Post Fukushima in 2011, the world’s Nuclear Power generator companies had to urgently reassess their ability to respond to disasters. The lessons learned from Fukushima needed to be carefully analysed and then overlaid with the specific technical and geographic characteristics of EDF’s nuclear energy generation facilities. These insights could then be used to inform the design of next-generation Deployable Back Up Equipment (DBUE) for response to potential contamination events in the UK.

Working closely with EDF’s inhouse technical team and specialist contractors, M2S guided the end-to-end development of the new DBUE soft shelter systems. This included a series of rigorous design and testing phases incorporating:

Structural design analysis with high wind loads on the frames and canvas

Prototype testing in an environmental chamber

‘Proof of shelter’ builds in high wind conditions

Factory acceptance testing with full simulant surround tests on the over-pressure system.

M2S delivered three non-pressurised deployable command and control systems for EDF. Two custom Collective Protection pressurised systems were also developed to provide safe operating environments in contaminated areas against specified threats. All the new DBUE elements were supported by a training package for relevant EDF staff. Ongoing maintenance and refresher training packages were also included, ensuring safe high-performance operation for years to come.

EDF’s emergency response equipment is housed in three strategically located storage facilities across the UK. The full scope of the solution provided by M2S included:

Rendezvous Point – a meeting point away from the threat area for staff before moving forward.

Access Control Point – a command centre and rest area with ablutions, kitchen, PPE stores and communication hub. Two ACPs were fully equipped over-pressure systems to manage contaminated PPE and personnel wash-down before entry into main hub.

Forward Control Point – managing response staff as they enter and leave the contaminated zone and direct communication back to the Access Control Point.

M2S had to design the deployable response system to interface with DBUE generators, pumps, vehicles, and supply chain requirements.

The UK Nuclear Industry now has a complete capability to respond to a major contamination incident both within the nuclear sites or a complete deployable capability outside of the perimeter of the nuclear sites.