IR 05000193/2010203

IR 05000193-10-203, on 09/07/2010 - 09/09/2010, Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commission, Routine Inspection

ML102600497
Person / Time
Site:	Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commission
Issue date:	09/28/2010
From:	Johnny Eads Research and Test Reactors Branch B
To:	Tehan T State of RI, Atomic Energy Comm, Nuclear Science Ctr
DONOHUE J, NRC/NRR/DPR/PROB 415-3163
References
IR-10-203
Download: ML102600497 (13)

Text

September 28, 2010 Dr. T. Tehan, Director Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commission 16 Reactor Road Narragansett, RI 02882-1165 SUBJECT: RHODE ISLAND ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION - NRC ROUTINE INSPECTION REPORT NO. 50-193/2010-203 The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC, the Commission) conducted an inspection on September 7-9, 2010, at the Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center Reactor facility (Inspection Report No. 50-193/2010-203). The inspection included a review of activities authorized for your facility. The enclosed report presents the results of that inspection.

This inspection was an examination of activities conducted under your license as they relate to safety and compliance with the Commissions rules and regulations. Within these areas, the inspection consisted of selective examinations of procedures and representative records, interviews with personnel, and observations of activities in progress. Based on the results of this inspection, no safety concern or noncompliance of requirements was identified. No response to this letter is required.

In accordance with Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulation, Section 2.390 Inspections, exemptions, requests for withholding, a copy of this letter and its enclosure will be available electronically for public inspection in the NRC Public Document Room or the NRCs document system (Agencywide Document Access and Management System (ADAMS)). ADAMS is accessible from the NRC Web site at (the Public Electronic Reading Room)

http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html.

Should you have any questions concerning this inspection, please contact Jack Donohue at 860-495-5332 or electronic mail at Jack.Donohue@nrc.go

Sincerely,

/RA/

Johnny H. Eads, Jr. Chief Research and Test Reactors Oversight Branch Division of Policy and Rulemaking Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-193 License No. R-95 Enclosure:

As stated cc w/ encl: See next page

Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commission Docket No.: 50-193 cc:

Governor Donald Carcieri State House Room 115 Providence, RI 02903 Dr. Stephen Mecca, Chairman Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commission Providence College Department of Engineering-Physics Systems River Avenue Providence, RI 02859 Dr. John Breen, Chairman Nuclear and Radiation Safety Committee Providence College 549 River Ave Providence, RI 02918 Dr. Andrew Kadak 253 Rumstick Road Barrington, RI 02806 Dr. Bahram Nassersharif Dean of Engineering University of Rhode Island 102 Bliss Hall Kingston, RI 20881 Dr. Peter Gromet Department of Geological Sciences Brown University Providence, RI 02912 Dr. Alfred L. Allen 425 Laphan Farm Road Pascoag, RI 02859 Mr. Jack Ferruolo, Supervising Radiological Health Specialist Office of Occupational and Radiological Health Rhode Island Department of Health 3 Capitol Hill, Room 206 Providence, RI 02908-5097 Test, Research, and Training Reactor Newsletter University of Florida 202 Nuclear Sciences Center Gainesville, FL 32611

September 28, 2010 Dr. T. Tehan, Director Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commission 16 Reactor Road Narragansett, RI 02882-1165 SUBJECT: RHODE ISLAND ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION - NRC ROUTINE INSPECTION REPORT NO. 50-193/2010-203 The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC, the Commission) conducted an inspection on September 7-9, 2010, at the Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center Reactor facility (Inspection Report No. 50-193/2010-203). The inspection included a review of activities authorized for your facility. The enclosed report presents the results of that inspection.

This inspection was an examination of activities conducted under your license as they relate to safety and compliance with the Commissions rules and regulations. Within these areas, the inspection consisted of selective examinations of procedures and representative records, interviews with personnel, and observations of activities in progress. Based on the results of this inspection, no safety concern or noncompliance of requirements was identified. No response to this letter is required.

In accordance with Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Section 2.390 Inspections, exemptions, requests for withholding, a copy of this letter and its enclosure will be available electronically for public inspection in the NRC Public Document Room or the NRCs document system (Agencywide Document Access and Management System (ADAMS)). ADAMS is accessible from the NRC Web site at (the Public Electronic Reading Room)

http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html.

Should you have any questions concerning this inspection, please contact Jack Donohue at 860-495-5332 or electronic mail at Jack.Donohue@nrc.go

Sincerely,

/RA/

Johnny H. Eads, Jr. Chief Research and Test Reactors Oversight Branch Division of Policy and Rulemaking Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-193 License No. R-95 Enclosure:

As stated cc w/ encl: See next page DISTRIBUTION:

PUBLIC PRTB/rf RidsNrrDprPrtb RidsOgcMailCenter JDonohue, NRR WKennedy, NRR MCompton, NRR (Ltr only O13-E19)

GLappert, NRR RidsNrrDprPrta ADAMS ACCESSION NO.: ML102600497 TEMPLATE #: NRC-002 OFFICE PROB:RI PRPB:LA PROB:BC NAME JDonohue GLappert JEads DATE 9/15/10 9/28/10 9/28/10 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY

U. S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION Docket No: 50-193 License No: R-95 Report No: 50-193/2010-203 Licensee: Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commission Facility: Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center Research Reactor Location: Narragansett, Rhode Island Dates: September 7-9, 2010 Inspector: Jack Donohue Approved by: Johnny H. Eads, Jr., Chief Research and Test Reactors Oversight Branch Division of Policy and Rulemaking Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commission Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center Reactor Facility NRC Inspection Report No. 50-193/2010-203 The primary focus of this routine, announced operations inspection was the onsite review of selected aspects of the Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commission (the licensees) two megawatt Class I research reactor safety programs including organization and staffing, operations and maintenance; surveillance; fuel movement; reactor operator licenses, requalification and medical examinations; and emergency preparedness. The licensees programs were acceptably directed toward the protection of public health and safety, and in compliance with U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) requirements.

Organization and Operations and Maintenance Activities Organization, operations, and maintenance were observed to be in accordance with Technical Specification (TS) requirements. The licensee continued improvements in the areas of staffing, communications and maintaining a safety conscious work environment.

Surveillance Operations were found to be in compliance with the limiting conditions for operation and surveillance requirements as stated in the TS.

Fuel Movement The licensee made very infrequent reactor fuel movements but when required, followed written procedures that met TS requirements.

Reactor Operator Licenses, Requalification and Medical Examinations The licensee was conducting a reactor operator re-qualification program in compliance with NRC regulations and the licensees written program.

Emergency Preparedness The licensee maintained an effective emergency preparedness program through implementation of the written emergency pla REPORT DETAILS Summary of Facility Status The Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commissions (RIAEC, the licensee) Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center (RINSC) two megawatt Class I research reactor continued to be operated in support of research, service, education, training, and surveillance. During the inspection, the inspector observed the reactor in operation to irradiate samples as part if its research and service mission. Organization and Operations and Maintenance Activities Inspection Scope (Inspection Procedure (IP) 69006 The inspector reviewed the following regarding the licensee's organization and staffing to ensure that the requirements of Section 6.0, Administrative Controls, of the RINSC Technical Specifications (TS), Amendment No. 29 to License N R-95 was being met:

• Reactor Logbook No. 57, dated June 17, 2009 to August 8, 2010 and Logbook No. 58, dated August 16, 2010 to present

• Annual Report for July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010, dated July 30, 2010

• Standard Operating Procedures

• RINSC organizational structure and staffing

• Policy Statement, Safety Conscious Work Environment, Issued by the RIAEC meeting minutes, dated May 14, 2010 Observations and Findings The inspector observed a reactor checkout, startup, approach to critical and escalation to full power. The inspector reviewed portions of the reactor logbook, verifying compliance with the staffing requirements of TS Sections 6.1.2 and 6.1.3 and that the NRC-licensed Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) on duty were designated by name in the reactor logbook. This individual executed duties in accordance with TS Sections 6.3.2, Senior Reactor Operators 6.5, Operating Procedures; and 6.9, Plant Operating Record The inspector noted no changes occurred in key licensee personnel; however a newly qualified SRO and Reactor Operator (RO) have been redesignated in the staff. The Reactor Supervisor position continues to be vacant following the promotion of the previous Supervisor to Assistant Director. The inspector discussed with licensee management and reaffirmed the importance of timely replacement of key staff member The inspector additionally noted that RINSC procedures have continued going through a systematic revision and update process. A new numbering system has been developed and approved by the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Committee

-2-(NRSC). Under this system, procedures are grouped according to whether they are operating procedures, test procedures, calibration procedures, etc. As the procedures are updated, they are being put into a uniform standard format that was also approved by the NRSC. All new procedures and procedure revisions are submitted to the NRSC for review and approval quarterly. Once approved, the staff is informed about the changes, and the procedures are incorporated into the Procedure History Record, the shared hard drive file for current procedures, and the control room procedure notebook. The Procedure Index is also updated to indicate the current list of procedures, as well as the latest revision in us The inspector discussed with licensee management the status of aspects of a safety conscious work environment. The licensee staff personnel indicated communication among RINSC staff members has improved, a result, in part, of weekly staff meetings called by the Director. A weekly email from the Director to RINSC following the weekly staff meeting updates the RIAEC to the status of the RINSC safety conscious work environmen Conclusion Organization, operations, and maintenance were observed to be in accordance with TS requirements.

2. Surveillance Inspection Scope (IP 69010)

The inspector reviewed the following to verify compliance with TS Section 3.0, Limiting Conditions for Operation, and to determine if the periodic surveillance tests on safety systems were performed as stipulated in TS Section 4.0, Surveillance Requirements:

• RINSC Reactor Operating Data Notebook, 2009 and 2010

• Periodic Maintenance Notebook containing the documentation of maintenance items

• Reactor Parameter Testing Procedure (TP) TP-03,Control Rod Reactivity Worth, dated December 4, 2009

• Reactor Parameter Testing Procedure (TP) TP-04,Control Rod Reactivity Insertion Rates, dated December 4, 2009

• Reactor Operations Request NSC-49, Pre-Start Check Sheet NCS-1, Shift Record Data Sheet NSC-11, and RINSC Reactor Operations Data NSC-18 for 2009 and 2010 Observations and Findings The inspector witnessed a reactor startup, approach to critical and ascension to power. Surveillances and compliance with TS limits was accomplished through adherence to written procedures which had been reviewed by the NRSC in accordance with TS Section 6.3, Operating Procedures. Additional records for

-3-the surveillances cited above were also reviewed including: weekly primary and secondary water analysis (September 9, 2010), core element inspection (August 11, 2010), shim safety rod inspection (August 11, 2010), shim safety rod drop times (August 12, 2010), cold clean blade reactivity (August 24, 2010), control blade reactivity worths (August 30, 2010). Conclusion Operations were found to be in compliance with the Limited Condition for Operation (LCO) and surveillance requirements as stated in the TS.

3. Fuel Movement Inspection Scope (IP 69009)

The inspector reviewed the following to verify compliance with TS Sections 4. and 6.9.1.g which require visual inspection of fuel elements every five years and the surveillance at least a fifth of the fuel elements each year maintaining operating records of the fuel inventory, respectively:

• Reactor Logbook No. 57, dated June 17, 2009 to August 8, 2010 and Logbook No. 58, dated August 16, 2010 to present

• Annual Report for July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2009, dated July 30, 201 * Standard Operating Procedures

• RINSC Operating Procedure Appendix Z, [Special Nuclear Material] SNM Accounting, Rev. 5, for inventory taken October 22, 2007

• RINSC Operating Procedure Appendix Z, SNM Accounting, Rev. 6, for inventory taken April 14, 2008

• Observations and Findings During a previous fuel inspection on May 5, 2009, the RINSC staff discovered that the core positions of two fuel elements had been transposed. This item was reported in IR 50-193/2009-201. Following the investigation the staff determined that this transposition had occurred when the two fuel elements were removed from the core and placed into a storage rack to perform a gamma irradiation experiment. Following the experiment the elements were placed back into the core in the reversed locations. The elements were reinstalled in the pool maintaining As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) considered prior to validation. The corrective action has been implemented with both increases in verification personnel and lighting. The inspector in discussion with the licensee indicated that the newly increased lighting facilitated the recent fuel inspection The inspector reviewed the fuel inspection of required annual surveillance of two elements performed on June 25, 2010 at the request of Argonne National

-4-Laboratory to aid in computer modeling and the remaining fuel elements on August 23, 201 Conclusion The licensee has made infrequent reactor fuel movements and has made additional changes to ensure fuel once removed returns to previous or required locations. The licensee followed written procedures that met TS requirements.

4. Reactor Operator Licenses, Requalification and Medical Examinations Inspection Scope (IP 69003)

The inspector reviewed the following to verify compliance with Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Part 55, Operators Licenses, and the licensees reactor operator requalification program:

• RINSC Operating Procedures Appendix U, Reactor Operator Re-Qualification, Revision (Rev.) 2, dated June 29, 2005

• Individual RO and SRO Requalification files containing:

• NRC Form 396, Certification of Medical Examination by Facility Licensee

• Operator Re-qualification Program Checklist

• Medical Certification and Monitoring of Certified Personnel, American National Standards Institute/American Nuclear Society (ANSI/ANS) 15.4, Selection and Training of Personnel for Research Reactors, to use as the basis for determining adequate physical fitness to serve as an SRO or R Observations and Findings The inspector reviewed the licensees operator requalification program to verify that it met the requirements of 10 CFR Part 55 and reviewed selected licensed RO and SRO files, verifying that the program was being conducted in accordance with the written procedure. The annual operating examination and the biennial written examination were of equivalent difficulty to NRC-administered examinations as required. Records were available documenting the fact that during the requalification cycle the individual operators performed the required number of licensed activities and reviewed changes to the facility, regulations, and procedures in addition to passing the examinations. Medical examinations for selected licensed personal were also reviewed satisfactoril Conclusion The licensee was conducting a reactor operator re-qualification program in compliance with NRC regulations and the licensees written progra . Emergency Preparedness Inspection Scope (IP 69011)

The inspector reviewed the following documents and visited the facilities discussed below to verify compliance with regulatory requirements and the licensees emergency plan commitments:

• Emergency Plan, Rev. 2, dated January 2007

• RINSC Nuclear and Radiation Safety Committee Charter, Rev O

• RINSC Operating Procedure Appendix X, Emergency Plan Implementing Procedures, Rev. 0, dated June 19, 2007, containing:

• Attachment B, Form NSC-31, Emergency Communications Network

• Attachment E, Emergency Classification Matrix

• [Emergency] Communication Tests file

• Emergency Equipment Inventory file

• Emergency Drill file containing:

• Letter from Mr. H. Bicehouse to NRSC, Radiological Emergency Response Plan, dated October 31, 2007

• Letter of Agreement between Narragansett Police Department and RINSC, signed by Mr. M. J. Davis and by Chief J. Little on March 17, 2010

• Letter of Agreement for Medical Services, from John B. Murphy MD, Vice President of Medical Affairs Rhode Island Hospital, to Mr. T. Tehan, RIAEC, dated February 2, 2010

• Letter of Agreement between Narragansett Fire Department and RINSC, signed by Mr. M. J. Davis and Chief J. Cotter dated December 30, 2009 Observation and Findings The inspector reviewed the emergency plan, including an attachment submitted with the transmittal letter. The inspector concurred with the licensees conclusions regarding each of the changes reviewed. The licensee maintained a file of recent agreement letters with off-site emergency agencies identified in the plan and reissues the agreement bienniall The inspector reviewed previous annual emergency drills for 2009 and follow-up action items from the critiques. The critiques were conducted to review emergency preparedness in general and to identify any weakness or lessons learned from the drills that warranted follow-up action On September 7, 2010 the annual drill was performed by the licensee. The reactor building was evacuated and all staff personnel reported to Coastal Institute to await further instructions. The licensee reviewed the RINSC

-6-Operating Procedure, performed personnel accountability and all instruction The inspector observed that licensee personnel fully understood evacuation procedures and instruction The Narragansett Fire Department personnel arrived the following day as scheduled to tour the facility. The licensee provided an extensive tour and discussion with the licensee on potential access areas for several types of potential fires in radiological areas as well as locations for fire fighting equipmen The inspector visited the Emergency Support Center (ECS), observing the inventory of emergency supplies, instruments, and information committed to be stored there by the plan. The licensee maintained records indicating that the emergency supplies were periodically inventoried as part of the surveillance program invoked by the emergency plan Conclusion The licensee maintained an effective emergency preparedness program through implementation of the written emergency plan and emergency implementing procedures.

6. Exit Interview The inspector presented the inspection results to licensee management at the conclusion of the inspection on September 9, 2010. The inspector described the areas inspected and discussed in detail the inspection observations. No dissenting comments were received from the licensee. The licensee acknowledged the findings presented and did not identify as proprietary any of the material provided to or reviewed by the inspector during the inspection and that the results of the inspection are subject to management review

PARTIAL LIST OF PERSONS CONTACTED Licensee H. Bicehouse Radiation Safety Officer and Assistant Director for Radiation and Reactor Safety M. Damato Health Physics Technician and Senior Reactor Operator M.J. Davis Assistant Director, Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center S. Guarino Health Physicist B. MacGregor Facility Engineer/Senior Reactor Operator B. Nassersharif Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commission Z. Richards Reactor Operator T. Tehan Director, Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center INSPECTION PROCEDURES USED IP 69003 Class 1 Research and Test Reactor Operator Licenses, Requalification, and Medical Examinations IP 69006 Class 1 Research and Test Reactors Organization and Operations and Maintenance Activities IP 69009 Class 1 Research and Test Reactors Fuel Movement IP 69010 Class 1 Research and Test Reactors Surveillance IP 69011 Class 1 Research and Test Reactors Emergency Preparedness ITEMS OPENED, CLOSED, AND DISCUSSED Opened None Closed None Discussed None

-2-LIST OF ACRONYMS USED 10 CFR Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations ADAMS Agencywide Document Access Management System ALARA As Low As Reasonably Achievable ANSI/ANS National Standards Institute/American Nuclear Society ESC Emergency Support Center IFI Inspector Follow-up Item IP Inspection Procedure LCO Limiting Conditions for Operation NRC U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission NRSC Nuclear and Radiation Safety Committee NSC Nuclear Science Center Rev Revision RIAEC Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commission RINSC Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center RO Reactor Operator RSO Radiation Safety Officer SNM Special Nuclear Material SOP Standard Operating Procedure SRO Senior Reactor Operator TP Testing Procedure TS Technical Specification