ML19209B718

Forwards Interim Rept of Six Reportable Items Communicated to NRC Since 790831 Re Incorrect Cable Tray Splice Plates, Switchgear Lightning Arrestors,Solenoid Valves,Feedwater Check Valve & Pipe Break & Welded Hilti Bolts

ML19209B718
Person / Time
Site:	Summer
Issue date:	09/27/1979
From:	Mary Johnson SOUTH CAROLINA ELECTRIC & GAS CO.
To:	Oreiilly J NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION II)
References
NUDOCS 7910100353
Download: ML19209B718 (7)

Text

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south CAROLINA ELECTalC & GAS COMPANY

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CotuMaiA,Sourn CAnouMA 29288 M.C.JoMMSGM

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September 27, 1979 U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ~~

Attn: Mr. James P. O'Reilly Director Region II 101 Marietta Street, NW Atlanta, Georgia 30303 Subj ect: V. C. Summer Nuclear Station ,'

Unit #1

. Reported Items in Accordance with 10CFR50.55(e)

Gentlemen:

, , . . The purpose of this letter is to provide a written report of six, either

'I potential or reportable items in accordance with 10CFR50.53(e), that have been communicated to the NRC since August 31, 1979. It will also provide an up-date of previously reported items.

The report of new items is as follows:

1. On August 31, 1979, SCE&G identified to Region II concerns relative to Incorrect Cable Tray Solice Plates. In late September 1978, QC personnel discovered that vertical " riser" splice plates were being 7 utilized by construction to splice horizontal runs of cable tray. The cause of the problem stemmed from arbitrary substitution of the vertical splice plates for the horizontal ones on the part of construction personnel, due to the lack of horizontal plates on Site when needed.

To compound the problem, the physical configuration of the two types of splice plates are similar, with the dif ference being the horizontal plates having rolled edges for additional strength.

When discovered, a Site Nonconformance No tice (NCN) uns generated to document the problem. During the evaluation process, Engineering noted that there was not much dif ference in the two types of splice plates and suspected the use of vertical plates on horizontal runs may have provided sufficient strength. The tray manufacturer was contracted i13S 342 A

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hr. Jases P. O'Reilly Page 2 ,

September 27, 1979 to perform tests to establish the strength of the vertical splice plates in a horizontal run. The test results were analyzed and the resulra concluded that using vertical plates in horizontal runs did not provide adequate strength. Da this basis, Engineering dispositioned the NCM on April 24, 1979, to replace the existing incorrect plates with correct ones, or add an additional vertical plate to incorrect applica-tions to provide strength.

At the time of finai disposition, the NCN was determined not to constitute a significant deficiency as it appeared the QC program adequately detected the deficiency even though the safety of operations of the Plant could have been af fected had the condition gone uncorrected.

However, during the execution of the disposition, it became apparent that a hign quantity of splice plates (approxi=ately 300) were involved in the changeout program. Thie fact became known in August, 1979, and ,

predicated SCESG actions of revaluating the discrepancy as a reportable item. The revaluation concluded that the detection of the condition by the QC program may not have been ti=ely and cay have constituted a breakdown. As such, the item was reported on August 31, 1979.

The status of this ites, at present, shows tha: the deficiencies are . totally documented by the site nonconformance control system and

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that actions-to' correct the problem have been determined and nearing- -

completion. Based on this status, SCESG considers this report a final report for this iten.

2. On September 7,1979, SCESG identified to Region II a concern relative to 480 Volt Switchgear Lightning Arrestors. During a routine =eggering of a 430 volt switchgear unit before re-energi ing on 8/11/79, it was discovered that the reading was not in the 100 megohs range as reconmended by the switchgear =anufacturer. Further investigation revealed the problem was generic of all similar safety related switchgear and the causa of the probles was traced to low = egger readings of the lightning arrestors supplied to the manuf acturer by a sub-vendor. A Site Start-up Field Report (SFR) was initiated to document the nonconformance and obtain a correction. Engineering disposition of the S?2 on 8/14/79, deter =ined that the arrestors would have to be returned to the canufacturer for evaluation as to their acceptability and impact on the safety of operation of the Plant. At the point of SFR disposition, not enough information was available to conclude a reportable iten' defined in 10CFR30.55(e) enisted. The lightning arrestors .:ere raturned to the manufacturar on 8/15/79 and 9/5/79. The Region II Resident Inspector was knowledgea' ole of activities taking place relative to the arrestors and SCE&G elected to formally notify Region II on 9/7/79 that this item was potentially reportable.

The lightning arrestors were received by the manufacturer, confirmed to megger low, and forvarded to the sub-vendor for fu'ther test and evaluation. SCE&G Engineering is tentatively planning to monitor sub-vendor activities during testing and obtain results in early October, 1979.

1i35 343

Mr. James P. O'Reilly Page 3 J September 27, 1979 The test results will enable conclusions to be cade relative to problem cause, relevancy as a 10CTR50.55(e) reportable item, and corrective actions to resolve whatever problems enist. Based on the cc: rent status, this report is considered interim. A final report will be provided reflecting the conclusions drawn af ter testing the arrestors.

3. On September 12, 1979, SCESG identified to Region II concerns relative to ASCO NP-1 Solenoid Valves. During installation, a valve was observed to have a tag noting that the valve should not be used in applications where it would be exposed to oil base substances. Installation specifi-cations specify the use of Fel-Pro N-1000 thread lubricant which has an oil base. Construction requested on 9/ 3/79, an Engineering evaluation of solenoid valve applications predicated on the tag information and specification requirements. EEgineering personnel contac".i ASCO and *-

learned that the subject valves utillza ethylene propylet i elastomars as standard equipment. This ethylene propylene expands or swells when contacted by oil, possibly causing the . valve to fail. A determination was made to send eome Fel-Pro to ASCO for a deter =ination of its affect on the valves, and to notify the Rec,ian II Residant !aspector of a potential significant deficiency. SCESG Engineering is pursuing the results of the

~ tests, 'and -in the interimf has ~ directed Construction on 9/17/79', to dis ' '

continue the use of Fel-?ro in instrument air syste=s uith solenoids.

3ased on present status of determining whether the safety of plant operations would have been affected had this condition gone uncorrected, this report is considered interim. A final report will be provided reflecting further evaluation.

4. On September 13, 1979, SCESG identified to Region II concerns relative to Feedwater Check Valve and Pipe 3reak, that could have af fected the saf e operations of the Plant, had it gone uncorrected.

The evaluation of this ite: was initiated when SCELG's Architect Engineer received co=munications from the NSSS supplier on December 13, 1978. This co=nunication, based on a Rockvell Valve report, identified possible problems with a pipe rupture in the feedwahac line followed by a check valve slaa; a situation uhtch would produce a large pressure peak that could danage the integrity of the piping system. The Architect Engineer and valve supplier for SCE&G feedwater check valves (Anchor Darling), were chartered to review existing analysis and develop new data for the SCELG Plant based on the MSSS supplier inF armation. A review of the analysis on September 12, 1979, reflected problems with the SCE5G Plant in this area. The _ Region II Resident Inspector was P00R D U M i 13S $44

Mr. James P. O'Reilly ,

Page 4 September 27, 1979 notified at this point that a reportable item in accordance with .

10CFR50.55(e) existed.

Present ;tntus is that Anchor Darling is re-analyzing their

. valve perfor=ance using new parameters,and may reco= mend modifica-tions to their valve to help decrease the pressure peak. The Architect Engineer will be using the new data to do a final redesign of the piping support system. Since a course of action is established, and the design control system is to be used to perform the desiga and translate it to the field by programmatic means (Engineering Change No tice) , this report is considered a final report on this subject.

5. On September 13, 1979, SCELGidentifiedtoRegionIIconcernsrelative l-to Welded Hilti Bolts. At present, this item is considered potentially reportable as inspection programs are under way to identify the extent of the problem. The inspection progracs evolved because of certain specific nonconformances (documented by NCN's), that arose in recent _

nonths as follows.

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a) Based on an allegation,' a Hilti bolt was discovered in a piping

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support to have been wedged by a piece of a file. Construction QC had not detected the condition, but Engineering evaluation determined that for this specific, strength of the support was not affected and there was no af fect on the safety of operations to the Plant. The condition was docust ated for correction on DCC NCN No. 722 dated 4/25/79, and determined not reportable.

A NRC Construction Inspector on Site at the time of this occurrence

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(Mr. 'W. Swann) was apprised of this situation (reference NRC Report 79-14). -

b) A Hilti bolt was found in a piping support, welded to the base plate and documented on DCC NCN No. 717, dated 4/23/79. This condition was detected during the normal course of inspection by the constructors QC organication and was not considered a 10CFR50.55(e) reportable item since no quality program breakdcun occurred. Mr. Swan of Region II was also apprised of this situation.

c) SCESC/QA conf arred with SCEOG/QC based on the DCC/QC finds in a) and b) above, and SCESC/QC randomly re-inspected some electrical support Hilti bolt installations. A bolt was found welded to a plate that uas not detected by prior QC inspections and a SCELG NCN No. c31, dated 6/21/79, was initiated to docu=ent the condition for correction.

At thin time, Engineering evaluation determined this item was not report:ble for the same reasons given in a) above.

BL . James P. O'Reilly -

Page 5 r September 27, 1979 The results of the three nonconformances indicated the need for further evaluation for extent. To accomplish the re-inspections, the dispositions of DCC NCN 722 and SCOLG NCN 831E, directed the Construction QC and SCE&G/QC orgar.l.:at;cas to establish re-inspection programs for piping supporcs and electrical supports respectively.

The cause of the problem has been " established as arbitrary violation of procedures to provide apparently acceptable installations in lieu of correcting problems encountered during installation. The re-inspection programs at the time this itam was reported as a potential 10CFR50.55(e) to the Region II Resident Inspector, revealed no additional welded bolts in piping supports, and si.-: welded Hilti bolts in electrical supports. The re-inspection programs are still in progress and the results will receive an Enginee' ring evaluation to determine tha aff ect on ^-

the safety of operations of the Plant, had the conditions gone uncorrected.

Basad on present status, this is an interim report. A final report will be provided upon completion of re-inspection and Engineering evaluations.

6. On Septamber 18, 1979, SC2iG identified to Region II concerns with 430 Voit Motor Tarmination T2pire. During inspection of a 480 volt motor in the process of termination, a QC Inspector determined'that an

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unqualified insulating tape was being used. The tape specified was Bishop Biseal No. 3, which was purchased as safety related in 1 " wide rolls, while the tape being used was 3/4" wide. The condition was documented on a SCE5G NCN No. 770E, dated 4/9/79. The cause of the problem stemmed from the fact that the 3/4" wide Bishop 31 seal No. 3 tape was procured for Site use on non-saf ety related applications and was inadvertantly being used for this safety related application.

Efforts were made in the interim period prior to reporting to Region II to attempt to obtain qualification data on he 3/4" wide tape. This data could not be obtained. As a result, records were checked to determine if the 3/4" wide tape was ever used previous to the time it was discovered. Records could not establish usage and visual inspection was of no use since the tape on previously terminated mators had molded togeth2r. The date the 3/4" vide tape was delivered to the Site was determined, and records did establish which terminations were made between that date and the date of discovery. It was determined that four mo tors had the potential of having unqualified tape used for terminations. The NCN was dispositioned on August 29, 1979, to reterminate the suspect motors and in the interim, the 3/4" wide tape was removed from the field.

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Mr. Jaces P. O'Reilly .

Page 6 September 27, 1979 Engineering evaluation as to whether the condition could have af fected the saf ety of operations of the Plant was considered in-deter =inate since there was no means to conclude the unqualified tape would have failed. Based on this conclusion, the Region II Resident Inspector was notified.

Due to the present status of this problem, and the fact that the four questionable actor terminations are being reworked within the QA program, this is a final report of this item.

Our update of previously reported items is as follows:

1. Pioe Hanger and Succort Welding NochangeinthestatusrehortedAugust 31, 1979.

2. 7300 Series Process I & C Cards

- 21.:SCESGehas--physically verified thatt does not possess any of the faulty process cards identified in the 10CFR21 report by Westinghouse -

As su :h, a reportable item did not exist and this is the final report on this item.

3. Condensate Storage Tank No change in the status reported August 17, 1979.

4. Containment Airlock

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No change in status reported August 17, 1979, except that the codifications have been tentatively rescheduled for November,1979 in lieu of September 1979.

5. Steam Generator Level Indication No change in the status reported July 10, 1979.

6. Pipe Succort Loadings, Velan Valves No change in the status reported August 17, 1979.

7.- RT Film Deficiencies ._

No change in che status reported June 13, 1979.

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Mr. James P. O'Reilly Page 7 September 27, 1979 Documentation associated with the above items is available for NRC review during inspections at the Site. If any additional information is deemed necessary, please feel free to contact us.

Very -tp vours ,

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cc: C. J. Fritz -

G. C. Meet e 6

Inspection & Enforcement b*ashington, D C.-

bec: V. C. Su=mer E. H. Crews, Jr.

T. C. Nichols, Jr.

H. T. Babo .

O. W. Dixon, Jr.

E. Wielkopolski R. J. Hoffert NPCF/Dixon H. Radin A. A. Snith, Jr.

J. F. Algar M. B. Jones C. C. Wagoner W. L. West C. K. Brown J. M. Woods / PRS J. Skolds File 113S 348