Information Notice 1980-26, Evaluation of Contractor QA Programs

Evaluation of Contractor QA Programs

ML031180369
Person / Time
Site:	05000000
Issue date:	06/10/1980
From:	NRC/OI
To:
References
IN-80-026, NUDOCS 8005050064
Download: ML031180369 (2)

I I

UNITED STATES SSINS No.: 6835 NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Accession No.:

OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT 8005050064 WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555 June 10, 1980 OUPUDATE

IE Information Notice No. 80-26 To All Part 50 Licensees

EVALUATION OF CONTRACTOR QA PROGRAMS

Description of Circumstances

Appendix B to 10 CFR 50 requires that each applicant and licensee establish

and execute a Quality Assurance Program, and that each licensee "shall require

contractors or subcontractors to provide a quality assurance program".

Further Appendix B requires each applicant and licensee to regularly review

the status and adequacy of subcontractor programs.

The NRC is becoming increasingly concerned by continuing evidence that many

holders of construction permits and operating licenses are not properly

implementing these facets of their quality assurance programs. Examples of

this lack of effectiveness of contractor QA program implementation, and

inadequacy of licensee overview of contractor QA program implementation are

appearing in every facet of project activity. Instances have been observed

where architect-engineers have released documents for procurement with

inappropriate material specifications. Nuclear steam system suppliers have

overlooked erroneous assumptions in analysis of instrument system response to

design basis transients. Other cases have been observed where both AE's and

NSSS have not followed through on commitments to review vendor detailed

designs. Vendors' quality. assurance programs have been found to contain

errors of both omission and commission.

A containment tendon installation contract was awarded to a specialty contractor.

During a licensee audit some three months after work started it appeared that a

contractor inspector was falsifying records by initialing inspection points not

actually observed. A subsequent investigation by the licensee revealed that the

contractor had required that QC inspections be performed only on a random basis

even though all records had QC signatures. The signatures could mean that the

activity was inspected or that record signoffs by others were reviewed; or that

the data were recorded by the QC inspector. It is apparent that the licensee

had not appropriately reviewed the contractor's inspection program prior to the

start of work.

In another instance, after completion and acceptance of a major structural

steel installation, the licensee found that significant rework would be

required to correct construction quality problems. NRC inspection at the

contractors fabrication facility disclosed that in addition to work for that

licensee, the contractor had contracts for "high density" fuel storage racks

from several operating licensees. None of the NRC licensees had inspected

the contractor's shop or examined his quality assurance programs.

Response to Information Notice No. 80-26 is not required. The NRC expects

appropriate action from all licensees and organizations engaged in nuclear

activities and actions will be examined in the ongoing NRC inspection program.

..

IE Information Notice No. 80-26 Enclosure

June 10, 1980

RECENTLY ISSUED

IE INFORMATION NOTICES

Information Subject Date Issued To

Notice No. Issued

80-25 Transportation of 5/30/80 Material Licensee in

Pyrophoric Uranium Priority/Categories II-A,

II-D, III-I and IV-DI;

Agreement State Licensees

in equivalent categories

80-24 Low Level Radioactive 5/30/80 All NRC and Agreement

Waste Burial Criteria State Licensees

80-23 Loss of Suction to 5/29/80 All power reactor

to Emergency facilities with an

OL or CP

80-22 Breakdown In Contamination 5/28/80 All power reactor

Control Programs OLs and near term CPs

80-21 Anchorage and Support of 5/16/80 All power reactor

Safety-Related Electrical facilities with an

Equipment OL or CP

80-20 Loss of Decay Heat Removal 5/8/80 All light water reactor

Capability at Davis-Besse facilities holding

Unit 1 While in a Refueling power reactor OLs or CPs

Mode

80-19 NIOSH Recall of Recircu- 5/6/80 All holders of a power

lating-Mode (Closed-Circuit) reactor OL, Research

Self-Contained Breathing Reactor License, Fuel

Apparatus (Rebreathers) Cycle Facility License

and Priority I Material

License

80-18 Possible Weapons Smuggling 5/5/80 All power reactor

Pouch facilities with an OL,

fuel fabrication and

processing facilities

and Materials Priority I

licensees (processors

and distributors)

80-17 Potential Hazards Associated 5/5/80 All radiography

With Interchangable Parts Licenses

On Radiographic Equipment