Heysham Nuclear Power Station is operated by EDF Energy. Heysham is the only site in the UK to have two operating nuclear power stations. In 2020, Heysham generated low carbon electricity for over 1.6 million homes. Inside the power station, EDF Energy needed to carry out hydro demolition on a high level concrete plinth, located at heart of the power station.
ChallengeThe power station goes nine storeys beneath ground level, and this is where the project was based, a long way from the atmosphere. Air quality was a concern, as well as the steam and mist that would be created from the hydro demolition, as this would cause a visibility hazard, making it unsafe for site operatives to work.
The hydro demolition would also create a high level of noise, which could make warnings hard to hear, interfere with communications or cause damage to health. The power station was remaining live, so workers at the power station also needed to be protected from the hazards.
SolutionThe client created a birdcage scaffold deck, at high level, around the hydro demolition operation. Before work started, RVT created an enclosure around the birdcage using Soundex® Acoustic Curtains and Quilts, which can provide up to 98% noise absorption. Soundex® acoustic barriers are certified to conform with BS7955, which means it can be hung from scaffolding and other structures. Creating a seamless barrier around the project ensured that noise would be effectively captured, contained and controlled using The 3C's® Methodology.
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