This evening, I vented BSC1's annulus volume with UHP N2 and BSC3's with room air as an experiment. I believe that LLO has determined that venting the viton-sealed annulus volumes with dry nitrogen can measurably reduce the subsequent pump downs.
Additionally, I removed all but 4 door bolts from BSC1 N. and BSC3 W. doors. Preliminarily, these remaining four/door bolts had been loosened 1 full turn ccw so as to not over deflect the door flanges when the other bolts were loosened and removed completely..
Also, the bolts on these two door flanges were WAYYYYYYY TOOOOOO TIIIGGGGHHHHTT!!!! and were a complete pain in the "arse" to remove. I vaguely remember someone commenting that this was in response to overhearing talk of us having a potential door leak following the last time that these had been cycled - NOTE TO ALL CONCERNED: Once the mating flanges are in contact with each other, additional torquing of the bolts only results in unnecessary galling etc..... don't do this! The "long" wrenches should never be used to "tighten" door bolts.
Thanks, Kyle! It is also important to not under torque the doors. We found the recent BSC door at EY with loose bolts. Doors should be checked again after a vacuum is pulled if door crew is unsure of adequate torque.