IR 05000275/1999008
| ML16342A871 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Diablo Canyon  |
| Issue date: | 07/29/1999 |
| From: | NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV) |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML16342A870 | List: |
| References | |
| 50-275-99-08, 50-323-99-08, NUDOCS 9908040014 | |
| Download: ML16342A871 (28) | |
Text
ENCLOSURE U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORYCOMMISSION
REGION IV
Docket Nos.:
License Nos.:
Report No.:
Licensee:
Facility:
Location:
Dates:
Inspector:
Approved By:
50-275 50-323 DPR-80 DPR-82 50-275/99-08 50-323/99-08 Pacific Gas and Electric Company Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, Units 1 and 2 7 1/2 miles NW of Avila Beach Avila Beach, California June 28 through July 2, 1999 J. Blair Nicholas, Ph.D., Senior Radiation Specialist Plant Support Branch Gail M. Good, Chief, Plant Support Branch Division of Reactor Safety Attachment:
Supplemental Information 99'080400k% 990729 PDR ADQCK 05000275
-2-EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, Units 1 and 2 NRC Inspection Report No. 50-275/99-08; 50-323/99-08 This routine, announced inspection reviewed the implementation of the radiological environmental monitoring and the meteorological monitoring programs.
Training and qualifications, quality assurance oversight, facilities and equipment, and annual reports were also reviewed.
Plant Su ort
~
Overall, the radiological environmental monitoring program was effectively implemented in accordance with the Technical Specifications and station procedures.
Sample collection, shipment, and analyses records were meticulously maintained.
All required environmental sampling and analyses were properly performed.
Appropriate changes were made to the environmental sample locations described in the environmental radiological monitoring procedure as a result of the annual land use census.
The operation of the station resulted in no measured radiological impact on the environment (Section R1.1).
Sufficient supplies and spare environmental sampling equipment were available and properly maintained.
Environmental media sampling stations were properly maintained with operable and calibrated equipment.
The corporate Technical and Ecological Services Laboratory radiochemistry analytical instruments were calibrated and properly maintained (Section R2.1).
An effective meteorological monitoring program was implemented.
The performance of the meteorological monitoring program agreed with the guidance contained in Regulatory Guide 1.23 and the commitments in the Updated Final Safety Analysis Report and met the requirements in the Technical Specifications.
The meteorological towers and monitoring instruments were operational, inspected, maintained, and calibrated.
Data recovery for 1998 and first quarter of 1999 was greater than 99 percent, indicating an excellent meteorological program (Sections R1.2 and R2.2).
Changes to the radiological environmental monitoring program procedures did not result in a decrease of the effectiveness of the program.
Descriptive radiological environmental monitoring program implementing procedures were maintained (Section R3.1).
The'knowledge and performance of the environmental program's management and technical staff were excellent.
Trained, experienced, and qualified senior engineering environmental technicians effectively conducted the radiological environmental monitoring program (Sections R4 and R5).
f A comprehensive, performance-based biennial audit, performed by qualified and experienced auditors, effectively evaluated the performance and implementation of the
-3-radiological environmental monitoring and meteorological monitoring programs.
A thorough assessment was performed of the licensee's corporate Technical and Ecological Services Laboratory's performance.
Action requests identified issues at the proper threshold to provide management with an overview of the radiological environmental and meteorological monitoring programs (Sections R7.1 and R7.2).
Re ort Details Summa of Plant Status Diablo Canyon Nuclear Station, Units 1 and 2, were at power operation during the inspection.
IV.~
R1 Radiological Protection and Chemistry Controls R1.1 Radiolo ical EnvironmentalMonitorin Pro ram a.
Ins ection Sco e 84750 The radiological environmental monitoring program was reviewed to determine compliance with the requirements in the Technical Specifications and station procedures.
Selected environmental media sampling stations were inspected; b.
Observations and Findin s The inspector accompanied and observed a senior engineering environmental technician collect air particulate filters, iodine charcoal cartridges, and vegetable crops; exchange thermoluminescent dosimeters; and prepare the samples for shipment and, analysis.
The inspector noted that the air sample media were collected by replacing the sampler heads in the field, minimizing the potential for cross contamination and preserving sample integrity. Good random sampling techniques were observed for collecting representative samples of vegetable crops produced at the sampling location.
During the exchange of the thermoluminescent dosimeters, the inspector verified that the thermoluminescent dosimeters observed at each location corresponded to the dosimeters assigned to the sample location and recorded on the dosimeter exchange log. Thermoluminescent dosimeters were read onsite by the senior engineering environmental technicians.
The inspector observed a senior engineering environmental technician prepare samples of frozen fish and marine flora for shipment to the corporate Technical and Ecological Services Laboratory for analysis.
The samples were documented on the sample collection and shipment records and prepared for shipment in accordance with station procedures.
A review of the sample collection logs, sample shipment records, and sample analyses records revealed that the collection, processing, shipping, and analyses of the radiological environmental samples were performed in accordance with station procedure requirements.
These records were meticulously maintained and demonstrated a high level of data quality control.
The inspector verified that the environmental sample locations met the location description requirements specified in Table 1 of Procedure RP1.ID11, "Environmental Radiological Monitoring Procedure," Revision 4. The 1998 annual land use census was
-5-
~ performed in accordance with Section 7.2 of Procedure RP1.ID11, and the annual land use census results were documented, as required by the above procedure, in the annual radiological environmental operating report. Based on the annual land use census, appropriate changes were made to the radiological environmental monitoring program.
Comprehensive annual radiological environmental operating reports were submitted to the NRC within the time requirements of Section 7.4 of Procedure RP1.ID11.
From a review of the 1997 and 1998 environmental sample analyses results, the inspector concluded that the operation of the station resulted in no observed radiological impacts on the environment, and thermoluminescent dosimeter results indicated that station operations did not affect the ambient radiation levels in the environment surrounding the station.
Conclusions Overall, the radiological environmental monitoring program was effectively implemented in accordance with the Technical Specifications and station procedures.
Sample collection, shipment, and analyses records were meticulously maintained.
AII required environmental sampling and analyses were properly performed.
Environmental sampling locations met the radiological environmental monitoring program requirements and were properly maintained.
The 1998 annual land use census was conducted and documented in the radiological environmental operating report in accordance. with procedural requirements.
Appropriate changes were made to the environmental sample locations described in the environmental radiological monitoring procedure as a result of the annual land use census.
The operation of the station resulted in no radiological impact on the environment.
Meteorolo ical Monitorin Pro ram Ins ection Sco e 84750 The meteorological monitoring program was reviewed to determine agreement with the guidance in NRC Regulatory Guide 1.23 and commitments in the Updated Final Safety Analysis Report and compliance with Technical Specification requirements. The inspector reviewed data collection and data displays at station facilities.
Observations and Findin s The inspector noted that both the primary and backup towers'nstrumentation and configuration agreed with the guidance in Regulatory Guide 1.23 and commitments in Section 2.3.3 of the Updated Final Safety Analysis Report.
Meteorological instrument redundancy was provided by the two tower system.
Backup power was provided by batteries installed at both towers.
Since the previous NRC inspection of this area in December 1997, the licensee had installed a new computer at each of the meteorological towers to upgrade and improve the data processing and transmission to the station's plant processing computer.
The inspector verified that appropriate meteorological data was transmitted via the plant
-6-processing computer and displayed in the station's emergency facilities and control room. The meteorological data recovery rates for wind direction, wind speed, temperature, and delta temperature instruments during 1998 and first 6 months of 1999 were greater than 99 percent.
Overall, this indicated a very effective meteorological monitoring program was in place.
Conclusions R2 An effective meteorological monitoring program was implemented.
The performance of the meteorological monitoring program agreed with the guidance contained in Regulatory Guide 1.23 and the commitments in the Updated Final Safety Analysis Report and met the requirements in the Technical Specifications.
Data recovery for 1998 and first quarter of 1999 was greater than 99 percent, indicating an excellent meteorological program.
I Status of Radiological Protection and Chemistry Facilities and Equipment R2.1 Environmental Monitorin E ui ment Ins ection Sco e 84750 Selected environmental sampling stations were inspected to verify that the stations were maintained and that all sampling equipment was operable and calibrated.
The offsite environmental facilitywas inspected to verify that sufficient supplies, equipment, and spare calibrated air samplers and gas meters were available to perform the environmental sampling program. The maintenance and calibration program for the air sampling equipment was reviewed.
Observations and Findin s The inspector toured and inspected the following types of environmental sampling sites:
air, vegetable crops, and thermoluminescent dosimeters.
The inspector verified that all air samplers and gas meters in the field were in-good operational condition and calibrated in accordance with station procedures using instrumentation traceable to known standards.
A calibrated gas meter was installed in the air sample line of each air sampler to accurately measure the sample volume. A timing device was also used with each air sampler to monitor its time of operation and to account for any power outages during the sampling period. The senior engineering environmental technicians were responsible for the maintenance and calibration of the air samplers.
The inspector verified that the gas meters and air samplers were properly maintained and calibrated semiannually and function checked quarterly.
Detailed maintenance and calibration records were maintained for each environmental air sampler and gas meter.
Eight spare gas meters and three spare air samplers were calibrated and maintained readily available for service.
All environmental samples were shipped to the licensee's corporate Technical and Ecological Services Laboratory for analysis.
The inspector reviewed instrument
-7-calibration and quality control data for laboratory instruments used to perform analyses of environmental samples.
The inspector verified that the analytical instrumentation was calibrated and that an appropriate quality control program was implemented.
The corporate Technical and Ecological Services Laboratory participated in an interlaboratory comparison program as required by Section 6.8.4.h(3) of the Technical Specifications.
The analytical results from the interlaboratory comparison program were reported in the annual environmental operating reports.
The 1997 and 1998 analytical performance results were within three standard deviations of the known certified results which indicated an excellent performance.
The inspector inspected the offsite environmental facilitywhere environmental sampling equipment was stored and environmental samples were prepared for shipment.
The offsite environmental facilitywas stocked with the necessary equipment and sufficient supplies to perform the required sampling activities and sample shipment preparation.
Conclusions Sufficient supplies and spare environmental sampling equipment were available and properly maintained.
Environmental media sampling stations were properly maintained with operable and calibrated equipment.
The corporate Technical and Ecological Services Laboratory radiochemistry analytical instruments were calibrated and properly maintained.
Meteorolo ical Monitorin E ui ment Ins ection Sco e 84750 The meteorological instrumentation at the primary and backup meteorological towers was inspected.
The inspector reviewed instrument calibration procedures and records to ensure that the meteorological instruments on the two towers were calibrated in accordance with the Technical Specifications, station procedures, and the guidance in Regulatory Guide 1.23.
Observations and Findin s The inspector toured and inspected the primary and backup meteorological towers with an instrument and controls technician and system engineer responsible for maintaining the meteorological towers and calibrating the meteorological monitoring instrumentation.
The primary meteorological tower was equipped with instrumentation for wind speed, wind direction, and temperature measurement at the 10- and 76-meter levels. The backup meteorological tower provided monitoring instrument channels at the 10- and 60-meter levels.
Daily channel checks were performed by operations department personnel.
Semiannual calibrations of the meteorological sensing and recording instrumentation were performed by instrument and controls department personnel.
From review of maintenance and calibration records, the inspector verified that the meteorological monitoring instruments, including sensing and data recording equipment, were properly tested, calibrated, and maintained in accordance with station procedures.
The inspector verified that calibration tolerances for the meteorological instrumentation
-8-were within the recommendations of NRC Regulatory Guide 1.23.
c.
Conclusions The meteorological towers and monitoring instruments were operational, inspected, maintained, and calibrated.
Calibrations were performed in accordance with Technical Specification requirements.
R3 Procedures and Documentation R3.1 Radiolo ical Environmental Monitorin Pro ram Im lementin Procedures a.
Ins ection Sco e 84750 The inspector reviewed the radiological environmental monitoring program implementing procedures.
b.
Observations and Findin s The inspector verified that the changes made to the radiological environmental monitoring program, as described in the station procedures since the last inspection, did not result in a decrease of the effectiveness of the program.
The radiological environmental monitoring program implementing procedures described the responsibilities and requirements for collection, analyses, documentation, and shipment of environmental media samples.
The procedures contained appropriate detail for personnel to implement the radiological environmental monitoring program.
The inspector determined that the requirements in the Technical Specifications were appropriately described in the station procedures.
Conclusions Changes to the radiological environmental monitoring program procedures did not result in a decrease of the effectiveness of the program.
Descriptive radiological environmental monitoring program implementing procedures were maintained.
a.
Ins ection Sco e 84750 The 1997 and 1998 annual radiological environmental operating reports were reviewed to determine compliance with Technical Specifications and station procedure requirements.
The annual reports were reviewed relative to the radiological environmental monitoring program for data omissions, anomalous measurements, trends in the data, and interlaboratory analysis comparison b.
Observations and Findin s Sample data in the 1997 and 1998 annual radiological environmental operating reports documented that the required sampling, analyses, and reporting requirements were met.
Program discrepancies, missed samples, and the land use censuses were reported.
The results of the corporate Technical and Ecological Services Laboratory's participation in the interlaboratory comparison programs were reported in the annual reports.
The annual radiological environmental operating reports contained the required information and were submitted in accordance with Section 6.9.1.5 of the Technical Specifications.
c.
Conclusions The annual radiological environmental operating reports contained the required information and were submitted in accordance with Section 6.9.1.5 of the Technical Specifications.
R4 Staff Knowledge and Performance a.
Ins ection Sco e 84750 Radiation protection department and environmental personnel were observed and interviewed to determine their knowledge of the radiological environmental monitoring program sampling and analysis requirements and implementing procedures.
b.
Observations and Findin s The inspector observed that good radiological sample handling practices were used by the senior engineering environmental technician to maintain sample integrity. Sample collection and preparation for shipment activities observed were conducted in accordance with approved procedures.
The inspector determined that the radiation protection department's senior engineering environmental technicians responsible for implementing the radiological environmental monitoring program were familiar with the requirements of the program and maintained a good understanding and performance of sample collection and tracking of sample processing.
C.
Conclusions The knowledge and performance of personnel responsible for implementing the radiological environmental monitoring program were excellent.
R5 Staff Training and Qualification a.
Ins ection Sco e 84750 The training and qualification programs for the following personnel responsible for implementing the radiological environmental monitoring program were reviewed:
-10-Radiation protection senior engineering technicians Technical and Ecological Services laboratory technicians Observations and Findin s During the performance of the 1996 nuclear quality services audit of the radiological environmental monitoring program, the licensee noted that the radiation protection department's senior engineering environmental technicians were trained and qualified to perform their assigned activities.
However, there was no proceduralized environmental technician training program for personnel implementing the environmental monitoring program and collecting the environmental samples.
As a result of the 1996 nuclear quality services audit, Action Request A0419371 was generated to document the lack of a proceduralized and documented training program for the radiation protection department's senior engineering environmental technicians.
The inspector verified that the licensee's response to Action Request A041 9371 included a revision to Procedure RP1.ID11, "Environmental Radiological Monitoring Procedure," to require and implement a training and qualification program for the environmental technical staff as needed to meet the recommendations in Regulatory Guide 4.15. The inspector verified that an appropriate training and qualification program was implemented.
The inspector also verified that the three senior engineering environmental technicians were trained, experienced, and met the required qualifications to independently perform environmental sampling and shipping activities and conduct the annual land use census.
Conclusions Trained, experienced, and qualified senior engineering environmental technicians effectively conducted the radiological environmental monitoring program.
Organization and Administration Ins ection Sco e 84750 The organization, staffing, and assignment of the radiological environmental monitoring program responsibilities were reviewed.
Observations and Findin s Tlute radiation protection department's environmental group was responsible for implemeI>ting the radiological environmental monitoring program.
The inspector.
reviewed the current organizational chart that identified the environmental program's positions and responsible staff. The environmental group was organized within the radiation'protection department in January 1997 to provide departmental ownership.
Since the previous NRC inspection conducted during December 1997, the same three senior engineering environmental technicians in the environmental group had performed the required collection and shipment of environmental media and the processing of the
I K
-11-environmental thermoluminescent dosimeters.
The corporate Technical and Ecological Services Laboratory was responsible for performing the required analyses and preparing the annual radiological environmental operating report.
C.
Conclusions The radiation protection department's environmental group maintained a stable and experienced technical staff. The reorganization of the radiation protection department provided good program ownership of the radiological environmental monitoring program.
R7 Quality Assurance Program R7.1 Radiolo ical Environmental Monitorin Quali Assurance Pro ram a.
lns ection Sco e 84750 The 1998 biennial nuclear quality services audit report of the radiological environmental monitoring and meteorological monitoring programs was reviewed.
The inspector reviewed the radiation protection department's field observation reports of radiological environmental monitoring activities which were performed during 1998 and first 6 months of 1999.
b.
Observations and Findin s The 1998 biennial nuclear quality services audit of the radiological environmental monitoring and meteorological monitoring programs was comprehensive and provided management with good program oversight. The audit was performed by two nuclear quality services auditors, who had appropriate knowledge and experience to properly assess performance and implementation of the radiological environmental monitoring and meteorological monitoring programs.
The audit provided a comprehensive, performance-based evaluation of the radiological environmental monitoring program and meteorological monitoring program activities. The auditors identified four program performance issues which were properly entered into the licensee's corrective action program and tracked as action requests.
The auditors also identified nine recommendations for program improvement.
Appropriate corrective actions were taken to address the issues documented in the action requests, and the action requests were closed in a timely manner.
The licensee's nuclear quality services audit of the radiological environmental monitoring program included an appropriate assessment of the corporate Technical and Ecological Services Laboratory's performance.
C.
Conclusions A comprehensive, performance-based biennial audit, performed by qualified and experienced auditors, effectively evaluated the performance and implementation of the radiological environmental monitoring and meteorological monitoring programs.
A thorough assessment was performed of the licensee's corporate Technical and Ecological Services Laboratory's performanc R7.2 Action Re uests and Corrective Actions a.
Ins ection Sco e 84750 The inspector reviewed selected action requests to evaluate the effectiveness of the licensee's controls in identifying, resolving, and preventing problems in the radiological environmental monitoring program and the meteorological'monitoring program.
b.
Observations and Findin s Action requests issued in 1998 and the first 6 months of 1999 in the areas of the radiological environmental monitoring and.meteorological monitoring programs revealed that licensee personnel consciously used this reporting system and had a proper threshold for identifying'problems.
Action requests were initiated for problems identified during the implementation of the radiological environmental monitoring and meteorological monitoring programs.
The action requests were used to track and trend identified problems.
Overall, the action requests were closed in a timely manner with corrective actions sufficient to resolve repeat problems.
c.
Conclusion Action requests ideritified issues at the proper threshold to provide management with an overview of the radiological environmental and meteorological monitoring programs.
Overall, action requests were closed in a timely manner.
V. Mana ement Meetin s X1 Exit Meeting Summary The inspector presented the inspection results to members of licensee management at an exit meeting conducted on July 2, 1999. The licensee acknowledged the findings presented.
No proprietary information was identifie ATTACHMENT SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION PARTIALLIST OF PERSONS CONTACTED Licensee C. Belmont, Director, Nuclear Quality Services K. Bieze, Quality Coordinator, Chemistry and Environmental Operations R. Gray, Director, Radiation Protection M. Hicks, Supervisor, Instruments and Controls S. Ketelsen, Supervisor, Regulatory Services C. Hansen, Lead Auditor, Nuclear Quality Services J. Howard, NRC Interface, Regulatory Services M. Mosher, Senior Supervising Engineer, Nuclear Quality Services D. Nugent, Senior Engineer Technician, Radiation Protection D. Royer, Radiation Protection Engineer, Radiation Protection M. Somerville, Senior Engineer, Radiation Protection R. Taylor, Auditor, Nuclear Quality Services NRC D. Proulx, Senior Resident Inspector INSPECTION PROCEDURE USED IP 84750 Radioactive Waste Treatment and Effluent and Environmental Monitoring LIST OF DOCUMENTS REVIEWED ORGANIZATIONCHARTS Radiological Protection Department-- June 1999 NUCLEAR QUALITYSERVICES AUDIT Nuclear Quality Audit Report 982470003, "Radiological Environmental'Monitoring Program,"
October 1 - November 10, 1998 PROCEDURES Administrative Procedure RP1.ID11, "Environmental Radiological Monitoring Procedure,"
Revision 4 Administrative Procedure CY2.ID1, "Radioactive Effluent Controls Program," Revision 3A
-2-Radiation Control Procedure RCP EM-1, "Radiological Environmental Biological Sampling,"
Revision 2 Radiation Control Procedure RCP EM-2, "Radiological Environmental Air Sampling," Revision 3 Radiation Control Procedure RCP EM-3, "Use of Panasonic Environmental Thermoluminescent Dosimeters," Revision 3 Surveillance Test Procedure l-40-M559.B, "Primary Meteorology Wind Direction, Wind Speed, and AirTemperature/Delta, Temperature Calibration," Revision 13 Maintenance Procedure l-40-M569, "Backup Meteorology Wind Direction, Wind Speed, and Air Temperature/Delta Temperature Calibration," Revision 12 REPORTS Annual Radiological Environmental Operating Reports - 1997 and 1998 Annual Radioactive Effluent Release Reports - 1997 and 1998 MISCELLANEOUS DOCUMENTS Annual Land Use Census - 1997 and 1998