Acceleration brings decommissioning saving

April 29, 2010

Funds released under the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority’s (NDA) portfolio management scheme accelerated the RSRL clean-up programme at Harwell by bringing a building decommissioning and demolition project forward by several years. It also reduced costs by combining projects, making more efficient use of resources.

RSRL seized the opportunity to accelerate the final decommissioning and demolition of a former medical and health physics facility. RSRL had decommissioned the building a couple of years ago, preparing it for demolition when funds became available. RSRL worked with its supply chain to ensure its demolition contractor agreement allowed easy addition of work as opportunities arose.

The NDA notified RSRL of its approval of the decommissioning and demolition project was approved by the NDA in mid-December 2009. RSRL took its plans off the shelf, and started physical work early in the new year, finishing final site grading before the end of March 2010, making the project not only cost-effective but extremely speedy. Considerable savings were made on the original budget through schedule compression and better usage of resources, including combining this project with the demolition of a neighbouring former post-irradiation examination (PIE) facility and other smaller works.

Purpose-built in 1951, the mainly two-storey medical and health physics building contained offices and laboratories. During its 50 year life, the building was used for laboratory work, such as bioassay and pathology, as well as physiotherapy, X-ray diagnostics and health monitoring. At one time the medical centre housed a team of doctors and nursing sisters who served about 6,000 people and included a sick bay and a surgery for treating minor injuries. Small quantities of radioactive materials were also handled in the facility presenting a few decommissioning challenges including removal of a number of fume cupboards and associated ventilation systems.

For more information please contact: Angela Vincent, RSRL Communications Manager