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21 Reoccupying the Hot Zone
21.1 Preparing for Reoccupancy
Remediation standards are a good first step towards developing a set of requirements
for reoccupancy to occur, but they are only a first step. As noted elsewhere, the site
will pose multiple risks, all of which will need to be addressed before people can
return, and reoccupancy should not be allowed until each of these hazards has been
satisfactorily addressed. That being said, there is no reason that reoccupancy needs to
wait until every bit of work has been completed; it is not uncommon for reoccupancy
to take place over a period of years. In fact it is not uncommon for reoccupancy
of evacuated areas to take place over extended periods of time—this has been the
experience not only in the areas surrounding Chernobyl and Fukushima, but also in
areas hit by massive earthquakes, storms, wildfires, volcanic eruptions, and the like.
While, in general, reoccupancy requirements will vary from place to place and from
disaster to disaster, there are some general comments that are likely to apply to most,
if not all, such efforts.
21.1.1 General Safety
The general safety requirements are among the most obvious. Damaged buildings,
for example, must be stabilized and repaired (and pass inspection to confirm their
safety) before they can be occupied; fires must be extinguished, utility lines (natural
gas, water, electricity, sewer) must be repaired and inspected, and much more. Seeing
to general safety includes clearing away the rubble and evicting rats, feral animals,
insects, and other pests, as well as anything else that can cause harm.
Depending on the nature of the attack and the extent of the damage it might not
be readily apparent when the general safety concerns have been resolved; in the
aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City fires burned
underground for several weeks following the attack and those working on the rubble
pile told the author that pieces of debris removed from the pile (pieces of structural
steel, for example, that penetrated deep into the pile) would be glowing red-hot or
would burst into flame when removed from the pile and exposed to the air.
Another concern would be the crater left by a nuclear or chemical explosive,
especially if it extends below the water table or is filled by ruptured water or sewer
lines. The crater need not be filled in before reoccupancy can begin, but it will at
least need to be stabilized so that it presents little or (preferably) no risk to those
returning to the area.
The majority of these hazards are likely to be addressed during debris removal
and remediation; in many nations the regulations regarding workplace safety—even
on construction sites—are as stringent as those for the general public, if not more so.
However, it is still prudent to conduct a thorough walkthrough and safety inspection
prior to opening each area and each building to ensure the safety of those working,
visiting, and living in the area.
21 Reoccupying the Hot Zone
21.1 Preparing for Reoccupancy
Remediation standards are a good first step towards developing a set of requirements
for reoccupancy to occur, but they are only a first step. As noted elsewhere, the site
will pose multiple risks, all of which will need to be addressed before people can
return, and reoccupancy should not be allowed until each of these hazards has been
satisfactorily addressed. That being said, there is no reason that reoccupancy needs to
wait until every bit of work has been completed; it is not uncommon for reoccupancy
to take place over a period of years. In fact it is not uncommon for reoccupancy
of evacuated areas to take place over extended periods of time—this has been the
experience not only in the areas surrounding Chernobyl and Fukushima, but also in
areas hit by massive earthquakes, storms, wildfires, volcanic eruptions, and the like.
While, in general, reoccupancy requirements will vary from place to place and from
disaster to disaster, there are some general comments that are likely to apply to most,
if not all, such efforts.
21.1.1 General Safety
The general safety requirements are among the most obvious. Damaged buildings,
for example, must be stabilized and repaired (and pass inspection to confirm their
safety) before they can be occupied; fires must be extinguished, utility lines (natural
gas, water, electricity, sewer) must be repaired and inspected, and much more. Seeing
to general safety includes clearing away the rubble and evicting rats, feral animals,
insects, and other pests, as well as anything else that can cause harm.
Depending on the nature of the attack and the extent of the damage it might not
be readily apparent when the general safety concerns have been resolved; in the
aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City fires burned
underground for several weeks following the attack and those working on the rubble
pile told the author that pieces of debris removed from the pile (pieces of structural
steel, for example, that penetrated deep into the pile) would be glowing red-hot or
would burst into flame when removed from the pile and exposed to the air.
Another concern would be the crater left by a nuclear or chemical explosive,
especially if it extends below the water table or is filled by ruptured water or sewer
lines. The crater need not be filled in before reoccupancy can begin, but it will at
least need to be stabilized so that it presents little or (preferably) no risk to those
returning to the area.
The majority of these hazards are likely to be addressed during debris removal
and remediation; in many nations the regulations regarding workplace safety—even
on construction sites—are as stringent as those for the general public, if not more so.
However, it is still prudent to conduct a thorough walkthrough and safety inspection
prior to opening each area and each building to ensure the safety of those working,
visiting, and living in the area.