IR 05000170/2024201
| ML24222A722 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute |
| Issue date: | 08/26/2024 |
| From: | Travis Tate NRC/NRR/DANU/UNPO |
| To: | Smolinski A US Dept of Defense, Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute |
| Waugh A | |
| References | |
| IR 2024201 | |
| Download: ML24222A722 (1) | |
Text
SUBJECT:
ARMED FORCES RADIOBIOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE - U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION SAFETY INSPECTION REPORT NO. 05000170/2024201
Dear Mr. Smolinski:
From July 15-18, 2024, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff conducted an inspection at the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute reactor facility. The enclosed report presents the results of that inspection, which were discussed on July 18, 2024, with you and members of your staff.
The inspection examined activities conducted under your license as they relate to safety and compliance with the Commissions rules and regulations and with the conditions of your license.
The inspector reviewed selected procedures and records, observed various activities, and interviewed personnel. Based on the results of this inspection, no findings of significance were identified. No response to this letter is required.
In accordance with Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations Section 2.390, Public inspections, exemptions, requests for withholding, a copy of this letter, its enclosure, and your response (if any) will be available electronically for public inspection in the NRC Public Document Room or from the Publicly Available Records component of the NRCs document system (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS)). ADAMS is accessible from the NRC website at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html (the Public Electronic Reading Room).
August 26, 2024 If you have any questions concerning this inspection, please contact Andrew Waugh at (301) 415-0230, or by email at Andrew.Waugh@nrc.gov.
Sincerely, Travis L. Tate, Chief Non-Power Production and Utilization Facility Oversight Branch Division of Advanced Reactors and Non-Power Production and Utilization Facilities Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-170 License No. R-84 Enclosure:
As stated cc w/enclosure: GovDelivery Subscribers Signed by Tate, Travis on 08/26/24
ML24222A722 NRC-002 OFFICE NRR/DANU/UNPO NRR/DANU/UNPO/LA NRR/DANU/UNPO/BC NAME AWaugh NParker TTate DATE 8/12/2024 8/14/2024 8/26/2024
Enclosure U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION Docket No.:
50-170 License No.:
R-84 Report No.:
05000170/2024201 Licensee:
Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute Facility:
Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute TRIGA Reactor Location:
Bethesda, MD Dates:
July15-18, 2024 Inspector:
Andrew Waugh Juan Arellano Jared Nadel (RTR Inspector in Training)
Approved by:
Travis L. Tate, Chief Non-Power Production and Utilization Facility Oversight Branch Division of Advanced Reactors and Non-Power Production and Utilization Facilities Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute TRIGA Reactor Inspection Report No. 05000170/2024201 The primary focus of this routine announced inspection was the onsite review of selected aspects of the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institutes (AFRRI, the licensees) Class II research reactor facility safety program, including: (1) procedures; (2) experiments; (3) health physics (HP); (4) design changes; (5) committees, audits and reviews; and (6) transportation activities. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff determined that the licensees program was acceptably directed toward the protection of public health and safety, and in compliance with NRC requirements.
Procedures
The inspectors determined that procedures were controlled, maintained current, and implemented in compliance with technical specifications (TSs) and procedural requirements.
Experiments
The inspectors determined that experiments were reviewed, approved, and conducted in accordance with TS, procedural, and regulatory requirements.
Health Physics
The inspectors determined that the licensees HP program was conducted in accordance with TS, procedural, and regulatory requirements.
Design Changes
The inspectors determined that design changes were conducted in accordance with TS, procedural, and regulatory requirements.
Committees, Audits and Reviews
The inspectors determined that the licensees oversight programs were conducted in accordance with TS and procedural requirements.
Transportation Activities
The inspectors determined that no radioactive material was shipped under the reactor license since the last inspection.
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REPORT DETAILS Summary of Facility Status The AFRRI 1.1-megawatt Training, Research, Isotopes, General Atomics (TRIGA) Mark F research reactor, located on the campus of the National Naval Medical Center, continued to be operated in support of the licensees mission of research, experiments, education, reactor operator training, and periodic equipment surveillance. During this inspection, the reactor was started up, operated, and shut down to support these ongoing activities.
1.
Procedures a.
Inspection Scope (Inspection Procedure [IP] 69001, Section 02.03)
The inspectors reviewed various procedures and observed their implementation including a reactor startup, reactor operations at power, reactor shutdown, exposure room entry, and irradiation experiments. The inspectors also reviewed the following to ensure that the requirements of administrative procedures and TS 6.3 were met:
2022 and 2023 annual operating reports
procedure 001, Reactor Startup Checklist, dated 25 April, 2023
procedure 002, Reactor Operation, dated 10 January, 2023
procedure 010, Conduct of Experiments, dated 12 July 2022
procedure 011, Reactor Exposure Room Entry, dated 12 July 2022
procedure 200, Fuel Movement and Inspection, dated 20 June 2022
procedure 553, Writing and Modifying Procedures, dated 6 February, 2023
procedure 556, Corrective Action Process, dated 6 February, 2023
procedure 559, Screening and Evaluation Process, dated 12 April, 2023
various procedure change forms dated 2022-present
Reactor and Radiation Facilities Safety Subcommittee (RRFSS) meeting minutes dated 2022-present b. Observations and Findings The inspectors found that the licensee maintained written procedures covering the areas specified in TS 6.3. The inspectors found that the procedures in use by the licensee were current, reviewed and approved as required by TS 6.3, able to be implemented as intended, and adhered to by reactor personnel.
c. Conclusion The inspectors determined that procedures were controlled, maintained current, and implemented in compliance with TS and procedural requirements.
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2.
Experiments a.
Inspection Scope (IP 69001, Section 02.06)
The inspectors observed irradiation experiments and reviewed the following to ensure that experiments were reviewed and conducted as required by TS 3.6 and 6.4:
2022 and 2023 annual operating reports
procedure 010, Conduct of Experiments, dated 12 July 2022
procedure 011, Reactor Exposure Room Entry, dated 12 July 2022
RRFSS meeting minutes dated 2022-present
RRFSS annual TS audits for 2022 and 2023
various reactor utilization request forms dated 2022-present b.
Observations and Findings The inspectors found that experiments were reviewed and approved as required by TS 6.4 and Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) 50.59, Changes, tests and experiments. The inspectors also found that experiments were conducted in accordance with the licensees procedures and TS 3.6.
c.
Conclusion The inspectors determined that experiments were reviewed, approved, and conducted in accordance with TS, procedural, and regulatory requirements.
3.
Health Physics a.
Inspection Scope (IP 69001, Section 02.07)
The inspectors toured the facility, observed exposure room entries and closeouts, observed contamination surveys, observed radiation surveys, and observed radiological signs and postings. The inspectors also reviewed the following to ensure the licensees implementation of the HP program adheres to the requirements of 10 CFR Part 19, Notices, Instructions and Reports to Workers: Inspection and Investigations, 10 CFR Part 20, Standards for Protection against Radiation, and TS 3.5 and 4.5:
2022 and 2023 annual operating reports
various quarterly gaseous effluent reports dated 2022-present
select calibration records for various radiation monitoring equipment, dated 2022-present
general employee radiation training and safety culture review dated 2022-present
reactor prep area training dated 2022-present
AFFRI Discharge for 10 July 2024
operational procedure 300, Reactor ALARA Program, dated December 21, 2021
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AFFRI Instruction 6055.8I, dated February 22, 2021
health physics procedure 3-2.c, Reactor Facility Health Physics, dated January 25, 2022
health physics procedure 2-1.d, Environmental Dosimetry Program, dated March 22, 2022
health physics procedure 2-5.f, Environmental Radioactive Releases, dated January 11, 2022
select radiation surveys and swipes dated 2022-present b.
Observations and Findings The inspectors found the use of dosimetry, radiation monitoring equipment, placement of radiological postings, posting of notices, use of protective clothing, and the handling and storing of radioactive material or contaminated equipment was in accordance with regulations and the licensees HP program. The inspectors found that radiological effluent releases and radiation survey, sampling, and monitoring met regulatory requirements. The inspectors also found that training was conducted for radiation workers and as low as reasonably achievable principles were implemented as required by regulations.
c.
Conclusion The inspectors determined that the licensees HP program was conducted in accordance with TS, procedural, and regulatory requirements.
4.
Design Changes a.
Inspection Scope (IP 69001, Section 02.08)
The inspectors reviewed the following to ensure that modifications to the facility were made in accordance with the requirements of 10 CFR 50.59 and TS 6.2:
2022 and 2023 annual operating reports
RRFSS meeting minutes, dated 2022-present
procedure 559, Screening and Evaluation Process, dated 12 April, 2023
various procedure change forms dated 2022-present
various facility modification worksheets dated 2022-present
various facility change 50.59 screen forms dated 2022-present
various facility change 50.59 evaluation forms dated 2022-present b. Observations and Findings The inspectors found that design changes were reviewed and approved as required by 10 CFR 50.59. The inspectors also found that modifications to equipment and related procedures and drawings were performed according to regulatory, TS, and procedural requirements.
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c. Conclusion The inspectors determined that design changes were conducted in accordance with TS, procedural, and regulatory requirements.
5.
Committees, Audits and Reviews a. Inspection Scope (IP 69001, Section 02.09)
The inspectors reviewed the following to ensure that committees, audits and reviews were conducted as required by the licensees procedures and TS 6.2:
RRFSS membership, dated 2022-present
RRFSS meeting minutes, dated 2022-present
RRFSS annual TS audits for 2022 and 2023
2022 and 2023 annual operating reports b. Observations and Findings The inspectors found that the licensees RRFSS met and provided reviews as required by the TS. The inspectors also found that problems identified from the licensees required reviews and audits were resolved in accordance with the licensees procedures and TS.
c.
Conclusion The inspectors determined that the licensees oversight programs were conducted in accordance with TS and procedural requirements.
6.
Transportation Activities a.
Inspection Scope (IP 86740)
The inspectors reviewed the following to ensure the licensees program for transporting radioactive materials met NRC and Department of Transportation requirements:
select radioactive shipment records 2022-present
HP procedure 6, Transport of Radioactive and Hazardous Material, revision 1 b.
Observations and Findings The inspectors found that the licensee did not ship any radioactive material from the reactor facility since the last inspection of this area. The inspectors verified that if the licensee needed to ship radioactive material, it would be transferred to AFRRIs broad scope license and shipped or disposed of under that license.
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c.
Conclusion The inspectors determined that no radioactive material was shipped under the reactor license since the last inspection.
7.
Exit Interview The inspection scope and results were summarized on July 18, 2024, with members of licensee management and staff. The inspectors described the areas inspected and discussed the inspection results. The licensee acknowledged the results of the inspection.
Attachment PARTIAL LIST OF PERSONS CONTACTED Licensee G. Burke AFRRI Director (Captain, U.S. Navy)
A. Cook Head of Radiation Sciences Department Reactor Facility Director B. Knibbe Senior Reactor Operator M. Brener Senior Reactor Operator J. Vincent Radiation Safety Officer (Major, U.S. Navy)
C. Benton Assistant Radiation Safety Officer INSPECTION PROCEDURES USED IP 69001 Class II Research and Test Reactors IP 86740 Inspection of Transportation Activities ITEMS OPENED, CLOSED, AND DISCUSSED Opened None Closed None Discussed None