Teeside firm delivers safety solutions for storage silos at Sellafield nuclear decommissioning site

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The Magnox Swarf Storage Silos building.

Teesside product manufacturer and global supplier of fire, blast and heat protection systems – Mech-Tool Engineering Ltd (MTE) – has recently completed a contract supplying two modularised stainless steel switchrooms and an HVAC solution to the UK’s largest and most complex nuclear site.

Awarded by Amec Foster Wheeler, now part of Wood Group, the work consisted of MTE delivering its world-renowned safety solutions for the Magnox Swarf Storage Silos at the Sellafield site in Cumbria.

MTE delivered a HVAC system solution as part of the decommissioning of the facility – one of the four highest priority nuclear clean-up projects in the UK. The programme involves retrieving waste from compartments within the silos which will then be treated to form an interim storage product.

As well as the HVAC ventilation solution, the company recently delivered its bespoke turnkey service of designing, manufacturing and supplying the two modularised switchrooms, which underwent tests at MTE’s factory facilities in Darlington. The switchrooms were designed to client specifications and featured stainless steel walls and a roof with a carbon steel base and support system. MTE was responsible for supplying the general electrics for these rooms including fire alarms, lights and HVAC.

Speaking about the completed work, Craig Rose, Proposals Director at MTE said: “We were delighted to have secured this contract on such a high profile nuclear site.

“We firmly believe we were given the opportunity to deliver this contract as we have the extensive capabilities to deliver technically challenging projects, whilst also adhering to extremely stringent standards. Of course, safety is of paramount importance at Sellafield, and MTE has a wealth of experience in delivering solutions to the highest safety standards, in many cases, exceeding industry obligations.”

The company possesses a Fit for Nuclear (F4N) accreditation, a compulsory requirement to work on the Sellafield site. As part of this, MTE has demonstrated its extensive operations meet the high standards required for nuclear in new build, operations and decommissioning.

In 2011 MTE successfully delivered a full turnkey modular solution to the Sellafield Nuclear Site. The company designed, engineered and supplied a multi-story Buffer Storage module comprising four levels. Upon delivery MTE received a commendation in recognition on its very swift delivery, installing the modular solution in only a matter of two weeks.

Craig said: “We are extremely pleased to have worked on the Sellafield site again and we believe we were able to do so thanks to our capabilities of delivering our world class solutions in a short timeframe without compromising on quality. Our team of highly skilled engineers were fundamental in delivering this project to the highest possible standards.”