Halcrow has extensive experience of engineering systems in the nuclear industry and has worked closely with UKAEA over many years.

As part of an Engineering Substantiation of the Operational Safety Case for an intermediate level waste remote handling area, Halcrow was asked to assess the fire containment function of the structure.

This work involved the production of the following:

	Fire hazard assessment
	Definition of credible ‘worst-case fire scenario’
	Parametric analysis of fire & smoke development using transient zone modelling technique

As a result of the engineering substantiation exercise, it was concluded that fire spread beyond the containment barrier was unlikely for the typical fire loads examined. However, some suggestions were made for improving the fire containment function of the facility in the case of a more severe fire scenario.