Full Marks for Safety Improvements at Czech Research Reactor

An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team said the operator of the 10 MW LVR-15 research reactor in the Czech Republic has continued to improve safety since a previous review in 2003, implementing significant refurbishments to modernise the reactor’s systems and components.

The Integrated Safety Assessment for Research Reactors (INSARR) team concluded an eight-day mission to assess the safety of the research reactor, operated by the Research Centre Řež (CVR).

The Czech Republic’s first and largest research reactor was first commissioned in 1957 and has undergone extensive refurbishments starting in 1989 and continuing in recent years.

The IAEA team noted the effective implementation of administrative and technical measures to ensure the continuity of safe operation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It also observed continued improvement in the effectiveness of training, maintenance and ageing management programmes.