Lessons Learned Database



Title:

Procurement, Handling, and Storage of Equipment and Components

Identifier:

2000-RL-HNF-0017

Date:

2000-05-22

Lesson Learned Statement:

Purchased equipment and components should be packaged, stored, and handled to the same level of requirements imposed on suppliers to prevent damage, deterioration, or contamination of the items before they installed.

Discussion:

A DOE-RL audit in October 1998 identified the following weaknesses in the procurement and on-site packaging, storage, and handling of HEPA filters:
  • HEPA filters were not always procured to Hanford specifications HNF-S-0552 for catalogue or standard sizes, and HNF-S-0447 for non-catalogue sizes
  • Requisitioning Engineers were not specifying on-site special handling or storage requirements for HEPA filters as required by Washington Administrative Code and as incorporated into facility S/RIDS.
  • Many HEPA filters were found on-site not packaged, handled, or stored in accordance with the above requirements.
  • HEPA filters that were improperly packaged, handled, or stored were not always rejected using a Nonconformance Report (NCR) for engineering disposition as required by HNF-PRO-298.

Analysis:

Not all facility engineers were aware of the need to invoke Hanford specifications HNF-S-0552 or HNF-S-0447 when requisitioning HEPA filters. Even when they did use the appropriate specifications for procurement, they did not always specify the packaging, storage, and handling requirements to the warehouse. As a result, facility personnel could obtain HEPA filters from the warehouse without being made aware of the required packaging, storage, and handling requirements.

Recommended Actions:

Corrective actions included:
  1. Issued HNF-MD-6226, Management of HEPA Filter Systems, to communicate to Hanford facilities that HEPA filters must be requisitioned using the appropriate Hanford specifications HNF-S-0552 or HNF-S-0447;
  2. Revised those specifications to include on-site packaging, storage, and handling requirements;
  3. Performed a site-wide search for HEPA filters that were not packaged, handled, or stored in accordance with the above requirements. Those filters were rejected by NCR.

Requisitioners must assure that they know the appropriate standards when ordering equipment or components, and:

  1. specify the required packaging, storage, and handling to the supplier as a part of the requisition;
  2. specify the required packaging, storage, and handling to the Hanford warehouse via an Inventory Adjustment Request (IAR) in accordance with HNF-PRO-129, Controlling Spare Parts and Spare Equipment Inventory.

Personnel drawing items from the warehouse should request a copy of any associated IAR to obtain and maintain the proper packaging, storage and handling requirements at the facility prior to installation. This will maintain the integrity of items in on-site storage and mitigate unnecessary damage or rejection of equipment and components prior to installation.

Originator:

Fluor Hanford, Inc. Submitted by Bill Petrie, (509) 376-3162

Validator:

John Bickford

Contact:

Project Hanford Lessons Learned Coordinator; (509) 373-7664; FAX 376-6112

Name Of Authorized Derivative Classifier:

Not required

Name Of Reviewing Official:

John Bickford

Priority Descriptor:

Blue / Information

Keywords:

HEPA filter; ventilation; storage; requisition

References:

PAD-AUD-99-002, Audit of FDH HEPA Filter Procurement and Installation Quality Assurance;
Letter FDH-9954750, Corrective Actions for Richland Operations Office Audit of HEPA Filters,
PAD-AUD-99-002, Corrective Action File Number FDH-QS-DE-QA-19990465
WAC-246-247, HNF-PRO-298, Nonconforming Item Reporting and Control

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DOE Function / Work Categories:

Engineering Design and Construction - Nuclear
Material - Material Handling
Material - Material Storage

ISM Category:

Perform Work

Hazard:

Environmental Release

End of Lesson!

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