IR 05000170/2013201

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IR 05000170-13-201; March 18-21, 2013 at Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute - NRC Routine Inspection Report
ML13092A458
Person / Time
Site: Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute
Issue date: 04/15/2013
From: Gregory Bowman
Research and Test Reactors Branch B
To: Huff L
US Dept of Defense, Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute
Font, o
References
IR-13-201
Download: ML13092A458 (12)
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Text

ril 15, 2013

SUBJECT:

ARMED FORCES RADIOBIOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE - NRC ROUTINE INSPECTION REPORT NO. 50-170/2013-201

Dear Colonel Huff:

From March 18-21, 2013, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission)

conducted an inspection at the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute reactor facility.

The inspection included a review of activities authorized for your facility. The enclosed report documents the inspection results, which were discussed on March 21, 2013, with members of your staff.

Areas examined during the inspection are identified in the report. Within these areas, the inspection consisted of selective examinations of procedures and representative records, interviews with personnel, and observations of activities in progress. Based on the results of this inspection, no safety concerns or noncompliances with NRC requirements were identified.

In accordance with Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Section 2.390, Public inspections, exemptions, request for withholding, a copy of this letter and its enclosure will be made available electronically for public inspection in the NRC Public Document Room or from the NRCs document system (Agencywide Document Access and Management System (ADAMS)). ADAMS is accessible from the NRC Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html.

Should you have any questions concerning this inspection, please contact Ossy Font at (301) 415-2490.

Sincerely,

/RA/

Gregory T. Bowman, Chief Research and Test Reactors Oversight Branch Division of Policy and Rulemaking Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-170 License No. R-84 Enclosure: NRC Inspection Report No. 50-170/2013-201 cc w/encl: See next page

Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute Docket No. 50-170 cc:

Director, Maryland Office of Planning 301 West Preston Street Baltimore, MD 21201 Montgomery County Executive 101 Monroe Street, 2nd Floor Rockville, MD 20850 Mr. Stephen I. Miller Reactor Facility Director Armed Force Radiobiology Research Institute 8901 Wisconsin Avenue Bethesda, MD 20889-5603 Environmental Program Manager III Radiological Health Program Air & Radiation Management Adm.

Maryland Dept of the Environment 1800 Washington Blvd. Suite 750 Baltimore, MD 21230-1724 Manager Nuclear Programs Maryland Department of Natural Resources Tawes B-3 Annapolis, MD 21401 Rich McLean, Manager Nuclear Programs Maryland Department of Natural Resources Tawes B-3 Annapolis, MD 21401 ril 15, 2013

SUBJECT:

ARMED FORCES RADIOBIOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE - NRC ROUTINE, INSPECTION REPORT NO. 50-170/2013-201

Dear Colonel Huff:

From March 18-21, 2013, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission)

conducted an inspection at the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute reactor facility.

The inspection included a review of activities authorized for your facility. The enclosed report documents the inspection results, which were discussed on March 21, 2013, with members of your staff.

Areas examined during the inspection are identified in the report. Within these areas, the inspection consisted of selective examinations of procedures and representative records, interviews with personnel, and observations of activities in progress. Based on the results of this inspection, no safety concerns or noncompliances with NRC requirements were identified.

In accordance with Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Section 2.390, Public inspections, exemptions, request for withholding, a copy of this letter and its enclosure will be made available electronically for public inspection in the NRC Public Document Room or from the NRCs document system (Agencywide Document Access and Management System (ADAMS)). ADAMS is accessible from the NRC Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html.

Should you have any questions concerning this inspection, please contact Ossy Font at (301) 415-2490.

Sincerely,

/RA/

Gregory T. Bowman, Chief Research and Test Reactors Oversight Branch Division of Policy and Rulemaking Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-170 License No. R-84 Enclosure: NRC Inspection Report No. 50-170/2013-201 cc w/encl: See next page DISTRIBUTION:

PUBLIC AAdams RidsNrrDrpPrtb MCompton RidsNrrDpr RidsNrrDprPrta GLappert, NRR PIsaac, NRR OFont, NRR ACCESSION NO.: ML13092A458 TEMPLATE #: NRC-002 OFFICE PROB:RI PROB:RI PROB:BC NAME OFont PIsaac GBowman DATE 04/02/13 4/8/13 4/15/13 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY

U. S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION Docket No: 50-170 License No: R-84 Report No: 50-170/2013-201 Licensee: Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute Facility: AFRRI Reactor Facility Location: Bethesda, MD Dates: March 18-21, 2013 Inspectors: Ossy Font, Trainee Patrick J. Isaac Approved by: Gregory Bowman, Chief Research and Test Reactors Oversight Branch Division of Policy and Rulemaking Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute Research Reactor Facility NRC Inspection Report No. 50-170/2013-201 The primary focus of this routine, announced inspection included the onsite review of selected aspects of the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute (AFRRIs or the licensees)

Class II research reactor facility safety programs, including organization and staffing, operations logs and records, requalification training, surveillance and limiting conditions for operation, emergency planning, maintenance logs and records, and fuel handling logs and records. The licensees programs were acceptably directed toward the protection of public health and safety, and in compliance with U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission requirements.

Organization and Staffing

Operations Logs and Records

  • Operational activities were consistent with applicable TS and procedural requirements.

Requalification Training

  • Operator requalification was up-to-date and was being performed as required by AFRRIs reactor operator requalification program.

Surveillance and Limiting Conditions for Operation

  • All surveillances were completed in accordance with TS Section 4.0 and the licensee was in compliance with limiting conditions for operation requirements in TS Section 3.0.

Emergency Planning

Maintenance Logs and Records

  • Maintenance activities ensured that equipment remained consistent with the Safety Analysis Report and TS requirements.

Fuel Handling Logs and Records

  • Fuel handling and inspection activities were completed and documented as required by TS and facility procedures.

REPORT DETAILS Summary of Facility Status The Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute (AFRRIs or the licensees) one megawatt Training Research Isotope Production General Atomics (TRIGA) Mark II research reactor, located on the campus of the National Naval Medical Center, operated in support of the Institutes mission of research, experiments, education, reactor operator training and periodic equipment surveillance immediately prior to the inspection. During the inspection the reactor was maintained in a shutdown status for the annual maintenance outage.

1. Organization and Staffing a. Inspection Scope (Inspection Procedure (IP) 69001)

To verify that the licensees organization and staffing were in accordance with AFRRI Technical Specification (TS) 6.1, the inspectors reviewed the following:

  • Organizational structure
  • Management responsibilities
  • Staffing requirements for safe operation of the research reactor facility
  • Reactor Logbook Number 134, November 2010 to September 2011
  • Reactor Logbook Number 135, September 2011 to November 2012
  • Reactor Logbook Number 136, November 2012 to present b. Observations and Findings The structure and functions of the licensees organization at the AFRRI facility had not functionally changed since the last U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) inspection. The licensees current organizational structure and assignment responsibilities were consistent with those specified in the TS 6.1.

There was one change in management - a new individual had been assigned to the position of Director, AFRRI. All positions reviewed were filled with qualified personnel. Review of records verified that management responsibilities were generally administered as required by TS 6.1.2 and applicable procedures. The inspectors determined from the reactor console logbook that minimum staffing and on-call requirements were in compliance with TS 6.1.3.2, Operations.

c. Conclusion The licensees organization and staffing was in compliance with the requirements specified in the TS 6.1.

2. Operations Logs and Records a. Inspection Scope (IP 69001)

The inspectors reviewed selected aspects of the following to verify compliance with TS Sections 2.0, 3.0, and 6.0 and applicable procedure requirements for operation:

  • AFRRI Reactor Monthly Usage Summary, 2011 to present
  • Reactor Logbook Numbers 134, 135, and 136
  • AFRRI Malfunction Log from 2011 to present
  • AFRRI Operational Procedure 8, Reactor Operations, Rev. dated May 1, 1998
  • AFRRI Operational Procedure 8, Tab A, Logbook Entry Checklist, Rev.

dated February 26, 2001

  • AFRRI Operational Procedure 8, Tab B, Daily Operational Startup Checklist, Rev. dated September 11, 2009
  • AFRRI Operational Procedure 8, Tab G1, Pulse Operation (Critical),

Rev. dated March 16, 1998

  • AFRRI Operational Procedure 8, Tab H, Weekly Operational Instrument Checklist
  • AFRRI Operational Procedure 8, Tab I, Daily Operational Shutdown Checklist
  • Daily Operational Startup and Shutdown Checklists, 2011 to present
  • Weekly Operational Instrument Checklist, 2011 to present
  • AFRRI 2011 Annual Report, dated March 30, 2012 b. Observations and Findings The operating logs and records were well maintained and provided a clear indication of operational activities, changes in reactivity, and maintenance actions or malfunctions that had occurred.

Logs and records also showed that operational conditions and parameters were consistent with license and TS requirements. Information on the operational status of the facility was recorded in logbooks and on checklists as required by procedure.

Operational problems and events noted in the logs were reported, reviewed, and resolved as required. Operations logs and records also documented that shift staffing met the minimum requirements.

c. Conclusion Operational activities were consistent with applicable TS and procedural requirements.

3. Requalification Training a. Inspection Scope (IP 69001)

To verify that the licensee was complying with the requirements of the operator requalification program, the inspectors reviewed selected aspects of:

  • Reactor Operator Requalification Program for the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute TRIGA Reactor Facility, revised

June 27, 2001

  • Effective dates of current operator licenses
  • Operator training records maintained on Requalification Program Checklist forms in individual folders for each operator
  • Medical examination records for the past 2 years
  • License termination letter, dated July 31, 2012
  • Operator requalification training lectures for 2011-2013
  • Facility written exam, administered December 2011 b. Observations and Findings As of the date of the inspection, all the NRC-licensed senior reactor operators (SROs) on staff maintained current licenses. All operators were enrolled in the licensees NRC-approved requalification and training program and had completed a minimum of 4 hours4.62963e-5 days <br />0.00111 hours <br />6.613757e-6 weeks <br />1.522e-6 months <br /> of shift functions per quarter. The inspectors noted that operators were receiving the required biennial medical examinations.

A review of the logs and records showed that training was being conducted in accordance with the program. Requalification program data, such as attendance at training sessions and completion of written examinations and operation tests, was documented as required. As of the date of this inspection, the required biennial written examination for this training cycle was not yet administered. The inspectors noted that the last written examination was administered in December 2011. Records of quarterly reactor operations, reactivity manipulations, and other operations activities were being maintained.

c. Conclusion Operator requalification was up-to-date and was being performed as required by the AFRRI reactor operator requalification program.

4. Surveillance and Limiting Conditions for Operation a. Inspection Scope (IP 69001)

To determine that LCOs were met and surveillances were completed as required by TS Sections 3.0 and 4.0, the inspectors reviewed:

  • TS for the AFRRI reactor facility, dated June 27, 2001
  • 2011 Annual Operating Report for the AFRRI
  • AFRRI Malfunction Log from 2011 to present
  • Reactor Logbook Numbers 134, 135, and 136
  • Daily Operational Startup/Shutdown Checklist, 2011 to present
  • Calibration procedures for the AFRRI reactor facility
  • Maintenance procedures for the AFRRI reactor facility

b. Observations and Findings Daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and other periodic checks, tests, and verifications for TS required LCOs were being completed as required. The inspectors performed a random sampling of the AFRRI surveillance and verified that the control rods reactivity worth and shutdown margin were performed in accordance with TS 4.1.a; the scram function of the high-flux safety channels verification was performed in accordance with TS 4.2.2.a; the reactor fuel elements inspection was performed in accordance with TS 4.2.5; that the ventilation system check was performed in accordance with TS 4.4; and the area radiation monitoring system check was performed in accordance with TS 4.5.

The inspectors reviewed a random sampling of operational logs and records and determined that they met the required LCOs.

The AFRRI uses a computer database, the TRIGA Tracker Report, to track completion of the various required surveillance and LCO verifications. The inspectors performed a random sampling of the database to ensure that there were no overdue requirements and cross-referenced the applicable TS to ensure all required surveillances were accounted for in the TRIGA Tracker Report; there were no issues noted.

c. Conclusion All surveillances were completed in accordance with TS Section 4.0 and the licensee was in compliance with LCO requirements in TS Section 3.0.

5. Emergency Preparedness a. Inspection Scope (IP 69001)

The inspectors reviewed the implementation of selected portions of the emergency preparedness program, including:

  • AFRRI emergency drill conducted on December 1, 2011
  • AFRRI emergency drill conducted on December 20, 2012
  • AFRRI emergency supplies
  • Security guard radiation safety procedures b. Observations and Findings The inspectors reviewed the current Emergency Plan (EP). The inspectors noted that the notification rosters in the control room and at the guards desk were up to date and reviewed periodically in accordance with procedures. The inspectors verified that the four emergency supply boxes were inventoried and their radiation monitoring devices were within their calibration period.

The inspectors reviewed the last two annual drills, one of which was a large exercise with external participants, as required in the EP to be held biennially.

The large exercise included participants from the Naval Support Activity Bethesda, police, and fire departments. The second drill involved only facility staff. The drills were successfully completed, followed by discussion and feedback. Action items were being tracked and closed out, as appropriate.

The inspectors verified that key emergency response personnel and individuals authorized access (e.g., guards) completed initial and periodic retraining of the emergency preparedness program as required by the EP.

The inspectors interviewed the police chief and the fire departments chief and captain. They were knowledgeable of their roles and responsibilities in case of an emergency. Additionally, the inspectors interviewed one of the on-duty guards. He was knowledgeable of the EP and walked the inspector through one of their emergency procedures, which would be used activate the Emergency Response Team.

The inspectors observed radiation monitoring alarm tests, one of which resulted in a response by security as expected.

c. Conclusion The emergency preparedness program was conducted in accordance with the Emergency Plan.

6. Maintenance Logs and Records a. Inspection Scope (IP 69001)

To determine that maintenance was being completed as required by the TS and applicable procedures, the inspectors reviewed:

  • AFRRI Malfunction Log from 2011 to present
  • Reactor Logbook Numbers 134, 135, and 136
  • Daily Operational Startup Checklist, various
  • Maintenance procedures for the AFRRI reactor facility
  • Annual Maintenance Report
  • Annual Shutdown Maintenance Checklist b. Observations and Findings The inspectors verified through records that annual, semi-annual, quarterly, and monthly maintenance requirements were performed on their respective frequency. Routine and preventive maintenance were well controlled and documented in the TRIGA tracking system. Use of maintenance and malfunction logs satisfied procedural requirements.

The inspectors reviewed Inspector Follow-up Item (IFI) 50-170/2011-201-01 (NRC Report No. 50-170/2010-201) to track maintenance activities regarding the transient rod mechanical failure. The inspectors verified that the new transient

rod was inspected with no issues and continues to be operational. This IFI is now closed.

c. Conclusion Maintenance activities ensured that equipment remained consistent with the Safety Analysis Report and TS requirements.

7. Fuel Handling Logs and Records a. Inspection Scope (IP 69001)

The inspectors reviewed the following to verify compliance with the procedural requirements in TS 6.3.f, Reactor core loading and unloading:

  • AFRRI current stainless steel clad fuel element records
  • AFRRI Operational Procedure 7, Reactor Core Loading and Unloading, May 15, 1991
  • Control room reactor fuel inventory map
  • Reactor Logbook Numbers 134, 135, and 136 b. Observations and Findings The AFRRI maintains a fuel element record of all their elements. Information such as serial number, core position, and power history are maintained and tracked. The inspectors reviewed selected records for fuel movements and inspection of the reactor fuel. The inspectors verified that fuel moves and measurements were accurately recorded in each of the various records. A written and properly approved procedure was used in the conduct of the fuel moves.

c. Conclusion Fuel handling and inspection activities were completed and documented as required by TS and facility procedures.

8. Exit Interview The inspectors presented the inspection results to licensee management at the conclusion of the inspection on March 21, 2013. The inspectors described the areas inspected and discussed in detail the inspection observations. The licensee acknowledged the findings presented and did not identify as proprietary any of the material provided to or reviewed by the inspectors during the inspection.

PARTIAL LIST OF PERSONS CONTACTED Licensee L. Andrew Huff, Colonel Director, AFRRI S. Miller Reactor Facility Director H. Spence Reactor Operations Supervisor I. Gifford Senior Reactor Operator G. Wilhelm Captain, Fire Marshall Office J. Grey III Chief, Fire Marshall Office J. Bieger Chief, Police Department A. Lancaster Guard, AFRRI INSPECTION PROCEDURES USED IP 69001 Class II Research and Test Reactors ITEMS OPENED, CLOSED, AND DISCUSSED Opened None.

Closed 50-170/2011-201-01 IFI Track maintenance activities regarding the transient rod mechanical failure.

Discussed None.

PARTIAL LIST OF ACRONYMS USED 10 CFR Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations ADAMS Agencywide Document Access and Management System AFRRI Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute ERC Emergency Response Center IFI Inspector Follow-up Item IP Inspection Procedure LCO Limiting Condition for Operation NRC U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission SRO Senior Reactor Operator TS Technical Specifications TRIGA Training Research Isotope Production General Atomics

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