Year
1998
Abstract
The US Department of Energy and technical specialists from Argonne National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Sandia National Laboratory, are working jointly with representatives of the Kharkov Institute of Physics and Technology to upgrade and modernize the physical protection and material control and accounting systems at the Institute. Recently, Japan and Sweden have also agreed to participate in the cooperative effort. The perimeter of the facility is being upgraded with new fences, intrusion detection sensors, closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, and improved lighting. A great deal of work has been completed within the perimeter as well. The building that houses the nuclear materials has been “hardened”. Walls, windows, and doors have been strengthened and public utilities have been removed. Additional layers of access control and intrusion detection have been added. New systems have been installed in the Central Alarm Station for computerized alarm monitoring, CCTV camera switching, and radio communication. A modular vault has been installed to provide immediate protection to the nuclear materials. Material control and accountability upgrades include several computers, a computerized database for tracking nuclear materials movements, bar-code equipment, new radiometric instruments for nondestructive analysis, a supply of reusable containers, and equipment and supplies to be used during nuclear materials repackaging.