Aspiration detection system installed in nuclear reactor

The FAAST devices achieved a 100% pass rate on a variety of extended extreme environmental tests. These were: seismic testing to Richter Scale 9; high frequency vibration testing; extreme temperature test at -28 and +65°C; rapid temperature changes fluctuating from -25 to +70°C; dry heat endurance at +70°C; damp heat endurance at +70°C with 95% condensing humidity; cold test at -25°C; radiation testing at exposure up to 140Gy; and multiple power up/power down.

Having been significantly tightened since the Fukushima disaster in 2011, extremely stringent specification requirements are imposed on equipment installed in enterprise-critical locations in NPPs. The most critical operational requirements for fire detection systems are a fast response and almost 100% immunity to false alarms. False alarms can be very costly - taking a single reactor off line for a day can cost upwards of €2m in lost output (this does not include costs associated with powering down and re-commissioning the reactor core).

“Honeywell has a great deal of experience in nuclear facilities. Having FAAST in our portfolio has extended our ability to offer a robust fire detection solution that can withstand some of the toughest environmental challenges in one of the most regulated industries. The tests were extremely challenging and made even more so due to the impact of Fukushima so it’s a great testament to the device’s ability to stay in operation through any potential disaster,” comments David Coffinet, Project Manager, Honeywell Life Safety.