ML18152A774

Proposed Tech Specs Reflecting Exemption from 10CFR50,App J, Paragraph III.A.3 Re Performance of Type a Tests in Accordance W/Ansi N45.4-1972, Leakage Rate Testing of Containment Structures for Nuclear Reactors.

ML18152A774
Person / Time
Site:	Surry
Issue date:	03/01/1988
From:	VIRGINIA POWER (VIRGINIA ELECTRIC & POWER CO.)
To:
Shared Package
ML18152A773	List: ML18152A772 ML18152A774
References
NUDOCS 8803080192
Download: ML18152A774 (6)

Text

e TS 4.4-1 4.4 CONTAINMENT TESTS Applicability Applies to containment leakage testing.

Objective To assure that leakage of the primary reactor containment and associated systems is held within allowable leakage rate limits; and to assure that periodic surveillance is performed to assure proper maintenance and leak repair during the service life of the containment.

Speci fi cation A. Periodic and post-operational integrated leakage rate tests of the containment shall be performed in accordance with the requirements of 10 CFR 50, Appendix J, "Reactor Containment Leakage Testing for Water Cooled Power Reactors."

B. Testing Requirements

1. Type A tests wi 11 be performed in accordance with the peak pressure test program as defined in Paragraph Ill, Appendix J.

a. The absolute method of leakage rate testing wi 11 be used as the method for performing the test. Data analysis for testing wi 11 be performed in accordance with the guidelines in ANSI N45.4-1972, for leakage rate point data analysis or in ANSI/ANS-56.8-1981 for mass point data analysis.

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e TS 4.4-3 The leaktightness testing of all liner welds was performed during construction by welding a structural steel test channel over each weld seam and performing soap bubble and halogen leak tests.

The containment is designed for a maximum pressure of 45 psig. The con-tainment is maintained at a subatmospheric air partial pressure which varies between 9 psi a and 11 psi a depending upon the coo 1down capability of the Engineered Safeguards and is not expected to rise above 39. 2 psi g for any postulated loss-of-coolant accident.

All loss-of-coolant accident evaluations have been based on an integrated containment 1eakage rate not to exceed O.1% of containment vo 1ume per 24 hr.

The above specification satisfies the conditions of 10 CFR 50.54(0) which stated that primary reactor containments sha 11 meet the containment leakage test requirements set forth in Appendix J. Due to the increased accuracy of the mass-point method for containment integrated leakage testing an exemption to 10 CFR 50 Appendix J has been granted. The mass-point method referenced in ANSI N56. 8-1981 can be used in 1i eu of the methods described in ANSI 45.2-1972.

References FSAR Section 5.4 Design Evaluation of Containment Tests and Inspections of Containment FSAR Section 7.5.1 Design Bases of Engineered Safeguards Instrumentation FSAR Section 14.5 Loss of Coolant Accident 10 CFR 50 Appendix J "Reactor Containment Leakage Testing for Water Cooled Power Reactors"

ATTACHMENT 3 DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED CHANGES

SAFETY EVALUATION e

The Commission has provided standards in 10 CFR 50.59 for determining whether an unreviewed safety question exists. A proposed amendment to an operating license (Technical Specifications) does not involve an unreviewed safety question if operation of the facility in accordance with the proposed amendment would not: (1) increase the probability of occurrence or the con sequences of an ace i dent or ma l function of equipment important to safety previously evaluated in the safety analysis report; (2) create the possibility for an accident or malfunction of a different type than previously evaluated in the safety analysis report, or (3) reduce the margin of safety as defined in the basis of any technical specification. Virginia Electric and Power Company has reviewed this request and determined that:

1) The proposed amendment will not involve an increase in the probability or consequences of an accident previously evaluated.

The mass-point technique for calculation of the containment leakage rate is a newer, more accurate and NRC staff-endorsed method. It, or any other ca lcul at i ona l method used to determine containment leakage rates during testing, is not considered to be an initiator of any accident previously evaluated.

The mass-point technique is judged to be a superior method for calculating containment leakage rates, and thereby a better method of verifying that leakage from the containment is maintained within allowable limits. By employing a more reliable calculational technique, the assessment of containment integrity, through integrated leak rate testing, is enhanced. As such, the consequences of previously evaluated accidents are not negatively impacted.

2) The proposed amendment does not create the possibility of a new or different kind of accident from any accident previously evaluated.

The proposed amendment provides for the use of a newer, more accurate technique for calculation of the leakage rate during a containment integtated leak rate test. No possibility of a new or different kind of accident is created since the technique used to calculate leak rates in itself is not considered to be an initiator of any accident, transient, incident, or event.

3) The proposed amendment does not involve a reduction in a margin of safety. The proposed change allows the use of the mass-point technique to calculate the leakage rate from the containment when performing a containment integrated leak rate test. The mass-point technique is a newer, more accurate method which has been endorsed by the NRC staff. By adopting this technique, Virginia Electric and Power Company will be able to make a more reliable determination of containment leakage during an integrated leak rate test. As such, the degree of confidence in containment integrity would be enhanced.

Therefore, this proposed revision does not impact the margin of safety.

Based on the above reasoning, Virginia Electric and Power Company has determined that the proposed changes will not involve an unreviewed safety question.

e SIGNIFICANT HAZARDS ANALYSIS The Commissfon has provided standards in 10 CFR 50.92(c) for determining whether a significant hazards consideration exists. A proposed amendment to an operating license for a facility involves no significant hazards consideration if operation of the facility in accordance with the proposed amendment would not: (1) involve a significant increase in the probability or consequences of an accident previously evaluated, (2) create the possibility of a new or different kind of accident from any accident previously evaluated, or (3) involve a significant reduction in a margin of safety. Virginia Electric and Power Company has reviewed this request and determined that:

1) The proposed amendment will not involve an increase in the probability or consequences of an accident previously evaluated.

The mass-point technique for calculation of the containment leakage rate is a newer, more accurate and NRC staff-endorsed method. It, or any other calculational method used to determine containment 1eakage rates during testing, is not considered to be an initiator of any accident previously evaluated.

The mass-point technique is judged to be a superior method for calculating containment leakage rates, and thereby a better method of verifying that leakage from the containment is maintained within allowable limits. By employing a more reliable calculational technique, the assessment of containment integrity, through integrated 1eak rate testing, is enhanced. As such, the consequences of previously evaluated accidents are not negatively impacted.

2) The proposed amendment does not create the possibility of a new or different kind of accident from any accident previously evaluated.

The proposed amendment provides for the use of a newer, more accurate technique for calculation of the leakage rate during a containment integrated leak rate test. No possibility of a new or different kind of accident is created since the technique used to calculate leak rates in itself is not considered to be an initiator of any accident, transient, incident, or event.

3) The proposed amendment does not involve a reduction in a margin of safety. The proposed change allows the use of the mass-point technique to calculate the leakage rate from the containment when performing a containment integrated leak rate test. The mass-point technique is a newer, more accurate method which has been endorsed by the NRC staff. By adopting this technique, Virginia Electric and Power Company will be able to make a more reliable determination of containment leakage during an integrated leak rate test. As such, the degree of confidence in containment integrity would be enhanced.

Therefore, this proposed revision does not impact the margin of safety ..

Based on the above reasoning, Virginia Electric and Power Company has determined that the proposed changes involve no significant hazards consideration.

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ATIACHMENT 4 APPLICATION FEE