The art of implosions has impacted the success of three decontamination and decommissioning projects at Fernald

Conference · Mon Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1997

OSTI ID:561195

Borgman, T D

The Department of Energy (DOE) at the Fernald Environmental Management Project (FEMP), near Cincinnati, Ohio, has successfully impacted the safety, cost and schedule goals of the Decontamination and Dismantling (D&D) Program by using the art of implosions. An implosion is the act of bringing a structure down in a well planned and directed manner using explosive materials. Three major structures in three separate projects were imploded using this well known commercial technology. Safety is, and will always be, the major consideration with each of the projects. As each project succeeded another, the work process used new and improved methods to lower the risk to the environment, provide a safer workplace by reducing the exposure of high risk work and reducing the spread of lead, asbestos and radioactive materials. The time frame for dismantlement of the steel structures was greatly improved, thus reducing the total project cost. The lessons learned were incorporated from one project to another, to continually improve the work process. A number of alternatives were considered for the removal of the structures, seven, four and three stories in height. The subcontractor and its demolition sub-tier contractor worked in a fixed price lump sum contract environment. While skeptical at first, the subcontractor realized the benefits of the technology, a win-win situation for all participants. The overall planning of each of the events was tied to the needs of the client (DOE), the stakeholders and the community surrounding the site, and the continuing progress at the Fernald site. The recording and application of several key lessons learned in the sequence of implosions, will be the key issues of interest in this paper. Each project offered interesting opportunities for contingency planning, coordination, safety culture adjustments, and high regard for the protection of surrounding structures.

• Research Organization: Fluor Daniel Fernald, Inc., Cincinnati, OH (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC24-92OR21972
• OSTI ID: 561195
• Report Number(s): FEMP--2547; CONF-971121--; ON: DE98001144
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

05 NUCLEAR FUELS
42 ENGINEERING
BUILDINGS
DECOMMISSIONING
DECONTAMINATION
FEED MATERIALS PRODUCTION CENTER
IMPLOSIONS
REMEDIAL ACTION