Information Notice 1979-05, Use of Improper Materials in Safety-Related Components

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

removal, snubbers was limited to that which occurred during its

grease was found in the control valve assembly and the snubber by

cylinder. All of the recently greased snubbers were replaced

spare units.

These two occurrences illustrate the necessity of controlling

care- construction and maintenance practices through the use of as the

fully developed procedures designed to prevent errors, such

introduction of foreign materials into safety-related components.

significant

This information is provided as a notification of a possibly for

recipients will review the information

matter. It is expected that response

action or

possible applicability to their facilities. No specificso indicate, an IE

is requested at this time. If further NRC evaluations

soecific li- Circular or Bulletin will be issued to recommend or request please

censee actions. If you have questions regarding this matter, contact the Director of the appropriate NRC Regional Office.

Enclosure:

Listing of IE Information

Notices Issued in 1979 IE Information Notice No. 79-05 March 21, 1979 LISTING OF IE INFORMATION NOTICES

ISSUED IN 1979 Information Subject Date Issued To .

Notice No. Issued

79-01 Bergen-Paterson Hydraulic 2/2/79 All power reactor

Shock and Sway Arrestor facilities with an

OL or a CP

79-02 Attempted Extortion - 2/2/79 All Fuel Facilities

Low Enriched Uranium

79-03 Limitorque Valve Geared 2/9/79 All power reactor

Limit Switch Lubricant facilities with an

OL or a CP

79-04 Degradation of 2/16/79 All power reactor

Engineered facilities with an

Safety Features OL or a CP

79-05 Use of Improper Materials 3/21/79 All power reactor

in Safety-Related facilities with an

Components OL or CP