[ RadSafe ] Unidentified Helicopters Nearly Fired UponOver Nuclear Power PlantBy

[Sandy Perle]

On 12 Mar 2005 at 14:02, jjcohen wrote:

> Richard asks an excellent question! Why are we so concerned regarding
> aircraft crashing into nuclear plants?  Of coarse we don't want them
> crashing anywhere, but why the special concern with nuclear
> facilities? I realize this concern is a good thing for people in the
> security business, but how does it benefit the rest of us?

There isn't an issue with any damage to the containment building. 
However, there is an issue in the event of damage to other system 
components within the plant, that could cause a transient situation. 
Any degradation in a system that causes a transient is a potential 
problem. Loss of off-site power is a problem that could have 
consequences. The truth is, if anyone wanted to seriously impact a 
plant, they need not go for the containment building. All they have 
to do is go for the ancillary systems and they could cause 
"potential" significant damage. They already know that. What they 
also know if the public will focus on the threat of a breech of 
containment, for that is what will set them off. 

There are air restrictions around nuclear facilities. The potential 
damage alone is not the only reason an intruder could be shot down. 
If one enters the restricted zone, they always face being brought 
down involuntarily.

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Sandy Perle 
Senior Vice President, Technical Operations 
Global Dosimetry Solutions, Inc. 
2652 McGaw Avenue
Irvine, CA 92614

Tel: (949) 296-2306 / (888) 437-1714 Extension 2306 
Fax:(949) 296-1144

Global Dosimetry Website: http://www.dosimetry.com/ 
Personal Website: http://sandy-travels.com/