In response to the Fukushima disaster in Japan, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission implemented a number of requirements on the nuclear power industry among which are enhancements to emergency preparedness provisions at each power station. One such requirement is a means of housing emergency vehicles, supplies, and fuel in a hardened facility in the event of an occurrence such as a terrorist attack or natural event such as a tornado or hurricane.

The Public Utility Company (PUC) selected Golden Sands General Contractors (representing the alliance of Dome Technology, ABC Domes, and ES2 Engineering – a world renowned design and construction team providing FEMA-compliant disaster resistant dome structures) to design and construct Domes at their North Anna and Millstone Power Stations.

Draper Aden provided civil engineering services for the North Anna facility consisting of concept design in coordination with the Dome designers, Dome Technology, and ES2 Engineering, and construction documents including grading and drainage plans, site layout, and utility design for this site. All permitting for the site development was performed through Louisa County (VA) by Draper Aden. We continued our support to Golden Sands with construction staking and certification of as-built work.

At the Millstone facility in Connecticut, Draper Aden hired local consultant GZA and coordinated their efforts to obtain local permits for construction. Our experience with Dome Technology and ES2 Engineering and relationships with PUC staff facilitated the design development process and the overall QC effort in review of GZA’s plans.