Information Notice 1991-25, Commercial-Grade Structural Framing Components Supplied as Nuclear Safety-Related Equipment

Commercial-Grade Structural Framing Components Supplied as Nuclear Safety-Related Equipment

ML031190655
Person / Time
Site:	Beaver Valley, Millstone, Hatch, Monticello, Calvert Cliffs, Dresden, Davis Besse, Peach Bottom, Browns Ferry, Salem, Oconee, Mcguire, Nine Mile Point, Palisades, Palo Verde, Perry, Indian Point, Fermi, Kewaunee, Catawba, Harris, Wolf Creek, Saint Lucie, Point Beach, Oyster Creek, Watts Bar, Hope Creek, Grand Gulf, Cooper, Sequoyah, Byron, Pilgrim, Arkansas Nuclear, Three Mile Island, Braidwood, Susquehanna, Summer, Prairie Island, Columbia, Seabrook, Brunswick, Surry, Limerick, North Anna, Turkey Point, River Bend, Vermont Yankee, Crystal River, Haddam Neck, Ginna, Diablo Canyon, Callaway, Vogtle, Waterford, Duane Arnold, Farley, Robinson, Clinton, South Texas, San Onofre, Cook, Comanche Peak, Yankee Rowe, Maine Yankee, Quad Cities, Humboldt Bay, La Crosse, Big Rock Point, Rancho Seco, Zion, Midland, Bellefonte, Fort Calhoun, FitzPatrick, McGuire, LaSalle, Fort Saint Vrain, Shoreham, Satsop, Trojan, Atlantic Nuclear Power Plant
Issue date:	04/01/1991
From:	Rossi C Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
To:
References
IN-91-025, NUDOCS 9103270304
Download: ML031190655 (8)

UNITED STATES

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555 April 1, 1991 NRC INFORMATION NOTICE NO. 91-25: COMMERCIAL-GRADE STRUCTURAL FRAMING

COMPONENTS SUPPLIED AS NUCLEAR

SAFETY-RELATED EQUIPMENT

Addressees

All holders of operating licenses or construction permits for nuclear power

reactors.

Purpose

This information notice is intended to alert licensees to problems in the

dedication of structural framing components supplied to the nuclear industry by

the Unistrut Corporation (UC), Wayne, Michigan. It is expected that recipients

will review this information for applicability to their facilities and consider

actions, as appropriate, to avoid similar problems. However, suggestions

contained in this information notice do not constitute NRC requirements;

therefore, no specific action or written response is required.

Description of Circumstances

The most common structural framing components supplied to licensees by UC are

1-5/8-inch wide, continuously slotted, structural framing channel members;

fasteners; and mechanical accessories such as channel nuts, fittings, and pipe

clamps. These components are supplied through a network of nationwide

Authorized Service Centers, some of which are owned and operated by UC.

The NRC inspected the UC facilities and records and found that UC had failed to

implement measures to control the dedication of commercial-grade structural

framing components. UC supplied Certificates of Conformances (COCs) stating

that these materials met the requirements of Appendix B to Part 50 of Title 10

of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) and were supplied in accordance

with the provisions of 10 CFR Part 21. UC failed to demonstrate that it had:

(1) established an adequate basis for accepting material certifications from

its suppliers of fasteners and coil material, (2) verified the chemical and

physical properties of coil material, (3) performed destructive product testing

traceable to each coil of material used to manufacture structural framing

channel, (4) maintained traceability of the material used to manufacture

mechanical accessories, or (5) performed adequate product testing on all

mechanical accessories.

UC manufactures structural framing channel members from coil material procured

to UC's material specifications from various commercial-grade suppliers and

manufacturers. These suppliers provided material certifications that UC

g 27O3O44 //

IN 91-25 April 1, 1991 accepted without assuring that the coil materials could be traced and identi- fied to the certifications. UC did not perform a destructive product test on

structural framing channel that was traceable to each heat or lot of coil

material. Furthermore, UC did not perform tests or examinations to ensure the

accuracy of the chemical and physical properties listed in the material certi- fications. UC supplied the commercial-grade structural framing channel to

licensees as safety-related components that comply with the requirements of the

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standards, Appendix B to

10 CFR Part 50, and 10 CFR Part 21 with COCs stating that these requirements

were met, even though UC did not perform an adequate commercial-grade dedication

of the coil material. In some instances, UC also certified that the channel

met the requirements of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Boiler

and Pressure Vessel Code (ASME Code),Section III, Class 2, Subsection NF-2600

but did not demonstrate compliance with the ASME Code requirements.

All fasteners supplied by UC were procured as commercial-grade items from a

single supplier (General Fastener Company of Livonia, Michigan), which furnished

machine screws, nuts, and washers that were 1/2-inch and smaller. UC procured

these fasteners according to the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Standards

and supplied them to licensees as safety-related fasteners that comply with the

requirements of the ASTM Standards, Appendix B to 10 CFR Part 50, and

10 CFR Part 21 with COCs stating these requirements were met, even though UC did

not perform any commercial-grade dedication activities.

Mechanical-accessories -are -alsormanufactured by UC-from coil material procured

to UC's material specifications from various commercial-grade suppliers and

manufacturers. These suppliers provided material certifications that UC

accepted without assuring that the coil materials could be traced and identified

to the certifications. Channel nuts and 90-degree angle fittings are the

only mechanical accessories that receive product tests. UC also did not

perform tests or examinations to ensure the accuracy of the chemical and

physical properties listed in the material certifications. UC supplied the

mechanical accessories to licensees as safety-related components that comply

with the requirements of ASTM Standards, Appendix B to 10 CFR Part 50, and

10 CFR Part 21 with COCs stating these requirements were met, even though UC

did not perform an adequate commercial-grade dedication of the coil material.

Licensees have conducted numerous audits of UC and some have placed UC on

their approved vendor lists to supply safety-related components. The inspectors

examined sample audit conclusions and found that they varied widely. Some

licensees found that UC was fully capable of supplying safety-related components

that comply with the requirements of Appendix B to 10 CFR Part 50 and

10 CFR Part 21, and in one instance found that UC could supply safety-related

components that comply with.the ASME Code requirements. Other licensees found

that UC could only supply commercial-grade components. In performing many of

the audits, licensees did'not identify UC's failure to implement adequate

measures to control the dedication of commercial-grade structural framing

components, indicating a significant weakness in the performance of these

audits.

IN 91-25 April 1, 1991 Discussion:

UC manufactures structural framing components used to support nonsafety and

safety-related components such as pipes, instrument lines, ducts, cable trays, and conduits. The NRC has not identified a significant safety concern or

in-service failure regarding the known applications of these structural framing

components. However, structural framing components were supplied by UC as

safety-related and may be installed in safety-related structures, systems, or

components and may not meet quality standards commensurate with the importance

of the safety function to be performed. Therefore, licensees may wish to

review their use of structural framing components to confirm that the procured

equipment is acceptable. In addition, licensees may wish to examine the

adequacy of applicable audits and their audit process.

This information notice requires no specific action or written response. If

you have any questions about this matter, please contact one of the technical

contacts listed below or the appropriate NRR project manager.

Directo~r

Division of Operational Events Assessment

Office of Nu-clear Reactor-Regulation

Technical Contacts: Steven M. Matthews, NRR

(301) 492-3191 Stewart L. Magruder, NRR

(301) 492-3220

Attachment: List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

2 C

0

Attachment I

IN 91-25

2 April 1, 1991 Page I of 1

-40

LIST OF RECENTLY ISSUED

D1 NRC INFORMATION NOTICES

tWm

XC?

Informaticon Date of

I- Notice No. Subject Issuance Issued to

mOm I-4 Cn

fyi

U) 91-24 Recent Operating Experience 03/26/91 All holders of OLs or

CA n Involving Reactor Operation CPs for nuclear power, fy X -1n Without A Licensed Reactor

• Ona test, and research re- Operator or Senior Reactor

23 Operator Present in the

Control Room

actors, and all Part 55 licensed operators. C

0(A 91-23 Accidental Radiation Over- 03/26/91 All Nuclear Regulatory

exposures to Personnel Due to Conmission (NRC) licens- Industrial Radiography Acces- ees authorized to use

sory Equipment Malfunctions sealed sources for indus- trial radiography.

91-22 Four Plant Outage Events In- 03/19/91 All holders of OLs or

volving Loss of AC Power or CPs for nuclear power

Coolant Spills reactors.

91-21 Inadequate Quality Assurance 03/19/91 All holders of OLs or

Program of Vendor Supplying CPs for nuclear power

Safety-Related Equipment reactors and all

recipients of NUREG-0040,

"Licensee Contractor and

Vendor Inspection Status

Reportm (White Book).

91-20 Electrical Wire Insulation 03/19/91 All holders of OLs or

Degradation Caused Failure in CPs for nuclear power

A Safety-Related Motor reactors.

Control Center

90-43, Supp. 1 Mechanical Interference with

Thermal Trip Function in GE

Molded-Case Circuit Breakers

03/13/91 All holders of OLs or

CPs for nuclear power

(

reactors.

91-19 Steam Generator Feedwater 03/12/91 All holders of OLs or

Distribution Piping Damage CPs for pressurized

water reactors (PWRs).

91-18 High-Energy Piping Failures 03/12/91 All holders of OLs or

Caused by Wall Thinning CPs for nuclear power

reactors.

OL

0 Operating License

2 CP = Construction Permit

A

IN 91-25 April 1, 1991 Discussion:

and

components used to support nonsafety

UC manufactures structural framing pipes, instrument lines, ducts, cable trays, safety-related components such as a significant safety concern or

The NRC has not identified

and conduits.

failure regarding the known applications of these structural framing

in-service components were supplied by UC as or

components. However, structural framing in safety-related structures, systems, safety-related and may be installed standards commensurate with the importance

components and may not meet quality Therefore, licensees may wish to

of the safety function to be performed. components to confirm that the procured

review their use of structural framing licensees may wish to examine the

equipment is acceptable. In addition, their audit process.

adequacy of applicable audits and

If

specific action or written response.

This information notice requires nomatter, please contact one of the technical

you have any questions about this KRR project manager.

contacts listed below or the appropriate

Charles E. Rossi, Director

Division of Operational Events Assessment

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Technical Contacts: Steven M. Matthews, NRR

(301) 492-3191 Stewart L. Magruder, NRR

(301) 492-3220

Notices

Attachment: List of Recently Issued NRC Information

• SEE PREVIOUS CONCURRENCE

D:DRIS:NRR:OI  : OE  :

OFC :Tech Ed :RVIB:NRR :RVIB:NRR

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NAME:*JMain  :*SMatthews:*UPotapovs:*BKGrimes :*BW - - - - - -

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_-

3/21/91 :3/25/91 :3/25/91 :3/26/91:3/26/91:

DATE:3/19/91 OFC :OGC :OGCB:DOEA:NRR:D:DOEA:NRR

NAME:*RHoefling :*CHBerlinger :R

DATE: 3/26/91 :3/26/91 :3W/91 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY

DOCUMENT NAME: UNISTRUT INFORMATION NOTICE/JL

v)

IN 91-XXX

March 25, 1991 UNISTRUT INFORMATION NOTICE

(*) SEE PREVIOUS CONCURRENCE

OFC :ADM/DFIPS :SMMatthews:UPotapovs:BK s  : IiIr :OE

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NAME:JMain  :: Ar:

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DATE: 3/19/91*  : 3/21/91*: 3/ D /91: 3/2,/919  :

3/2G/91:3/;X'/91:

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OFC : OGC  : CHBerlinger:CMRossi

NAME: l**

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DATE: 3/2,4/91 \: 3/ *91,:  :

IN 91-XXX

Page 4 x

UNISTRUT INFORMATION NOTICE

(*) SEE PREVIOUS CONCURRENCE

OFC :ADM/DFIPS :SMMatthews:UPotapovs:BKGri s  : OI  : OE

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NAME:JMain 7 F  :  :

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DATE: 3/19/91*  : 3/4 /91 : 3/ /91 : / /91 :3/ /91:3/ /91:

OFC :CHBerlinger:CHRossi  :/

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i

IN 91-X

March X X, 1991 Iof X

Attachments:

1. List of Recently Issued NRC Information

OFC :TECH EDITOR:SMMatthews:UPotapOvS:B rimes : OI  : OE

NAME: JM3in 9  : /

DATE: 3S/l/ 91 : 3/ /91  : 3 /91 : 3/ /91 :3/ /91:3/ /91:

OFC :CHBerlinger:CHRossi

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NAME:

DATE 3___1__---- -- /  :

DATE: 3X /91 :/X /91  :