25 June 2012
A new cover has been installed over the used fuel pool of unit 4 at the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. The cover will provide additional protection from the weather and prevent debris from the roof of the reactor building falling into the pool.
Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco) earlier placed a floating protective sheet on the surface of the fuel pool of unit 4 to help stop debris dropping into it. However, it has now completed installation of a steel protective platform over the pool.
Weighing some 60 tonnes and measuring about 11m by 13.7m, the platform was first assembled on the ground before being installed using large heavy machinery. The new platform is being used in conjunction with the existing floating cover.
Tepco said that, in addition to preventing debris falling into the pool, the new cover would "ensure a higher level of safety."