ML18096B238
| ML18096B238 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Salem  |
| Issue date: | 02/04/1993 |
| From: | Hodges M NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I) |
| To: | Miltenberger S Public Service Enterprise Group |
| Shared Package | |
| ML18096B239 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9302100012 | |
| Download: ML18096B238 (4) | |
See also: IR 05000272/1992081
Text
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Docket Nos. 50-272
50-311
Mr. Steven E. Miltenberger
FEB 0 4 1993
Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer
Public Service Electric and Gas Company
P. 0. Box 236
Hancocks Bridge, New Jersey 08038
Dear Mr. Miltenberger:
SUBJECT:
NRC AUGMENTED INSPECTION TEAM (AIT) REPORT NOS.
50-272/92-81 AND 50-311/92-81
The enclosed report refers to a special onsite review by an NRC Augmented Inspection Team
(AIT) December 14 through 23, 1992. The team reviewed the circumstances surrounding a
loss of the overhead annunciator system in the Salem Unit 2 control room on
December 13, 1992.
The report discusses areas examined during the inspection. The scope of the inspection
included detailed fact-finding, determination of root causes, and evaluation of operational and
managerial performance. The inspection consisted of selective examination of procedures
and representative records, observations, and interviews with personnel.
The AIT determined that the loss of the overhead annunciator system was caused by a
member of the operating shift making the wrong key strokes on a computer workstation for
the system. These key strokes, coupled with a panel switch in the wrong position, put the
annunciator system computer in a mode such that it was waiting for additional commands
that never came. This prevented the annunciator system from displaying alarms in the
control room.
The loss of annunciators and failure to recognize that loss for 90 minutes had several root
causes. The overhead annunciator system that you recently installed failed to provide the
necessary human-machine interface. The system design also gave higher priority to other
actions besides providing alarm indications to the operators and did not provide indication of
failure. Finally, your operators were not trained to routinely verify proper system operation.
9302100012 930204
ADOCK 05000272
G
FEB 0 4 1993
Mr. Steven E. Miltenberger
2
The team found that there were no safety consequences due to the loss of the overhead
annunciators. However, the undetected loss of the overhead annunciator system could delay
operator response or increase the likelihood of errors while responding to abnormal plant
conditions. Further, the team was concerned about the failure of operators to abide by
station operating practices when they tried to use password-protected software.
In the emergency preparedness area, the team found that the plant conditions existed for an
Alert declaration prior to discovery by your staff. We also found that, because the
annunciators were promptly restored upon discovery of their loss, an Alert level activation of
your emergency response organization was not then needed to assure plant or public safety.
It is not the responsibility of an AIT to determine compliance with NRC rules and
regulations or to recommend enforcement actions. These aspects will be reviewed in a
subsequent inspection.
In accordance with 10 CFR 2.790 of the Commission's regulations, a copy of this letter and
the enclosed inspection report will be placed in the NRC Public Document Room.
We will gladly discuss any questions you have concerning this inspection .
Sincerely,
Orig:nal Sis;-:s:i ~?y:
Marvin VY. Ledges
Marvin W. Hodges, Director
Division of Reactor Safety
Enclosure: Inspection Report Nos. 50-272/92-81 and 50-311/92-81
Mr. Steven E. Miltenberger
cc w/encl:
FEB 0 *1 1993
3
S. La.Bruna, Vice President, Nuclear Operations
C. Schaefer, External Operations - Nuclear, Delmarva Power & Light Co.
C. Vondra, General Manager - Salem Operations
F. Thomson, Manager, Licensing and Regulation
L. Reiter, General Manager - QA and Nuclear Safety Review
J. Robb, Director, Joint Owner Affairs
A. Tapert, Program Administrator
R. Fryling, Jr., Esquire
M. Wetterhahn, Esquire
J. Isabella, Director, Generation Projects Department,
Atlantic Electric Company
Consumer Advocate, Office of Consumer Advocate
Tom Dwyer, Public Safety Consultant, Lower Alloways Creek Township
K. Abraham, PAO (2)
Public Document Room (PDR)
Local Public Document Room (LPDR)
Nuclear Safety Information Center (NSIC)
NRC Resident Inspector
State of New Jersey
bee w/encl:
Region I Docket Room (with concurrences)
T. Murley, NRR
W. Russell, NRR
T. Martin, RA
W. Kane, DRA
W. Hehl, DRP
D. Holody, BO
J. Stone, NRR
S. Dembek, NRR
DRS/EB SALP Coordinator
v. Mccree, OEDO
P. Boehnert, Chairman, ACRS (AIT Reports Only)
Ken Raglin, Technical Training Center (AIT Reports Only)
W. Lanning, DRS
E. Wenzinger, DRP
J. White, DRP
C. Miller, PDI-2, NRR
T. Johnson, DRP - Salem
J. Joyner, DRSS
Team Members
Mr. Steven E. Miltenberger
RI: DRS
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11/J/93
FEB 0 :1 1993
4
RI: DRS
Hodges
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OFFICIAL RECORD COPT{
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