As nuclear decommissioning authorities seek to increase project efficiency while maintaining the highest possible standards of safety, companies responsible for the clean-up of sites look to new products and processes.

Existing access cover challenges and a bespoke composite solution

Magnox Ltd, the company responsible for the decommissioning of 12 nuclear sites in the UK , recently approached composite access cover manufacturer Fibrelite for a solution to access challenges at Hinkley Point A.

Magnox had established that the existing concrete and cast-iron trench and manhole access covering arrangements would be very troublesome long term and had experienced a number of failures across different locations/sites, causing confidence in these covers to be questioned. Key concerns included high levels of corrosion, structural degradation and extreme weight.

Predominantly located in pedestrian and vehicular traffic areas, this lack of confidence had led to large areas being barriered off and exclusion zones put into place. Following discussions with Fibrelite’s technical team Magnox specified Fibrelite covers for a replacement program programme at Hinkley Point A.

The Fibrelite technical team engineered numerous bespoke retrofit GRP composite trench and manhole covers, providing direct replacements for existing covers including differing depths, load ratings, and covers with locking mechanisms (in some instances).

Composite access covers solve manual handling and durability difficulties

Fibrelite covers proved the ideal solution for Magnox’s requirements, solving the 3 key difficulties experienced with the existing concrete and cast-iron covers trench and manhole access covering arrangements:

1. Weight: particularly in the nuclear industry, ease of access for services is imperative. Heavy concrete access covers impair this. Fibrelite covers are typically 1/3 the weight of similar metal and concrete alternatives and are suitable for a two-person lift.
2. Manual handling: Magnox was concerned about the risk of injury due to manual handling of the heavy concrete and metal covers. These concerns were remedied with Fibrelite’s lightweight covers and FL7 ergonomic lifting handles (which allow safe lifting from waist height).
3. Deteriorating performance: existing covers were exhibiting high levels of corrosion and structural degradation leading to concerns of fitness for purpose. The new Fibrelite covers are chemically inert so will last for years to come without degradation.