IR 05000326/2021201
| ML22010A114 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | University of California - Irvine |
| Issue date: | 02/03/2022 |
| From: | Travis Tate NRC/NRR/DANU/UNPO |
| To: | Stern H University of California - Irvine |
| Roche K | |
| References | |
| IR 2021201 | |
| Download: ML22010A114 (12) | |
Text
February 3, 2022
SUBJECT:
BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA - U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION ROUTINE SAFETY INSPECTION REPORT NO. 05000326/2021201
Dear Dr. Stern:
From December 6-9, 2021, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff conducted an inspection at the University of California - Irvine Nuclear Reactor Facility. The enclosed report presents the results ofthis inspection that were discussed on December 9, 2021, 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 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 Roomor from the Publicly Available Records component of NRCs document system (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS)). ADAMS is accessible from the NRC Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html (the Public Electronic Reading Room). Should you have any questions concerning this inspection, please contact Mr. Kevin Roche at (301) 415-1554, or by electronic mail at Kevin.Roche@nrc.gov.
Sincerely, Signed by Tate, Travis on 02/03/22 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. 50-326 License No. R-116 Enclosure:
As stated cc: See next page
University of California at Irvine Docket No. 50-326 cc:
Dr. Douglas Tobias, Chair Department of Chemistry University of California, Irvine Irvine, CA 92697-2025 Radiologic Health Branch California Department of Public Health P.O. Box 997414, MS 7610 Sacramento, CA 95899-7414 Dr. George Miller, Reactor Supervisor Nuclear Reactor Facility Department of Chemistry University of California, Irvine 1102 Natural Sciences 2 Irvine, CA 92697-2025 Dr. A.J. Shaka, Reactor Director Nuclear Reactor Facility Department of Chemistry University of California, Irvine 231A Rowland Hall Irvine, CA 92697-2025 Test, Research and Training Reactor Newsletter Attention: Ms. Amber Johnson Dept of Materials Science and Engineering University of Maryland 4418 Stadium Drive College Park, MD 20742-2115 Dr. Howard Gillman, Chancellor University of California, Irvine 510 Aldrich Hall Irvine, CA 92697
ML22010A114 NRC-002 OFFICE NRR/DANU/UNPO NRR/DANU/UNPO/LA NRR/DANU/UNPO/BC NAME KRoche NParker TTate DATE 1/10/2022 1/11/2022 2/3/2022
U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION Docket No.: 50-326 License No.: R-116 Report No.: 05000326/2021201 Licensee: Board of Regents of the University of California Facility: University of California, Irvine Nuclear Reactor Facility Location: Department of Chemistry Dates: December 6-9, 2021 Inspector: Kevin M. Roche 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 Enclosure
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY University of California, Irvine Nuclear Reactor Facility Inspection Report No. 05000326/2020201 The primary focus of this routine, announced inspection was the onsite review of selected aspects of the University of California - Irvine (UCI, the licensee) Class II research reactor facility safety programs including: (1) organization and staffing; (2) operations logs and records; (3) requalification training; (4) surveillance and limiting conditions for operation (LCO);
(5) emergency planning; (6) maintenance logs and records and (7) fuel handling logs and records.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff determined that the licensees programs were acceptably directed toward the protection of public health and safety, and in compliance with NRC requirements.
Organization and Staffing Facility organization and staffing followed the requirements specified in technical specification (TS) 6.1.
Operation Logs and Records The operation logs and records were maintained in accordance with facility procedures and TSs.
Requalification and Training The requalification program wasconducted consistently with the TSs, licensee procedures, and regulations.
Surveillance and Limiting Conditions for Operation Operations followed the LCO and surveillance requirements as required in the TSs.
Emergency Planning The Emergency Plan (E-Plan), oversight, drills, and training were implemented as required by facility procedures and regulations.
Maintenance Logs and Records The licensee maintained records documenting principal maintenance activities in compliance with TS requirements and facility procedures.
Fuel Handling Logs and Records The licensee conducted and documented fuel handling activities in accordance with TS requirements and facility procedures.
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REPORT DETAILS Summary of Facility Status The UCI Nuclear Reactor Facility (NRF) 250 kilowatt TRIGA Mark-I research reactor continued to operate in support of graduate and undergraduate research and laboratory instruction. During the inspection, thereactor was not operated.
1. Organization and Staffing a. Inspection Scope (Inspection Procedure (IP) 69001-02.01)
To ensure that the requirements of TS 6.1 were met, the inspector reviewed the following:
Facility Operating License No. R-116, Docket No. 50-326, Amendment No. 7 Appendix A to Facility Operating License No. R-116, Amendment No. 7 reactor console logs documenting operation from December 2019 through the present the UCI NRF annual report, submitted July 30, 2020 the UCI NRF annual report, submitted July 28, 2021 b. Observations and Findings The inspector found that since the previous NRC inspection (Inspection Report No. 50-326/2019-201), there were personnel changes in the organization at the NRF. The licensee selected Dr. A.J. Shaka as the new Reactor Director (Level 2). The inspector confirmed that Dr. Shaka met the responsibilities specified in TS 6.1.2 and the guidance in the American National Standards Institute/AmericanNational Standards-15.4-2007, as required by TS 6.1.4. The inspector also noted the UCI hired a new Radiation Safety Officer, Aldrich Rivera.
The inspector verified that a list of facility personnel is posted in the control room in accordance with TS 6.1.3. The inspector found the list to contain the names and contact information for management, radiation safety, and other support personnel. The inspector verified the current management and operational personnel are listed. Further, the inspector confirmed the accuracy of the contact information for offsite support organizations.
At the time of the inspection, the inspector confirmed four operators held senior reactor operator (SRO) licenses, but one is inactive and four held reactor operator (RO) licenses at the facility, but one was inactive. The inspector verified that those inactive operators have not operated since not fulfilling the requirements of the requalification plan.
The inspector reviewed NRF logbook entries and determined that staffing satisfied the requirements of TS 6.1.3.
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c. Conclusion The inspector determined the UCI NRF organization and staffing were consistent withthe requirements in TS 6.1.
2. Operations Logs and Records a. Inspection Scope (IP 69001-02.02)
To ensure that the requirements of TS 6.7 were met, the inspector reviewed the following:
the UCI NRF annual report, submitted July 30, 2020 the UCI NRF annual report, submitted July 28, 2021 UCI NRF standard operating procedures (SOPs), Revision 3.3, dated September 1, 2020 selected logs from November 2019 to present requestfor operations daily startup checklists November 2019 to present shutdown checklists November 2019 to present b. Observations and Findings The inspector observed that logbook entries were maintained in accordance with approved procedures. The inspector determined that logs and records are maintained as required by the licensee's administrative procedures. The inspector verified that records also showed that operational conditions and parameters were consistent with the license and TS requirements.
c. Conclusion The inspector determined the licensees logbook records and record keeping programs were maintained as required by licensee administrative procedures and met the retention requirements of the TSs.
3. Requalification Training a. Inspection Scope (IP 69001-02.04)
To ensure that the requalification training requirements of TSs 6.1.4, and 6.8.2, and, Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) 55.53, Conditions of licenses, paragraphs (e) and (h), were met, the inspector reviewed the following:
active license status of all current ROs and SROs medical examination records for selected operators UCI NRF operator requalification program, October 2010 written examinations given during March 2021 logs and records of reactivity manipulations for the requalification cycle (November 2019 through present)
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b. Observations and Findings The inspector found that the requalification plan contains annual on-the-job training, oral test, and operational test requirements. The inspector verified that training requirements in the areas required were performed throughout the training cycle. The inspector found that written, operations, and emergency preparedness exams were completed during the training cycle, as required by the requalification plan. The inspector verified, based on a sample of records, that licensed operators performed the required quarterly hours of reactor operations. Further, the inspector confirmed by record review that all active operators completed a biennial medical examination.
c. Conclusion The inspector determined that the UCI NRF requalification program was conducted as required by NRC regulations, UCI NRF TSs, and procedures 4. Surveillance and Limiting Conditions for Operation a. Inspection Scope (IP 69001-02.05)
To ensure that the requirements of TS 3.0, and TS 4.0 were met, the inspector reviewed the following:
Appendix A to Facility Operating License No. R-116, Amendment No. 7 daily startup checklist from November 2019 until present shutdown checklist from November 2019 until present UCI NRF SOP, 4.3, "Reactor Power Calibration, approved 2000.
SOP 4.3, "Reactor Power Calibration," dated September 1, 2020 completed power calibration data from January 21, 2020, and January 28, 2021 SOP 4.4.1, "Drop Time Test, dated September 1, 2020 completed drop time test data from January 8, 2020, and February 2, 2021 b. Observations and Findings The inspector selected a sample of the TS-required surveillances to verify implementation and determined that the surveillance frequency and outcome met TS requirements. The inspector verified surveillance results were retained as required by TS 6.8.1 and licensees procedural requirements.
c. Conclusion The inspector determined that UCI NRF operations followed the LCOs and surveillance requirements as stated in the TSs.
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5. Emergency Planning a. Inspection Scope (IP 69001-02.10)
To verify compliance with the UCI NRF E-Plan, the inspector reviewed selectedaspects of the following:
E-Plan for the UCI NRF, Revision 4.3 training records for the past 2 years emergency response facilities, supplies, equipment, and instrumentation after action report for UCI Zot Thunder on January 15, 2020, tabletop exercise after action report for radiation safety exercise on February 17, 2021, functional exercise b. Observations and Findings The inspector verified that the E-Plan in use at the reactor and emergency facilities was the same as the version most recently submitted to the NRC for approval. The inspector verified that the E-Plan and implementing procedures were reviewed annually as required by the E-Plan. The inspector verified that emergency response facilities, supplies, instrumentation, and equipment were maintained and controlled as required in the E-Plan.
Through records review and interviews with licensee personnel, the inspector determined that emergency responders were knowledgeable of the proper actions to take in case of an emergency. The inspector found that letters of agreement with outside response organizations were maintained and updated annually.
Through drill record review, the inspector determined that emergency drills were conducted annually as required by the E-Plan. The inspector determined that critiques were held following the drills to discuss the strengths and weaknesses identified during the exercises and to develop possible solutions to any problems identified. The results of these critiques were documented. The inspector found that emergency preparedness and response training for reactor staff personnel was conducted and documented as stipulated in the E-Plan.
c. Conclusion Based upon the review of emergency response documents, facility walkdowns, and interviews of licensee personnel, the inspector concluded that the licensee met the requirements of the approved UCI NRF E-Plan.
6. Maintenance Logs and Records a. Inspection Scope (IP 69001-02.11)
To ensure that the maintenance requirements of TSs 6.7.1.c. and 6.8.1 were met, the inspector reviewed the following:
Appendix A to Facility Operating License No. R-116, Amendment No. 7 weekly surveillance checks sheets for June 2019-present-6-
the UCI NRF annual report, submitted July 30, 2020 the UCI NRF annual report, submitted July 28, 2021 a selection of maintenance logs and console logbooks b. Observations and Findings
. The inspector determined that the selected significant maintenance items reviewed were documented and resolved as required by the licensees administrative procedures. Additionally, the inspector verified by document review that maintenance records were retained for at least 5 years as required by TS 6.8.1.
c. Conclusion The inspector determined the licensee maintained records documenting maintenance activities in compliance with TS requirements and UCI NRF procedures.
7. Fuel Handling Logs and Records a. Inspection Scope (IP 69001-02.12)
To ensure that the requirements of TSs 3.1.4 and 4.1.c were met, the inspector reviewed the following:
UCI core status board reactor console logs documenting operation from December 2019 to the present fuel movement and surveillance records b. Observations and Findings The inspector determined that no fuel inspections have occurred since this module was previously inspected and none were required by TS. The inspector confirmed that the licensee had not performed any fuel movement since the last inspection c. Conclusion The inspector determined that the licensee conducted and documented fuel handling activities in accordance with TS requirements and licensee procedures.
8. Exit Interview The inspector reviewed the inspection results with members of licensee management at the conclusion of the inspection on December 9, 2021. The licensee acknowledged the results and conclusions presented by the inspector.
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PARTIAL LIST OF PERSONS CONTACTED Licensee G. Miller Reactor Supervisor J. Keffer Reactor Facility Manager T. Babikian Senior Reactor Operator INSPECTION PROCEDURES USED IP 69001 Class II Research and Test Reactors ITEMS OPENED, CLOSED, AND DISCUSSED Opened None Closed None Discussed None Attachment