1. General presentation

The risk of fire in a pressurized water nuclear power plant is much lower than in a fossil-fuel plant. Nuclear energy is converted into electrical energy using equipment whose main parts are non-combustible (vessel, pumps, turbine, piping, etc.). In addition, the need for biological protection against radiation and protection against accidents means that nuclear equipment is housed in heavy, reinforced concrete buildings with thick walls that are not conducive to the spread of fire. Significant fire risks are therefore limited to facilities containing :

• oils (rotating machines, transformers, servomotors);

• electrical equipment and cables ;

• fuel oil (emergency generators) ;

• coverings made of combustible materials (paint, roofing).

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