ML19225A421

Expresses Concern Over Certification & Use of KAPL Std in Measurement Control Program.Prior to Performing Analyses, Appropriate Tests Must Be Conducted to Demonstrate That Biases Are Not Introduced

ML19225A421
Person / Time
Site:	07000371
Issue date:	05/25/1979
From:	Partlow J NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS)
To:	Kirk W UNITED NUCLEAR CORP. (SUBS. OF UNC, INC.)
References
NUDOCS 7907190156
Download: ML19225A421 (1)

Text

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JPa rtl ow United fluclear Corporation LRouse ATTM:

Mr. Ililliam F. lGrk, Manager RJones fluclear & Industrial Safety RMcCornick Services DWeiss 67 Sandy Desert Road eg. I-WMartin

'Jncasville, Connecticut 06382 i

Centlemen:

The purpose of this correspondence is to convey our concern over the certification and use of the "KAPL standard" in your measurement control t

program, As you are aware, you na!e recently been required to implement a measurement i

control program responsive to the requirements of 10 CFR 70.57.

Fundamental to an effective control program is the use of representative standards that p.,

Snve assicred values that are unbiased and have small associated uncertainties.

For other'than pure uranium compounds, assurance that the assigned value is

nbiased can only be achieved by evaluating the effect of other constituents on a given measurement method. Based on the information you have provided, it does not ptar that this procedure was applied in the caso of the finished ibel standc-i.e., the VAPL standard.

Trie technique of comparing measurement esults or < atandard with those obtained on an fi3S standard, nr alternatively, basing the standard value on an fl3S standard, does not guarantee that the assigned value is unbiased.

F It is our understanding that consideration is being given to establishing a single control standard for use by the fuel vendor and the cora contractors.

Prior to performin I any analyses to establish an assigned value for this standard, appropru.te tests must be performed to demonstrate that the fuel constituents do not introduce undetected biases in the measurenent method.

Spiking an lCS Standard Reference Materf al such as fi35 950 is one possible r.ieans of achieving this objective. Should you have any comments or questions regdrding our position on this point, please contact this office.

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James G. Partlow, Chief Material Control & Accountability

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