05000482/LER-1989-001, :on 890120,discovered That Diesel Generator Not Tested at Least Once Every 7 Days Per Tech Specs.Testing Frequency Reduced to Once Per 31 Days Following 890106 Test. Caused by Personnel Error.Personnel Instructed

:on 890120,discovered That Diesel Generator Not Tested at Least Once Every 7 Days Per Tech Specs.Testing Frequency Reduced to Once Per 31 Days Following 890106 Test. Caused by Personnel Error.Personnel Instructed

ML20235J181
Person / Time
Site:	Wolf Creek
Issue date:	02/15/1989
From:	Mike Williams, Withers B WOLF CREEK NUCLEAR OPERATING CORP.
To:	NRC OFFICE OF INFORMATION RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (IRM)
References
LER-89-001, LER-89-1, WM-89-0046, WM-89-46, NUDOCS 8902240201
Download: ML20235J181 (4)

LER-1989-001, on 890120,discovered That Diesel Generator Not Tested at Least Once Every 7 Days Per Tech Specs.Testing Frequency Reduced to Once Per 31 Days Following 890106 Test. Caused by Personnel Error.Personnel Instructed

Event date:
Report date:
Reporting criterion:	10 CFR 50.73(a)(2) 10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(i)(B), Prohibited by Technical Specifications 10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(i)
4821989001R00 - NRC Website

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Form 388 U.E NUCLEAR REOULaTORY COMMIS$10N APPROVED OMB NO.3160-0104 LICENSEE EVENT REPORT (LER)

EXPIRES: s/31/se PSCILITV NAME (1)

DOCKET NUMBkH (2)

PAGE (31 Wolf Creek Generating Station 0 [5 l 010 l 0 [4 l 8 l 2 1 lOFl 0 l 3

" ' ' ' ' ' Personnel Error In Altering Dnergency Diesel Generator Testing Frequency Results In Tmhnical Soeci fication Violation EVENT DATE 16)

LER NUMBER 16)

REPORT DATE (7)

OTHER F ACILITIES INVOLVED 10)

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20.402(bl 20.406(s) 60.73teH2)0v) 73.71(b)

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LICENSEE CONTACT FOR THIS LER (12)

NAME TELEPHONE NUM8ER AREA CODE Merlin G. Williams - Manager Plant Support 31116 316141 -l 81813 Il COMPLETE ONE LINE FOR EACH COMPONENT F AltVRE DE5CRl8ED IN THIS REPORT 1131 R

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MONTH DAY YEAR SUBMISSION YES lif yes. complete EXPECTED SUBMISSION DATil NO l

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On January 20, 1989, during a review of the Duergency Diesel Generator 'B' Start Log, it was discovered that the Diesel Generator was not being tested at least once per 7 days as required by the plant's Technical Specifications (T/S). The T/S specifies a surveillance frequency based on each Diese]

Generator's operating history. Upon discovery of this T/S non-canpliance, the testing frequency was increased to once per 7 days.

Diesel Generator 'B' had experienced valid failures on December 18, 1987, and cn Novenber 16, 1988. The testing frequency was increased to once per 7 days after the secord failure as per T/S requirements. A third failure occurred on Novanber 27, 1988, which lengthened the time period in which the increased testing frequercy was required. The testing frequency was incorrectly reduced to once per 31 days following a January 6, 1989, test.

This occurred as a result of cognitive personnel error by license 3 operations personnel, who failed to properly verify the diesel generator operatity3 history. This error has been reviewed with responsible personnel and they have been instructed to be more diligent in their attention to detail.

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NRC Perm 334A U S NUCLE A2 KEGULATORY COMMISSION LICENSEE EVENT REPORT (LER) TEXT CONTINUATION AreaovEo ove NO mo-mo4 g

EXPIRES. 8/31/s8 PaclLITV NAMS (1)

DOCKET NUMSER (2)

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M mc s ass 4mm INH 00UCT. ION On January 20, 1989, during a review of Emergency Diesel Generator 'B' [EK-DG] Start Log, it was discovered that the diesel generator testing frequency was not being maintained in accordance with Technical Specification (T/S)

Surveillance Requirement 4.8.1.1.2, which requires that each diesel generator be demonstrated operable by the performance of testing at the frequercy specified in Table 4.8-1, " Diesel Generator Test Schedule." T/S Table 4.8-1 specifies a required testing frequency based on the operating history of the individual diesel generator. This noncompliance with T/S requirements is being reported pursuant t.o 10CFR50.73(a)(2)(i)(B) as a condition prohibited by the plant's T/S.

DESCRIPTION OF EVlWF T/S Table 4.8-1 requires a diesel generator test frequency of at least once per 31 days if the number of failures in the last 20 valid tests is one or less. If the number of failures in the last 20 valid tests is greater than

- one, T/S Table 4.8-1 requires that the testire frequency be increased to at least once per 7 days. A footnote to Table 4.8-1 requires that this increase 3 testing frequency be maintained "until seven consecutive failure free tests have been perfonned ard the number of failures in the last 20 valid tests has been reduced to one."

Since ocmpletion of preoperational testing, there have been three (3) valid failures of Diesel Generator

'B'. The first occurred on December 19, 1987, and is discussed in Special Report 87-016, Supplanent 1.

The secord occurred cn November 16, 1988, and is discussed in Special Report 88-002.

Following the occurrence of the second valid failure, the testing frequency was increased to at least once per 7 days in accordance with T/S Table 4.8-1.

A third valid failure of Diesel Generator 'B' occurred on November 27, 1988 and is discussed in Special Report 88-004. No adjustment of the testing frequency was necessary at the time this' failure occurred; however, the occurrence of this failure lengthened the time period in which the increased testing frequency was required.

Testirg of Diesel Generator 'B' was properly con 3ucted at 7 day intervals until January 6, 1989. Subsequent to this test, a decision was made to resume testing at the frequency of once per 31 days. As a result of this decision, the next test was performed on January 18, 1989.

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M= mC r.-,as4w im On January 20, 1989, while updating the Diesel Generator Start log to include the January 18 test results, a utility engineer discovered that nore than 7 days had elapsed between subsequent tests cn Diesel Generator 'B'.

It was determined that the testing frequency had been reduced prior to satisfying the T/S requirements. Although seven consecutive failure free tests had been conducted, the number of failures in the last 20 valid tests had not yet been reduced to one. Following discovery of this T/S violaticn, the schedule for testing Diesel Generator 'B' was changed to once per 7 days in accordance with T/S Table 4.8-1 requirements.

NOCYP CAUSE AND CDRRBCI'IVE ACTICEE The root cause of this event was cognitive personnel error by licensed operations personnel, who incorrectly reduced the testing frequency follcuing the January 6 test. The individuals involved believed that only one valid failure of Diesel Generator

'B' had occurred in November,1988.

Consequently, following ccznpletion of seven consecutive failure free tests, it was believed that it was pennissible to reduce the testing frequency.

The ramifications of this failure to verify the operating history of the diesel by reviewing the Diesel Generator Start Log have been discussed with the individuals involved. In order to prevent future occurrences of this nature, responsible personnel have been instructed to be more diligent in their attention to detail.

On January 13, 1989, the responsibility for classifying each Diesel Generator test per the criteria of Regulatory Guide 1.108, was transferral to the Ocnpliance group. It was during this transfer process that the error in the Diesel Generator 'B' testing frequency was identified. Following determination that a valid failure per Regulatory Guide 1.108 has occurred, the Ccmpliance group will verify the number of failures in the last 20 valid tests. This information will be used by the Operations group to adjust the frequency of Diesel Generator testing.

ADDITIONAL INEDRMATION During the time period of this event, the unit was operating in Mode 1, Power Operation, at 100 percent rated thermal power.

There have been no previous similar occurrences.

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LF CREEK W4) NUCLEAR OPERATING

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Bart D. Withers Pree6 dent and CNef Executive Omcer -

February.15, 1989 WM 89-0046 U. S. Nuclear' Regulatory Commission ATTN: Document Control Desk Mail Station F1-137 Washington, D. C.

20555 Subj ect :

Docket No. 50-482: Licensee Event Report 89-001-00 Centlemen:

The attached Licensee Event Report (LER) is submitted pursuant to 10 CFR

'50.73 (a) (2) (i) concerning a Technical Specification violation.

Very truly yours, e --

j Bart D. Withers-President and Chief Executive Officer BDW/j ad Attachment cc: B. L. Bartlett (NRC), w/a E. J. Holler (NRC), w/a R. D. Martin (NRC), w/a D. V. Pickett (NRC), w/a l

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P.O. Box 411/ Burlington, KS 66839 / Phone: (316) 364-8831 An Equal Opportunity Employer Mf!HC/ VET t