Design of Facilities to Facilitate Ultimate Decontamination and Decommisioning

DOE-HDBK-1132-99

The secondary confinement system should be capable of collecting and

processing tritium leakage that may occur from tritium auxiliary systems.

Systems for fusion test facilities should, to the extent practical, minimize the

conversion of elemental tritium to releasable tritium oxide, which poses a

greater radiological hazard. Furthermore, to reduce radiation exposure due to

inhalation and adsorption of tritium through the skin, the designer should

consider using an independent compressed-air breathing air system to support

the air-supplied suits used by personnel while maintaining tritium systems and

equipment. Facility design should incorporate shielding where the potential for

substantial neutron or gamma radiation may exist. Area tritium monitors should

be considered.

2.12

DESIGN OF FACILITIES TO FACILITATE ULTIMATE DECONTAMINATION AND

DECOMMISSIONING.

Introduction . Facility design should include features that will facilitate

2.12.1

decontamination for future decommissioning, increase the potential for other

uses, or both. Design of the areas in a facility that may become contaminated

with radioactive or other hazardous materials under normal or abnormal

operating conditions should incorporate measures to simplify future

decontamination. For example, soil sampling could be considered prior to

construction so that a baseline is created, against which sampling results

during decommissioning can be compared.

Designs consistent with the program requirements of DOE 5820.2A,

RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT, should be developed during the

planning and design phases, based upon either a proposed decommissioning

method or a proposed method for conversion to other possible uses. Certain

design features can readily be implemented to reduce cross-contamination of

the facility and enhance the ease with which the facility can be

decontaminated. For example, air filters should be strategically placed in the

ventilation systems to control the spread of contamination into either the

exhaust or supply ducts, depending on conditions. Walls, ceilings, and floors

should be finished with easily cleaned materials; in some areas (e.g., hot cells

and process equipment rooms), metal liners may be preferred. Construction

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