Ivara EXP Supports AP-913 Compliance at SONGS


San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station selects Ivara reliability software to support nuclear industry reliability guidelines

BURLINGTON, ON (September 6, 2006)- Ivara Corporation, an industry leader and innovator in asset reliability solutions, today announced that the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS), is using Ivara EXP reliability software to support their implementation of AP-913 - an equipment reliability process description established by the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO). With EXP, SONGS has improved its ability to manage asset performance and align its reliability processes with the AP-913 processes.

INPO assists their member utilities in efficiently maintaining high levels of safe and reliable plant operation. INPO's AP-913 process recommendations integrate and coordinate a broad range of equipment reliability activities to:

o Identify and evaluate critical station equipment

o Develop & implement long-term equipment health plans

o Monitor equipment performance and condition

o Make continuing improvements to the maintenance program

While already adhering to the principles set out by AP-913, SONGS required a solution to better align and automate its maintenance and reliability processes with the best practices set out by INPO. SONGS is using Ivara's EXP software to integrate their reliability processes and support their compliance with AP-913.

"From performance monitoring to continuous improvement, of the applications reviewed, EXP was the solution that most closely modeled INPO's reliability processes," says Darryl Barney, Monitoring and Asset Reliability System product manager, SONGS. "Our goal was to develop a professional and consistent approach to managing compliance with the AP-913 guidelines. The Ivara solution has allowed us to develop a single, integrated and coordinated approach to reliability that automates AP-913 processes and improves our ability to manage asset performance."

Ivara EXP reliability software collects equipment condition data from sources such as visual inspections and predictive maintenance technologies. EXP then consolidates and analyzes all condition data, identifying degrading trends and potential failures. The results are presented visually through flashing alarms and trending graphs, allowing initiation of the right maintenance work at the right time - a core principal of AP-913.

"Equipment reliability is a cornerstone of the nuclear industry in its drive to ensure safe and reliable plant operations," says Gerry Bleau, CEO, Ivara Corporation. "SONGS' progressive approach in applying AP-913 best practices places them at the forefront of the industry. We are proud to be a part of their success."

About SONGS
San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) in San Diego County, California, is one of the largest nuclear generating stations in the U.S. employing more than 2,000 people. The station's two generating units serve approximately 2.2 million households.

About Ivara
Ivara is a leader in asset reliability solutions and parent company of Aladon LLC, specialists in the application of Reliability-Centered Maintenance. Ivara helps capital intensive companies improve operational performance by better managing the reliability of their plant assets. Ivara's unique methodology implements reliability one asset at a time, resulting in a high financial impact that is quickly realized. By putting a proactive asset reliability process in place and focusing on changing people's behavior and activities, Ivara helps transition organizations to proactively managing asset health. For more information about Ivara, visit www.ivara.com.

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