Following the construction phase of the Materials Testing Reactor and the completion of Part I of the pre-operational acceptance tests, a series of acceptance tests on the reactor proper will be necessary. It is the purpose of this manual to describe in detail such a series of tests. These tests fall naturally into several well-defined phases. They are, approach to criticality; study of characteristics of the reactor and its components; establishment of power rating; and full power operation.

During the quarter that ended March 1, 1950, substantial progress was made in finalizing basic design data and in proceeding with the design itself. Also, considerable preliminary work was completed at the site preparatory to an early start of actual construction, and a construction contractor, the Fluor Corporation of Los Angeles, was selected. Procurement was initiated on a number of critical items of material and equipment. A large number of detailed decisions and approvals were made.

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