International Nuclear Event Scale
After the Chernobyl accident, the International Nuclear Event Scale (INES) has enhanced reporting on events at nuclear power plants.[1]
In the INES the events are roughly divided into deviations, incidents and accidents. The events are classified on the Scale at seven levels. The lower levels (1-3) are termed incidents. The upper levels (4-7) are termed accidents. The events which have no safety significance are classified as level 0/below scale. They are termed deviations. The lower levels consists of anomalies, incidents and serious incidents. The upper levels are comprised of accidents without significant off-site risk, accidents with off-site risk, serious accidents and major accidents.[1]
The IAEA maintains an information exchange network between the countries participating in the use of the Scale. Reports on the events belonging to the level 2 or above it are submitted to the IAEA through the NEWS (Nuclear Event Web-based System). The IAEA should have information on the level of the event in its disposal within 24 hours.[1]
The event level is defined in the country where the event takes place.[1]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 http://www.stuk.fi/ydinturvallisuus/ydinvoimalaitokset/vakavuusasteikko/en_GB/asteikko/ - December 10, 2010
