Construction Flaws from the Chernobyl Nuclear Electrical Power Generating Plant - Background for the Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster and Meltdown
StructAPedia ©
Our site offers impartial, unbiased advice without conflicts of interest.
We will block advertisements which we discover or readers inform us are associated with bad business practices,
false-advertising, or junk science. Our contact info is at
inspect-ny.com/appointment.htm.
This document, previously classified as secret, discloses long pre-existing construction flaws in the Chernobyl nuclear plant,
possible factors leading to the Chernobyl nuclear meltdown and subsequent disaster. Safe electrical power, nuclear hazards,
electrical power generation are discussed.
© Copyright 2008 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use links at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.
[Memorandum # 40]
Not for publication - Secret
21 Feb. 79 05363
Return to the General
Section of the Central
Committee of the CPSU
Central Committee of the CPSU
USSR COMMITTEE OF STATE SECURITY [KGB]
February 21, 1979 No. 346-A
Moscow
Construction Flaws at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant [AES]
According to data in the possession of the KGB of the USSR,
design deviations and violations of construction and assembly
technology are occurring at various places in the construction of
the second generating unit of the Chernobyl AES, and these could
lead to mishaps and accidents.
The structural pillars of the generator room were erected
with a deviation of up to 100 mm from the reference axes, and
horizontal connections between the pillars are absent in places.
Wall panels have been installed with a deviation of up to 150 mm
from the axes. The placement of roof plates does not conform to
the designer's specifications. Crane tracks and stopways have
vertical drops of up to 100 mm and in places a slope of up to 8 degree.
Deputy head of the Construction Directorate, Comrade V. T.
Gora, gave instructions for backfilling the foundation in many
places where vertical waterproofing was damaged. Similar
violations were permitted in other sections with the knowledge of
Comrade V. T. Gora and the head of the construction group,
Comrade IU. L. Matveev. Damage to the waterproofing can lead to
ground water seepage into the station and radioactive
contamination of the environment.
The leadership of the Directorate is not devoting proper
attention to the foundation, on which the quality of the
construction largely depends. The cement plant operates
erratically, and its output is of poor quality. Interruptions
were permitted during the pouring of especially heavy concrete
causing gaps and layering in the foundation. Access roads to the
Chernobyl AES are in urgent need of repair.
Construction of the third high-voltage transmission line is
behind schedule, which could limit the capacity utilization of
the second unit.
As a result of inadequate monitoring of the condition of
safety equipment, in the first three quarters of 1978, 170
individuals suffered work-related injuries, with the loss of work
time totaling 3,366 worker-days.
The KGB of Ukraine has informed the CPSU Central Committee
of these violations. This is for your information.
Chairman of the Committee [KGB] [signed] IU. Andropov
[Memorandum # 42]
Secret
Copy no. 1
USSR MINISTRY OF
POWER AND ELECTRIFICATION
(MINENERGO USSR) Central Committee CPSU
Kitaiskii pr. 7
Moscow, K-74 103074
Minenergo USSR Central Committee
of the CPSU
Moscow K-11 A.T. 112604 MAR. 16, 79 07738
3-16-79 No. 1381-2c Return to General
Section of the
Central Committee
Checking the structural condition of the first unit of the
Chernobyl AES.
At the instruction of the USSR Minister of Power and
Electrification, a commission under the chairmanship of Deputy
Minister Comrade F. V. Sapozhnikov was formed to check the
quality of construction and assembly work on the first unit of
the Chernobyl AES.
The commission visited the site on March 5-6, 1979, and
examined the state of the buildings and structures of the first
unit of the Chernobyl AES and the notes on the quality of
construction and assembly work.
The Commission found that violations of construction
technology and design deviations have been documented.
In each specific instance, engineering solutions were
adopted (in the construction, the operation, or by the designers)
to eliminate deviations and make the structures conform to the
specifications of the original design and normative documents.
Some of the measures have been realized; the rest of the
work is being completed according to a rigid timetable set by the
commission.
At the present time the power station is operating
successfully, and there are no hindrances to its further
operation.
Taking into account the specifics of nuclear power stations,
and attaching primary significance to the reliability and safety
of their operations, the USSR Ministry of Power and
Electrification has issued an order to enhance monitoring of
technical standards observance and the quality of construction
and assembly work at all AESs under construction.
A letter of similar content was sent to the Central
Committee of the Communist Party of Ukraine.
Deputy Minister [signed] P. P. Falaleev
Secret
CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE CPSU
Defects in the Construction of the Chernobyl AES
More Information on Building Diagnostic Inspections and Repairs
Chairman of the KGB of the USSR, Comrade IU. V. Andropov,
reports about the low quality of construction work on various
sections of the second unit of the Chernobyl AES of the USSR
Ministry of Power and Electrification.
As instructed, Comrade Minister P. S. Neporozhnii has formed
a special commission under the leadership of Deputy Minister
Comrade Sapozhnikov to examine and carefully analyze the facts
cited. The commission visited the site to conduct a thorough
investigation of design deviations and to inspect the system of
monitoring the quality of construction and assembly work.
It was found that in erecting individual pillars, wall
panels, and crane track stopways, there indeed were instances of
deviation from the reference axes and substandard construction
practices. Most of these deviations were exposed by the design
inspectorate of the Gidroproekt Institute and a technical site
inspection, and they were documented.
The Chernobyl AES construction directorate along with the
design organization and client have adopted coordinated
engineering solutions ensuring design reliability and
construction quality. Some of the deviations have been
eliminated, and the rest of the measures are being carried out.
A timetable under the control of the Ministry leadership has been
established to eliminate the noted deficiencies.
The specialists conclude that at present there are no
obstacles to the subsequent operation of the Chernobyl AES, and
the electric power station is operating reliably.
To raise the quality of construction and assembly work and
strengthen control over fire and radiation safety, the Ministry
has published instructions stipulating strict verification of the
quality of work at AES construction sites by Ministry
commissions, enhancing quality inspection laws, training
engineers and technicians, strengthening fire-fighting
procedures, and monitoring observation of safety regulations.
....
The Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Ukraine
has been informed of the measures taken by the ministry.
Head of the Section of Machine Building of the
Central Committee of the CPSU. [SIGNATURE] (V. Frolov)
March "23", 1979
Nos. 05363,07738,
60A/II.
Use links at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.
More expert information on this topic
| 
Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, Repair, & Problem Prevention Advice 
Directory of Professionals to Inspect or Test a Building 
InspectAPedia.com - Home Page
The Mold Information Center:
Use this simple, economical mold test kit
Home Inspection Construction Consulting Services
Contact Daniel Friedman