ML14183A275
| ML14183A275 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Robinson  |
| Issue date: | 11/04/1994 |
| From: | Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML14183A274 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9411090250 | |
| Download: ML14183A275 (2) | |
Text
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 SAFETY EVALUATION BY THE OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION RELATED TO AMENDMENT NO. 152 TO FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE NO. DPR-23 CAROLINA POWER & LIGHT COMPANY H. B. ROBINSON STEAM ELECTRIC PLANT, UNIT NO. 2 DOCKET NO. 50-261
1.0 INTRODUCTION
By letter dated November 4, 1993, as supplemented April 27 and October 10, 1994, the Carolina Power & Light Company (licensee) submitted a request for changes to the H. B. Robinson Steam Electric Plant, Unit No. 2, Technical Specifications (TS). The requested changes would allow individuals entering a High Radiation Area to be provided with an electronic alarming dosimeter in lieu of a survey meter as currently required by TS. The letters dated April 27 and October 10, 1994, provided clarifying information that did not change the initial proposed no significant hazards consideration determination.
2.0 EVALUATION Section 1601 of 10 CFR Part 20 requires strict controls for access to areas where an individual could receive greater than 0.001 Sv (100 mrem) in one hour (high radiation areas) and, thus, provides reasonable assurance that individuals at licensed facilities are not exposed to radiation levels in excess of the regulatory limits. A list of optional controls for high radiation areas is provided in,10 CFR Part 20, sections 1601 (a) and (b).
For large complex facilities, such as a nuclear power plant, the most practical of these options is to maintain the entrances to high radiation areas locked except during periods of authorized personnel access. However, the number of high radiation areas and the need to frequently access them at nuclear power plants results in a cumbersome restriction on plant operations. In cases where the controls provided in 10 CFR 20.1601 (a) and (b) unnecessarily restrict plant operations 10 CFR 20.1601(c) provides that the licensee may apply to the Commission for approval of alternative controls for the access of their high radiation areas.
Regulatory Position 2.4 (Part C Section 2.4) in Regulatory Guide 8.38 describes an acceptable alternative to maintaining all high radiation areas locked. Under this alternate control scheme, areas where individuals could receive doses greater that 0.001 Sv (100 mrem), but less than or equal to 0.01 Sv (1000 mrem) in one hour, are barricaded and conspicuously posted in lieu of being maintained locked. Areas where doses in excess of 0.01 Sv (1000 mrem),
but less than 5 grays (500 rad) could be received in one hour, are maintained locked (for special cases where individual areas cannot reasonably be enclosed, a barricade with a flashing-light warning device is provided). As 9411090250 941104 PDR ADOCK 05000261 P
compensatory measures, access to a high radiation area is controlled by the issuance of a radiation work permit (or its equivalent) to insure that individuals are apprised of the known radiological conditions and protective actions required for accessing the area. To provide for possible unanticipated exposure situations, additional radiation monitoring is also required for individuals entering a high radiation area.
This proposed amendment to the existing High Radiation Access TS would provide additional operational flexibility at H. B. Robinson in that it will allow the use of electronic digital alarming dosimeters in lieu of hand-held radiation monitors to warn of unanticipated exposure situations. The proposed TS are consistent with the NRC's position on acceptable alternative methods for access control to high radiation areas as described in section 2.4 of Regulatory Guide 8.38, and the proposed revised standard TS published for comment on December 23, 1993, as a draft Generic Letter (58 FR 68170).
Therefore, the proposed TS are acceptable to the staff.
3.0 STATE CONSULTATION
In accordance with the Commission's regulations, the State of South Carolina official was notified of the proposed issuance of the amendment. The State official had no comments.
4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATION
This amendment changes recordkeeping, reporting, or administrative procedures or requirements. Accordingly, this action meets the eligibility criteria for categorical exclusion set forth in 10 CFR 51.22(c)(10).
Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.22(b), no environmental impact statement or environmental assessment need be prepared in conjunction with the issuance of this amendment.
5.0 CONCLUSION
The Commission has concluded, based on the considerations discussed above, that:
(1) there is reasonable assurance that the health and safety of the public will not be endangered by operation in the proposed manner, (2) such activities will be conducted in compliance with the Commission's regulations, and (3) the issuance of the amendment will not be inimical to the common defense and security or to the health and safety of the public.
Principal Contributor:
Roger Pedersen Date:
November 4, 1994