Standards Development

Scope

This is a proposal for a new standard that applies to aerosols filters used in specified conditions in nuclear facilities (nuclear power plants, laboratories, research facilities, fuel cycle facilities, fusion facilities).

This standard provides the general requirements for the filters used in those nuclear facilities in order to show their adequate qualification against specified severe conditions. This standard covers the construction of the filters, the test rigs conditions and the qualification general requirements.

Purpose

In nuclear facilities, aerosol filters are used to protect Many countries have developed their national standards

In the nuclear industry, as well as in many other applications using radioactive materials, some dangerous products (radioactive materials) are used/handled/stored. The radioactive particles may be under an aerosol form which implies the need for aerosol filters in order to protect workers, the members of the public and the environment against the risks of spread of radioactive materials. These aerosol filters are used in normal operation for process filtration systems, or on buildings ventilation systems. These aerosol filters are also used to cope with accidents conditions, creating severe specified conditions

Some standards exist on the requirements to be associated with the filters used on these ventilation or process systems (e.g. ISO 17873, ISO 26802): type and number of HEPA filters (in serie). Many nuclear operators have their own process for qualified filters with regards to those specified severe conditions. But no standard exist on the requirements associated with the conditions in which the filters are used against specific loads (e.g. high radioactive environment, fire conditions,…). There would be a need to have specific standardized requirements for qualification against some specific loads: this would help both the filter market sellers, who would have standardized methods for specifying the filters and enlarge the market, and the customers that would have a standardised reference for qualified filters.