UCOR has made substantial progress preparing Y-12’s Beta-4 building for demolition, particularly in establishing critical infrastructure to support ongoing deactivation and demolition efforts.
To optimize efficiency and safety during D&D operations, Beta-4 crews have partnered with Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS) and other internal and external organizations to construct temporary facilities. This strategic relocation places crews closer to the Beta-4 facility, facilitating more effective execution of D&D activities.
The infrastructure project is more than 70 percent complete. This progress is a testament to the meticulous planning and collaborative efforts of all involved teams.
UCOR crews are installing approximately 700 feet of piping, providing essential potable water and sanitary sewer services for the new facilities. A recent strategic outage enabled UCOR and CNS to execute a critical underground ‘tie-in’ to the existing potable water line, ensuring reliable service to the new complex. This complex operation required months of meticulous planning and coordination among all stakeholders to guarantee safe execution.
The Beta-4 infrastructure project is anticipated to conclude by mid-April, paving the way for continued progress in the deactivation and demolition of the Beta-4 facility.
In terms of facility installation, 15 structures have been successfully erected. These include seven asbestos shower trailers, one restroom trailer, one triple-wide breakroom trailer, and six additional facilities dedicated to industrial hygiene, radiological control, a tool crib, and BCS operations. Seven concrete pads have been placed for future electrical equipment, and all facilities now feature installed stairs and decks.
Other recent milestones include the successful completion of soil sampling, a crucial step for future interior facility deactivation. Furthermore, the design of temporary power, essential for supporting deactivation activities, is nearing completion. Cold and dark scoping walkdowns are underway to identify secondary utility isolations, ensuring the highest level of worker safety during preparations for demolition.
