IR 05000331/1999010
| ML20210V139 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Duane Arnold  |
| Issue date: | 08/17/1999 |
| From: | NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III) |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20210V126 | List: |
| References | |
| 50-331-99-10, NUDOCS 9908230063 | |
| Download: ML20210V139 (11) | |
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U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION REGION 111 Docket No:
50-331 License No:
DPR-49 Report No:
50-331/99010(DRS)
Licensee:
Alliant, IES Utilities Inc.
Facility:
Duane Amold Energy Center Location:
Palo, Iowa Dates:
August 2 - 6,1999 Inspector:
Donald E. Funk Jr., Emergency Preparedness Analyst Approved by:
Gary L. Shear, Chief, Plant Support Branch Division of Reactor Safety
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i EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
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Duane Amold NRC Inspection Report 50-331/99010(DRS)
This inspection reviewed the Emergency Preparedness (EP) program, an aspect of Plant Support. The inspector selectively evaluated the quality of the EP program, related audits and j
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reviews, reviewed the effectiveness of management controls, verified the adequacy of emergency response facilities and equipment, reviewed a number of EP training and qualification activities, and included follow-up on previous inspection findings. This was an
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announced inspection conducted by a regional inspector.
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Emergency response facilities, equipment, and supplies were well-maintained.
- Demonstration of selected emergency response equipment verified that the equipment was operable. On-shift dose assessment capability was acceptable. (Section P2)
The Action Request System was an effective method to track and close EP issues. It
was effectively utilized by the Duane Amold Energy Center staff. Procedures were clear -
and easy to use. (Section P3)
The EP training program was considered very good, as evidenced by frequent and
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properly critiqued training, drills, and exercises. The interviewed Emergency Response Organization personnel successfully demonstrated knowledge of their emergency roles and procedures. (Section PS)
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Discussions with the EP Manager, staff, and site personnel indicated appropriate
d management support to the program.~ Upgrades and enhancements, plus the EP staff's responsive approach, have continued improving trends in both the program and training.
(Section P6)
The licensee's Quality Assurance audits of the EP program were effective in satisfying
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the requirements of 10 Code of Federal Regulations 50.54(t). The EP staff's ongoing responses to audit findings were appropriate and timely. (Section P7)
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m ReDOft Detalls P2 Status of EP Facilities, Equipment, and Resources P2.1 Material Condition of Emeraency Resoonse Facilities a.
Insoection Scope (82701)
The inspector evaluated the material condition of the Control Room (CR), Technical Support Center (TSC), and Operational Support Center (OSC). The field team monitoring kits were also inspected. The licensee demonstrated the operability of numerous pieces of emergency response equipment, including radiological survey instruments, dose assessment and plant data computer terminals, portable generators and communications equipment. Records of periodic inventories and equipment tests were also reviewed. The inspector also reviewed EPIP 3.3, " Dose Assessment and Protective Action," Revision 15.
b.
Observations and Findinas Each facility was well-maintained and in an excellent state of operational readiness.
Current copies of the Emergency Plan, Emergency Plan Implementing Procedures (EPIPs), and appropriate forms were present in each facility, as required. A major change to Emergency Response Facilities (ERF) occurred when the OSC was relocated within the TSC. The new location allows direct communication between the OSC Supervisor and TSC personnel, while TSC status boards are easily visible from the OSC. A single team-tracking and priorities board was located in the TSC eliminating the need for such boards in the OSC. Additionally, position-specific binders had been developed for key ERO positions in each ERF. The licensee demonstrated the operability of the Meteorological information and Dose Assessment System in the TSC
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and CR.
Documents reviewed indicated that emergency equipment was properly inventoried and maintained, with timely corrective actions such as replacement of expended stock where deficiencies were identified. Monthly notification checks and communications tests were also completed as required.
Four semi-annual augmentation call-out drills had been conducted since the last routine NRC inspection and were reported as successful. The call-out system was recently upgraded in May 1999. The new system has decreased the time to complete notifications by letting responders answer questions from an automated message directly from their phones without having to place an additional call to the station.
Records for the prompt alert-and-notification system (ANS) for 1997,1998 and 1999 were reviewed by the inspector. Annual operability was 93.2,93.2, and 93.9 percent with 91.6, 92.3, and 92.3 percent for the lowest month's average, respectively. Siren operability exceeded the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) acceptability limit of greater than or equal to 90 percent for a 12 month average.
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The ANS data discussed above differs from the data initially reported by the licensee to l
FEMA through the annual letter of certification. The licensee stated that they would be L
sending a corrected FEMA letter of certification for the years 1997 and 1998. Starting I.
this year the Duane Amold Energy Center (DAEC) instituted a comprehensive preventive' maintenance program for the emergency sirens. During the performance of this maintenance they discovered that approximately 40 sirens had problems that were not reflected in the monthly test reports. Of these 40 sirens, nine have been designated as being inoperable. Several factors played a part in their inability to detect these failures:
DAEC took over the siren maintenance program from an outside contractor in
January 1997. At least one of these failures (24B) may have been a result of a I
poor tumover from the previous contract siren maintenance technician.
In 1997 and 1998 the licensee took a reactionary approach to siren
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maintenance, responding only to siren sites that exhibited problems as reflected on a test report.
Corrective actions included initiating action request number 16385 to document the I
discrepancy. Also, starting in 1999 the licensee instituted an annual preventive i
maintenance program that will ensure all of the 143 sirens are physically verified for operability.
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Conclusions Overall, emergency response facilities were in excellent material condition. Selected
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emergency equipment was verified as operable. On shift dose assessment capability was acceptable.
P3 EP Procedures and Documentation a.
Inspection Scoos (82701)
The inspector reviewed a sample of licensee EPIPs and emergency plan sections, l
including those related to the September 1998 and March 1999 emergency plan revisions. The Action Request (AR) System Reports related to the EP program were
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also reviewed.
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- Observations and Findinas I
The inspector reviewed changes to the DAEC Emergency Plan, Sections B and H,
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Revision 20, dated September 1998 and March 1999. The changes for these revisions a
focused on the addition of an Operations Supervisor in the TSC, updating the location of l
the OSC, and changing responsibilities for the TSC supervisor.
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j Revision 20 of EPIP 2.2, " Activation 'and Operation of the Technical Support Center,"
added the Accident Management Team to assess plant status, the effectiveness of CR j
l actions, prioritization of actions, and development of accident mitigation strategies as
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I part of the Severe Accident Management Program.
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Emergexy Planning Department Procedure 1008.4 covered maintenance of emergency response facilities and emergency equipment. This procedure provided for quarterly and post-use inventories of emergency supplies in the Control Room, Technical Support Center, Operational Support Center, offsite Relocation and Accountability Area, a'd Offsite Radiological and Analytical Laboratory. Inventory forms for each facility were psvided. Also included in this procedure were inventory forms pertaining to the Joint Public Information Center, Emergency Operations Facility, Mercy Medical Center, University of Iowa, and various equipment EJts.
The inspector also reviewed the following EPIPs with no significant problems in content, f armat, or revisions identified: EPIP 1.2, " Notification," Revision 24, dated September 28,1998; EPIP 1.3, " Plant Assembly and Site Evacuation," Revision 8, dated June 16,1999; EPIP 2,1," Activation and Operation of the Operational Support Center,"
Revision 12, dated July 10,1995, and EPIP 4.5, " Administration of Potassium lodide (KI)," Revision 5, dated September 5,1997.
The inspector reviewed the AR System and associated procedure ACP 114.5, " Action Request System." Revision 20, dated June 10,1999, to determine the range of issues identified and the effectiveness of identified issue-tracking and disposition.
Approximately 172 ARs related to the EP program were generated since March 1997.
. Of the total 172 ARs,147 had been closed. The items reviewed were clearly identified by number and description, with responsible departments ident. ied, along with due T
dates and item status. These report printouts were used to document and track the progress of corrective actions identified by EP, Quality Assurance, other plant personnel, and critiques of exercises and drills.
The licensee's method to disseminate emergency information to the general public was reviewed. Telephone directory inserts are distributed annually in the McLeod USA and US West Dex Directories throughout the emergency planning zone. These documents included information on emergency preparedness, emcgency sirens, evacuation, maps, and basic information about radiation. The information was clearly presented and appearad to be appropriate.
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Conclusions The AR system was an effective method to track and close EP issues and had been appropriately used by DAEC staff. EPIPs were clear and easy to use. The DAEC public information telephone book inserts were easy to read and appcared to be appropriate.
P5 Staff Training and Qualification in EP a.
Insoection Scone (82701)
The inspector reviewed various aspects of the EP training program. This included interviews with selected key Emergency Response Organization (ERO) personnel (a TSC supervisor, a Health Physics Network communicator, and a Health Physics Technician), and the review of drill and related critique forms, attendance records, and
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the Emergency Telephone Book (ETB) for ERO personnel. Addithnally, records from the Training Records Tracking System (TRTS) were compared witn the ETB to i'
determine whether ERO personnel were qualified. Respirator and Self-Contained
- Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) qualifications of plant personnel were also reviewed.
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Observations and Findinos.-
RNs indicated that drills and exercises were formally critiqued. Training had been provided which outlined formal critiques, and select critique items were documented for corrective action. The primary means for annual requalification training was drill and exercise participation in one of six integrated exercises conducted annually. If participation in a drill or exercise did not occur, a facility tabletop session or one-on-one instruction would be acceptable for annual requalification.
Initial EP training is conducted during General Employee Training and was a facility-specific, modular format. There were ten Instructor Guides; one for each facility, one for initial indoctrination training, and one for Emergency Federal Response.
Records from TRTS were compared with the ETB, revision June 14,1999,'(issued quarterly) to verify ERO personnel listed in the book were qualified. The DAEC Emergency Plan, Revision 19, Section O, indicated that " Annual requalification will be required to maintain proficiency." All ERO personnel reviewed were currently qualified for their emergency response positions. Formal feedback forms were available to solicit comments related to the quality of EP training and indicated effective training was being
. conducted. Interviews were conducted with the three key ERO persons. The individuals interviewed demonstrated excellent knowledge of their emergency responsibilities and procedures.
Review of respirator and SCBA qualification documentation provided the following information:
M h [$USHSOE9054S"Mk$N$$h}h Me$
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DEPARTMENT-NUMBER oF TRAINING / MEDICAL RESPIRATOR sCBA QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS QUALIFIED QUAUFIED Fladiation Protection
30/30
28 Operations
71/71
67 Instrument Maintenance
18/18
18 Electrical Maintenance
9/9
8 Mechanical Maintenance
20/20
20 Ct emistry
15/15
13
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Welders
4/4
4 j
Quality Control
5/5
4 Helpers
20/20
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NRC Information Notice 98-20," Problems with Emergency Preparedness Respiratory Protection Programs," was issued June 3,1998. This information notice alerted licensees to multiple generic weaknesses in respiratory protection programs supporting emergency preparedness. Respiratory protection qualifications included three parts; respiratory training, medical testing, and a mask fit. The numbers represented the current respiratory qualifications by department. The results of this review indicated that there appears to be sufficient respirator and SCBA qualified personnel to respond in the event of an emergency. Discussion indicated that licensee personnel were aware of the
- information notice and had evaluated its information.
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Conclusi)ns Overall, EP training was considered very good. Adequate knowledge of emergency responsibilities and procedures was demonstrated by key ERO personnel. Six drills per year were effectively used to provide performance-based requalification training for the ERO personnel. Critique documentation was available, and critique forms were adequately detailed. All personnel reviewed that were listed in the ETB were qualified for their emergency response positions.
P6 EP Organization and Administration a.
Inspection Scoce (82701)
The inspector conducted discussions with the EP staff regarding the current EP organization and anticipated changes.
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Observations and Findinos The EP organization had been modified since the last routine inspection in February 1997. The positions of Manager, Emergency Planning, and Supervisor, Emergency Planning, have been combined. The Manager, Emergency Planning reports directly to the Manager, Regulatory Performance, who reports to the Vice President Nuclear. In February 1998 the EP Scenario Development Specialist was promoted to the position of Manager EP after the departure of the former manager. The Emergency Planning Staff has also lost one position since the last routine inspection. Position and group tasks had been reapportioned, and the decrease in staff did not appear to decrease their effectiveness. Currently, management support for the program appeared to be strong as indicated by the extensive integrated exercise schedule and program upgrades such as the OSC relocation and installation of the new call out system.
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Conclusions Discussions with the EP Manager, staff, and site personnel indicated appropriate management support to the program. Upgrades and enhancements, plus the EP staff's responsive approach, have continued improving trends in both the program and training.
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P7 Quality Assurance in EP Activities
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P7.1 Audits (82701)
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Inspection Scope (82701)
The inspector reviewed Quality Assurance (QA) Department Audits which have been performed since the last _ routine inspection..The review also included an interview with a QA EP assessment team member.
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Observations and Findings
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l 1he licensee uses a quarterly continuous assessment process and the inspector reviewed eight Audit Reports since the third quarter of 1997, instead of a single document, assessments of the Emergency Program were spread over the year and reported in a section of the QA Quarterly Assessment report. The audits were highly j-detailed and very comprehensive. Procedure and plan reviews, drill observation, and an
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assessment of offsite interface were included in the course of the year. Minor l.
procedure enhancement comments were provided to the EP staff as an attachment to j
the audit report. A standardized questionnaire was utilized for interviews with offsite -
l authorities in assessing the adequacy of offsite interface. The overall QA EP audit effort l
was outstanding.
l The QA audits of the EP program satisfied the requirements of 10 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 50.54(t) with respect to scope. Records also indicated that the EP staff fulfilled the requirement to make relevant audit results available to State and County officials. Letters to State and County officials provided input to the offsite l
L interface evaluation and stated that the entire report would be made available upon j
request.
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Conclusions The licensee's QA audits of EP activities were very effective and satisfied the requirements of 10 CFR 50.54(t). The EP staff's ongoing responses to audit findings i
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P8 Miscellaneous EP issues i
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(Closed) Insnadian Follow-uo item (50-331/98016-01(DRS)): During the 1996 NRC
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evaluated exercise, it was identified that procedures did not provide for the formation and dispatch of an OSC urgent repair team. The licensee initiated AR number 12578 to evaluate the need for a procedure change. The licensee included the provision for a quick OSC Repair Team response into EPIP-4.3, " Rescue and Emergency Repair
. Work" Revision 9, dated June 16,1999. This quick-repair team process was exercised on three occasions and determined to be a program enhancement. This item is closed.
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V. Manaaement Meetinas X1 Exit Meeting Summary.
The inspector presented the preliminary inspection results to members of licensee management at the conclusion of the inspection on August 6,1999. The licensee acknowledged the findings presented. Overall, the EP program had been maintained in an effective state of operational readiness. Management support to the program was strong, and interviewed key emergency response personnel demonstrated a good knowledge of responsibilities and emergency procedures. Quality Assurance oversight of the EP program was also very good.
The inspector asked the licensee whether any materials examined during the inspection should be considered proprietary. No proprietary information was identified.
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PARTIAL LIST OF PERSONS CONTACTED Licensee R. Brown, Quality Assurance G. Ellis, Technical Support Center Supervisor J. Ford, Health Physics Network Communicator
L Gibney, Emergency Planning
B. Hite, Radiation Protection Manager D. Johnson, Emergency Planning R.' Johnson, Emergency Planning J. Karrick, Licensing Specialist P. Louis, Health Physics Technician B. Murrell, Regulatory Communications Supervisor K. Peveler, Manager, Regulatory Performance j
P. Sullivan, Manager, Emergency Planning G. VanMiddlesworth, Plant Manager C. Vogeler, Emergency Planning W. Wertman, Quality Assurance Engineer K. Williams, Emergency Planning D. Wilson, Assistant Vice President - Nuclear NRC i
M. Kurth, Resident inspector INSPECTION PROCEDURES USED IP 82701:
Operational Status of the Emergency Preparedness Program i
ITEMS OPENED AND CLOSED Opened None Closed 50-331/98016-01 IFl Need for OSC urgent team dispatch procedure Discussed None
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' Alert Notification System AR Action Request CFR Code of Federal Regulations CR Control Room DAEC Duane Arnold Energy Center EP Emergency Preparedness EPIP Emergency Plan implementing Procedure ERF Emergency Response Facility ERO Emergency Response Organization ETB Emergency Telephone Book FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency IFl Inspection Follow-up Item IR
Inspection Report
NRC
Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operational Support Center
Quality Assurance
Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus
TRTS
Training Records Tracking System
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