Engineering consultancy Frazer-Nash has been awarded a further contract worth £1.8 million to provide independent advice to the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), in its review of safety aspects of designs for the UK’s new generation of nuclear reactors.

The HSE’s Nuclear Directorate (ND), working with the Environment Agency, is currently completing a Generic Design Assessment (GDA) for new nuclear power stations in the UK. As part of the GDA, two different reactor types - the UK-EPR designed by Areva and EDF, and the AP1000 designed by Westinghouse - are currently being assessed for their suitability to meet UK regulatory standards.

Frazer-Nash, working with partner Altran Praxis, will be supporting Step 4 of the GDA programme – ‘Assessment for Design Acceptance’ - which will see the companies independently examine the safety case evidence.  As part of the contract the partners will carry out an in-depth review of design and safety-case documentation, which the regulators will use to inform their decision on whether or not the proposed nuclear power station designs are likely to meet the UK’s regulatory requirements.

The award of the contract follows Frazer-Nash and Altran Praxis’ successful completion of assessment work during GDA Step 3. The contract focused on providing technical support covering the control and instrumentation aspects of the reactor designs, including the reactor protection systems.

Paul Deeran, Nuclear Business Manager at Frazer-Nash, commented: “The award of this new contract on Step 4 of the GDA is testament to the great work produced by our team here in Warrington on GDA Step 3, and our successful working relationship with the HSE’s Nuclear Directorate. We have highly valued skills and experience in providing technical safety assessments for UK nuclear projects, including recent safety and analysis work undertaken for Sellafield Ltd.  We are proud to be continuing our involvement on another prestigious nuclear new-build project.”

Sarah Hillier, Altran Praxis' Nuclear Business Manager, commented, “The GDA programme plays an important part role in making sure that any new nuclear designs built in the UK can be operated safely and securely.  By continuing our work with Frazer Nash we’re able to provide vital safety analysis for the Health & Safety Executive at this critical stage in the nuclear new build programme.”

ND is expecting to produce its Step 4 reports in June 2011.