LES ACTIVITÉS NUCLÉAIRES : RAYONNEMENTS IONISANTS ET RISQUES POUR LA SANTÉ ET L’ENVIRONNEMENT ASNR has noted certain improvements in detection management and staff training. However, as in previous years, ASNR considers that on all the NPPs, EDF must improve management of the temporary storage of combustible materials during construction work and maintenance operations. ASNR also noted the need to strengthen the management of fire compartmentation at certain sites. EDF has developed its fire-fighting organisation, which has improved response conditions (see Highlight No. 7). However, fixed fire-fighting equipment needs to be monitored more closely to ensure that it is available, particularly as it ages. Finally, ASNR considers that EDF must be particularly vigilant with regard to new potential sources of fire, such as lithium batteries, and adapt its organisation to deal with them. Explosion risks ASNR checks the prevention and monitoring measures taken by EDF with regard to the risk of explosion. As part of its labour inspectorate duties, it also ensures compliance with the “EXplosive ATmospheres” (ATEX) regulations to ensure worker protection. ASNR considers that the level of explosion-related risk management is not yet up to the required standard for certain NPPs. ASNR notes that the level of progress in this area varies from site to site. ASNR considers that EDF must continue to pay particular attention to this subject and ensure that it is dealt with using all necessary rigour on all the sites. Internal flooding risks In 2019, ASN asked EDF to supplement its approach for controlling the internal flooding risk, notably to ensure correct operation of the floor drains, reinforce maintenance of the lines liable to lead to internal flooding and ensure improved management of their ageing. In response to these requests, EDF implemented improvement measures. In addition, EDF is continuing its field visits to identify the piping which could cause internal flooding in the electrical buildings, which are particularly vulnerable to this risk, in order to assess the need to reinforce its maintenance. In accordance with ASN’s requests, EDF will extend these surveys to the other buildings. ASNR sees as positive the fact that EDF has initiated the refurbishment of the circuits of certain cooling systems that are particularly susceptible to corrosion. Seismic risks On 11 November 2019, an earthquake occurred in the municipality of Le Teil. It led EDF to shut down the reactors of the CruasMeysse NPP so that it could conduct checks, which revealed no anomaly. In November 2019, ASN asked EDF to determine whether this earthquake should lead to a revision of the seismic levels to be adopted for protection of the Tricastin and Cruas-Meysse NPP sites. After investigations in the field, EDF defined a new hazard level to be used in the seismic reassessment studies associated with the fourth periodic safety review of the Cruas-Meysse site. ASNR also asked EDF to continue with its investigations in order to obtain an improved characterisation of the existing faults round the Tricastin and Cruas-Meysse NPPs. EDF undertook a wide-ranging programme of field investigations which continued in 2025 and the conclusions of which are to be taken into account during the fifth periodic safety review of the reactors on the sites concerned. Risks linked to extreme temperatures The inspections concerning the risks associated with extreme temperatures show that EDF’s organisation has improved on the majority of sites. However, against a backdrop of climate change, which means that periods of extreme heat or cold may come earlier, ASNR notes that at some sites there is a lack of foresight when it comes to entering facilities into summer or winter operating mode. HIGHLIGHT No. 7 Changes in fire-fighting organisation In 2019, ASN asked EDF to update its fire-fighting organisation so that each NPP would have the resources to respond rapidly and tackle fires at all times, particularly in the event of large-scale fires. In response, EDF undertook a review, which led in 2022 to the definition of a new firefighting organisation, the roll-out of which has been completed at the majority of NPPs. Firefighting at EDF’s NPPs relies on the intervention of teams trained by EDF and, if necessary, by the Departmental Fire and Emergency Services (SDIS). The new organisation aims to strengthen the complementarity of the fire-fighting resources deployed by EDF and the SDIS as part of a strategy for the gradual deployment of available resources. Some SDIS rescue centres have therefore been reinforced to ensure adequate staffing levels during periods when volunteer firefighters are less available. For NPPs furthest from rescue centres, EDF has established an operational standby team stationed inside the NPP or in the immediate vicinity. This standby team consists of at least six professional firefighters dedicated to the NPP and ready to respond in the event of a call-out, during a time slot defined between EDF and the SDIS. Furthermore, EDF has provided its teams with new uniforms offering the same level of protection as those worn by firefighters, thereby improving their operational conditions. Exercises and training sessions are organised by EDF to familiarise all personnel with these changes. For its part, the ASNR carries out checks on the implementation of this organisation during its inspections, including situational exercises. These have already revealed an improvement in the operational response in terms of response times and coordination during the initial phase of firefighting by EDF’s internal teams and the first external resources. ASNR will continue its checks at the various NPPs to verify the proper implementation and effectiveness of this new fire-fighting organisation. Fire-fighting exercise during an ASNR inspection of the Nogent-sur-Seine NPP on 17 November 2025. 296 ASNR Report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2025
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NjQ0NzU=