The purpose of this letter is to inform the NRC Operations Center that Shaw AREVA
MOX Services,
LLC (
MOX Services) has identified a deviation associated with reinforcing bar supplied by Energy and Process Corporation (E&P).
The condition involves reinforcing bars (rebar) supplied by E&P that have a bend radius below the minimum specified by ACI Standard 315-99 and ACI Standard 349-97. The condition was initially observed on 06 February 2008. The extent of condition determination found that a significant portion of bent rebar in all sizes failed to meet the minimum bend radius specified by ACI Standard 315-99 and ACI Standard 349-97. Based on this finding, it was concluded that a similar nonconforming population could be present embedded in those areas of the plant where concrete had already been poured.
MOX Services has determined that the
IROFS [Item Relied On For Safety] function of the BMF structure was not diminished by the rebar installed in concrete poured to date and that a substantial safety hazard would not result in the MFFF [Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility] if the deviation had not been discovered. For industry awareness, we have conservatively chosen to report this deviation under the provisions of 10 CFR 21.21(d)(3)(i).