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The importance of remote exterior inspection of decommissioned nuclear sites.
Learn how remote exterior inspections, including the use of drones, are critical for ensuring the safe decommissioning of nuclear SAFSTOR facilities.
Jonathan Ehrlich
Mar 31, 2023
The safe decommissioning of nuclear facilities is a complex and critical process that requires ongoing monitoring and inspection to ensure that they are properly decommissioned and ready for decommissioning. One important aspect of this process is the inspection of the exterior of nuclear facilities, including those that are in SAFSTOR (Safe Storage) status.
SAFSTOR is a process in which a nuclear facility is placed in a safe, stable condition and left in that state for a period of time before being decommissioned. During SAFSTOR, the facility is monitored and inspected to ensure that it remains safe and secure.
Remote exterior inspection, including the use of drones, is an important tool for inspecting nuclear SAFSTOR facilities. Drones can quickly and safely access hard-to-reach areas, such as the roofs and upper stories of buildings, and provide detailed images and data that can be used to assess the condition of the facility.
Remote exterior inspection is particularly important for nuclear SAFSTOR facilities because these facilities often contain radioactive materials that can be hazardous to humans. Using drones for inspections reduces the risk of exposure to these materials and allows inspections to be conducted more frequently, which can help identify any issues early on and prevent them from becoming bigger problems.
In addition to drones, remote exterior inspection can also be conducted using other technologies, such as thermal imaging cameras and laser scanners. These technologies can provide valuable data on the condition of the facility and help identify any issues that may need to be addressed.
Overall, the use of remote exterior inspection, including the use of drones, is critical for ensuring the safe decommissioning of nuclear SAFSTOR facilities. By providing detailed images and data, remote inspection can help identify issues early on and prevent them from becoming bigger problems, improving the safety and efficiency of the decommissioning process.