Maintenance of Remote Handling Equipment

DOE-HDBK-6004-99

The wiring count from remote equipment to personnel areas should be minimized. The failure

potential for remote handling equipment is directly related to the amount of vulnerable wiring, and

connectors required from the work area.

Maintenance of Remote Handling Equipment

All remote handling equipment will potentially require maintenance while radiologically activated or

contaminated (tritium or other), and should be designed accordingly. Maintenance requirements

should allow for personnel using rubber gloves, plastic suits, or similar personal protective equipment.

Additionally, the time required to perform maintenance may be directly related to the resultant

exposure of personnel to radiological hazards.

Maintenance methods should allow for rapid replacement of components or modules utilizing quick

disconnects for all services. Fasteners should be designed for gloved handling and be a captive type

if possible.

Contamination Control

Surface contamination from tritium and activated dust should be considered in remote handling

system design. The design should allow for rapid surface decontamination, when needed, to ensure

function and minimize personnel exposure potential. The design should allow for external liquid

contact and should have surface finishes that facilitate decontamination. The potential for tritium

entrapment is assumed to be a potential problem for all remote systems.

Assembly and Disassembly Techniques

All systems should be of modular construction, if possible, to facilitate maintenance. Modules can

be replaced or relocated to other maintenance facilities with less potential for personnel exposure.

Systems for use in highly congested areas must also allow for modular construction to a sufficient

degree to allow for access and recovery of components.

Systems or modules of systems should provide for handling by fully protected personnel (e.g. plastic

suits) with a minimum of special requirements. Permanent lifting points are desired, and lifting slings

(ropes, cables, straps) should be avoided.

Gloved or double gloved hand compatible electrical and service connectors should be used to

facilitate connections. Sharp edges or rough surfaces are to be particularly avoided, to prevent

compromising protective clothing.

Special Handling Requirements

The handling of typically large and powerful remote equipment in confined spaces and the subsequent

maintenance of that equipment should be a design factor. The problem of live system troubleshooting

in such an environment is of particular concern. System designs should allow for a methodology of

required personnel work without hazard to personnel.

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