Decontaminiation Brochure

PROCESSING END-OF-LIFE VEHICLES

The decontamination, deliquidising and disposal of end-of-life motor vehicles is a major environmental issue for today’s economy and environment. Realising the increasing importance of this activity, Auto Dismantlers Alloa has taken a professional approach to the problems and opportunities raised, and developed their plant at Bonnybridge as a state-of-the-art investment. Auto Dismantlers Alloa are determined to maintain their position as Scotland’s leading end-of-life vehicle dismantler.

This brochure illustrates the various processes and controls which are in place to ensure that environmental, safety and health issues are eliminated or minimised.

End-of-life motor vehicles are brought into the Auto Dismantlers Alloa site at Bonnybridge by transporter. In compliance with environmental regulations, these are stored on an impermeable concrete surface until decontamination and deliquidising is completed.

The facility is contained in a substantial warehouse which has been laid out specifically for the decontamination, deliquidising and dismantling process.

The process is designed to maximise what can be re-used or recycled, and to minimise the amount of product which is sent for scrapping.

The equipment in use meets environmental, safety and health standards while the on-site process has been risk-assessed and a documented Safe System of Work prepared.

Before decontamination and deliquidising starts, batteries are removed outside the warehouse to minimise the risk of fire.

Wheels are removed and tyres can be separated from the rims.

Hazardous liquids are removed from vehicles in a number of ways, and siphoned into clearly identified containers for petrol, diesel, coolant, washer fluid and waste oil.

First to be removed are the under-the-bonnet liquids, usually windscreen wash and power steering fluid.

Here, windscreen wash is being removed by siphoning, without damaging the container or hoses.

Liquids are subsequently stored in external tanks awaiting safe disposal in accordance with Regulations.

Under the vehicle, coolant is removed by cutting into the lower radiator hose, ensuring that the radiator is available for reconditioning or re-use.

Engine and gear box oils are removed by the normal drainage plugs wherever possible, again to ensure that engines and gear boxes can be re-used.

Brake fluid is removed by breaking into and siphoning from an accessible brake pipe.

Petrol and diesel are drained by drilling into the tank using a special drill in a vacuum which eliminates the risk of ignition of fumes by sparking; fuels are stored separately.

While it is not currently a requirement of the regulations, at AllParts shock absorbers are also decontaminated.

Once vehicles are decontaminated, re-usable and recyclable parts and accessories are removed and stored.

Vehicle chassis and frames are disposed of by crushing and baling in accordance with legal requirements.