Equipment and System Alignment

DOE-STD-1039-93

The operations supervisor should ensure that all facility personnel are aware of the potential

impact their activities may have on the status of equipment and systems, and that they

obtain concurrence prior to beginning work that could change the status of equipment. Any

status changes that occur during the progress of work should be reported to the responsible

operator or the operations supervisor. Additional guidance concerning the reporting of

process- and status-related information is contained in DOE Order 5480.19, Chapter XIII,

"Operations Aspects of Facility Chemistry and Unique Processes."

4.2 Equipment and System Alignment

Operations personnel should be aware of the alignment of systems and equipment within

their area, whatever the current mode of operation (i.e., startup, shutdown, normal

operations, or maintenance). Alignment checklists should be developed for all modes of

operation and incorporated into the appropriate procedures. These checklists should be

used as guides for operators to use in establishing the correct component positions when

placing systems and equipment into service or other operating modes. They should identify

each component by the exact name and identifying number that appears on the component

label. They should identify the required alignment position (e.g., open, shut, on, off), make

provision for signature or initials verifying the component position, and provide space to

annotate any deviation.

The frequency for performing or verifying system alignments depends on the level of control

required and the level of operating activity. For example, if a system has minimal impact

on safety or process output, and is maintained in a steady-state operating mode (e.g.,

normal operation, standby) with few changes in component status, then it may not be

necessary to perform complete or frequent alignment checks. However, if a system is

critical to safety or process output, or is constantly undergoing component status changes

(e.g., valve manipulations), then more frequent alignment checks would be appropriate.

Equipment and system alignment should be verified following any maintenance activity,

including testing, if the activity could have placed components in a position other than that