ML19269E820

Responds to NRC 790425 Ltr Re Violations Noted in IE Insp Rept 50-282/79-08 & 50-306/79-07.Corrective Actions:Detector Testing Begun 781108 & Completed 781228

ML19269E820
Person / Time
Site:	Prairie Island
Issue date:	05/18/1979
From:	Wachter L NORTHERN STATES POWER CO.
To:	Heishman R NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III)
Shared Package
ML19269E800	List: ML19269E820
References
NUDOCS 7906290675
Download: ML19269E820 (2)

Text

NSD NORTHERN STATES POWER COMPANY MIN N E A PO LI S. MIN N E S OTA "Odos May 18, 1979 Mr. R. F. Heishman, Chief Reactor Operations and Nuclear Support Branch Region III United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission 799 Roosevel*. Road Glen Ellyn, Illinois 60137

Dear Mr. Heishman:

PRAIRIE ISLAND NUCLEAR GENERATING PLANT Dockets No. 50-282 and No. 50-306 In response to your letter of April 25, 1979, which transmitted Inspection Reports No. 50-282/79-08 and No. 50-306/79-07, the following is offered:

Deficiency Technical Specifications 4.16. A.1 and 4.16. A.2 became ef f ective February 14, 1978, and require, respectively, that fire detectors exterior to primary containment be functionally tested once every six months and that the detector alarm circuits also be tested every six months.

Contrary to the above, the initial tests (SPil89) of the fire detectors and alarm circuits were not conducted until (December 28, 1978) approximately ten and one-half months after the technical specifications became effective.

Response

Before Tech Spec 4.16 became effective, a detector testing and calibration program had been established on a three-year basis for safety-related areas and five years for all others. When Tech Spec 4.16 was issued, in February; 1978, the group responsible for detector testing accelerated the testing frequency while new procedures were being developed to control testing. When the group was told issue of a new procedure was imminent, they abandoned the accelerated program and waited for the procedure. Through administrative error, the procedure was not reviewed and approved until September, '978.

As a result, only 60 percent of the required testing was done in the first six-month period.

Y 211979 2164 041 7 0062906 7f

f .

~

NORTHERN STATES POWER COMPANY i

Mr. R. F. Heishman May 18, 1979 Page 2 When the surveillance coordinator received the approved new procedure, he scheduled it for January and July. In November, 1978, it was noted that the new procedure had not yet been performed. Records show the test was begun on Novmber 8 and completed (final sign-off) on December 28. Successful completion proved operability during the period since February. Full compliance has been achieved.

Yours very truly, L. J. Wachter Vice President Power Production and System Operation cc: Mr. G. Charnoff 2164 042