Client: BWXT Y-12 LLC (Managing Operator for U.S. Department of Energy, Oak Ridge Field Office)

Project Duration: 2002 - 2007

Project Value:
$301 million

Parsons Responsibilities: Engineering design services, construction cost estimating, system design descriptions, facility design descriptions, configuration management, quality assurance oversight of construction, startup planning and procedures,
and multiple construction document packages for the construction of the new Highly Enriched Uranium Materials Facility (HEUMF).

Parsons Responsibilities: Engineering design services, construction cost estimating, system design descriptions, facility design descriptions, configuration management, quality assurance oversight of construction, startup planning and procedures, and multiple construction document packages for the construction of the new Highly Enriched Uranium Materials Facility (HEUMF).

The Y-12 National Security Complex
(Y-12) in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, is a one-of-a-kind facility in the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Nuclear Weapons Complex. Y-12 is the “ Fort Knox ” for highly enriched uranium. It provides secure management and storage of special nuclear materials as weapons are retired from the national stockpile or returned for dismantlement under strategic arms reduction treaties and as they are returned from other DOE sites.

Construction Laydown Area showing Tower Cranes in background

Parsons is designing the HEUMF, a modern replacement storage facility, which is slated to start full-scale operations in 2008. In addition to being a significant contribution to modernization at Y-12, the HEUMF will radically reduce the current storage footprint while dramatically improving security and lowering costs. This facility is the first step in the overall site modernization program to provide long-term stability for both the site and the community. Designed for a 50-year life, it optimizes maintenance and operation costs, ensures material safeguards, and minimizes risks to the workers, the environment, and the public.

The 110,000- ft ² HEUMF will store highly enriched uranium materials, which will be contained within a structure designed to provide a safe and secure environment that meets DOE-STD-1020 PC-3 and the latest Design Basis Threat guidance for natural phenomena hazards. Parsons is designing the facility in accordance with its established Nuclear Quality Assurance Level 1 program. The engineering procedures support Y-12 standards for integrated safety, information security, CAD support, and design development. The facility incorporates systems for lighting and security, surveillance, materials handling, fire protection, HEPA-filtered ventilation, and perimeter protection, as well as administrative support for the associated facility hazards.The value engineering sessions conducted by Parsons produced energy-saving recommendations for the HVAC system. We also participated in DOE value engineering, integrated safety management, and operational security workshops to minimize costs.

Sump Box Forming in Mechanical/Electrical Area

Parsons mobilized and rapidly staffed the HEUMF project with qualified and experienced personnel at our Oak Ridge office. We completed the design milestones ahead of schedule while incorporating significant changes to the ventilation and security systems designs. Schedule tracking and monitoring systems ensure that variances are identified early and are addressed to avoid delays.

The overall project is on schedule and on budget. Parsons is proud of its work at
Y-12 and its role in delivering a safer world.

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