Information Notice 1980-26, 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
June 10, 1980
Notice No. 80-26 Enclosure
RECENTLY ISSUED
IE INFORMATION NOTICES
Information
Notice No.
Subject
Date
Issued
Issued To
80-25
80-24
80-23
80-22
80-21
80-20
80-19
80-18
80-17
Transportation of
Pyrophoric Uranium
Low Level Radioactive
Waste Burial Criteria
Loss of Suction to
to Emergency
Breakdown In Contamination
Control Programs
Anchorage and Support of
Safety-Related Electrical
Equipment
Loss of Decay Heat Removal
Capability at Davis-Besse
Unit 1 While in a Refueling
Mode
NIOSH Recall of Recircu- lating-Mode (Closed-Circuit)
Self-Contained Breathing
Apparatus (Rebreathers)
Possible Weapons Smuggling
Pouch
Potential Hazards Associated
With Interchangable Parts
On Radiographic Equipment
5/30/80
5/30/80
5/29/80
5/28/80
5/16/80
5/8/80
5/6/80
5/5/80
5/5/80
Material Licensee in
Priority/Categories II-A,
II-D, III-I and IV-DI;
Agreement State Licensees
in equivalent categories
All NRC and Agreement
State Licensees
All power reactor
facilities with an
All power reactor
All power reactor
facilities with an
All light water reactor
facilities holding
All holders of a power
reactor OL, Research
Reactor License, Fuel
Cycle Facility License
and Priority I Material
License
All power reactor
facilities with an OL,
fuel fabrication and
processing facilities
and Materials Priority I
licensees (processors
and distributors)
All radiography
Licenses