Dounreay – Former Fast Reactor Research & Development Facility

Franks Portlock was commissioned by Dounreay Site Restoration Limited (DSRL) – a wholly owned subsidiary of the Cavendish Dounreay Partnership Ltd (a consortium of Cavendish Nuclear, CH2M and AECOM) – to complete a short-term project delivering asbestos management services.

We were engaged within the project based on our reputation of carrying out high quality independent work in the nuclear sector and the high level of proven experience of working as nuclear professionals on sites such as Sellafield as part of the nuclear decommissioning process.

Recognised as one of the most complex nuclear site closures in Europe, there is currently construction, demolition, and waste management work underway to bring the site back as near as possible to its original condition.

The experimental nature of many of its redundant facilities means the clean-up and demolition requires innovation as well as great care, requiring the project to undertake the integration of the complex requirements of both the Ionising Radiation Regulations 1999 and the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and ensuring ongoing compliance with both sets of rigorous legislations.

The works were identified as a multi-discipline activity involving various scaffolding providers, licensed asbestos removal contractor, the client and Franks Portlock. A collaborative working approach was identified and undertaken by all parties to ensure a safe and efficient delivery of the project target

Over a planned nine-week period, we delivered services including:

• Defined safe systems of work (SSOW)
• Pre-works assessments
• Air monitoring and on-site asbestos analysis during the removal of asbestos containing materials within the Fuel Cycle Area
• Four Stage Clearances of the completed removal works.

The removal works included the installation of scaffolding structures designed to enable the construction of enclosures to facilitate the safe removal of asbestos covered steam pipework and redundant systems, and the removal of all asbestos materials by the licensed asbestos contractor.

The project was carried out between February and April 2017 and was completed ahead of schedule due to the successful collaborative working arrangements undertaken between Franks Portlock, DSRL and the other contracting companies involved throughout all stages of the project.

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