Adapt is leading the project to construct a mock chimney structure to be used for demonstrating the use of a platform, which will be will used to complete the demolition of Pile 1 in the coming years.
Adapt – a joint venture comprising Altrad Babcock, Atkins and Orano – will work with engineering firm Forth to complete the trial run to ensure the demolition can be carried out safely.
The trial run is standard procedure within the nuclear industry and is regarded necessary to ensure working practices are safe and sustainable ahead of any demolition work on an active, potentially hazardous, site.
The work, to be carried out at Forth’s base in Leconfield Industrial Estate in Cleator Moor, will see a replica of the chimney constructed by DSD at the same circumference of 15m, but 7m in height. It will then demolished making use of a new Spida hydraulic platform designed by Adapt and fabricated by Glasgow company Cairnhill Structures.
Graham Cartwright, the projects director at Forth, said: “It’s important that this work is carried out in advance of the actual decommissioning of the Pile 1 chimney, and we’re looking forward to getting underway with the project.”