In-Service Support for Rideau Falls De-Icing System
Equinox Construction Services (ECS) was mandated to provide in-service support for the de-icing system located at Rideau Falls in Ottawa, Ontario.
The Rideau Falls site is a critical hydraulic location where ice formation can affect infrastructure operations and safety during winter conditions. The de-icing system plays an important role in preventing ice accumulation around the hydraulic structures and maintaining safe operating conditions.
Equinox provided technical and operational support to assist with the implementation and execution of the work while ensuring that the system remained operational and compliant with safety requirements.
- Hydroelectric infrastructure support
- Winter operation systems
- De-icing system maintenance
- Construction coordination
- Field engineering and supervision
Timeline
6 years
Cost
1 950 000$
Professional fees
Included
The Challenge: Supporting a Critical Winter Protection System
Operating hydraulic infrastructure during winter presents unique technical challenges. Ice accumulation can interfere with hydraulic operations, damage equipment and pose safety risks to infrastructure and surrounding areas.
The Rideau Falls de-icing system is designed to mitigate these risks by maintaining water movement and preventing the formation of ice around sensitive infrastructure components.
Providing in-service support required careful coordination to ensure that the system could continue operating effectively while the required work was carried out. Maintaining safety and operational continuity throughout the project was a key priority.
Intervention by Equinox Construction Services
Equinox Construction Services provided field support and coordination services to facilitate the execution of the work related to the Rideau Falls de-icing system.
Our team worked closely with the client and project stakeholders to ensure that construction and operational activities were aligned with the requirements of the site and the operational constraints of the infrastructure.
Equinox supported planning activities, coordinated site operations and ensured that the necessary procedures and safety measures were implemented throughout the project.
Through effective communication and structured coordination, ECS helped ensure that the work was completed safely and efficiently.
Services Provided
- Reviewed existing information and created new isometric drawings to include the systems, the inspection work and all modifications during the contract
- Annually executed system start up procedures to warm pipe and ensure system was safely filled with pressurized steam
- Annually executed system shut down procedures to empty system of steam and flush with pressurized nitrogen
- Annually inspected all elements of system to determine necessary points of maintenance
- Performed NDT on years 1 and 5 to monitor pipe gauge thickness at specified locations and system wear
Team
Additional Resources
Printable project sheet