Methodology to evaluate the effectiveness of fire protection systems in nuclear power plants

Abstract A methodology for the evaluation of a fire protection system in a nuclear power plant is described. A system of Monte Carlo simulation modules has been developed, divided into the four phases of a fire scenario: ignition, detection, suppression and propagation. An interactive graphics computer program, FIRES, has been written to support these models. The system has been applied in a test case analysis of several zones of an operating plant. The models appear capable of providing interpretable and useful results.