ML19289G164
| ML19289G164 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Arkansas Nuclear  |
| Issue date: | 06/04/1979 |
| From: | NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE) |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19289G163 | List: |
| References | |
| FOIA-79-98 IEIN-790604, NUDOCS 7907050011 | |
| Download: ML19289G164 (4) | |
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UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION 0FFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT WASHINGTON, D.C.
20555 JUNE 4, 1979 IE Information Notice No. 79-DEFICIENT PROCEDURES l
Sumary On June 2,1979, at Arkansas Nuclear One - Unit 1, while observing a l
routine surveillance test of the main _feedwater system check valves, an NRC inspector discovered an operational deficiency that could have resulted in the emergency feedwater system remaining isolated during I
subsequent power operation.
Description of Circumstances 3
On June 2 while Arkansas Nuclear Une - Unit 1 was preparing for startup, an NRC inspector in the control rooin found that during a surveillance test of the main feedwater check valves ~, the controls of the emergency feedwater system were positioned so that the system could not automatically respond if needed. The NRC inspector found that the test procedure being used by the licensed operators did not include, as it should have.
instructions either to bypass the emergency feedwater system or to return it to normal. The plant operators, without approved procedures covering this aspect of the test, bypassed the controls that would have started the feedwater system automatically. Lacking a procedural requirement to return the system to normal, there was no assurance that emergency feedwater would 2}bh 7 9 7 05.00 (9'O ~
be provided automatically if needed.
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Following the Three Mile Island accident, the NRC required that operators be trained to initiate promptly the emergency feedwater system Enually if it does not come on automatically. Thus, while no safety hazard existed at the Arkansas Unit 1 plant because of the improper action, the NRC staff is concerned about the possibility that other procedures at the Arkansas plant may be deficient and about the fact that the operators deviated from procedures in the startup test.
drkansasPowerand1.ightCompanyhasreturnedtheplanttocoldshutdown.
The June 2 NRC order confirmed the requirement for a cold' shutdown until the Comission staff is satisfied with the utility's method of controlling
+M development of operating procedures, the adequacy of existing proce-dures, and untti there is assurance that operators will not deviate from tnose procedures, i
The importance of covering the actions of operators and other staff in the safety related operations of nuclear power plants has been provided in Appendix B to 10 CFR Part 50, Criteria V., Instructions, Procedures, and Drawings:
" Activities affecting quality shall be prescribed by documented instructions, procedures, or drawings, or a type appropriate to the circumstances and shall be accomplished in accordance with these instructions, procedures, or drawings.
Instructions, procedures, or drawings shall include appropriate quantitative or qualitative acceptance criteria for determining that important activities have been satisfactorily accomplished "
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Further, Regulatory Guide 1.33, " Quality Assurance Program Requirements
'(Operation)" endorses American National Standard ANSI N18.7-1976,
" Administrative Controls and Quality Assurance for the Operational Phase of Nuclear Power Plants",,sahh).
i provides extensive guidance on t-preparation, contents and use of procedures. This standard reiterates the Appendix B statement in section 5.3, " Preparation of Instructions a,.2 1^
and Procedures",,further states:
"These procedures shall provide an approved preplanned n
method of conducting operations. Procedures shall be prepared and approved prior to implementation..."
.z f..f NRC thus requires that anticipated actions involvinc safety related equipment be planned and prescribed in written procedures. Therefore, steps should have been included in the test procedures to cover all actions.
Recognizingphatemergencyconditionsdonotalwaysfollowanexpected course of events ANSI N18.7 in Section 5.39, " Emergency Procedures", states:
"Since emergencies may not follow anticipated patterns, the procedures should provide sufficient flexibility to accommodate variations."
s NRC recognizes that unforeseen conditions may be encountered that require quick action and judgement and.could involve deviations from established procedures for the safety of the public. These deviations should be documented and reviewed after-the-fact and procedur2s formally changed if necessary.
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5 Each licensee should review his procedures and administrative controls for procedures to assure that methods and procedures exist to control safety related actions. Enclosed is a copy of the Order issued to Arkansas Power and Light Company.
This Infornation Notice provides details of a significant occurrence.
No written response is required.
If you desire additional information r,egarding this matter, contact the Director of the appropriate NRC
'L Regional Office.
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