Frazer-Nash assesses reactor safety

The HSE’s Nuclear Directorate (ND), working with the Environment Agency, is currently completing a generic design assessment (GDA) for new nuclear power stations in the UK.

As part of the GDA, two different reactor types - the UK-EPR designed by Areva and EDF and the AP1000 designed by Westinghouse - are currently being assessed for their suitability to meet UK regulatory standards.

Frazer-Nash, working with partner Altran Praxis, will carry out a review of design and safety-case documentation, which the regulators will use to help them decide whether or not the proposed nuclear power-station designs are likely to meet the UK’s regulatory requirements.

The award of the contract follows Frazer-Nash and Altran Praxis’s successful completion of earlier GDA assessment work where they were called upon to provide technical support covering the control and instrumentation aspects of the reactor designs, including the reactor protection systems.

Sarah Hillier, Altran Praxis’s nuclear business manager, said: ’The GDA programme plays an important role in making sure that any new nuclear designs built in the UK can be operated safely and securely. By continuing our work with Frazer Nash, we’re able to provide vital safety analysis for the HSE at this critical stage in the nuclear new-build programme.’