The criteria governing the design and construction of the ASECQ bestow the system with long storage life. Chief among the safety features of the system is the following.

Air tightness

The canisters are tested for tightness by pressure testing and by non-destructive testing of the welding carried out in test tubes, in prototype canisters and in canisters from a series. At the facility, all the valves of the silos used to obtain samples undergo testing to ensure their sealing capacity.

Mechanical safety

The canisters are designed and tested to retain tightness in the unlikely event of a fall from the maximum height they reach at the time they are being hoisted into place in the silos.

The reinforced concrete shielding of the silos when filled to capacity meets the requirements for the dissipation of heat occurring during the decay of the spent fuel elements.

The framework of the concrete is distributed in such a way in the silos as to counter tension resulting from the thermal effect of the dissipation of the heat generated by the spent fuel elements.

Radiation safety

The rate of radiation on the outer face of the silos when filled to capacity is far lower than the limit of exposure for personnel established by the Regulatory Nuclear Authority.

Seismic safety

The silos are designed and built in such a way as to remain undamaged in the event of a severe earthquake in accordance with the regulations governing the site.