What constitutes a containment breach in a nuclear facility?

A containment breach in a nuclear facility specifically refers to any failure that permits radioactive materials to escape the designated containment barriers. The primary function of these barriers is to confine radioactive materials, thus preventing their release into the environment.

In the event of a breach, this confinement is compromised, potentially leading to contamination and posing a risk to public safety and the environment. Containment systems are designed with multiple layers to ensure that even in the occurrence of operational failures, any release of harmful substances is mitigated. Therefore, the definition focuses on the escape of radioactive materials as the definitive characteristic of a containment breach.

Other scenarios mentioned, such as the failure of a cooling system, removal of spent fuel, or increased radiation levels, do not necessarily indicate a containment breach. While they may present operational issues or safety concerns, they do not constitute a direct failure of the containment systems designed to prevent the escape of radioactive materials.