scope:

This International Standard specifies areas that are important to study when analysing potential criticality accidents.

NOTE 1 It is important that a criticality accident analysis be performed each time a criticality accident is considered credible, due either to criticality contingencies (double batching, procedural violations, etc.) or to the failure of safety provisions (effectiveness of neutron absorber reduced by fire, etc.).

NOTE 2 It is important that the criticality safety specialist be mindful that the process of evaluation developed in this International Standard does not address the unforeseen, since any actually occurring criticality accident will probably result from a scenario not envisioned or from failure to comply with prevailing regulations.

This International Standard does not address detailed administrative measures, for which the responsibility lies with the public authorities, nor does it deal with criteria used to justify the accident criticality analysis of a nuclear facility.

This International Standard does not apply to nuclear power plants.