Information Notice 1979-05, Use of Improper Materials in Safety-Related Components
| ML031180120 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Waterford, 05000000 |
| Issue date: | 03/21/1979 |
| From: | NRC/IE |
| To: | |
| References | |
| IN-79-005, NUDOCS 7903300180 | |
| Download: ML031180120 (3) | |
UNITED STATES
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C.
20555
March 21, 1979
IE Information Notice No. 79-05 USE OF IMPROPER MATERIALS IN SAFETY-RELATED COMPONENTS
Two instances of the addition of Improper materials to safety-related
components during maintenance have recently been identified by NRC
inspections.
Materials on Valve Seating Surfaces
An NRC inspector found that maintenance personnel at the Surry nuclear
power plant had added wax or grease to certain valve seating surfaces.
These valves included the containment spray and recirculation spray
isolation valves. This material could have affected the measured leak
rate through these containment penetrations. VEPCO personnel said that
the material was believed to have been added to prevent damage to the
valve seating surfaces during dry valve testing. It had not been removed
following completion of the maintenance procedure. VEPCO personnel also
reported that a lack of any definitive administrative guidance as to
what lubricants, if any, could be used during valve maintenance, contributed to this problem. The corrective action included modifica- tion of the procedures to include more precise Inspection by quality
control personnel following valve maintenance.
Grease in Snubbers
An NRC inspector found that maintenance personnel at the Browns Ferry
nuclear power plant had added grease to the hydraulic fluid reservoirs
of eight Bergen-Paterson snubbers.
The grease had mistakenly been
added, during a scheduled lubrication procedure, through the alemite
type fittings used for normal fluid addition. A similar error involving
thirteen snubbers had previously been made at this facility. At that
time the decision had been made to Install a different type of fitting
on the snubbers.
However, the replacement parts had not arrived in tine
for installation prior to the more recent lubrication. At the time of
the earlier occurrence, TVA personnel had removed the affected snubbers
and tested them for lock-up and bleed rate. The results had been within
specification.
Nevertheless, the units had been disassembled and cleaned
prior to reinstallation.
NRC inspectors witnessed the disassembly of one
of the later set of greased snubbers (a four-inch unit). Approximately
one cubic inch of grease was found in the reservoir. Although the grease 29038001 80
IE Information Notice No. 79-05
March 21, 1979
Grease in Snubbers (continued)
had been in the reservoir for only four days, and stroking cf the
snubbers was limited to that which occurred during its removal, grease was found in the control valve assembly and the snubber
cylinder. All of the recently greased snubbers were replaced by
spare units.
These two occurrences illustrate the necessity of controlling
construction and maintenance practices through the use of care- fully developed procedures designed to prevent errors, such as the
introduction of foreign materials into safety-related components.
This information is provided as a notification of a possibly significant
matter. It is expected that recipients will review the information for
possible applicability to their facilities.
No specific action or response
is requested at this time.
If further NRC evaluations so indicate, an IE
Circular or Bulletin will be issued to recommend or request soecific li- censee actions.
If you have questions regarding this matter, please
contact the Director of the appropriate NRC Regional Office.
Enclosure:
Listing of IE Information
Notices Issued in 1979 IE Information
March 21, 1979
Notice No. 79-05
LISTING OF IE INFORMATION NOTICES
ISSUED IN 1979 Information
Notice No.
Subject
Date
Issued
79-01
79-02
79-03
79-04
79-05 Bergen-Paterson Hydraulic
Shock and Sway Arrestor
Attempted Extortion -
Low Enriched Uranium
Limitorque Valve Geared
Limit Switch Lubricant
Degradation of
Engineered
Safety Features
Use of Improper Materials
in Safety-Related
Components
2/2/79
2/2/79
2/9/79 Issued To .
All power reactor
facilities with an
All Fuel Facilities
All power reactor
facilities with an
2/16/79
All power reactor
facilities with an
3/21/79
All power reactor
facilities with an