ML19246B798

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IE Insp Rept 50-358/79-06 on 790227-28 & 0301-02,19-23 & 0409-11.Noncompliance Noted:Failure to Follow Procedures, Inadequate Procedures & Inadequate Records
ML19246B798
Person / Time
Site: Zimmer
Issue date: 05/07/1979
From: Dettenmeier R, Maura F, Streeter J
NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III)
To:
Shared Package
ML19246B779 List:
References
50-358-79-06, 50-358-79-6, NUDOCS 7907180627
Download: ML19246B798 (14)


See also: IR 05000358/1979006

Text

.

U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT

REGION III

Report No. 50-358/79-06

Docket No. 50-358

License No. CPPR-88

Licensee:

Cincinnati Gas and

Electric Company

139 East 4th Street

Cincinnati, OH

Facility Name:

Wm. H.

Zimmer Nuclear Power Station

Inspection At:

Wm. H.

Zimmer Site, Moscow, Ohio

Inspection Conducted:

February 27-28, March 1-2,

19-23, and

April 9-11, 1979

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Inspectors:

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B. M. k. Wong (,pril 9-11)

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Approved By:

J. F. Stroter, Chin

!M

Nuclear St.rport Seckion 1

Inspection Surnary

Inspection on February 27-28, Fbrch 1-2,

19-23, and April 9-11, 1979

(Report No. 50-358/79-06)

Areas Inspected: Routine, unannounced inspection of Preoperational

Test Program; previous unresolved items and actions on previous inspec-

tion findings; preoperational test results; system turnover for pre-

operational testing; control rod blade inspection; licensee events.

The inspection involved 160 inspector-hours onsite by three NRC

inspectors.

Results:

Of the six areas inspected, no items of noncompliance or

deviations were identified in four areas.

Three items of noncon-

pliance (two infractions - failure to fol'.ow procedures - Paragraphs

7, 8.b, 8.c, 9.c.; inadequate procedure - Paragraph 10.f.; and one

deficiency - inadequate records - Paragr.ph 10.e) were identified in

two areas.

344

096

7907180697

DETAILS

1.

Persons Contacted

  • J.

Schott, Station Superintendent

P. King, Assistant Station Superintendent

S. Martin, Test Coordinator

R. Link, Operations Supervisor

R. Price, Training Supervisor

D. Anderson, Turnover Coordinator

  • J. Wald, Station Quality Engineer
      • B.

Culver, Proj ect Manager

    • W. Schwiers, Principal Quality Assurance and Standards Engineer
      • R. Wood, QA&S Engineer
  • H.

Gear, Construction Supervisor

      • T. Bloom, GE Resident Site Manager

M. May, GE Site Operations Manager

      • L. Aiello, GE Qi ality Assurance Engineer

V. Pence, GE Un't Manager, Driveline Components

J. Occoner, Reactor Centrols, Inc.

The inspectors also interviewed other licensee ecployees including

members of the administrative, technical, operating and QA&S staff;

employees of the General Electric Company, employees of EDS

Nuclear, and employees of Reactor Controls, Incorporated.

  • Denotes those attending the exit interview of

79.

    • Denotes those attending the exit interview o;

.d

April 11, 1979.

      • Denotes those attending the exit interview of

14,

1979.

2.

Licensee Action on Previous _ Inspection Findings

(Closed) Noncompliance (358/79-01-01).

Failure to follow safety

tagging (switching order) procedure. The inspector found u.e*

the

licensee is conducting safety tagging refresher training for T1

operations personnel and systets engineers as stated in thei

letter, Borgmann to Heishman, dated February 28, 1979.

(Closed) Noncompliance (358/79-01-04).

Failure to develop appro-

priate procedure to implement to QA&S responsibility assigned in

SU.ACP.03.

The inspector found that the QA&S Principal Engineer

has issued a letter to the Station Superintendent requesting

QA&S be informed 48 hours5.555556e-4 days <br />0.0133 hours <br />7.936508e-5 weeks <br />1.8264e-5 months <br /> in advance of a flush of a safety re-

lated system so that appropriate audits can be conductea on the

valve lineup.

A QA&S engineer has been assigned responsibility

to perform the audits. According to EPD personnel the responsibi-

lity to inform QA&S has been delegated to the system engineer in

charge of the flush.

This action is in accordance with the response

given in the letter, Borgmann to Heishman, dated February 28, 1979.

344 097

-2-

(Open) Unresolved Item (358/78-05-02).

Three core support plate

pins " repaired" prior to taking bend measurements.

During a

meeting between the licensee, General Electric Company personne1,

and the inspectors, the problem of what could happen if the three

pins failed in time, due to the unknown level of cold working

each pin experienced, and how to monitor for such failure was

discussed. No conclusions were reached.

The inspector stated

that the licensee's written response to the NRC on this subject

to close c . the outstanding 50.55(e) report should address the

fellowing items:

a.

State why the licensee feels the pins will not fail in time

(should not be replaced) and give the basis for such position.

b.

Assume the pins will fail and state what possible effects,

if any, it could have on plant operation, refueling, mainte-

nance on control rod blades, etc.

Among the possible effects,

consider possible rotation of the fuel support piece so that

the coolant flow paths do not align with the path in the

control rod guide tube.

c.

Discuss what methods are available, if any, to monitor for

the possible failure of the pins.

Include among the methods

visual examination during each refueling outage.

List the

methods the licensee will co=mit to follow.

d.

Commit to develop prior to power operation the acceptance

criteria, for each of the monitoring programs co=mitted to

in Item

c.,

and the required corrective action whenever one

of the limits is exceeded.

(Closed) Unresolved Item (358/79-Cl-02).

Operator training on

the performance of valve check lists and switching orders. The

inspector found that the licensee is revising Station Administrative

Directive (SAD) OS. SAD.02, Revision 1, " Station Operations" to

include under Paragraph 5.1.7 the specific criteria to be followed

by plant operators during the performance of checklists.

Operators

become familiar with changes to SAD's through the use of the All

Read Folder which they are required to read once/ month and sign

off.

In addition, the lice.see stated all Shift Supervisors are

required to discuss tha changes with his crew.

Regarding operator performance of switching orders, the licensee

has written an Operations Memo on the subject which requires the

operator to place the control switch in the close or open position,

whichever is called for in the order, to verify the valve position.

3.

Other Areas Inspected

(Closed) 10 CFR 50.55(e) Event No. M-11, Control Rod Interferences.

The inspectors found that the licensee had modified 80 of the

control rods by grinding a chamfer in the upper corner of the

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h)h

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control rod velocity limiter.

The licensee completed this modification

on site in accordance with the General Electric Field Disposition

Instruction No. 94/6300, Revision 0 to elminate the potential

interferences between the control rod and the fuel channel.

A

review of the control rod inspection records for the 80 control

rods modified revealed that:

51 contcol rods were modified on all four corners.

10 control rods were modified on three corners.

11 control rods were modified on two corners.

8 control rods were modifi<.o on one corner.

No items of noncompliance or deviations were identified.

4

Preoperational Test Program

The inspector reviewed the revision to the Star *op Administrative

Control Procedi es (ACF's) and Startup Proj e

Procedures as of

March 2, 1979 to ensure the changes do not :onflict with FSAR

commitments.

The inspector stated that ACP No. 18, " Work Requests"

is considered unacceptable and must be rewritten as a Station

Administrative Directive in line with the comments given to the

licensee by the Project Inspector.

At of April 4,

1979, of the 114 preoperational tests required to

be completed prior to fuel loading the licensee has completed

writing 108 and has approved for use 77 test procedures.

Twenty-two

systems or partial systems have been turned over for preopera-

tional testing, 17 preops are in progress and four tests have

been completed.

No test results have been approved by the SRB

yet.

No items of noncompliance or deviations were identified.

5.

Preoperational Test Results

The inspectors reviewed the results of the testing performed as

of March 20, 1979, on the 24/48 VDC and 125 VDC systems.

During

the review it was noted that:

Stratification of the electrolyte in the 24/48 VDC lead-calcium

a.

battery cells is creating an operational problem for the

licensee during recharge following a discharge test in that

it took approximately two months before the specific gravity

of the sample obtained at the top of the cells reached an

accentable reading ( l.205).

While most lead-calcium cells

have an electrolyte withdrawal tube which permits sampling

at a point one-third down from the top of the plates and,

according to the vendor, gives a more acccrate indication of

the state of charge, the Model DC-9 being used for the 24/48

VDC system is not equipped with such a tube.

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344

099

The inspector stated that while the test results meet the

acceptance criteria, the length of time it took to obtain

acceptable specific gravity readings appears to be unde-

sirable during plant operation.

Some method to obtain a

more representative sample of the electrolyte should be

considered.

b.

Two cells on the IB 125 VDC battery failed to meet the

acceptance criteria (cell #84 specific gravity of 1.201, and

cell #88 voltage of 2.06 volts).

The licensee plans to

individually recharge these two cells prior to the next test

which is the 80% of one-hour rating discharge test.

The

inspectors stated that if these two cells fail to meet the

acceptance criteria following the next discharge test, they

should be replaced.

This is an unresolved item (358/79-

06-01) pending the results of the next discharge test.

c.

Specific gravity readings were informally corrected by the

licensee fo* changes in the electrolyte level without affecting

the results of the tests.

The licensee has agreed to require

such corrections as part of his test procedure.

No items of noncompliance cr deviations were identified.

6.

Review of System Turnover for Preoperational Testing

The inspectors reviewed the system turnover process for system

release for preoperational testing to ensure compliance with the

Startup Manual procedures. The review revealed that:

a.

The Master Punchlist, which consolidates the lists of items

remaining to be completed, although continuously updated by

the turnover group, appeared to be missing an approximately

month old item for the low pressure core spray release pack-

age identified by onc of the licensee's construction con-

tractors. Members of the licensee's staff indicated that a

problem existed in the adequacy of the continuous updating

of the Macter Punchlist and that this inadequacy was impacting

on the performance of the preoperational testing.

The

licensee indicated that the system for compilation of the

Master Punchlist was only recently enacted and that the

numerous sources of input to the system created problems in

assurring a complete punchlist.

The licensee has initiated

a program .o compile punchlist items on computer printout

listings as well as to define responsibilities among the

licensee's staff. This is an unresolved item (358/79-06-02)

pending further review of the system turnover for preoperational

testing by the inspectors.

344

100

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b.

When revisions are made to drawings on systems which inter-

connect or interface with the scoped system for release for

preoperational testing, and especially in the case of electrical

drawings where the connecting drawings are part of the

release boundary, the system engineers stated that they felt

they were not given enough information in the revision

notification to determine how the revision would effect or

impact upon the preoperational test or results.

It was

indicated by the licensee that although additional research

might be involved on the part of the system engineer, all

information for determining the impact of revisions to

interconnecting or interfacing drawings to the preoperational

test or its results is available somewhere on site.

It was

also indicated by the licensee that the turnover group will

prepare a brief summary of her the revisions to drawings of

interconnecting or interfacing systems will effect the

scoped system for release.

This problem with interconnecting and interf acing systems

originates from the fact that there is a difference in the

number cf drawings used in preparing the preoperational test

and the number of drawings used when scoping the boundaries

of the system for release for preoperational testing.

Although the drawings contained in the release package are

frozen to the point that no new revisions of the drawings

will be released without authorization from the system

engineer, the system engineer has no control of the release

of revisions of drawings which were used in preparation of

the preoperational test procedure which are not also inclu-

ded in the release package for turnover for preoperational

testing.

The inspectors indicated that these differences in

capability to control revisions to drawings which could

effect the preoperational test could lead to portions of

systems or interconnecting portions between systems not

being preoperationally tested.

This is an unresolved iten

(358/79-06-03)

pending further review of the preoperational

test program by the inspectors.

c.

There seems to be some confusion among the licensee's ctaff

members as to a method for dealing with revisions to drawings

for systems which have been preoperationally tested but not

turned over for operation.

The licensee indicated that

procedures are already developed to handle revisions as well

as how the revisions affect the validity of the preoperational

test results. The licensee indicated that he will review

these procedures with the staff personnel.

d.

The licensee has procedures for control and tagging of

areas, components, panels and systems which have been turned

over for preoperational testing. These procedures

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.

do not address situations where components or panels are

shared by one system which is turned over and by another

which is not.

During the plant tour, it was found that the

" Division I LPCS/RHR-A Relay Board" did not have any of its

internal components tagged as being turned over even though

the LPCS system had been turned over.

The licensee indicated

that tagging the panel or all of the LPCS relay components

within the panel or any other similar situation was a matter

of judgement since construction was still allowed on the

RHR-A portion of the panel.

It was also noted during the plant tour that most of the

electrical control and relay panels such as the "HPCS Relay

Board" which was tagged as turned over had their doors

completely removed even though there was no work being

conducted within the panels in most cases.

The inspectors

questioned the ability to control further work by construc-

tion in such areas as well as in shared syste= panels.

The

licensee indicated that the procedures for " System Release

for Turnover" SU.RPR.01 and " Construction Work Authorization

for Equipment Turned Over for Preoperational Testing",

SU.PRP.04 controlled construction work on and around turned

over systems, components and areas.

The licensee indicated

that QA6S also audits the proper completion of the authori-

zation forms involved.

Field audits to verify conformance

to the above mentioned procedures to verify actual initiation

of authorization forms are not done.

The licensee indicated

that he would review the above procedures with regard rn the

inspectors comments.

This is an unresolved item (358/

79-06-04) pending resolution by the licensee and further

review by the inspectors.

In discussions with the system engineers, turnover groups

e.

and operations personnel it was indicated that there was

some confusion as to the disposition of the " Construction

Work Authorization" f orm PRP-04-1 and the " Return of System /

Equipment to Construction" startup form 6.5 while construc-

tion work was in progress under this authorization.

The

operations personnel indicated that some of the above men-

tioned forms were available in the control room although

there was no way to know if they reflected all work going on

under all such authorizations since there was no designated

disposition while work was in progress nor a sequential

numbering system established for filing or traceability. The

licensee indicated that operations personnel have a definite

need for notification of such authorization and would resolve

the questions concerning the authorization forms. This is an

unresolved item (358/79-06-05)

pending resolution by the

licensee and further review by the inspectors.

No items of noncompliance or deviations were identified.

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102

7.

Plant Tour

The inspectors conducted tours of various areas of the plant to

observe activities in progress, general housekeeping and clean-

liness, and equipment caution safety and or green preoperational

testing tagging. The tours revealed that:

a.

The enclosed area of the spare and IB 125VDC battery chargers,

which have been turned over for preoperational testing, was

cluttered with debris.

Brooms, general trash, metal grating,

hard hats and a welding oven (PL-5) surrounded the IB battery

charger within the wooden barricade.

b.

The spare 125VDC battery charger had one of its side panels

missing.

Pieces of insulation and concrete chips and heavy

dust deposits had settled onto the internals of the spare

charger.

It was noted by the licensee's staff that the

panel had been missing at least since the chargers had been

turned over for preoperational testing in October 1978.

Startup !bnual procedure SU. ACP.16 " Equipment and Building Cleanliness"

requires in Section 5.2 that all safety related equipment shall

be maintained free of excessive oil, water or other material

which could prevent the equipment from performing its intended

safety function. The licensee has failed to follow the Startup

Manual procedure SU.ACP.16.

This failure to follow procedures is

contrary to the requirements of 10 CFR 50 Appendix B, Criterion

V, and is considered to be an example of an item of noncompliance

(358/79-06-06A)

of the infraction level.

8.

Overpressurization of Low Pressure Core Spray and Condensate

Systems Piping

The inspector reviewed the event of January 19, 1979, during

which high pressure core spray (HPCS) water entered the conden-

sate (CD) and low pressure core spray (LPCS) systems because

valves lE22-F003 and F031 had been left open causing a rupture of

the steam jet air ejector condenser l A.

The review consisted of

interviews with testing and operating personnel and a review of

the licensee's final report on his investigation of the event.

The review showed that:

a.

Procedure OP.HP.01-4, Revision 0 was used to lineup, fill

and vent the HPCS system,

b.

At the completion of the fill and vent operation the operator

never completed Step 5.1.5 which required him to close

valves IE22-F003 and F-31.

With these two valves open the

CD and HPCS systems became crosstied thru the cycled condensate

(CY) system.

The operator claims he informed the Shift

fO5

_ g_

.

.

Supervisor that he had left the two valves open while the

latter does not recall being told.

This failure to follow

procedures is contrary to 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix B, Criterion

V and is considered to be an example of an item of noncompliance

(358/79-06-06B) of the infraction level.

c.

For some unknown reason, valve IE21-F025 which had been

safety tagged closed under Switching Order No. 781317, dated

November 16, 1978, was it. the open position.

This completed

the cross connection of the LPCS and HPCS systems.

Violation

of Switching Order No. 781317 is contrary to 10 CFR 50,

Appendix B, Criterion V and is considered an example of an

item of noncompliance (358-79-06-060) of the infraction

level. The switching order was cleared on January 24, 1979.

The corrective action whicn the licensee is currently taking

regarding a previous noncompliance with the safety tagging

procedure (358-79-01-01) is also applicable to this event,

therefore the inspector stated no response to this item of

noncompliance is required.

d.

Paragraph 13.0 of Safety Tagging Procedure EC. SAD.02, Revision

00 allows for the operation of equipment for test purposes

without the removal of the safety tags.

It is possible that

valve IE21-F025 was operated for test purposes thru tags and

subsequently left open by error.

The inspectors have objected

to Paragraph 13.0 of the Safety Tagging Procedure.

On March 21, 1979, the licensee issued operating memo 79-2,

Revision 9, which specifically requires that "Do Not Operate"

tags must be removed before energizing electrical equipment

or opening valves.

An exception is made in the case of

electrical testing conducted by EOTD in which case only the

E0TD caster tag will be left in place.

c.

On December 12, 1977, a General Electric system engineer

reco= mended that a check valve be installed on line IHP18A3

downstream of valve lE22-F031 because a similar overpres-

surization of a small section (up to valve ICY 013) of low

pressure piping had occurred.

The recom=endation was re-

jected because the licensee thought that two valves (IE22-F003

and F031) plus adminstrative controls were sufficient to

prevent recurrence.

The licensee stated the check valve

will be installed.

All other ECCS systems have check valves

in the line from the CY system.

The inspector stated his concern regarding repeatable occur-

rences where a lack of com=unication or understanding between

parties have resulted in damage to equipment.

It is our

intention to closely monitor the licensee's performance

during the preoperational test program to determine the

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.

the adequacy of plant staffing and training as fuel load

date approaches.

9.

Flooding of LPCS/RHR-A Pump Room Event

The inspectors reviewed the event which occurred on March 17,

1979, involving the LPCS/RHR-A pump room.

The inspectors ir.t e r-

viewed construction and operations personnel involved in the

event and revieved the operations and shift engineering logs.

The review revealed that:

a.

On March 17, 1979, flushing was being conducted on the fuel

pool cooling and cleanup system. The licensee normally

flushes to the suppression pool.

The suppression pool was

unavailable due to mcdifications.

This flush was to the

clean-up phase separator tank which was lined up to the

reactor building equipment drain tank for overflow.

b.

At lunchtime the engineer in charge of the flush told the

pipe fitters working under him to close the valves to secure

flushing and break for lunch.

The valves were not closed to

stop the flush.

Water overflowed from the reactor building

equipment drain tank and into the corner room which contained

the RHR-A, LPCS and jockey pumps and its associated instruments

and valves for the LPCS system as well as the RHR-A system.

The configuration of the corner room is such that it will

act as a pool up to approximately five feet.

When water was

discovered flowing out of this corner room into the annular

area at the base of the wetwell the uncontrolled flush was

terminated by closure of the valves from the condensate

storage tank supply. The sump pumps in the RHR-A and LPCS

pump room had been out of service due to maintenance.

LPCS

system has been turned over for preoperational testing.

The licensee indicated that all instrumentation involved in

the flood of the RHR-A/LPCS pump room would be dried, cleaned

inspected and recalibrated.

Restoration of the instrumen-

tation had already begun while the inspectors were on site.

The licensee also indicated that the method of using available

storage tanks for deposition of flushing waters would not be

continued due to the problems experienced.

The licensee did

not, however, indicate what methods vould be used during the

time that the suppression paol was not available.

This event, as well as others experienced by the licensee in

recent months are considered to be examples of poor communications

experienced during operation of systems for testing and

flushing.

The inspectors indicated to the licensee that a

need for developing better communications existed.

This is

considered to be an unresolved

344

105

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item (358/79-06-07)

pending resolution by the licensee

and further review by the inspectors.

c.

During the flushing on the 17th of March, 1979, the floor

drains were also filled and backedup in the reactor building

at the 503 level. This backup resulted in a water washdown

of the HPCS motor and pump.

It was indicated by the operating

staff that the HPCS pump motor and the RHR-C pump motor,

both in the same corner room, had been washed down in sicilar

events several times in the past few months.

HPCS has been

turned over for preoperational testing.

Startup Manual

ProceJures SU.ACP.16 " Equipment and Building Cleanliness"

tequires in Section 5.2 that all safety related equipment

shall be maintained free of excessive oil, water or other

material which could prevent the equipment from performing

its intended safety functions.

The licensee has failed to

follow Startup Manual Procedure SU.ACP.16 in the cases of

the flooding of the LPCS/RHR-A pump room and the wash down

of the HPCS pump motor.

This failure to follow procedures

is contrary to the requirements of 10 CFR 50 Appendix B,

Criterion V. These two failures to follow promedures are

considered examples of items of noncompliance (358/79-06-06D)

of the infraction level.

10.

Control Rod Blades Inspection

The inspectors reviewed the results of the control rod blade

inspections perf ormed by the licensee during the conths of July

thru October 1978.

Our review revealed that:

a.

Of the 137 control rod blades originally inspected using

0.280 inch and 0.320 inch envelope gauges, 86 failed to pass

the .280 inch envelope gauge and of those 86, four also

failed the .320 inch gauge.

b.

In accordance with the Inspection Procedure 22A4387, a

clamp, which applied approximately 40 pounds of pressu.e

against the blade sheath, was placed approximately one to

two inches from the area in question (it should be noted

that the procedure dces not state where to place the clamp).

Thickness measurements were taken with a micrometer and of

the 86 control rod blades 11 still exceeded .280 inches in

thickness. According to Reactor Controls, Inc. (RCI) records

the 11 blades in question were:

C. R. Blade Serial No.

Blade No.

High Spot

A400

1

0.286

A420

4

0.283

A435

2

0.289

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.

A440

2

0.281

A443

2

0.282

A453

1

0.281

A461

3

0.285

A484

3

0.285

A501

O.2u2

'

A510

2

0.290

A515

4

0.282

c.

Of the 11 cont

rod blades four (A400, A435, A443 and

'

A461) also fa

the 0.320 inch gauge and were rejected per

Field Deviation .isposition Request (FDDR) No. EN-1-288.

Blade A484 was rejected solely on the basis of a 0.285 inch

reading. The exact location of the high area was not re-

corded.

In addition, control rod blade A437 was rej ected on

the same FDDR due to numerous nicks in the sealing area,

d.

The Inspection Procedure 22A4387 P.4 was modified and the

changes recorded by FDDR No. KN-1-286.

On the FDDR the

exact size and location of the high area was determined for

the remaining six control rod blades (A420, A440, A453,

A501, A510 and A515).

The size of the inspection area was

reduced and the 40 pound clamp was placed directly over the

high point area while deep throat micrometer readings were

taken around the clamped area.

e.

As a result of FDDR No. KN-1-286 the six blades in question

were accepted on the basis that the thickness of the high

point area was reduced to less than 0.280 on five of the

blades with the 40 pound clamp cver the area.

For the sixth

blade (A-510) the thickness remained at 0 290, but the blade

was accepted on the basis that half of the high point area

was located outside the reduced area of interest and a

statement that it " met the intent" of 22A4387.

A review of RCI's records showed that no records were kept

of the work done as a result of FDDR No. KN-1-286.

No raw

data exists to verify the conclusions presented by the FDDR.

Failute to maintain sufficient records is contrary to 10 CFR 50 Appendix B, Criterion XVII and Paragraph 17.1.17 of the

FSAR and is considered to be an item of noncompliance

(358/79-06-08) of the deficiency level.

On April 10, 1979, the six blades in question were reinspec-

ted by the licensee, RCI, and the General Electric Company.

The reinspection was witnessed by NRC inspectors. Accurate,

detailed rec 3rds of the reinspection were kept this time

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107

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.

.

and as a result no response is required from the licensee on

the above item of noncompliance,

f.

During the review of Inspection Procedure 22A4387 and FDDR

No. KN-1-286, which supposedly clarified the inspection

procedure, it was noted that both failed to specify what

direct readings were desired, where such readings were to be

taken, how the clamp was to be used, etc. and as a result,

both the Inspection Procedure and the FDDR are considered to

be inadequate.

This inadequacy is contrary to 10 CFR 50

Appendix B, Criterion V and Paragraph 17.1.5 of the FSAR and

is considered to be an example of an item of noncompliance

(358/79-06-09) of the infraction level.

A meeting was held on April 10, 1979, between the General

Electric control rod design engineer, the licensee and the

NRC inspectors at which time the blade acceptance criteria

(.280"), the use of the 40 pound clamp and the results of

thin control rod qualification tests, etc. were discussed.

The prototype tests were performed by the General Electric

Company using 0.080" and 0.120" wall fuel channels for the

purpose of determining the degree of misalignment, channel

deformation, water gap reduction, etc. at which the opera-

tional performance of the control blade would be af fected.

The test results showed that considerable misalignment

(between 10 to 14 times the allowable during core internals

installation); or reduction of the water gap, due to mis-

alignment and channel deformation, by a factor of approxi-

mately 1.5 to 2.0 would be required before operational dif-

ficulties were first experienced. Wear of the control rod

sheath and fuel channels was measured on tests conducted for

the designed 20 year life cycle.

Based on the results of

these tests and of the reinspection performed on April 10,

1979, the control rod blades presently supplied to the

Zimmer Station are considered to be satisfactory.

During the discussion with the General Electric company

personnel it was stated that for BWR's 5 it is recommended

that the fuel channels be rotated during each refueling

outage.

Since this is new information and since it was not

clear how and when the channels are to be rotated the inspector

requested that the licensee obtain written clarification of

General Electric's position regarding the desirability or

need for channel rotation. This is an unresolved item

(358/79-06-10) pending further review of this matter by the

licensee and the inspector.

'

'344

108

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,

11.

Unresolved Items

Unresolved items are matters about which more information is

required in order to ascertain whether they are acceptable items,

items of noncompliance, or deviations.

Unresolved items dis-

closed during the inspection are discussed in Paragraphs 5.b,

6.a, 6.b, 6.d, 6.e, 9.b, and 10.

12.

Exit Interview

The inspectors met with licensee representatives (denoted in

Paragraph 1) at the conclusion of the inspection on March 23, and

April 11, 1979.

The inspectors summarized the purpose and the

scope of the inspection and the findings.

In response to certain

of the items discussed by the inspector, the licensee representatives:

Acknowledged the statements by the iaspector with respect to the

items of noncompliance (Paragraph 7, 8, 9 and 10).

Stated the SAD covering " Work Requests" would be completed by

March 31, 1979 (Paragraph 4).

Objected to the inspector's position regarding the three core

support plate pins (Paragraph 2).

hkk

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