Demolition and Remediation

Article 520 Release

Radioactive Materials Management

Ex-McKee Project


Norfolk Naval Shipyard, VA

The Ex-McKee project encompassed decontamination, selective demolition, and radiological release of a retired submarine tender, involving extensive material removal and numerous radiological surveys to achieve Article 520 release for 133 ship compartments under Naval regulations NAVSEA 389-0288 and NAVSEA S9213-70-MMA-000.

Project Highlights

  • Safety First

    Perma-Fix developed, implemented, and maintained a risk register, which served as a comprehensive database that identified key project risks and possible impacts and their mitigations, thus ensuring this project had zero safety incidents.

  • Project Efficiency

    Perma-Fix's staff, highly trained to Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) standards and familiarity with NAVSEA 389-0288, completed extensive radiological cleanup and waste removal of 133 nuclear compartments on the ship over the course of the project.

Project Details

Perma-Fix successfully performed radiological remediation, demolition, and removal of radiological, mixed, and hazardous waste in 133 nuclear spaces aboard the USS Ex-McKee (AS-41). All work was performed in strict adherence to NAVSEA 389-0288 standards, aimed at facilitating the delivery of an Article 520 release letter/report to NAVSEA 08 (NNPP). Our approach included characterization in accordance with NAVSEA S9213-70-MMA-000(N) and the Radiological Controls Manual Decontamination and Decommissioning Supplement.

The scope of work encompassed the removal of piping and tanks associated with the vessel's radioactive liquid waste systems, as well as effluent tanks, contaminated lead shielding, metals coated with lead-based and PCB-based paints, brass/bronze components, cadmium-plated items, and equipment containing mercury. Throughout the process, Perma-Fix conducted tens of thousands of radiological surveys and thousands of on-site gamma spec analyses, providing thorough documentation essential for achieving the 520 Release.

waste

Waste Treatment

Our fixed base facilities offer highly specialized treatment options that help reduce risk and avoid costly internal program development.

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services

Nuclear and Radiological Services

Our highly experienced team of professionals can handle domestic and international challenges across all project disciplines.

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instrumentation

Health Physics
Services

We have cutting-edge technologies, a large team of industry experts, extensive capabilities, and an unwavering commitment to safety.

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innovation

Innovation and Technology Development

We are equipped with the capability and facilities to pioneer groundbreaking innovations in unique treatment capabilities.

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