IR 05000170/2014201
| ML14083A624 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute |
| Issue date: | 03/27/2014 |
| From: | Gregory Bowman Research and Test Reactors Branch B |
| To: | Huff L US Dept of the Navy, National Naval Medical Ctr |
| J Eads, 919-219-9128 | |
| References | |
| IR-14-201 | |
| Download: ML14083A624 (12) | |
Text
March 27, 2014
SUBJECT:
ARMED FORCES RADIOBIOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE - NRC ROUTINE, ANNOUNCED INSPECTION REPORT NO. 50-170/2014-201
Dear Colonel Huff:
From February 25-27, 2014, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) conducted an inspection at the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute.
The inspection included a review of activities authorized for your facility. The enclosed report documents the inspection results, which were discussed on February 27, 2014, 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 Johnny H. Eads at (919) 219-9128 or electronic mail at johnny.eads@nrc.gov.
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. 50-170/2014-201
cc w/encl: See next page
Armed Forces Radiobiology Research
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
Director Air & Radiation Management Adm.
Maryland Dept of the Environment 1800 Washington Blvd., Suite 710 Baltimore, MD 21230
Test, Research, and Training Reactor Newsletter University of Florida 202 Nuclear Sciences Center Gainesville, FL 32611
ML14083A624 *concurred via email NRC-002
OFFICE
PROB:RI*
PROB:BC
NAME
JEads GBowman
DATE 3/24/2014 3/27/2014
U. S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION
Docket No:
50-170
License No:
R-84
Report No:
50-170/2014-201
Licensee:
Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute
Facility:
AFRRI Research Reactor Facility
Location:
Bethesda, MD
Dates:
February 25-27, 2014
Inspectors:
Approved by:
Gregory T. 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 AFRRI Research Reactor Facility NRC Inspection Report No. 50-170/2014-201
The primary focus of this routine, announced inspection was the onsite review of selected aspects of the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute (AFRRI or the licensees) Class II research reactor facility safety programs, including procedures; experiments; health physics; design changes; committees, audits and reviews; and transportation. The licensees programs were acceptably directed toward the protection of public health and safety and in compliance with U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission requirements.
Procedures
- The inspector found that appropriate procedures were in effect, being followed, and being updated as necessary.
Experiments
- Conduct and control of experiments met the requirements of regulations, the AFRRI Technical Specifications (TS), and the applicable facility procedures.
Health Physics
- The radiation protection program was effective in minimizing radiation doses to individuals. Effluent monitoring satisfied license and regulatory requirements and releases were within the specified regulatory limits.
Design Changes
- The design change program was being implemented as required by the TS and facility procedures.
Committees, Audits and Reviews
- The Reactor and Radiation Facilities Safety Subcommittee provided the oversight required by the TS.
Transportation
- The program for transportation of radioactive materials satisfied NRC requirements.
REPORT DETAILS
Summary of Facility Status
The Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institutes (AFRRIs or the licensees) one megawatt Training Research Isotope Production General Atomics Mark II research reactor, located on the campus of the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, is operated in support of the Institutes mission of research, experiments, education, reactor operator training, and periodic equipment surveillance testing. During the inspection, the reactor was shut down and secured for maintenance.
1.
Procedures
a.
Inspection Scope (Inspection Procedure (IP) 69001)
The inspector reviewed the following to ensure that the requirements of Technical Specifications (TS) Section 6.3, Procedures, were being met concerning written procedures:
- AFRRI Operational Procedure 0, Writing and Modifying Procedures, revised February 11, 1999
AFRRI Operational Procedure 8, Reactor Operations, Tab B, Daily Operational Startup Checklist, revised April 10, 2012
b.
Observations and Findings
The inspector reviewed the licensees written procedures and revisions to procedures. The Procedures Manual was organized to address the specific categories of procedures identified in TS Section 6.3, Procedures.
The inspector determined that written procedures were available for the activities delineated in TS Section 6.3 and were approved by the Reactor and Radiation Facility Safety Subcommittee (RRFSS) before they were implemented. A cover sheet on each procedure documented review by the Reactor Facility Director, the Reactor and Radiation Facility Safety Committee (RRFSC) or RRFSS, and each licensed reactor operator on the staff at the time the procedure modification was implemented.
Through observation of various activities at the facility, including reactor operation, the inspector determined that licensee personnel conducted activities in accordance with applicable procedures.
c.
Conclusion
The inspector found that appropriate procedures were in effect, being followed, and being updated as necessary.
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2.
Experiments
a.
Inspection Scope (IP 69001)
To verify compliance with the licensees procedures; TS Sections 3.6, Limitations on Experiments; TS Section 6.4, Review and Approval of Experiments; and Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Section 50.59, the inspector reviewed selected aspects of:
- Reactor Logbook from November 27, 2012, to January 8, 2014
Reactor Utilization Requests, various 2013
Operational Procedure 8, Tab A, Logbook Entry Checklist, dated February 26, 2001
b.
Observations and Findings
The reactor utilization requests reviewed had been completed and contained the appropriate information, hazards analyses as applicable, and had been reviewed and approved as required by TS and procedure.
Through review of the experiment procedure and the reactor logbook, the inspector verified that the experiments were conducted as outlined in the experiment authorizations and as required by the TS.
c.
Conclusion
Conduct and control of experiments met the requirements of regulations, the AFRRI TS, and the applicable facility procedures.
3.
Health Physics
a.
Inspection Scope (IP 69001)
The inspector reviewed the following to verify compliance with 10 CFR Part 20 requirements:
- AFRRI Facility and Environmental Thermoluminscent Dosimeter Reports for February 2013 through August 2013
Liquid Effluent Release Reports for 2013
Gaseous Radioeffluents Reports for 2013
Radiation Exposure Report (Extremity), various for 2012 and 2013
Radiation Exposure Report (Whole Body), various for 2012 and 2013
Reactor Controlled Area Radiation Level/Contamination Survey, various for 2012 and 2013
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b.
Observations and Findings
The inspector took the radiation safety orientation training for unescorted access and found it to be acceptable for basic awareness and safety of radiation hazards at the reactor.
The inspector reviewed the facility and environmental dosimetry program and determined that radiation doses were being monitored and reviewed as appropriate to evaluate the impact to the public. The highest annual dose, as measured by a dosimeter located inside the reactor bay in a restricted area under grates around the pool, was 0.255 Rem.
Dosimetry results were reviewed by the inspector; AFRRIs associated occupational radiation exposures were in conformance with 10 CFR Part 20 and administrative limits. During the review of the records for 2013, the inspector identified that doses were low (in most cases zero) due, in part, to the limited time the reactor was operated.
The inspector reviewed radiation and contamination surveys for the reactor. All surveys reviewed indicated that radiation levels and contamination swipe results were less than the threshold action levels at the facility.
The calibration records of selected devices were reviewed. Calibration tags on devices found throughout the facility were verified to be current and in accordance with the calibration records that were reviewed.
No unmarked radioactive material was found in the facility. A copy of the current NRC Form 3 notice to radiation workers required by 10 CFR Part 19 was posted at the entrance to the control room and reactor bay and other conspicuously placed areas near laboratory work stations.
c.
Conclusion
The radiation protection program was effective in minimizing radiation doses to individuals. Effluent monitoring satisfied licensee and regulatory requirements and releases were within the specified regulatory limits.
4.
Design Changes
a.
Inspection Scope (IP 69001)
To verify compliance with the licensees procedures, TS Section 6.2.4, Review Function, and 10 CFR 50.59, the inspector reviewed selected aspects of:
- Annual Report for AFRRI, covering the period January 1, 2012, through December 31, 2012
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- 10 CFR 50.59 analysis for the replacement of reactor secondary water coolant pump
Reactor Logbook from November 27, 2012, to January 8, 2014
b.
Observations and Findings
Through review of applicable records and interviews with licensee personnel, the inspector determined that, since the previous inspection, there was one facility modification that required a 10 CFR 50.59 analysis. The facility modification was the replacement of the reactor secondary water pump due to issues related to the cooling tower receiving an adequate flow of water. The purpose of the modification was to return the system to the original design flow. None of the changes involved a change to the TSs or met any of the criteria in 10 CFR 50.59(c)(2) for requiring prior NRC approval.
c.
Conclusion
The design change program was being implemented as required per the TS and facility procedures.
5.
Committees, Audits, and Reviews
a.
Inspection Scope (IP 69001)
The inspector reviewed the following to verify compliance with the requirements of TS Section 6.2, Review and Audit:
- Minutes of the RRFSC meeting dated December 5, 2013, for the meeting held on June 6, 2013
b.
Observations and Findings
The inspector verified that the RRFSC composition, meeting quorums, and meeting frequency were all in accordance with TS Section 6.2, Review and Audit. Records of meeting proceedings were well organized and included complete sets of materials distributed at meetings. The inspector verified that review functions prescribed in TS Section 6.2.4, Review Function, were all reviewed by the committee. The inspector also verified that the audit function required by TS Section 6.2.5, Audit Function, was conducted and that the audit reports were reviewed by the RRFSC.
c.
Conclusion
The RRFSC provided the oversight required by the TS.
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6.
Transportation
a.
Inspection Scope (IP 86740)
The inspector interviewed licensee personnel and reviewed the following records to verify whether the licensee has established and is maintaining an effective management-controlled program, to ensure radiological and nuclear safety for shipping of licensed radioactive material:
- Annual Report for AFRRI, covering the period January 1, 2012, through December 31, 2012
Reactor Logbook from November 27, 2012, to January 8, 2014
b.
Observations and Find
Through review of applicable records and interviews with licensee personnel, the inspector determined that the licensee had not completed any radioactive material shipments since the last inspection.
c.
Conclusion
The program for transportation of radioactive materials satisfied NRC requirements.
7.
Exit Interview
The inspection scope and results were summarized during an exit meeting on February 27, 2014, with members of licensee management. The inspector described the areas inspected and discussed significant inspection observations. The licensee did not identify as proprietary any of the material provided to or reviewed by the inspector during the inspection.
PARTIAL LIST OF PERSONS CONTACTED
Licensee
A. J. Teachout
Radiation Protection Officer S. Miller
Reactor Facility Director I. Gifford
Reactor Operations Supervisor
INSPECTION PROCEDURES USED
Class II Research and Test Reactors IP 86740
Transportation
ITEMS OPENED, CLOSED, AND DISCUSSED
Opened
None
Closed
None
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 IP
Inspection Procedure NRC U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission RRFSC Reactor and Radiation Facility Safety Committee RRFSS Reactor and Radiation Facility Safety Subcommittee TS Technical Specifications