Decommissioning of BNFL Building A33

Located within a live nuclear fuel processing plant at Springfields, near Preston the facility had been associated with the production of chemical agents as well as processing enriched uranium. Production ceased in April 1999 and the bulk inventory had been removed. However quantities of corrosive chemicals and residues of natural and enriched uranium were discovered during the decommissioning works.

All materials arising from the decommissioning operation were cleaned
and downsized, using mainly cold cutting techniques, for disposal into the appropriate waste stream.

The entire project was executed within a controlled area requiring detailed planning and liaison with the on-site Radiological Protection Advisor and Health Physics Personnel.