Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant is secured by UTI
The project implemented for the benefit of Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant is a typical complex security system set up by UTI. The project included sub-systems of vital importance for the site security:
- Intrusion detection and perimetre surveillance sub-system
- Intrusion detection and hot area surveillance sub-system
- Perimetre access control sub-system
- Hot area access control sub-system
- Staff training centre access control sub-system
- Nuclear area fire detection and alarm sub-system
- Staff training centre fire detection and alarm sub-system
- Staff training centre fire extinguishing sub-system
- Fire detection, alarm and extinguishing monitoring sub-system in the main control room
- sMs monitoring centre
- The first stage of the project was implemented between 1993-1996, from consulting and defining the structural and technical needs, up to the operation of the installed systems in co-operation by FCNE Cernavoda and UTI specialists.
From the first stage, one of the main concerns was the compatibility between the proposed technical solutions and the security needs arising from the particular importance of the site and from the security level requested by the client.
Consequently, the fire detection, alarm and extinguishing systems were based on the equipment and technical advice provided by CERBERUS (at present SIEMENS SBT.) world leader in the corresponding industry. The system covers, by means of fire detectors, all the buildings and installations located in the nuclear area of the plant, the staff training centre and the simulator, and extinguishes fire in the simulator’s room by applying a modern and ecological solution. The monitoring of all alarm signals coming from the fire detection and extinguishing system, both in the conventional and nuclear areas is performed using the unit in the main control room.
As for perimetre security, the system combines top detection sensors based on the latest technologies, microwave, infrared, detection using video signals, vibrations, drawn cables, electronically processed detection of the alarm signals and images coming from the video surveillance system. Access control points at all gates enhance the perimetre security system. The gate security points include detection devices for explosives, hazardous materials, weapons, automated person and vehicle barriers as well as biometrics and card recognition devices for persons and vehicles as well as video capture devices.
All the components making up the security systems are connected to the central equipment installed in the control room of the security system, where monitoring, alarm assessment, and intervention forces co-ordination in case of emergency are performed. System management is performed by using sMs software application developed by UTI and customised according to the client’s requirements. It processes data coming from the central equipment and supplies data to the operators via a friendly graphic interface. This application also carries out system events management and provides control options for the system components.
UTI specialists continuously provided technical assistance during the project working on site. After completion and commissioning of works, all technical support requests were responded in due time. Owing to the importance of the site, all UTI works observed the quality assurance rules set by CNCAN, as indicated in the certificate granted by the latter.
Furthermore, system design, implementation and operation were checked and tested by line authorities, such as the Romanian Ministry of the Interior, the National Commission for Nuclear Activity Control, CNCAN Romania, the International Agency for Atomic Energy, IAEA Vienna, the Control Agency for Nuclear Energetics, AECB Canada, the Physical Protection Laboratory of US Department of Energy, SANDIA National Laboratories USA.
At present, as part of the Maintenance Agreement, UTI is performing upgrade and extension works for the system installed, with a view to continuously adjusting it to meet the additional requirements of the client and fitting relevant leading edge technologies.
