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Quality Assurance and Control <br />There were several procedures used to assure the quality of the pipeline. The majority <br />of the testing was related to the integrity of the HDPE pipe fusion joints. <br />1. Data Logging <br />All of the fusion joints were data logged. This procedure uses an electronic <br />device, attached to the fusion machine, to record the time and pressures use <br />during the fusion process, as well as the heater temperature. This allows a <br />check to be made by an independent source of the process used to fuse the <br />joints. The charts produced allow the procedure used to be checked against the <br />manufacturer's recommendations. Any joints found to be made improperly could <br />then be identified and removed. However, all of the fusion joints recorded <br />appear to be well made and none had to be removed or re -done. <br />2. Visual Inspection <br />A visual check of all of the fusion joints was performed by an engineer familiar <br />with the fusion process. All of the joints appear to be well made. <br />3. Bent Strap Test <br />A bent strap test was performed every morning that pipe fusion occurred. The <br />bent strap test uses a strip of material cut from across the actual fusion joint that <br />is bent back onto itself. This stresses the fusion joint to the maximum extent and <br />is used to confirm joint integrity. <br />4. Ultrasonic Testing <br />To help assure that the fusion joints were properly made, NDT Innovations of <br />Safford, AZ was contacted to perform additional testing. They used a test device <br />that sends ultrasonic sound waves across the fusion joint and detects any flaws <br />or gaps in the joint. The entire pipeline was not tested with this method, but two <br />900 -foot sections of 24-inch DR 7 pipe were inspected. No significant problem <br />areas were found. <br />Page 5of6 <br />