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Decommissioning/Decontamination…Beyond the ASTM Phase I Process When corporate mergers and acquisitions involve the transfer of hard assets such as buildings, laboratories, and equipment, the terms of the transfer often required the seller or operating entity to prepare these assets for unimpeded use by the new equity. In the simplest case, this preparation (or decommissioning) may be limited to the demolition or removal of property uninvolved in the transaction and general cleanup. However, where radiological, chemical, or biological materials were in use or production, the decommissioning process may require comprehensive decontamination activities. This work must often be conducted under the scrutiny of regulatory agencies, particularly where permits or licenses had been issued previously for the operations. Beyond these regulatory requirements, cautious buyers often adhere to certain corporate due diligence requirements to protect themselves from future liabilities.
IES SERVICES has conducted numerous facility Decommissioning/Decontamination projects for our industrial clients. These projects have included arranging for permit transfers to the new operator, ASTM Phase I Environmental Site Assessments, radiological decommissioning, and large-scale decontamination of major research or manufacturing facilities. IES’services include not only the technical analysis of the work to be performed, but may also include on-site owner’s representative services and full turnkey services with complete responsibility to execute and fully document the work performed.
REPRESENTATIVE PROJECTS
Research Laboratories IES provided on-site management, staff, and technical support during a decontamination, decommissioning, and closure of our client’s major research and development facility and support functions. The closure process involved: identifying radiological, chemical, and biological hazards; performing radiological preliminary and final surveys; inventorying, decontaminating, and preparing R&D equipment for transfer, sale, and/or disposal; cleaning all laboratories and support areas; conducting permit and license transfer and termination; and disposing of hazardous waste. The facility housed over 250 laboratories and occupied approximately 1,000,000 square feet.
The major goals and objectives of the project were to execute a systematic and comprehensive program to satisfy all due diligence property transfer requirements. Health and safety training were provided by IES in-house staff to all site project personnel. Safety Plans, Decommissioning Plans, and Final Survey and Decommissioning Reports were prepared by IES to document both outside regulatory and internal facility closure requirements. IES interfaced with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and State and Local regulatory agencies to ensure all closure requirements and procedures were being followed. By using our client’s remaining on-site technical staff to satisfy a portion of the manpower requirements, IES was able to reduce project costs and maintain employee relations through the ownership transition process. IES managed an orderly and safe closure of the facility and surpassed the client’s schedule needs and expectations.
Semiconductor Manufacturing
IES developed a comprehensive inventory of all potential hazardous materials that were required to be removed from this semiconductor manufacturing facility. From this inventory, IES developed and implemented a sampling plan to confirm special handling and disposal requirements. Based upon these results, IES developed an Environmental, Health, and Safety Demolition Plan for the facility, including:
IES developed bid specifications and directly engaged several contractors to perform the removal and disposal work. IES prepared all necessary documentation, including clearance sampling to demonstrate the completeness of the decontamination program. Need More Information? Call or e-mail:
610-828-3078 (PA), or 732-748-1990 (NJ) Web Address: www.iesengineers.com |
