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Concept
Design-basis event
Summary
A design-basis event (DBE) is a postulated event used to establish the acceptable performance requirements of the structures, systems, and components, such that a nuclear power plant can withstand the event and not endanger the health or safety of the plant operators or the wider public. Similar terms are design-basis accident (DBA) and maximum credible accident.
Subtypes of DBEs are:
design-basis criticality: "A criticality accident that is the most severe design-basis accident of that type applicable to the area under consideration."
design-basis earthquake (DBE): "That earthquake for which the safety systems are designed to remain functional both during and after the event, thus assuring the ability to shut down and maintain a safe configuration."
design-basis explosion: "An explosion that is the most severe design-basis accident of that type applicable to the area under consideration."
design-basis fire: "A fire that is the most severe design-basis accident of this type. In postulating such a fire, failure of automatic and manual fire-suppression provisions shall be assumed except for those safety class items or systems that are specifically designed to remain available (structurally or functionally) through the event."
design-basis flood: "A flood that is the most severe design-basis accident of that type applicable to the area under consideration."
design-basis tornado (DBT): "A tornado that is the most severe design-basis accident of that type applicable to the area under consideration."
Circumstances like the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami were not considered within the design basis of the plant, and so the resulting Fukushima I nuclear accidents were described using this terminology as "beyond design basis" or "non-design-basis". However, some have claimed that the design basis for tsunami events at Fukushima was incorrect.
Accidents caused by poor design, failure to follow listed safety procedures, or other forms of human error are not considered to be beyond-design-basis accidents.
Official source
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