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Let’s review each of the different departments as shown in Table 3 and see what decisions might have impacted the FAC component and system.
Management
Management has the responsibility to make sure the site FAC Program is being implemented at the power plant by the FAC Engineer.
Here are some examples of how Management could have affected an FAC Program:
- Reduced the length of time to allow for the FAC examinations to be performed during the inspection period.
- Reduced the budget for the FAC examinations and attending industry conferences.
- Asked the FAC Engineer to reduce the scope of FAC inspection locations prior to the upcoming inspection period.
Operations
Operations is responsible for identifying changes in system operation for the FAC Engineer. This includes valve alignment, valve and equipment problems and the change in status of lines not normally in service, i.e. bypass lines, recirculation lines, etc.
Here are some examples of how Operations
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- The FAC Engineer was not notified of a new valve alignment on a line that is normally not in service in a system with multiple flow paths.
- Used a motor operated valve to throttle the flow in a line.
- Removed a main process line valve from service, with the valve’s bypass line being used 100 percent of the time.
Maintenance
Maintenance is responsible for providing the FAC Engineer with the field support to erect scaffolding, remove the pipe insulation and prepare the FAC components and equipment for inspection by the NDE personnel. They also are involved with the repair/replacement of FAC components.
Here are some examples of how Maintenance could have affected an FAC Program:
- May not have removed the full extent of the insulation required for the FAC inspection location, leading to a partial inspection of the component.
- Cut out and removed more than the required amount of FAC damaged piping without noting this or informing the FAC Engineer.
- Repaired or replaced small sections of small bore piping (< 2? NPS) that had a leak without notifying the FAC Engineer.
Chemistry
Chemistry is responsible for maintaining and optimizing the water chemistry treatment for all plant systems, not just the FAC susceptible lines.
Here are some examples of how Chemistry could have affected an FAC Program:
- Had a piece of equipment out of service such that the chemistry profile might have shifted to an unfavorable FAC environment to the point where the FAC Engineer should have selected additional inspection locations to monitor.
- Modified amine concentrations.
- Modified pH values.
System Engineering
System Engineering is responsible for assessing modifications to the existing plant systems. They also have the responsibility of identifying issues with system components, such as valves, flow elements and equipment, i.e. heater shells, tanks, vessels, etc., to the FAC Engineer.
