IR 05000057/1999201

Insp Rept 50-057/99-201 on 990802-04.Violations Noted. Major Areas Inspected:Review of Selected Aspects of Organizational Structure & Functions Program,Radiation Protection Program & Surveillance Program

ML20211A794
Person / Time
Site:	University of Buffalo
Issue date:	08/19/1999
From:	NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned)
To:
Shared Package
ML20211A777	List: IR 05000057/1999201 ML20211A772 ML20211A784
References
50-057-99-201, NUDOCS 9908240140
Download: ML20211A794 (8)

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U. S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Docket No: 50-57 License No: R-77 Report No:. 50-57/1999201 Licensee: State University of New York at Buffa:o Facility: Buffalo Materials Research Center

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l Location: Rotary Road, South Campus j

' Buffalo, New York Dates: August 2-4,1999 l

inspector: . Thomas Dragoun Approved by: Ledyard B. Marsh, Director -

Events Assessment, Genoric Communications and Non-Power Reactors Branch Division of Regulatory improvement Programs Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation j l

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9908240140 990819 gDR ADOCK 05000057 PDR

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This routine, announced inspection included onsite review of selected aspects of the organizational structure and functions program,' the radiation protection program, the surveillance program, the effluent controls program, the fuel shipment program, the safeguards program, the security program and the Y2K program since the last NRC inspection of this

- facilit ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS The organizational structure and functions were consistent with Technical Specification

requirements except a violation of TS reporting requirements was note RADIATION PROTECTION The radiation protection program satisfied NRC requirement SURVEILLANCE - l Surveillances were completed as required by the Technical Specification .

EFFLUENT CONTROL '

The control and monitoring of effluents satisfied NRC requirement FUEL SHIPMENT

- The fuel transfer satisfied DOT and NRC regulatory requirement SAFEGUARDS Special Nuclear Materials were acceptably controlled and inventorie !

SECURITY  !

Security activities and systems satisfied Physical Protection Plan requirement l YEAR 2000 COMPUTER ISSUES No. threat to health or safety was identified as a result of Year 2000 computer issue . .

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. Report Details Summary of Plant Status A Possession Only license amendment has been implemented since the last inspectio Reactor fuel remains in storage on sNo.~ The containment building and adjacent shops, laboratories, and offices are unoccupied. Facilities are routinely entered for campus police tours, radiation surveys, calibrations, and surveillances on equipment. Shops and laboratories

. are occasionally use , ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS Scone flP 40755i The irispector reviewed selected aspects of:

-e organization and staffing e management responsibilities e Reactor Safety Decommissioning Committee activities Observations and Findinas The reactor staff and line management had been reassigned to other positions within the University organization and relocated to other areas on campus. Personnel continue to have collateral responsibility for the reactor program and thereby satisfy the j minimum staffing requirements specified by TS 11.2. Efforts to retain key personnel are effective. A graduate student qualified as Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) limited to fuel handling and was added to the full time staf The management organizational structure was as specified by the TS Amendment N . All positions are fille . . )

Minutes of meeting indicated that the Reactor Decommissioning Safety Committee met l with a quorum at the required frequency and provided the required oversight. One !

- member is now since the last inspection'and was qualified for the positio j

- A new health physics (HP) manager positien was created to assist the RSO. This

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recently authorized position is unfilled. The facility director stated that the RSO will

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continue to have responsibility for regulatory compliance and technical oversight of the

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HP progra ,

Review of records verified that management responsibilities were administered as required by Technical Specifications and applicable procedure The inspector noted that a report surnmarizing technical operations during 1997 and ;

1998 had not been sent to the NRC as required by TS 15.1. The facility director

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acknowledged that this requirement had been everlooked. This matter constitutes a l violation of NRC requirements (Viola tion 50-57/1999201-01). '

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~ Conclusions

- The organizational structure and functions were consistent with Technical Specification

requirements except a violation of TS reporting requirements was note . RADIATION PROTECTION l Scope (IP 40755)

The inspector reviewed selected aspects of:

e the Radiation Protection Program o radiological signs and posting o- routine surveys and monitoring e dosimetry records

'e annual audits . Observations and Findinos The radiation protection program had not changed since the last inspection. The inspector noted that certain policies assigned respansibilities to a position tnat no longer exists. These policies and procedures were not revised after the facility changed to Possession Only status in 1997. In addition, a procedure for the release of material from the controlled area was needed A contractor report in 1997 provided the basis for suen a procedure. The RSO stated that policies and procedures would be reviewed and revised as appropriate. This matter will be reviewed in a future inspection (Inspector Follow-up item .50-57/1999201-02)

Radiological signs and posting appeared to be appropriate. . Routine radiation surveys are performed monthly and adjusted for the occasional use of facilities. Survey records were clear and descriptive, The. quality assurance program for laboratory equipment used for analysis of smear and airborne activity samples was acceptabl The licensee reviewed the radiation protection progrkm during 1998 in accordance with 10 CFR 20.1101(c). This. report acknowledged that.no review was performed during 1997 and included 1997 activities during the review. Results and recommendations were reviewed by the Operations Committe Use of dosimeters and exit frisking practices were in accordance with radiation protection requirements. The licensee used a National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP)-accredited vendor to process dosimetry. Radiological exposure records showed that occupational doses and doses to the public were well below 10 CFR Part 20 limitation ' Conclusions The radiation protection program satisfied NRC requirement F i

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3 ' EFFLUENT CONTROL Scone flP 40755)

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The inspector reviewed selected aspects of:

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e release records '

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counting and analysis program -

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b., Observations and Findiras

Liquid and airborne release samples were collected, prepared, and analyzed

consistently with the Technical Speedication requirements. Laboratory equipment was maintained and calibrated acceptablyi Data indicated that effluent concentrations were

' below regulatory limits Records were current and acceptably maintained, l ' Conclusions C

' The control and monitoring of effluents satisfied NRC requirement , SURVEILLANCE Scope (IP 40755)

The inspector reviewed selected aspects of:

• - 1 surveillance and calibration procedures - j e' surveillance and calibration data sheets and records e- console log

' Observations and Findinos Surveillanch, test, and calibrations were completed on schedule end in accordance with licensee procedures. All the recorded resu:ts were w.ithin the TS cnd procedurally prescribed parameters. The records and logs reviewed were comp:ste and were being

. maintained as requ;r&d. Checks, tests, and calibrations were completed as required by T I Building tours and checks were completed and recorded as specified by licensee procedure Conclusions Surveillances were cornpleted as required by the Technical Specification !

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5.~ FUEL SHIPMENT Wege. IIP 40755) '

The inspector reviewed selected aspects of; e .' fuel packaging '

e : shipping documents-

• - fuel accountabilit Observations and Findinas Unirradiated fuel was shipped in July 1998 in four packages to North Carolina State University using DOT approved packaging.' The quality control program and certificates of compliance for each package were available on site. Documents and records for the -

non-exclusive use shipment were complete. The transfer of the special nuclear material was properly reported to the Nuclear Materials Management and Safeguards Syste Conclusions

' The fuel transfer satisfied ' DOT and NRC regulatory requirements.- SAFEGUARDS (85102) Scope The inspector reviewed selected aspects of:

e- nuclear mate'eal inventory and locations e- accountabilf.y records b.- Observations and Findinas

, Annual physical inventories of material were completed. The material control and accountability program tracked locations and content of fuel and fission detedots under l the research reactor license. The material control and accountability forms (DOE /NRC l Forms 741 and 742) were prepared and transmitted as require Conclusions Spec.al Nuclear Materials were acceptably controlled and inventorie l

~ SECURITY (IP 81431)

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e the Physical Protection Plan e _ security systems, equipment and instrumentations i e implementation of the Physical Protection Plan b. - pbservations and Findinas The Physical Protection Plan was revised to increase the number of controlled access areas in anticipation of the dry storage of fuel. Physical protection systems (barriers and alarms), equipment and instrumentation were as required by the Physical Protection Plan. Heat / fire sensors were added throughout the containment building and adjacent office spaces. Access control was as required. Records of tours by campus police wers acceptabl Conclusions Security activities and systems satisfied Physical Protection Plan requirement . YEAR 2000 COMPUTER CONCERNS a .' insoection Scooe The inspector reviewed licensee action relative to the elements of a questionnaire developed by the NRC staff to assess potential Y2K computer problems. The questionnaire was published in the February 1998 TRTR Newsletter, Observations and Findinas l l

A campus-wide program to identify and correct Y2K problems is in place. The facility has designated two supervisors to be responsible for identifying and resolving Y2K issues. Reactor safety systems are not computer based. A gamma j spectroscopy system was replaced but the retired system date was rolled back to ;

allow it to be used as backup. The vendor has certified the recently upgraded '

security syste '

i Conclusions No threat to health or safety was identified as a result of Year 2000 computer issue . EXIT MEETING SUMMARY The inspector presented the inspection results to members of licensee management at the conclusion of the inspection on August 4,1999. The licensee acknowledged the findings presente h

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e PARTIAL LIST OF PERSONS CONTACTED Licensee M. Adams, BMRC Operations Manager

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S. Barnes, Senior Reactor Operator M. Pierro, Radiation Safety Officer D. Vasbinder, Assistant Director OES (BMRC Director)

A. Vargas, Senior Reactor Operator INSPECTION PROCEDURES USED lP 40755 CLASS Ill NON-POWER REACTORS ORGANIZATION IP 81431 FIXED SITE PHYSINL PROTECTION OF SPECIAL NUCLEAR

> MATERIAL OF LOW STRATEGIC SIGNIFICANCE IP 85102 MATERIAL' CONTROL AND ACCOUNTING - REACTORS ITEMS OPENED. CLOSED. AND DISCUSSED

.Onened-50-57/1999201-01 VIO Provide annual report to NRC per TS 1 /1999201-02 IFl Review and update health physics policies and procedure Closed None LIST OF ACRONYMS USED

. DOT Department of Transportation NRC. Nuclear Regulatory Commission RP Radiation protection -

RSO Radiation Safety Office .-TS : Technical Specifications .

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