In the nuclear industry, there’s nothing more important than safety. Every day, teams of safety professionals work to make sure that nuclear facilities operate as safely and efficiently as possible, with the goal of protecting workers, the general public, and the environment from unnecessary radiation exposure. Even if the exposure level is well below regulatory limits, the objective is always ALARA.

ALARA stands for “As Low As Reasonably Achievable.” This is a safety principle based on the idea that even a small dose of radiation carries potential risk, so exposure should be minimized as much as possible. ALARA requires nuclear facilities to take all practical measures to reduce the chance of exposure, using protective strategies like shielding, distance, and time management. Safety procedures and protocols must be evaluated and improved on an ongoing basis. Preferred Engineering offers a range of products designed to assist facilities in achieving ALARA.

Boiling Water Reactors

Preferred Engineering has developed several BWR specific tools by working closely with the site RP (Radiation Protection) and ALARA groups. These products include but are not limited to, FME barriers, portable cavity shield frames, remotely actuating strong backs, and fuel transfer canal shields or “cattle chutes.”

FME (foreign material exclusion) barriers are vital safety tools. This barrier prevents foreign objects or materials from entering sensitive areas and costing a lot of time and dose due to retrieval procedures. FME barriers help to ensure the integrity and safety of the facility by preventing potential damage, contamination, or interference that could be caused by such foreign materials.

Preferred Engineering has designed and built a wide variety of FME barriers. Our engineers work closely with reactor services, radiation protection, and ALARA teams to develop customized FME barriers designed to fit existing station layouts and accommodate intermittent ancillary equipment installations.

We offer various material options from SS, aluminum and colored polycarbonate sheets to high-performance, fire-retardant fabrics. Replaceable components allow ropes and hoses to be run around FME barriers during outages without compromising the barrier integrity.

Our team at Preferred Engineering works with each site to provide needed custom solutions, rather than selling what is already on the shelf.

Pressure Water Reactors

Preferred Engineering has developed several PWR specific tools by working closely with the site RP and ALARA groups. These products include but are not limited to, the FTTCS (fuel transfer tube closure system), portable cavity shield frames, RPV head lead curtain shields, and cavity lift systems.

The fuel transfer tube closure system (FTTCS) is a breakthrough in safety equipment.
Preferred’s FTTCS holds a U.S. patent and is specifically designed to cut critical path time and reduce dose by eliminating worker entry into the deep cavity.

The FTTCS increases worker safety, involves no double plastics, and reduces the risk of heat exhaustion. It offers a complete stainless-steel design for easy decontamination, and it does not require any modification to the existing fuel transfer tube flange. Its passively actuated design requires no power to the flange while installed. Installation and removal are accomplished remotely from the refuel floor.

Preferred Engineering understands how important the safety of your facility is to your employees, your community, and the environment overall. We are ready to be your partner in your ALARA effort. If you are looking for a customized product for a critical plant safety project, contact us today! We will design an adaptable, effective solution.