ML12257A141

Request for Relief to Use Subsequent Edition and Addenda of ASME Code,Section XI, for Examination Categories B-L-1, B-M-1, and C-G, for the Third 10-Year Inservice Inspection Interval

ML12257A141
Person / Time
Site:	Palo Verde
Issue date:	09/18/2012
From:	Markley M Plant Licensing Branch IV
To:	Edington R Arizona Public Service Co
Gibson L
References
TAC ME7805, TAC ME7806, TAC ME7807
Download: ML12257A141 (7)

Text

UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 September 18, 2012 Mr. Randall K. Edington Executive Vice President Nuclear!

Chief Nuclear Officer Mail Station 7602 Arizona Public Service Company P.O. Box 52034 Phoenix, AZ 85072-2034

SUBJECT:

PALO VERDE NUCLEAR GENERATING STATION, UNITS 1, 2, AND 3 REQUEST FOR RELIEF TO USE A LATER EDITION OF ASME CODE, SECTION XI, FOR EXAMINATION CATEGORIES B-L-1, B-M-1, AND C-G (TAC NOS. ME7B05, ME7B06. AND ME7B07)

Dear Mr. Edington:

By letter dated December 29,2011 (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession No. ML12019A062), Arizona Public Service Company (APS, the licensee) requested U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approval to use a subsequent edition of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (ASME Code),

Section XI, for examination categories B-L-1, B-M-1, and C-G at Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station (Palo Verde), Units 1, 2, and 3, for the duration of the third 10-year inservice inspection (lSI) interval.

Specifically, pursuant to Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) 50.55a(g)(4)(iv),

the licensee requested approval to use later code editions and addenda for lSI items subject to the limitations and modifications listed in 10 CFR 50.55a(b).

The NRC staff reviewed the subject request and concludes, as set forth in the enclosed safety evaluation, that APS has adequately addressed all of the regulatory requirements set forth in 10 CFR 50.55a(g)(4)(iv). Therefore, the NRC staff approves the use of the 2007 Edition, 200B Addenda of the ASME Code Section XI for Examination Categories B-L-1, B-M-1, and C-G at Palo Verde the duration of the third 10-year lSI interval, which ends July 17, 2018, for Unit 1, March 17, 2017, for Unit 2, and January 10, 201B, for Unit 3.

R. Edington -2 All other requirements of the ASME Code for which relief has not been specifically requested and authorized remain applicable, including a third-party review by the Authorized Nuclear Inservice Inspector.

Sincerely, Michael T. Markley, Chief Plant Licensing Branch IV Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket Nos. STN 50-528, STN 50-529, and STN 50-530

Enclosure:

Safety Evaluation cc w/encl: Distribution via Listserv

UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555*0001 SAFETY EVALUATION BY THE OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION REQUEST FOR RELIEF TO USE LATER EDITION AND ADDENDA OF AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS BOILER AND PRESSURE VESSEL CODE PALO VERDE NUCLEAR GENERATING STATION, UNITS 1, 2, AND 3 ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY DOCKET NOS. 50-528, 50-529, 50-530

1.0 INTRODUCTION

By letter dated December 29,2011 (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession No. ML12019A062), Arizona Public Service Company (APS, the licensee) requested U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approval to use a subsequent edition of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (ASME Code),

Section XI, for examination categories B-L-1, B-M-i! and C-G at Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station (Palo Verde), Units 1,2, and 3, for the duration of the third i0-year inservice inspection (lSI) interval.

Specifically, pursuant to Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) 50. 55a(g)(4)(iv),

the licensee requested approval to use later code editions and addenda for lSI items subject to the limitations and modifications listed in 10 CFR 50.55a(b).

2.0 REGULATORY EVALUATION

Pursuant to 10 CFR 50.55a(g)(4), ASME Code Class 1, 2, and 3 components (including supports) shall meet the requirements, except the design and access provisions and the pre service examination requirements, set forth in the ASME Code,Section XI, "Rules for Inservice Inspection of Nuclear Power Plant Components," to the extent practical within the limitations of design, geometry, and materials of construction of the components. The regulations in 10 CFR 50.55a(g)(4)(ii) require that lSI examinations of components and system pressure tests conducted during successive 120-month inspection intervals must comply with the requirements in the latest edition and addenda of Section XI of ASME Code incorporated by reference in 10 CFR 50.55a(b) 12 months prior to the start of the i20-month interval, subject to the limitations and modifications listed therein.

The repair, replacement, and modification of plant components are not explicitly referenced in 10 CFR 50.55a(g)(4) and associated subparagraphs. However, these activities are specifically referenced in the ASME Code,Section XI. The NRC staff maintains that these activities are not Enclosure

-2 separate and distinct from, but are included under, inservice examinations. Therefore, the requirements of 10 CFR SO.SSa(g)(4){iv) are applicable to repair/replacement activities.

The regulations in 10 CFR SO.SSa(g)(4)(iv) state that inservice examination of components and system pressure tests may meet the requirements set forth in subsequent editions and addenda of the ASME Code provided that they are incorporated by reference in 10 CFR SO.SSa(b),

subject to the limitations and modifications listed in 10 CFR SO.SSa(b), and subject to Commission approval. Portions of editions or addenda may be used provided that all related requirements of the respective editions or addenda are met. Currently, 10 CFR SO.SSa(b)(2) incorporates by reference the ASME Code,Section XI, from the 1970 Edition through the 1976 Winter Addenda, and the 1977 Edition through the 2007 Edition with the 2008 Addenda.

Based on the above analysis, the NRC staff concludes that regulatory authority exists to approve the use of a subsequent edition of the ASME Code, as requested by the licensee.

3.0 TECHNICAL EVALUATION

3.1 Licensee's Request to Use a Subsequent ASME Code Edition and Addenda 3.1.1 ASME Code Components Affected (as stated by the licensee)

The affected components are ASME Section XI, Examination Categories:

B-L-1, Pressure Retaining Welds in Pump Casings B-M-1, Pressure Retaining Welds in Valve Bodies C-G, Pressure Retaining Welds in Pumps and Valves 3.1.2 Applicable Code Edition and Addenda (as stated by the licensee)

The Code of Record for the current lSI interval for Code Class 1, 2 and 3 components is the ASME Section XI, 2001 Edition, 2003 Addenda. The examinations would not be required to be performed under the Code of Record until the last period of the current inspection interval.

3.1.3 Proposed Subsequent Code Edition and Addenda (or Portion) (as stated by the licensee)

The subsequent code edition and addenda proposed for the third interval of the lSI Program, Examination Categories B-L-1, B-M-1 and C-G is ASME Section XI, 2007 Edition, 2008 Addenda. In the 2008 Addenda, Examination Categories B L-1, B-M-1 and C-G were deleted from the Code.

In the 2001 Edition, 2003 Addenda of AS ME Section XI:

Category B-L-1 requires a visual examination (VT-1) of pump casing welds

- 3 Category 8-M-1 requires a surface examination of valve body welds for valves less than 4 inches NPS [nominal pipe size] and a volumetric examination for valves larger that 4 inches NPS Category C-G requires a surface examination of pump and valve body welds in all components in each piping run examined under Category C-F ASME Category 8-L-1, 8-M-1, and C-G welds were removed in the ASME Section XI, 2007 Edition, 2008 Addenda because experience has not identified any failures in pump casing or valve body welds. The requirement for performing these examinations results in unnecessary radiation exposure for non-destructive examination (NDE) personnel.

The subsequent code edition and addenda proposed for the third interval of the lSI Program is ASME Section XI, 2007 Edition, 2008 Addenda, for Examination Categories 8-L-1, 8-M-1 and C-G. The 2008 Addenda of Section XI has been incorporated into the regulations by reference, as published in the Federal Register on [June] 21, 2011 (76 FR 36232), and became effective July 21, 2011.

3,1.4 Duration of Proposed Requested (as stated by the licensee)

The duration of use of the proposed subsequent Code Edition and Addenda for PVNGS Units 1, 2, and 3 is the third lSI interval, which ends July 17, 2018, March 17, 2017, and January 10, 2018, respectively.

3.2 NRC Staff Evaluation The NRC staff evaluated the licensee's request using the criteria contained in 10 CFR 50,55a(g)(4)(iv), which states that inservice examination of components and system pressure tests may meet the requirements set forth in subsequent editions and addenda of the ASME Code provided certain criteria are satisfied.

The first criterion is that the edition and addenda of the ASME Code,Section XI, that will be used in the proposed request is incorporated by reference in 10 CFR 50.55a(b). Currently, 10 CFR 50,55a(b)(2) incorporates by reference the ASME Code,Section XI, from the 1970 Edition through the 1976 Winter Addenda, and the 1977 Edition through the 2007 Edition with the 2008 Addenda, which was proposed by the licensee. Therefore, the NRC concludes that the first criterion has been satisfied.

The second criterion is that the limitations and modifications listed in 10 CFR 50,55a(b) are satisfied for the specific use of the proposed subsequent edition and addenda of the ASME Code,Section XI. The regulations in 10 CFR 50.55a(b) set no limitations and modifications on Examination Categories 8-L-1, 8-M-1, and C-G in the 2007 Edition, 2008 Addenda of the ASME Code,Section XI. Therefore, the NRC staff concludes that the second criterion has been satisfied.

The third criterion is that if portions of subsequent editions or addenda of the ASME Code,Section XI, are used, all related requirements of the respective editions or addenda must be

-4 met. The NRC staff is satisfied that the licensee has listed all related requirements in Examination Categories B-L-1, B-M-1, and C-G of the 2007 Edition, 2008 Addenda of the ASME Code,Section XI. Therefore, the NRC staff concludes that the third criterion has been satisfied.

Based on the above, the NRC staff concludes that the criteria of 10 CFR SO.SSa(g)(4)(iv) are satisfied and that the licensee's request to use the 2007 Edition, 2008 Addenda of the ASME Code Section XI for Examination Categories B-L-1, B-M-1, and C-G is acceptable.

4.0 CONCLUSION

Based on the above, the NRC staff concludes that the use of a subsequent edition and addenda of the ASME Code,Section XI requirements is acceptable. Accordingly, the NRC staff concludes that the licensee has adequately addressed all of the regulatory requirements set forth in 10 CFR SO.SSa(g)(4)(iv). Therefore, the NRC staff approves the use of the 2007 Edition, 2008 Addenda of the ASME Code Section XI for Examination Categories B-L-1, B-M-1, and C-G at Palo Verde for the duration of the third 10-year lSI interval, which ends July 17, 2018, for Unit 1, March 17,2017, for Unit 2, and January 10, 2018, for Unit 3.

All other requirements of the ASME Code for which relief has not been specifically requested and authorized remain applicable, including a third-party review by the Authorized Nuclear Inservice Inspector.

Principal Contributor: M. Audrain Date: September 18, 2012

R. Edington -2 All other requirements of the ASME Code for which relief has not been specifically requested and authorized remain applicable, including a third-party review by the Authorized Nuclear Inservice Inspector.

Sincerely, IRA!

Michael T. Markley, Chief Plant Licensing Branch IV Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket Nos. STN 50-528, STN 50-529, and STN 50-530

Enclosure:

Safety Evaluation cc w/encl: Distribution via Listserv DISTRIBUTION:

PUBLIC RidsNrrLAJBurkhardt Resource LPLIV r/f RidsOgcRp Resource RidsAcrsAcnw_MailCTR Resource RidsRgn4MailCenter Resource RidsNrrDeEpnb MAudrain, NRR/DE/EPNB RidsNrrDorlLpl4 Resource CSydnor, NRR/DE/EPNB RidsNrrPMPaloVerde Resource ADAMS Accession No. ML12257A141 *via e-mail OFFICE NRR/LPL4/PM NRRlLPL4/LA NRR/DElEPNB/BC NRR/LPL4/BC NRR/LPL4/PM NAME LKGibson JBurkhardt TLupold* MMarkley LKGibson DATE 9/17112 9/17112 9/7/12 9/18/12 9/18/12 OFFICIAL RECORD COpy