NT-87-01-1 -- Common Problems of an HVAC Contractor at a Nuclear Power Plant PDF

The HVAC contract for an atomic power plant, is a very specialized contract. It is far more complex than one for a standard commercial project. It requires an experienced contractor who has an established quality assurance and quality control program, who is familiar with the many codes that are applicable to the specialized HVAC work to be performed.

The contract begins prior to the award, when the bidders are formulating their proposals. The specification, drawings, and schedule are the basis for the proposal and should be clear and understandable.

The contractor must establish procedures to define his activities involving welding, engineering, design control, document control, quality control, and testing and balancing. Accurate as-built drawings are mandatory. An effective equipment maintenance program is essential due to the length of the contract. Many HVAC systems require a very low leakaqe allowance. The quality assurance and quality control program should be strictly established, maintained, and never compromised.

In today’s market, such a contract may last for ten years. The HVAC contractor must have a quality assurance program that meets the requirements of the Code of Federal Regulations, 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix B, and Part 21. For more recent plants, ANSI N45.2, including daughter documents, is also applicable. An exacting document control system is needed as well as very specific engineering, construction, procurement, and quality control procedures. Material traceability shall be required for many materials, in many cases, such as metals, back to the heat number assigned the metal at the steel mill.

Units: I-P