AWE Burghfield DEPZ extended under new REPPIR 19 legislation

• The Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations 2019 (REPPIR 2019) is new legislation. It was introduced by the Government to further strengthen Great Britain’s already robust arrangements for radiological emergencies. These changes aim to deliver a consistent approach to radiation emergency preparedness and response across the radiological defence nuclear and civil nuclear sectors.
• REPPIR 2019 places a duty on nuclear operators and local authorities to plan for and manage the consequences of radiation emergencies. The operator of any premises subject to REPPIR 2019 must undertake a Hazard Evaluation and Consequences Assessment (HECA). Based on the results of these assessments, the operator has a duty to propose the minimum area for any Urgent Protective Actions required in the unlikely event of a radiation emergency. Under the new legislation it is then for the local authority, in this case West Berkshire Council, to determine the Detailed Emergency Planning Zone (DEPZ). This is an area in which suitable and adequate emergency response planning arrangements must be put in place to protect the public
• In compliance with the new REPPIR 2019 legislation and following detailed assessment, AWE’s technical experts calculated that the DEPZ for the Aldermaston site would remain unchanged (at 1.5km) and the extent of detailed emergency planning for the AWE Burghfield site changes from 1.5km to 3.16km.
• The increase in the extent of detailed emergency planning at AWE Burghfield is driven by REPPIR 2019 requirements and the need to base the assessment on a less likely weather category that could result in different dispersal characteristics. It is important to note that the increase is not indicative of any change in processing, safety standards, or process risk in respect of our operations or facilities.

You can find more information about the changes here

The advice on what to do in the unlikely event of a radiation emergency affecting the public at an AWE site has NOT changed under the REPPIR 19 legislation. You can find the advice here

All households and businesses in the public information areas of the AWE sites will receive an updated booklet from West Berkshire Council with this information shortly.