Vipond is currently upgrading the fire protection system at one of Ontario's largest suppliers of nuclear energy. Darlington Nuclear Generating Station provides about 20 percent of Ontario's electricity needs and is the newest CANDU (CANada Deuterium Uranium) nuclear generating station. It is a four-unit station with a total output of 3,524 megawatts (MW).

Vipond's contract is based on the demolition of all existing fire protection, which included only partial sprinkler and standpipe protection. Vipond is upgrading these areas and providing additional fire protection systems to completely protect Units 1-4 of the Turbine Generators and surrounding areas for all four units. This work is comprised of installing 32 wet pipe systems, supplying approximately 7,000 sprinkler heads.

The upgrade began in July 2000, and was recently completed. Vipond was already ISO 9001 Certified when receiving the contract, and at the customer's request became a TSSA Certified fire protection contractor - the first fire protection company to get this certification.

Based on the qualifications, performance and safety record on the Darlington project, Vipond secured subsequent contracts at both the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station and the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station.

The Pickering station is located on the shores of Lake Ontario. One of the world's largest nuclear generating facilities, Pickering consists of two stations, each with four CANDU reactor units, resulting in a total output of 4,120 megawatts (MW).

Vipond is contracted to upgrade fire protection in both of the Pickering stations. In Pickering A, the work is comprised of the supply and installation of five wet pipe sprinkler systems, two deluge sprinkler systems, and four pre-action sprinkler systems supplying approximately 4,500 sprinkler heads. This upgrade started in December 2001.

In Pickering B, Vipond's work involves the supply and installation of 20 wet pipe systems, and eight deluge systems supplying approximately 11,000 sprinkler heads. The job began in November 2001, and is estimated for completion in May 2004.

Vipond's work at the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station will be featured in a future article.

VIPOND, FIRST FOR FIRE PROTECTION