Progressively safer, cheaper demolition of Fernald
Fluor Fernald, Inc. has been progressively improving Decontamination and Dismantlement (D&D) at the Department of Energy's Fernald Environmental Management Project by applying new technologies and better methodologies to the work. Demolition issues existed in the past that necessitated new or improved solutions to maintain worker safety, protect the environment and accomplish the work in a cost effective manner. Lessons learned from D&D of 80 structures has led to a systematic approach, which can be implemented in various D&D arenas. When facility production was halted, hold-up material and process residues remained in the process piping and components. Over 500,000 pounds of material was removed by workers who completed the tasks two years ahead of schedule, $7 million under budget and with an excellent safety record. This success was the result of detailed planning and irdision of lessons learned as work progressed from facility to facility. Work sequences were developed that reduced airborne contamination. Demolition of structures has been performed at Fernald by carefully selected and qualified subcontractors. Asbestos and lead abatement, equipment, piping and conduit removal, and structural demolition have been completed to progressively higher performance specifications developed by Fluor Fernald based on lessons learned during execution. Safety continues to be the primary consideration in performing potentially hazardous work. Technologies such as hydraulic shears have been developed and used to keep workers away from danger. A new technology, ''Cool Suits,'' has been demonstrated to help prevent heat stress when anti-contamination clothing is required in elevated temperature working conditions. For tall structures, implosion technologies have been employed with progressively improved results, Several other new technologies have been evaluated by Fluor Fernald and applied by subcontractors. The improved technologies included the oxy-gas torch, which uses gasoline instead of acetylene gas, and a vacuum system for asbestos removal of wall insulation. These new methods proved effective and beneficial. Fluor Fernald has integrated demolition activities with waste disposal requirements to enhance overall efficiency. The relatively straight steel configurations required for recycling, and waste acceptance criteria that dictate waste sizes are typically included in the subcontract specifications The progressive improvements by Fluor Fernald have led to cost savings and schedule acceleration without increased risk to workers or the environment. When Fluor Fernald came to the site in 1992, the remediation baseline reflected a completion schedule of 2020 and a cost of $7.2 billion. The current projection is 2008 and $4.2 billion.
- Research Organization:
- Fernald Environmental Management Project, Cincinnati, OH (US)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- US Department of Energy (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC24-92OR21972
- OSTI ID:
- 770693
- Report Number(s):
- FEMP-2575; TRN: US0108367
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Spectrum 2000 Conference, Chattanooga, TN (US), 09/24/2000--09/28/2000; Other Information: PBD: 29 Sep 2000
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE WASTES, AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
FEED MATERIALS PRODUCTION CENTER
OHIO
SURPLUS NUCLEAR FACILITIES
DEMOLITION
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
REMOTE HANDLING EQUIPMENT
CUTTING TOOLS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
SITE DECONTAMINATION
BUILDING DISMANTLEMENT