Safe equipment decommissioning and disposal services
Scope, project management & OEM documentation
Biomedical & IT teams deployed nationwide
Dedicated service desk for Nigerian facilities
Equipment Disposal & Decommissioning is the formal, documented process of safely removing medical or laboratory equipment from service. This isn't just about hauling away old machines; it's a technical service covering safe de-installation, certified data destruction from patient-data-bearing hard drives, compliant disposal of hazardous materials (like lead in a CT gantry or mercury in older devices), and providing the auditable paperwork to prove it's all been done correctly. You need this service when upgrading technology, closing a facility, or clearing out a "graveyard" of non-functional equipment that's taking up valuable space and still sitting on your asset register. It solves the critical problems of environmental compliance fines from agencies like NESREA, data breaches from improperly wiped hard drives, and safety risks from leaving high-power equipment connected. This is essential for federal medical centres, private teaching hospitals like Eko-Corp or Reddington, large diagnostic chains, and NGO-supported health programs that must report asset lifecycle to donors like the Global Fund or USAID.
Ad-hoc disposal for a single large imaging system like a GE Healthcare Optima CT680 can range from NGN 800,000 to NGN 2,500,000, depending on logistics. A bundled decommissioning project for an entire ward or laboratory with multiple assets costs between NGN 3,000,000 and NGN 10,000,000. A full turnkey facility clearance, including stripping out fixed systems like a Siemens Artis Q ceiling-mounted cath lab, can exceed NGN 15,000,000. The primary cost drivers are the equipment's complexity and weight, your location (a project in Maiduguri costs more than one in Ikeja, Lagos due to logistics), the level of data sanitization required (e.g., NIST 800-88 standard), the presence of hazardous materials requiring special handling (e.g., radioactive sources under NNRA regulation), and the urgency and documentation detail required for donor reporting.
Contact Franance for a detailed, itemized quote based on a free initial site assessment.
The absolute cheapest option involves paying local scrap metal dealers, which can cost as little as NGN 50,000 - NGN 200,000 per truckload. This price, however, typically excludes any formal documentation, certified data sanitization, insurance, or compliance with Nigerian environmental laws (NESREA Act). You are simply paying for haulage, with no guarantee of where the equipment or its sensitive data ends up. The hidden costs are significant: potential fines from state environmental agencies (like LASEPA in Lagos), catastrophic data breaches from patient records left on hard drives, and reputational damage. You receive no chain-of-custody paperwork, leaving your facility exposed during any audit.
If the answer to any of these is no, the cheap price is a false economy that exposes your facility to massive risk.
An affordable, value-optimized service is a planned, multi-asset decommissioning project, which can range from NGN 500,000 to NGN 1,500,000 per major system when scheduled in advance as part of a technology refresh cycle. The key to affordability is bundling and planning. Instead of a reactive, one-off disposal, you integrate decommissioning into your procurement plan. When you buy a new Philips IntelliVue MP70 monitor array, you schedule the disposal of the old units simultaneously. This consolidation of logistics, project management, and documentation creates significant economies of scale, reducing the net cost of disposal.
Discuss a bundled technology lifecycle plan with Franance to make decommissioning affordable and predictable.
Equipment decommissioning is a project-based service, not a recurring maintenance contract like an AMC (Annual Maintenance Contract) or CMC (Comprehensive Maintenance Contract). A project-based contract is a one-time fee for a defined scope, for example, NGN 1,800,000 to de-install and dispose of a specific MRI system. However, this service can be integrated into a broader Technology Lifecycle Management agreement. In this model, a recurring annual fee might cover maintenance, performance monitoring, and includes a provision for the planned, compliant decommissioning of the asset at the end of its life, smoothing the cost over time and making budgeting predictable.
| Feature | Project-Based Contract | Technology Lifecycle Agreement |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Structure | One-time fee per project | Annual or quarterly retainer |
| Scope | Decommissioning of specific, named assets | Full lifecycle support, including eventual disposal |
| Budgeting | Capital Expenditure (CapEx), often unplanned | Operational Expenditure (OpEx), predictable |
| Strategic Value | Solves an immediate disposal need | Proactively manages technology refresh cycles |
For facilities looking to manage technology strategically, integrating decommissioning into a lifecycle agreement is the most cost-effective approach.
Request a detailed, compliant Equipment Disposal & Decommissioning quote from Franance today to ensure your facility meets all regulatory and data security standards.
You can find providers in major commercial hubs like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, but very few offer genuine nationwide coverage with the technical expertise for complex medical systems. Your selection process must be based on rigorous due diligence, not just proximity. Start by shortlisting companies that can demonstrate specific experience with the type of equipment you need to dispose of—decommissioning a laboratory auto-analyzer is vastly different from removing a 7-ton MRI machine. Insist on verifying their corporate and regulatory compliance. A legitimate provider must have a CAC registration (RC number), a Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC), and be able to show you their environmental permits for handling e-waste. Franance simplifies this by using our pre-vetted, trained, and insured in-house engineering teams and logistics partners, ensuring a consistent standard of service whether your facility is in Kano or Calabar.
Never engage a provider who cannot produce these documents instantly; their absence is a major red flag.
Use this checklist to vet any potential provider for your decommissioning project:
Franance provides end-to-end, nationwide equipment disposal and decommissioning services, ensuring full compliance with Nigerian environmental (NESREA), health (FMOH), and data security (NDPR) regulations. We manage the entire process using our own verified resources, eliminating the risk of subcontracting to unqualified third parties. Our service is built on a foundation of transparency and accountability, with every step documented and visible to you through our client portal.
The best providers are those with a documented portfolio of successfully decommissioning complex, high-value systems like MRI, CT scanners, or radiotherapy units. They possess a nationwide logistics footprint and an auditable, transparent documentation process that satisfies both your internal finance department and external auditors or international donors. The key differentiator is not price, but proof. The best providers don't just tell you they are compliant; they show you with detailed project plans, risk assessments, engineer certifications, and sample reports that are clear and comprehensive. They can articulate exactly how they will handle challenges specific to Nigeria, such as power instability during de-installation or navigating road transport logistics to remote sites.
A standard Scope of Work (SOW) includes a detailed project plan covering pre-decommissioning assessment, physical de-installation, data sanitization, hazardous material handling, packaging, transportation, and final disposal or recycling. A typical project for a major imaging system spans 3-10 business days from start to finish. The SOW is the most critical document in the process, as it defines exactly what will be done, by when, and what the deliverables are. It protects both you and the provider by eliminating ambiguity. Franance develops a custom SOW for every project after a thorough site assessment.
The process begins with a physical or remote site audit to identify all assets for disposal, assess logistical challenges (like narrow doorways or floor loading limits), and identify any hazardous materials. From this, we create a project-specific Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) plan. The de-installation itself strictly follows the original equipment manufacturer's (OEM) guidelines to ensure it's done safely without damaging your facility. All data-bearing devices are removed and data is forensically wiped using software compliant with NIST 800-88 standards. Finally, all components are professionally packed, loaded, and transported by licensed waste handlers to government-approved recycling or disposal facilities, with every step documented.
Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for decommissioning are project-based and focus on timelines and deliverables, not on reactive response times like in a maintenance contract. Key metrics are the "Time to Project Start" (e.g., project must commence within 10 business days of receiving a Purchase Order) and "Time to Project Completion" (e.g., the entire scope for a CT scanner must be completed within 5 business days of starting). These SLAs are built around your operational needs, such as ensuring the old equipment is gone before a new one arrives. Franance includes financial penalties in its SLAs for missing agreed-upon completion dates, giving you assurance that your timelines will be met.
Franance provides a project-based SLA with guaranteed timelines, milestone tracking via our client dashboard, and financial penalties for delays, ensuring your decommissioning project is completed on schedule and to the agreed scope.
You will receive a comprehensive documentation package that serves as your legal and audit-proof record of compliant disposal. The core deliverables are a Certificate of De-installation (confirming the equipment was safely removed), a Certificate of Data Destruction (listing every wiped or destroyed hard drive by serial number), and a Certificate of Disposal/Recycling (from the final licensed facility). This package is consolidated into a single Final Project Report, which also includes an updated asset register, photographic evidence of the key project stages, and the chain-of-custody log. This documentation is critical for satisfying internal auditors, finance departments removing assets from the books, and international donors requiring proof of asset lifecycle management.
Compliance for equipment disposal primarily involves the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), which governs e-waste, and the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) if the equipment contains any radioactive sources. While NAFDAC and SON are critical for equipment importation, their role in disposal is minimal, though your asset records linked to their original permits may need updating. For any X-ray based system (CT, Fluoroscopy, Mammography) or equipment with a sealed radioactive source, you MUST engage with the NNRA to obtain a decommissioning permit before work begins. Failure to do so can result in severe penalties. The entire process must also adhere to the Nigerian Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) regarding the handling of any patient data on the equipment.
Your pre-decommissioning checklist should confirm the final date of patient use, schedule a complete data backup, notify all relevant internal departments (IT, Biomedical, Facilities, Finance), and secure all necessary permits (especially from the NNRA) at least 4 weeks before the scheduled de-installation date. Proper preparation on your end is crucial for a smooth and efficient project. It prevents delays and ensures that no critical data is lost and that all stakeholders are aligned.
Hazardous materials like lead shielding in CT and X-ray rooms, mercury in older switches, beryllium in X-ray tubes, or radioactive sources must be identified during the initial assessment and handled according to a specific HSE plan. This is not regular waste; it requires licensed specialists for removal, containment, and disposal. The provider must have a documented process for segregating this material on-site, using specially marked containers, and transporting it with a licensed hazardous waste carrier to a facility permitted to handle that specific type of waste. You must receive a separate disposal certificate specifically for the hazardous components.
Logistics for decommissioning involves much more than just a truck. It requires specialized crating, heavy lifting equipment like cranes or industrial forklifts, and transportation using licensed waste carriers with adequate Goods-in-Transit (GIT) insurance. The entire process must be meticulously planned to minimize disruption to your hospital's operations. This includes conducting a pre-project route survey to check for obstacles, scheduling major lifts during off-peak hours (like a Sunday morning), and ensuring all necessary vehicle and crane permits are in place for travel on city roads, especially in congested areas like Lagos Island or Apapa.
The final step of the physical work is site clearance and formal handover. This means the provider is responsible for removing not just the main equipment, but all associated cabling, support structures, and debris, leaving the space "broom clean" and safe. A formal handover process should be conducted, where your representative (e.g., Head of Facilities or Biomedical Engineering) walks through the cleared site with the provider's project manager. You both sign a Site Acceptance Form, confirming that the work is complete as per the SOW and the area is safe and ready for its next use.
After the equipment is physically gone, you must update your records. The documentation package from the disposal provider is the source material for this. Your finance department needs the Certificate of Disposal to formally write the asset off the Fixed Asset Register. Your biomedical engineering department needs to update the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) to show the asset has been decommissioned, preventing any future work orders from being generated for it. This final administrative step is crucial for accurate financial reporting and efficient asset management.
Decommissioning isn't just about removing the machine; it's about making the space safe and ready for its next purpose. This includes site remediation. For large imaging systems, this can involve safely capping high-voltage electrical conduits. For example, a CT scanner running on a 480V 3-phase supply needs to be disconnected at the breaker panel by a certified electrician, and the conduit in the room must be made safe. If the room had magnetic shielding for an MRI, the SOW should specify whether that shielding is to be removed or left in place. The goal is to hand the room back to you in a state that is electrically safe and structurally sound.
Decommissioning is the permanent removal of an asset from service for disposal. Relocation is the process of de-installing an asset at one location and re-installing and commissioning it at another. While both start with de-installation, relocation is far more complex. It requires meticulous labeling of all components, specialized packaging to protect sensitive electronics during transit, and a team at the destination capable of re-installing, calibrating, and performance-verifying the system to OEM standards. The cost of relocation is significantly higher than disposal due to the re-installation and calibration work required. Franance offers both services, but the scope, timeline, and cost are fundamentally different.
Data sanitization is arguably the most critical non-physical step in the decommissioning process. Simply deleting files or formatting a hard drive is not enough; data can still be recovered. Compliant data destruction involves using specialized software to overwrite the entire hard drive with random data multiple times, making recovery impossible. This process must adhere to standards like the NIST 800-88 "Guidelines for Media Sanitization." For drives that fail or cannot be wiped, physical destruction (shredding) is the alternative. You must receive a Certificate of Data Destruction that lists the serial number of every single drive, the method used (wipe or shred), and confirms the successful outcome. This is your only proof of compliance with the NDPR.
Quality control for a decommissioning project is ensured through a combination of detailed planning, on-site supervision, and final documentation review. The SOW acts as the primary quality document. A dedicated project manager should be the single point of contact, responsible for ensuring their team adheres to the agreed plan and HSE standards. You have the right to audit the process at any stage, from inspecting the team's PPE to verifying the transporter's license before they load the equipment. At Franance, our project managers conduct daily site checks and provide you with regular progress updates, and all final reports are reviewed by a senior manager before being sent to you.
Effective HSE management is the foundation of a professional decommissioning project. It is not an option; it is a requirement. The provider must supply a comprehensive, site-specific HSE plan before any work begins. This plan should include a risk assessment for all tasks (e.g., electrical isolation, heavy lifting, hazardous material handling), specify the required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), outline emergency procedures, and confirm compliance with Nigerian labour and safety laws. The presence of a dedicated safety officer on-site for complex projects, like an MRI de-installation, is a sign of a top-tier provider.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for a decommissioning project measure timeliness, safety, and compliance. The final report is a comprehensive document that summarizes the project against these KPIs. It's the ultimate deliverable that closes out the project and serves as your permanent record. Franance provides access to a client dashboard where you can track progress against milestones in real-time.
Payment terms for decommissioning projects are typically milestone-based. A common structure is an initial mobilization fee upon signing the contract, a second payment upon successful removal of the equipment from your site, and a final payment upon delivery of the complete documentation package. This approach protects both parties: the provider receives funds to cover initial costs, and you retain final payment until you have the proof of compliant disposal in hand. For large-scale, multi-million Naira projects, a performance bond may be required to provide you with additional financial security.
Franance offers genuine nationwide coverage for equipment disposal and decommissioning services. While our main engineering hubs are in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Kano, we manage projects across all 36 states. We achieve this through a combination of strategically located teams and a robust logistics network that can mobilize the right people and equipment to your facility, whether it's a federal medical centre in a state capital or a rural, donor-funded clinic. Our centralized project management ensures that the same high standards of safety, compliance, and documentation are applied consistently, regardless of your location.
Share your requirements for rollout, training and SLAs. Our service desk will prepare budgets, documentation and timelines aligned to your facility.
30+ Years
Experience delivering healthcare projects in Nigeria
OEM Certified
Biomedical & IT teams for installation, calibration & support
Nationwide
Coverage across Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano & beyond
Honest answers about scope, pricing, delivery and support so you can plan with confidence.
Decommissioning a 16-slice CT scanner like a GE BrightSpeed Elite in Lagos typically costs between ₦1,500,000 and ₦3,000,000. This fee covers site assessment, safe power-down, dismantling, data sanitization, and logistics. The final price depends on site accessibility and if the x-ray tube requires specialized hazardous material handling as per Nigerian regulations. A detailed quote follows a mandatory site inspection.
The full decommissioning and removal of an MRI, such as a Siemens Magnetom Avanto 1.5T, takes approximately 4 to 6 weeks. This timeline includes initial project planning (1 week), magnet ramp-down (3-5 days), physical dismantling and crating (1 week), and coordinating specialized logistics for removal from your facility in cities like Port Harcourt. A detailed project plan with specific milestones is always provided upfront.
You receive a comprehensive documentation package, including a Certificate of Decommissioning and a Certificate of Data Destruction. For radiological equipment like a Philips DigitalDiagnost C90 X-ray, we also provide evidence of compliance with NNRA guidelines, including the final radiation survey report. This ensures a complete audit trail for your facility's asset management and regulatory compliance records.
Yes, we manage the entire Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) compliance process. For disposing of a GE Proteus XR/a, this involves submitting a decommissioning application, coordinating the final radiation safety inspection with an NNRA-licensed physicist, and securing the official clearance certificate. This legally absolves your facility of any further responsibility for the device.
The disposal process for a batch of monitors, like 50 Philips IntelliVue MP50 units, involves three stages. First is collection and inventory logging at your site. Second is secure data wiping of any stored patient information. Third is environmentally safe disposal, where components are recycled according to Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) guidelines for e-waste. A certificate of disposal is issued upon completion.
Yes, we offer buy-back or trade-in value for certain functional equipment. For example, a well-maintained Siemens Artis Zee C-arm less than 8 years old may have significant residual value. We assess the equipment's condition, age, and market demand to provide a fair market offer. This value can be credited against the cost of decommissioning or the purchase of new equipment.
We ensure complete patient data destruction using methods that comply with international standards like NIST 800-88. For a device with a hard drive, such as a GE LOGIQ E9 ultrasound machine, we perform a multi-pass data wipe followed by physical destruction of the drive. You receive a Certificate of Data Destruction for each serialized asset, guaranteeing patient confidentiality is protected.
Decommissioning is the technical process of safely taking equipment out of service, while disposal is the final step of removal and waste management. For a Varian TrueBeam linear accelerator, decommissioning involves complex electrical and radiation safety procedures. Disposal involves the physical removal and processing of the components. Our service covers both, ensuring a seamless end-to-end process.
Using an in-house team may seem cheaper initially but often carries higher risks and hidden costs. A specialized service for removing a Philips Ingenia 1.5T MRI avoids risks of facility damage, staff injury, and non-compliance with NNRA regulations. Professional services include insurance, specialized tools, and guaranteed regulatory compliance, providing better overall value and mitigating liability for your hospital.
Our standard payment terms are 50% upfront to schedule the project and secure logistics, with the final 50% due upon project completion and delivery of all documentation. For large-scale projects, such as a full-department clear-out in an Abuja hospital, flexible payment plans or Franance options can be arranged to align with your facility's budget cycle.
We handle hazardous materials in strict compliance with Nigerian environmental regulations. For instance, the beryllium window in a mammography machine's X-ray tube or the mercury in older devices is carefully removed and contained. We partner with certified waste management companies in Nigeria to ensure these materials are transported and disposed of safely, providing you with a manifest for your records.
A standard SOW for decommissioning a piece of equipment like a Siemens SOMATOM Definition AS CT scanner includes a project timeline, safety plan, and clear responsibilities. It details the power-down sequence, dismantling methodology, data destruction protocol, rigging and removal plan, and final site cleanup. It also specifies the deliverables, such as the Certificate of Decommissioning and NNRA clearance.
Yes, we provide nationwide decommissioning services across Nigeria. While our primary teams are based in major hubs, we manage projects in all states. For a project in Kano or Enugu, we coordinate all logistics, including mobilizing our technical team, specialized tools, and local transport. A site-specific risk assessment is conducted to account for local logistics and infrastructure.
Our service is fully insured to cover any accidental damage to your facility. Before removing a heavy item like a GE Discovery PET/CT system, we conduct a thorough site assessment to plan the safest exit route. Our insurance policy covers structural damage, flooring, and doorways, ensuring your hospital is protected. A pre-project report documents the condition of the removal path for transparency.
The value is determined by the equipment's make, model, age, operational condition, and current secondary market demand. For example, a 5-year-old Philips Epiq 7 ultrasound with all probes functional will have a higher value than a 12-year-old model with limited functionality. We perform a physical inspection and functional test to provide a transparent, data-backed valuation.
The typical lead time to begin a standard decommissioning project is 2 to 3 weeks from contract signing. This allows for proper project planning, site assessment, and scheduling of our technical team and logistics. For complex projects like removing a cyclotron, the lead time may extend to 6-8 weeks to accommodate specialized planning and regulatory approvals.
Yes, we provide decommissioning and disposal services specifically for dental clinics. This includes the safe removal of dental chairs, panoramic X-ray units like the Planmeca ProMax 3D, and autoclaves. We manage NNRA compliance for the X-ray units and ensure all equipment is disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner, providing the necessary documentation for your records.
Yes, we specialize in large-scale, multi-asset decommissioning projects for entire departments or hospital wings. We develop a phased project plan to minimize disruption to your ongoing operations. For a complete ICU clear-out, this would involve systematically decommissioning ventilators, Philips IntelliVue MP90 monitors, and beds. Franance options are available to manage the cost of such extensive projects.
To provide an accurate preliminary quote, we need the equipment's make, model, and year of manufacture (e.g., Siemens Artis Q C-arm, 2015). We also need its location within the facility (e.g., ground floor or third floor), photos of the equipment, and the surrounding area. A final, fixed quote is always provided after a physical site assessment.
We manage all logistics through a detailed plan created after a site survey. For removing a large item like a GE Optima MR450w MRI, this includes coordinating professional riggers, crane services if needed, and specialized transport. We map out the entire exit path, ensuring doorways are wide enough and floors can support the weight, to guarantee a smooth and safe removal.
Yes, our biomedical engineers and technicians are trained and certified to work on a wide range of medical equipment from major OEMs. They have specific expertise in the safe power-down and dismantling procedures for complex systems like the Elekta Versa HD linear accelerator. This ensures the equipment is handled correctly, preserving its value if it's being resold and ensuring safety at all times.
The most common mistake is failing to properly address data security and regulatory compliance. Many facilities dispose of devices like a Mindray A7 anesthesia machine without professionally wiping the patient data logs or neglect the NNRA paperwork for an old X-ray machine. This exposes the hospital to significant legal and financial liability. Using a professional service eliminates these risks.
Yes, we offer secure, climate-controlled storage solutions for decommissioned equipment. If you've removed a GE Senographe Pristina mammography system to make way for renovations but plan to reinstall it elsewhere later, we can decommission, transport, and store it. This service is ideal for facilities undergoing phased upgrades or relocating services.
Our pricing is typically 20-30% more competitive than OEM services without compromising on quality or compliance. While an OEM service for a Philips AlluraClarity cath lab is excellent, our specialized focus on logistics and secondary markets allows for greater efficiency. We provide the same level of technical expertise and full regulatory compliance, offering a more cost-effective solution for your facility.
We adhere to strict safety protocols, starting with a site-specific risk assessment. Our team uses full personal protective equipment (PPE), follows lock-out/tag-out procedures for electrical safety, and establishes a secure work zone. When decommissioning a system with high voltage, like a Siemens Biograph mCT PET/CT, all energy sources are isolated and verified before any physical work begins.
No, you do not need to perform any technical preparation. Our team handles the complete technical decommissioning process. We only require that the area around the equipment, for example a Dräger Fabius Plus anesthesia machine, is clear of any unrelated hospital items and that our team has safe access to the room and relevant electrical panels.
Yes, we can provide references from leading private and public healthcare facilities in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt that have used our services. We have successfully completed projects involving equipment like the GE Optima CT680 and Philips IntelliVue monitoring systems. We are happy to connect you with operations directors or chief biomedical engineers who can speak to the quality and reliability of our work.
The equipment's destination depends on its condition and type. Functional units, like a 4-year-old Karl Storz OR1 endoscopy tower, may be refurbished and resold in the secondary market. Non-functional or obsolete equipment is sent to a certified e-waste recycling facility. Here, materials like metals, plastics, and circuit boards are responsibly recovered, minimizing environmental impact.
We plan decommissioning activities to minimize disruption to your operations. For a busy facility, we can schedule noisy or high-traffic work, such as the removal of a large Siemens Healthineers Atellica Solution chemistry analyzer, for evenings or weekends. Our project manager coordinates closely with your facility manager to ensure patient care and staff workflow are not impacted.
Yes, financing is available to help manage the cost of decommissioning, especially for large-scale projects. If your hospital needs to clear out an entire radiology department, the cost can be significant. Through Franance, we can structure a payment plan that allows you to pay for the service over several months, preserving your capital for immediate operational needs.