ML12356A463

301 Post Exam Comments

ML12356A463
Person / Time
Site:	Catawba
Issue date:	12/17/2012
From:	Division of Reactor Safety II
To:	Duke Energy Corp
References
50-413/12-301, 50-414/12-301
Download: ML12356A463 (2)

Text

Catawba Nuclear Station Oct. 2012 Initial License Written Exam Post Exam Comments Resulting from the Examination Analysis Question #95 In accordance with NUREG-1021, Operator Licensing Examination Standards for Power Reactors, ES-403, Section D.1.b and c, the facility recommends that the question be deleted from the exam.

Basis:

This SRO level question tests knowledge of the fuel handling responsibilities of SROs.

Conditions are given in the stem involving completion of refueling and subsequent latching of control rods. The stem then asks:

What additional MINIMUM requirement(s) must be met to proceed with latching control rods under the direction of the Fuel Handling Maintenance Supervisor?

"Additional" and "minimum" are the key concepts in the stem. The word "minimum" implies the absolute requirement in the sense of "this is what you must have."

Applicants are trained that this usually means Tech. Specs. or SLCs (Selected Licensee Commitments).

In accordance with Selected Licensee Commitment 16.13-4, (Minimum Station Staffing Requirements), Table 16.13-4-1, note (2), the minimum requirement for core alterations is that the Refueling SRO must be present to directly supervise the activity.

In accordance with Operations Management Procedure (OMP) 1-10, (Shift Manning and Overtime Requirements), Attachment 7.1, Administrative Shift Manning Requirements, Note ##, the same requirement is listed for the Refueling SRO.

NUREG 1021, ES-403, Section D.1.b provides guidance that :

• "a question with an unclear stem that confused the applicants or did not provide all the necessary information" may be accepted for a change. The wording of the stem "additional MINIMUM" is confusing, as follows: Containment closure would already be established for the given bulleted stem conditions. Asking what additional and MINIMUM requirements beyond what is already given in the stem, is confusing. Some applicants chose "A" and some chose "B".

Therefore, rather than request two correct answers, we are requesting that this question be deleted from the exam.

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Catawba Nuclear Station Oct. 2012 Initial License Written Exam Post Exam Comments Resulting from the Examination Analysis Question #96 In accordance with NUREG-1021, Operator Licensing Examination Standards for Power Reactors, ES-403, Section D.1.b and c, the facility recommends that choices "A" and "C" be accepted as correct.

Basis:

This SRO level question involves a single rod in a control bank dropping fully into the core during an approach to criticality.

The applicants are tested on procedure content and selection, and on a required action.

Part (1) of the stem says:

(1) Which procedure will be used that contains the specific guidance for how the rods are to be operated?

Choice "C" - PT/0/A/4150/019, (1/M Approach to Criticality) was intended to be the only correct answer, and it DOES contain information on inserting all Control Banks for the given stem conditions. It would be allowable for the operators to insert control banks based on the information contained in the Limits and Percautions.

However, 4/7 applicants selected choice "A" (AP/1/A/5500/014, Control Rod Misalignment, Case II, Dropped Control Rod) as the correct answer.

Per Standard Operations Management Procedure (SOMP) 01-07, Section 12, the AP would be entered due to a Rod Bottom light, which would be lit for the conditions provided in the stem of the question. The AP will accomplish the same end point as the Limit and Precaution listed in PT/0/A/4150/019, (1/M Approach to Criticality).

We acknowledge that choice A" is the most correct answer under the conditions provided in the stem of the question. However, based on the fact that both AP14 and the PT provide specific guidance on how control rods are to be operated, we request that both choices "A" and "C" be accepted as correct answers.

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