construction is vital. Radioactive materials, including any contaminated tools and materials used during the project, require specialised handling, storage and removal to authorised disposal sites.
For example, construction materials like stellite 6B are relatively harmless and ideal for machining according to exact aerofoil geometry specifications. However, older stellite-coated components may be irradiated, and repairing parts of a nuclear station requires careful handling and disposal of harmful materials.
Strict containment measures keep local water bodies and soil uncontaminated and compliant with environmental regulations. Frequent testing verifies regulatory adherence to steps such as mandated dust suppression systems and emission controls that minimise environmental damage and maintain acceptable air quality.
Oversight, inspections and compliance
Continuous monitoring and inspection form part of all plant construction stages. Resident inspectors from various controlling bodies oversee daily construction and conduct surprise audits to ensure regulatory compliance. Third-party reviews check up on engineering and safety code violations.
Each construction phase must pass rigorous safety testing before approval for the next stage. Workers must report, analyse and address safety breaches — even minor ones — to prevent incident escalation.
A future of safer nuclear power
Nuclear power plant construction follows the world’s most rigorous safety regulations, ensuring every phase — from site selection to final inspections — meets the highest standards. As technology advances, newer reactor designs integrate enhanced safety measures, reinforcing nuclear energy as a reliable and sustainable power source.
By:Safety regulations involved in nuclear power plant construction
