ML032880023

Y020030170 - Robert Smith Ltr. Re NRC Notice of Consideration of Issuance of Amendment (Docket No. 50-327)

ML032880023
Person / Time
Site:	Sequoyah
Issue date:	10/27/2003
From:	Sheron B NRC/NRR/ADPT
To:	Rich Smith Erico International
Ma J, NRR/DE/EMEB , 415-2732
Shared Package
ML032940269	List: ML032880023 ML032880494
References
24370-TR-C-001, TAC MC1012, Y020030170
Download: ML032880023 (4)

Text

October 27, 2003 Mr. Robert G. Smith Technical Consultant Erico International P.O. Box 1921 Southern Pines, NC 28387

Dear Mr. Smith:

I am responding to your letter dated September 23, 2003, to Mr. R. William Borchardt in which you describe your concern regarding the Nuclear Regulatory Commissions (NRCs) approval of the Bar-Lock coupler assembly submitted in Tennessee Valley Authoritys (TVAs, the licensees) Topical Report No. 24370-TR-C-001, Alternate Rebar Splice - Bar-Lock Mechanical Splices [ADAMS Accession number ML020780612]. TVA submitted the topical report and related amendment to the Updated Final Safety Analysis to allow the use of Bar-Lock coupler assemblies in the repair of the shield building at Sequoyah Nuclear Plant, Unit 1 (SQN1). Your concern focuses on the potential for misuse of the NRC approval of the Bar-Lock coupler assembly for #6 and #8 rebars for broader application in the repair of containment structures.

In addition, the NRC staff appreciates your observations concerning the coupler test program.

The licensee submitted the topical report and related amendment request to allow the use of a coupler assembly not originally intended for nuclear applications. The test program described, as well as the various comparisons to industry standards, are meant as a means to establish an acceptable level of safety and quality for use in specific nuclear applications at SQN1. Any reference in the NRCs correspondence to meeting an industry standard should be viewed as the NRC staffs determination that the licensee has demonstrated in this specific instance under the submitted condition that an industry standard was met. This should in no way be construed to be a comment on the adequacy of any other coupler or industry standard.

More specifically, in letters dated March 13 and April 24, 2003 [ADAMS Accession Nos. ML030720220 and ML031140078], the NRC transmitted approval of the Bar-Lock topical report and Safety Evaluation (SE) related to the use of the Bar-Lock topical report for SQN1.

The March 13, 2003, letter states that, this acceptance applies only to the Bar-Lock coupler assembly using American Society for Testing Maintenance A615 Grade 60 material in the #6 and #8 sizes for use on noncontainment (i.e., shield building) applications at TVAs SQN Units 1 and 2. The approval in both the topical report and related SE discusses use of the #6 and #8 sizes. The statement in the SE regarding the couplers meeting American Society of Mechanical Engineers strength requirements should not be construed to expand the use of #6 and #8 splices to any application except the specific request made by TVA for SQN1. Any statements contained within the topical approval and related SE should be viewed within the context of the licensees request and stated acceptance.

R. Smith Based on SQN's unique configuration, the specificity of TVAs request and the NRCs approval, the NRC staff firmly believes that the cited limitations are very specific and clear as to the applicability of the NRC approval. NRC staff further believes that its approval leaves no room for misinterpretation that may lead to possible misuse of Bar-Lock coupler assemblies in the repair of containment structures as you indicated.

In conclusion, it is evident that we share your same view on the limitations for use of Bar-Lock coupler assemblies, and believe that our letters of March 13 and April 24, 2003, to TVA clearly articulate the NRC position without any ambiguity.

Should you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Mr. John Ma at (301) 415-2732 or Ms. Eva Brown at (301) 415-2315.

Sincerely, Brian Sheron, Associate Director /RA/

for Licensing Project and Technical Analysis Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-327 cc: See next page

R. Smith Based on SQN's unique configuration, the specificity of TVAs request and the NRCs approval, the NRC staff firmly believes that the cited limitations are very specific and clear as to the applicability of the NRC approval. NRC staff further believes that its approval leaves no room for misinterpretation that may lead to possible misuse of Bar-Lock coupler assemblies in the repair of containment structures as you indicated.

In conclusion, it is evident that we share your same view on the limitations for use of Bar-Lock coupler assemblies, and believe that our letters of March 13 and April 24, 2003, to TVA clearly articulate the NRC position without any ambiguity.

Should you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Mr. John Ma at (301) 415-2732 or Ms. Eva Brown at (301) 415-2315.

Sincerely, Brian Sheron, Associate Director /RA/

for Licensing Project and Technical Analysis Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-327 cc: See next page DISTRIBUTION: (TAC No. MC1012)

PUBLIC PDII-2 R/F EImbro OGC KManoly AHowe ACRS EBrown JDyer SCahill, RII RBarrett/CGrimes RBorchardt MMarshall JMa JCraig BClayton (Hard Copy) BSheron DClarke EHackett NRR Mailroom (YT 020030170)

Document

Title:

Robert Smith, Erico, Ltr Re NRC Notice of Consideration of Issuance of Amendment Package Accession number ML032940269 Incoming Accession number ML032880494 Response Accession number ML032880023 OFFICE EMEB PDII-2\PM PDII-2\PM PDII-2\LA PDII-2\SC NAME JMa EBrown EAB for MMarshall BClayton AHowe DATE 10/08/03 10/21/03 10/21/03 10/21/03 10/21/03 OFFICE EMEB\SC EMEB\BC EMEB\D ADPT NAME KManoly EImbro RBarrrett BSheron DATE 10/08/03 10/22/03 10/22/03 10/27/03 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY

Tennessee Valley Authority SEQUOYAH NUCLEAR PLANT cc:

Mr. J. A. Scalice Mr. Mark J. Burzynski, Manager Chief Nuclear Officer and Nuclear Licensing Executive Vice President Tennessee Valley Authority Tennessee Valley Authority 4X Blue Ridge 6A Lookout Place 1101 Market Street 1101 Market Street Chattanooga, TN 37402-2801 Chattanooga, Tennessee 37402-2801 Mr. Pedro Salas, Manager Mr. Karl W. Singer, Senior Vice President Licensing and Industry Affairs Nuclear Operations Sequoyah Nuclear Plant Tennessee Valley Authority Tennessee Valley Authority 6A Lookout Place P.O. Box 2000 1101 Market Street Soddy Daisy, TN 37379 Chattanooga, TN 37402-2801 Mr. D. L. Koehl, Plant Manager Mr. James E. Maddox, Vice President Sequoyah Nuclear Plant Engineering & Technical Services Tennessee Valley Authority Tennessee Valley Authority P.O. Box 2000 6A Lookout Place Soddy Daisy, TN 37379 1101 Market Street Chattanooga, TN 37402-2801 Senior Resident Inspector Sequoyah Nuclear Plant Mr. Richard T. Purcell U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Site Vice President 2600 Igou Ferry Road Sequoyah Nuclear Plant Soddy Daisy, TN 37379 Tennessee Valley Authority P.O. Box 2000 Mr. Lawrence E. Nanney, Director Soddy Daisy, TN 37379 Division of Radiological Health Dept. of Environment & Conservation General Counsel Third Floor, L and C Annex Tennessee Valley Authority 401 Church Street ET 11A Nashville, TN 37243-1532 400 West Summit Hill Drive Knoxville, TN 37902 County Executive Hamilton County Courthouse Mr. Robert J. Adney, General Manager Chattanooga, TN 37402-2801 Nuclear Assurance Tennessee Valley Authority Ms. Ann P. Harris 6A Lookout Place 341 Swing Loop Road 1101 Market Street Rockwood, Tennessee 37854 Chattanooga, TN 37402-2801