
PROJECT : LLNL National Ignition Facility
LOCATION: Livermore, CA
CONSTRUCTION VALUE: $1.1 Billion estimated
OWNER: Department of Energy/Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories (LLNL)
GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Hensel Phelps; Nielsen Dillingham
ARCHITECT: Jacobs Engineering; Walsh Pacific
The National Ignition Facility (NIF) is a stadium-sized complex with 192 laser beams. The facility creates self-sustaining fusion reactions similar to those occurring in the sun and stars. NIF uses powerful lasers to heat and compress a small amount of hydrogen fuel to the point where nuclear fusion reactions take place. NIF’s mission is to achieve fusion ignition with high energy gain, and to support nuclear weapon maintenance and design by studying the behavior of matter under the conditions found within nuclear weapons. Construction on the NIF began in 1997 and completed in 2007.
Signet provided special inspection and testing services with the various general/subcontractors as the quality control testing lab including oils, reinforced concrete, masonry, structural/miscellaneous steel welding, high strength bolting, anchor/dowel installation and fireproofing.