Transportation Package
An essential component for any safe shipment is a robust spent fuel container, or “cask.”
These containers must be shown, by test or analysis, to survive a sequence of three simulated accident conditions:
- A 9-metre drop onto an unyielding surface
- A 30-minute thermal test at 800°C
- Immersion in 15 metres of water for one hour without a breach of containment.
- During and after the tests, the containers must maintain containment of nuclear material, limit doses to acceptable levels, and prevent a nuclear reaction. To protect workers and the public, containers have walls 13 to 38 centimetres thick, made of steel and shielding materials, and a massive lid.
CNSC regulations are based on international best practices which provide standards for ensuring a high level of safety of people, environment and property against radiation and other hazards associated with the transportation of nuclear substances.
New CNSC interactive module on the safe transportation of HEU.