Page 24 - July-August 2012
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24
Nuclear Plant Journal, July-August 2012
After more than two years of laborious, meticulous work
compiling 50-plus detailed manufacturing procedures, the
Aecon Nuclear N-Stamp team patiently waited outside the
boardroom with nervous anticipation. Everything rested on what
was happening during the next two days on the other side of
those doors. Inside, three auditors from the American Society of
Mechanical Engineers (ASME) were pouring over two thick
manuals of manufacturing procedures. Resting in the balance
was Aecon Nuclear’s N-Stamp accreditation for the design and
construction of equipment for nuclear power plants.
“Waiting for the ASME verdict was like waiting for your report
card,” says Eric Dyke, Aecon’s Manager of Nuclear
Fabrication. “We had taken the course, done all the work and
spent more than our share of nights and weekends cramming.
Now it was out of our hands. We knew it wasn’t a sure thing;
only about half the applicants get their N-Stamp on the first try.”
Any doubts the team had turned out to be misplaced. Aecon had
a comprehensive nuclear fabrication quality program that met
all ASME requirements.
“If we are going to be a major player in the global nuclear
market, having that stamp of approval was absolutely
necessary,” says Macit Cobanoglu, Vice President of Aecon
Nuclear. “An N-Stamp provides assurance that design,
fabrication and construction for nuclear power plants comply
with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers’ strict
specifications.” And with that, he says, the door opens for
manufacturing and shipping products to the United States and
other markets.
Aecon is no stranger to nuclear fabrication projects. The
company recently completed Ontario Power Generation’s
Fiberglass Reinforced Piping (FRP) Project, as part of the
nuclear generating station’s Vacuum Building Outage. This
project involved the removal and replacement of 14 FRP Risers,
two FRP Upper Down Comers, one section of the Main Spray
Header and installation of weirs around each of the 14 UDC’s.
One of Aecon Nuclear’s current ventures, the Single Fuel
Channel Replacement (SFCR) project for the Bruce Power
Nuclear Generating Station, involves tool assessment,
refurbishment, configuration management recovery, prerequisite
work, and execution. Aecon recently revamped its nuclear
fabrication facility in preparation for the project.
“Our newly-renovated Cambridge nuclear facility not only
allows us to train
staff, but to also conduct full dress rehearsals
and mobilize our personnel, prior to the execution of our onsite
work,” says Macit. “This ensures our team has the experience to
complete the job right the
first
time, to the highest standards of
safety and quality.”
These are just two examples of countless Canadian nuclear
projects Aecon has executed during the past 40 years. So it
seemed a natural progression for the company to prepare for
nuclear fabrication work in the U.S. and international markets.
On January 24, 2012, Aecon’s ASME certification, along with
four N-stamps, arrived in Cambridge. The N-Stamps (N, NPT,
NA and NS) are now securely stored in a locked cabinet.
“We were elated to pass the first time,” says Aecon Nuclear’s
Quality Director Dennis Lattanzi. “It was like going to the
championship and winning. We put a really good team together
and then knocked it out of the park.”
Stamp
of Approval
Aecon certified for Nuclear Fabrication
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