The significance and development status were introduced about the pneumatic leak test pressure tightness for irradiated fuel rods in this paper, the pneumatic leak test was conducted, and the track mediator and experiment pressure of the pneumatic leak test were defined for irradiated fuel rods. With the consideration of the factors such as sealing, fixing operation, leakage monitoring system, tracer medium and pressure of the irradiated fuel rods in hot cell, the pneumatic leak test device was designed and the gas tightness inside and outside the hot cell was verified. Through the pneumatic leak test for the artificial simulative fuel rods, the effectiveness of the pneumatic leak test device as well as the feasibility of the method were proved, the requirements of pneumatic leak test were met, the technique of pneumatic leak test for irradiated fuel rods was established, the pneumatic leak test for irradiated fuel rods under strong radioactive environment was realized, and the leakage condition and position data of irradiated fuel rods were acquired.
