Dräger and Red One partner on fire safety project at Hinkley Point C

Hinkley Point C is a two-unit, 3,200 MWe nuclear power station currently under construction in Somerset. The first nuclear power station to be developed in the UK for over two decades, it’s expected to be operational in 2027 and predicted to generate 1,560 TWh of electricity during it’s estimated 60-year lifetime, Hinkley Point C will meet the power needs of six million homes, while in parallel offsetting approximately nine million tonnes of CO₂.

Red One operates a private Fire and Rescue Service for Hinkley Point C. With the large-scale visible construction site also consisting of an underground network of galleries and service tunnels, the team required respiratory protective equipment that could combat the dangers presented by these combined spaces, and which could be integrated into one overarching and interconnected safety system.

Long duration breathing apparatus was required to mitigate the significant risk of oxygen depletion underground, as toxic gases and smoke can quickly displace breathable air in confined areas.

Dräger’s PSS BG4 positive pressure breathing apparatus was selected and purchased by RedOne. This closed-circuit breathing apparatus is trusted by miners and tunnellers globally and combines uncompromising safety with the highest level of breathing and carrying comfort, supplying the wearer with up to four hours of cooled and oxygen-enriched breathable air.

The electronic control unit supports the PSS Merlin Telemetry system, enabling continuous remote monitoring of the wearer’s vital core temperature and key statistics including air pressure and remaining cylinder volume, all overseen and communicated through the Dräger Merlin Entry Control Board (ECB).

In addition, RPS 3500 Emergency Air Supply Rescue Packs were also purchased in the event that immediate air supply would be necessary should an emergency scenario arise.

Development on site

Since initial specification, the Hinkley Point C site has developed significantly, as has the size of the fire safety team and the identified risks, in turn prompting the need for a technical refresh.

Dräger’s PSS AirBoss Connect was selected to work alongside the PSS BG4 sets, both of them being connected to Dräger’s Merlin ECB. When the tally is inserted into the ECB, wearers of the SCBA or CCBA set are also added, thereby establishing a direct communication channel to incident command and enabling a quick and strategic response in the event of an emergency.

With both BA sets being light in terms of their weight, and ergonomically designed with the weight distributed to be carried on the pelvis rather than the shoulders and back, the risk of strain-related injuries and fatigue is significantly reduced, leaving users comfortable and benefiting from safe freedom of movement across long-duration operations.

Users of the PSS AirBoss can also combine additional safety and communication systems into a single and integrated safety solution thanks to enhanced Bluetooth capability, which also opens up the opportunity to connect new and emerging Dräger technologies in times ahead.

Technical training

Ben Hewson, station manager for Hinkley Point C’s Fire and Rescue opration, believes that Dräger’s service has been “exemplary” over the course of the project, with the business having clearly understood the specific requirements of what is most certainly a unique and expanding operation.

Hewson observed: “There was a need to be self-sufficient as a Fire and Rescue Service, at least in part due to our remote location. Dräger dealt with this requirement through its Total Care Package, duly providing technical training to our team members so that we could replace component parts of our equipment safely and securely and without compromising on its performance.”

Steven Holland, incident response lead at EDF NNB, explained: “Specifying a safety solution that met this need, but also fulfilled the requirements of an expanding project, was no easy task. We needed to find a solution that provided protection above and below the ground, and in a challenging environment. We’re delighted with Dräger’s service and proud that we’ve been able to enhance the safety of our firefighters as a result.”

Andrew Dimond, regional sales manager at Draeger Safety UK, informed Fire Safety Matters that Red One’s combined approach towards tunnelling and fire safety is the first of its kind and demonstrates a leading approach towards personal safety across a demanding project.

“The equipment and service package provided to Red One and Hinkley Point C is unique in that it combines long duration breathing sets with contemporary Fire and Rescue Service practice,” noted Dimond. “As always, we are wholly committed to providing tailored safety solutions that fulfil customer needs. Witnessing a project as significant as Hinkley Point C benefit from our technology is a great feeling. It’s a job well done.”

*Further information is available online at www.draeger.com