The Preferred Pyroscope

A customer’s sister site recently discovered the power of being prepared with the right equipment at the right time… As this plant was going back online after an outage, early in the power-up phase they detected a leak in a weld. The welder needed to go back down to fix it. Usually, this fix requires several days to […]

Every outage in a nuclear facility brings its own set of challenges. Whether it’s accessing hard-to-reach components, safety in high-dose areas, or time on critical path, facilities need partners who understand the stakes and can deliver effective, efficient, and compliant solutions. That’s where Preferred Engineering (PE) comes in. PE specializes in designing and manufacturing custom-engineered equipment to meet […]

Effective shielding protects workers and reduces radiation exposure during fuel movement in nuclear power plants. Preferred Engineering’s Fuel Transfer Canal Shield, also known as the Cattlechute, is specifically designed to support ALARA principles by minimizing exposure while maintaining efficiency during fuel transfers. Safer Fuel Transfers As fuel bundles are transferred through the fuel slot, radiation levels can increase […]

When safety is critical and efficiency runs a close second, your team needs innovativemaintenance solutions that cover all the bases. The Fuel Transfer Tube Closure System(FTTCS) from Preferred Engineering is a breakthrough in safety for your PWR refuelingoutage. This patented solution was designed with the input of site RP and ALARA teamsresulting in a system that not only […]

One of the most essential tools in maintaining nuclear safety is the In-Service Inspection, or ISI, performed routinely during refueling outages. These inspections ensure that critical systems and components inside the reactor remain in safe, operable condition. They are required by regulatory bodies such as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and follow ASME standards. The goal of these […]

During last Fall’s outage season, Preferred Engineering assisted with the installation ofa set of brand-new Hot/Cold Leg Loop Plugs. The process went smoothly thanks to anoutstanding product as well as excellent cooperation and planning with our customer todevelop and document a streamlined approach. While loop plugs may not require frequent installation, their role in nozzle isolation forPressurized Water […]

Power stations have a variety of refueling and maintenance functions and the space available to accomplish them varies widely across facilities. That’s why custom solutions are the only way to go when designing auxiliary bridges that enable those refueling and maintenance tasks to happen. Custom-engineered bridge solutions not only consider the dimensions of your facility but also the […]

As we head into the Fall 2025 Outage Season, we’re pleased to share with you our Outage Season Lessons Learned and Best Practices. This is an in-depth document capturing the key lessons, best practices, and engineering insights gained during the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 outage seasons. This report underscores Preferred Engineering’s commitment to supporting your team in […]

Effective Foreign Material Exclusion (FME) is essential to successful maintenance and outage planning at both boiling water reactor (BWR) and pressurized water reactor (PWR) nuclear plants. Keeping things out of where they shouldn’t be is just as important as putting the right things in the right spot! Tools, debris, and other foreign materials don’t belong in sensitive reactor […]

We’re pleased to share our recent article in Power Magazine by Steve Mitchell – Wednesday, July 2nd, 2025 There is no room for missteps, miscommunication, or misunderstandings when it comes to nuclear maintenance. It demands precision, speed, and accountability. The tools and systems used during outages must function flawlessly, because when they don’t, the cost is more than […]