IR 05000073/1989001
| ML20011D873 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Vallecitos Nuclear Center |
| Issue date: | 12/06/1989 |
| From: | Hooker C, Wenslawski F NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION V) |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20011D870 | List: |
| References | |
| 50-073-89-01, 50-73-89-1, IEB-89-009, IEB-89-9, NUDOCS 9001020212 | |
| Download: ML20011D873 (7) | |
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'U.
S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION-
REGION V
t Report No. 50-73/89-01 License No.'R-33
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Licensee: General Electric Company Vallecitos Nuclear Center P. O. Box 460
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Pleasanton, California 91304 Facility Name:
General Electric Nuclear Test Reactor (NTR) _
h Inspection at:
Vallecitos Nuclear' Center-
. Inspection Conducted:
November 13-15 and 20-21, 1989 Inspector:
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E. A. HooRer, Fuel Facilities Inspector Dat~e Signed i
Approved by:
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F. A. Wenslawski, Chief Dat'e Signed Facilities Radiological Protection-Section i
Summary:
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Areas Inspected:-
This was a routine unannounced inspection of licensee-action on--
previous inspection findings, class 11 research and test reactor i
operations, transportation of radioactive materials, and follow-up on IE Information Notices.
The inspection also included' tours of i
the licensee's facility.
Inspection ptacedures'30703, 40750 86740, 92701 and 92702 were addressed, b.
Results:
In the areas inspected, the licensee's 3rograms a capableofaccomplishingtheirsafetyo]jectives.ppearedfully No violations or I
deviations were identified.
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9001020212 891206 PDR ADOCK 05000073
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DETAILS
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1.
Persons Contacted i
Licensee:
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- R. W. Darmitzel, Manager, Irradiation Processing
- D. R. Smith, Manager, Nuclear Test Reactor (NTR)
- J. H. Cherb, Manager, Nuclear Safety
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- G. E. Cunningham, Senior Licensing Engineer J. I. Tenorio, Manager, Remote Handling Operations E. J. Strain, Compliance Engineer B. M. Murray, Radiological Engineer (RE)
W. B. Johnson, Operations Specialist,' Senior Reactor Operator (SRO)
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F. A. Arlt, Supervisor, Facilities Maintenance
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- Denotes those attending the exit interview on November 21, 1989.
In addition to the individuals noted above the inspector met and held discussions with other members of the licen,see's staff.
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2.
Follow-up of Licensee Action on Open Items and IE Notices (92701)-
'l Item 50-073/88-08-18 (Closed):
This item involved a need for the licensee to make a change to their Technical Specifications (TS) to permit the radiographing of devices containing explosive and-radioactive
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material.
This matter was effectively resolved with License Amendment
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No. 19, dated June 2, 1989, which permitted such activity.
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Items No. 50-073/87-10-S0 and 87-10-L0 (Closed):
These items involved a l
licensee report dated October 30, 1987, made in accordance with 10 CFR
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20.405 regarding an operator at NTR exceeding the 10 CFR 20.101(a) whole body quarterly exposure limit of 1.25 rem prior-to meeting the requirements of 10 CFR 20.101(b).
Special Inspection Report No.
50-73/87-02 conducted on November 16, 1987, documents the inspection of this matter.
Based on review of personnel exposure records, the inspector determined that the licensee's program had been effective in l
assurir.g that the requirements of 10 CFR 20.101(b) were met prior to any individual exceeding the limit specified 10 CFR 20.101(a) in all l
I subsequent cases.
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l Follow-up on IE Information Notices:
The inspector verified that the licensee had received and reviewed IE Information Notice No. 89-09, Credit for Control Rods Without Scram Capability in the Calculation of Shutdown Margin.
3.
Follow-up of Licensee Action on Violations (92702)
Item No. 50-073/87-01-01 (Closed): This violation involved the licensee's failure to implement certain training requirement delineated.
in their Emergency Plan (EP) and EP implementing procedures.
The inspector verified that effective corrective actions had been implemented to prevent recurrence as stated in the licensee's timely letter dated-
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October 21, 1987.
with cognizant + licensee representativesBased on review of training records and d
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the inspector observed that the licenseehadconductedtherequiredtralningandhadassignedan.
individual the_responsibilit response personnel training.y of providing oversight of emergency
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4.
Class 11 Research and Test Reactor Operations (40750)
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The licensee's program was. reviewed for compliance with-the requirements of 10 CFR Parts 19,,20, 50, 55, TS and licensee procedures.
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inspection included a review of selected procedures and records,
interviews with personnel and facility tours.. The inspection also included observations made during reactor startups and neutron radiography operations, a.
Reactor Operation The NTR activities consists primarily of neutron radiography of parts and components including explosives, and very few irradiation experiments.
working hours at a reactor power level of about 100 kW.The reactor is ty In 1988 the reactor was was operated above critical about 1,166 hours0.00192 days <br />0.0461 hours <br />2.744709e-4 weeks <br />6.3163e-5 months <br /> with 362-startups.
Total plant operations equaled 4.435 MW days in 1988.
For 1989, as of October 20 1989,-the reactor had operated about 901 hours0.0104 days <br />0.25 hours <br />0.00149 weeks <br />3.428305e-4 months <br /> above critical that Included about'857 hours0.00992 days <br />0.238 hours <br />0.00142 weeks <br />3.260885e-4 months <br /> at 100 kW.
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Management and Organization j
There had been no changes in management or organizational structure at the NTR facility since the last inspection of-this area (50-77/87-01)'.
Staffing at the NTR consisted of a facility manager q
that is also a licensed SRO two operations specialists that are i
licensed SR0s and two licens,ed reactor operators (R0s).
j The organization was observed to be consistent with TS 6.1.1.
The current staff have been long term employee's-at the NTR facility.
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Operator and Maintenance Records A review of operator's logs ~and startup check sheets indicated that
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there had been no occurrences of significant problems.
The logs and check sheets were adequately filled out and were consittent with TS requirements and facility operating procedures.
In 1988, the facility experienced six unplanned scrams and one manual rundown.
As of January 1,1989, to date of inspection four unplanned scrams had occurred.
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There were-no scrams in 1987 and two in 1986.
The licensee appropriately ~ identifies the cause and and
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took appropriate measures to prevent recurrence.'In each case there were no significant operating problems that contributed to the cause-
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or resulted from the scrams.
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A review of record of maintenance activities indicated that
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maintenance was performed consistent with TS and licensee procedures.
Calibrations were performed, as appropriate, after i
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unscheduled maintenance activities were completed.
Calibrations and maintenance were also noted to have been performed by qualified
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individuals.
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Procedures
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From review of selected standard operating procedures, the inspector determined;that facility procedures had been established and
approved in accordance with the requirements delineated in TS
Section 6.3.
Based on observations during.the inspection, it
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appeared that facility procedures were also-being adequately implemented.
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Requalification Training
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t The inspector reviewed records of SR0 ahd R0 requalification
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examinations since the last inspection of this area (50-73/87-01).
The review disclosed that biennial. written examinations for SR0s,ing and annual oral and biennial written examinations for R0s were be
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administered in accordance with-the licensee's approved program and
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There have been no new=SR0 or R0 incumbents at the NTR facility since the-last inspection.. Medical examinations were
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conducted in accordance with the requirements of 10 CFR Part 55, Subpart C.
In addition to R0 training, the NTR staff are trained in' handling a
explosives and other hazardous materials related to the activities performed at the facility.
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Surveillances Records for, selected surveillances prescribed in TS Section 4.0 were examined.
The examination included surveillances for scram trip tests, alarm trip tests, safety' rod-inflight time and magnet-
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drop-out current tests, reactivity calculations,. rod worth
' determinations, temperature coefficient verifications,' thermal power verifications and various channel calibrations.
~The inspector determined that the licensee's surveillance program met or exceeded the requirements prescribed the TS.
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Experiments Based on a review of records and discussions with facility personnel, the inspector determined that adequate reviews were being.
conducted for all 1rradiation type experiments.to ensure that they-
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did not represent an unreviewed safety question and reactivity limits would not be exceeded, j
Irradiated and radiographed items were accounted for until they.had decayed to an acceptable level for release.
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Radiation Protection
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Personnel exposure and whole body counting (WBC) records from January 1, 1988, through September 30, 1989, were reviewed.
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Personnel monitoring devices, beta / gamma film and neutron albedo dosimeters, were processed monthly by an accredited contract vendor.
The inspector verified that forms NRC-4 and NRC-5, or equivalent were maintained in accordance with NRC requirements and licensee
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i arocedures.
Letters documenting exposures pursuant to 10 CFR 19.13 1ad been timely prepared and sent to individuals'that had been contracted to assist with neutrosraphing operations.
The inspector
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the limit specified in 10 CFR 20.101(b).
In June 1988, the licensee installed additional shielding in the South Cell area to reduce-neutron and gamma exposures during radiographic operations The licensee's pre and post surveys for the shielding indicated that radiation levels in the control room were reduced about 40-50%.
Routine WBCs were performed onsite quarterly and when there was suspect of any internal uptakes of radioactive material, The inspector-observed no intakes of radioactive material that would warrant further evaluations.
All WBCs were being reviewed by the
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site RE.
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The reactor cell air activity was evaluated daily.with a continuous air monitor prior to entries for reactor startup checks.
A)propriately locatedifixed air samples within the facility were clanged and counted weekly.
Air sample data indicated that air activity in the work areas was not a ~robler,-at the facility.
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p Daily and weekly routine contamination surveys were beir:g performed in accordance with the licensee's procedures, and indicated that L
contamination levels were being maintained at a minimum.
l During facility tours the inspector made independent radiation; measurements using an,Eberline R0-2 portable ion chamber,-S/N 4042,
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due for calibration on April 16, 1990.
The inspector observed that radiation and high radiation areas were posted as required by 10
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CFR Part 20.
Licensee controls for high-radiation areas were also observed to be consistent with 10 CFR Part 20 requirements, i.
Audits The Inspector reviewed quarterly audits; performed by the Nuclear Safety Department during the period of January 1988 through October 1989.
The audits were conducted to ensure that the NTR facility was
~i being operated in accordance with the recuirements of the TS and facility procedures.
The audits appearec to be broad in scope ~and
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were designed to cover all TS requirements during a one year audit
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period.
Of the audit findings identified, none appeared to represent aisignificant safety problem.
All audit finding appeared
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to be effectively corrected.
The inspector concluded that the audit-l
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program met or exceeded the requirements of the TS.
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Emergency Planning i
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Inspection Report No. 50-73/87-01 documented several problems associated with the licensee implementing the training requirements
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delineated in their EP and EP implementing procedures.
During this inspection (50-73/89-01), the inspector reviewed records of emergency response personnel training and qualifications, emergency _
n drills, pat ticipation of off site organizations and held discussions
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with' cognizant licensee representatives to determine the licensee's compliance with the EP.
Based on the review of records and tiiscussions with licensee
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personnel,.the inspector noted that (1) initial'and periodic i
radiological,. fire protection, first aid and hazardous materials training was being adequately provided to emergency response'
personnel; (2)- periodic drills were being conducted ~and critiq'ued to ensure personnel were-familiar'with their assigned responsibilities, (3) adequate' instruction and. participation from outside support
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organizations was evident; and-(4) adequate instructions were being provided to unescorted visitors to familiarize them with the sites emergency signals and assembly areas. 'The inspector noted that the licensee had made significant improvements in ensuring compliance
.with the training' requirements specified in their EP.
The inspector also noted that emergency response equipment appeared to be properly'
maintained, j.
Annual Reports
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The licensee's timely annual reports for 1987 and 1988 were
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reviewed.
These reports were submitted in accordance with TS 6.5.1 and summarized plant o)erations, changes, tests, experiments, and major maintenance at tie NTR.- The reports also included a summary
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of radiation levels and sample results from on-site-and off-site monitoring stations,'and personnel exposures.
No. errors or anomalies were identified.
The licensee's performance appeared to be fully satisfactory and their.
program seemed capable of meeting its safety-objectives.
No violations or deviations were identified, f
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Transportation of Radioactive Materials (86740)
The inspector: reviewed the licensee's program for com)liance with the requirements of 10 CFR Part 20 and 49 CFR Parts 171 tirough 189.
The records of shipments from the NTR facility during January 1,1989,
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through November 20, 1989.
The inspector noted that most of the off-site shipments consisted of radiographed items, after adequate decay time.
The only shipments of radioactive material consisted of a few irradiated items shipped as limited quantity material in accordance with the requirements of 49 CFR 173.421.
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The: licensee'sprogramappearedcapableofmeetingitssafetyobjectives.
No violations or deviations were identified.
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Exit Interview (30703)
The inspector met with the licensee representatives, denoted in paragraph one at the conclusion of the inspection'on November 21,1989.
The scope and findings of:the: inspection were summarized.
The inspector informed the licensee that there were no apparent-violations or deviations identified in the areas inspected.
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