OPTIMIZATION OF RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION AND THE DESIGN OF NUCLEAR-FACILITIES

The optimisation of protection principle, also called the ALARA princi ple, is now recognised as the cornerstone of radiological protection p rogrammes. implemented by companies and utilities involved in the nucl ear industry. The broad aim of optimisation is to find the best use of resources in reducing exposures to individuals and the population. Th is should take into account both economic and social factors, such as the efficiency of protection, investments and equity in dose distribut ions. Because the optimisation process is source-related and of predic table nature, it is basically applicable at the design stage of projec ts where a wide spectrum of protection options are still possible. How ever, even at a preliminary stage of a project, applying ALARA implies having a fairly good knowledge about the way the equipment and the pl ant will be operated in the future. This is far from a straightforward task. After a brief review of the basic objectives of the ALARA princ iple, this paper presents a generic approach for its application at th e equipment and installation design stage. The key role of past experi ence analysis and the use of constraints are outlined and discussed.