ML19320D612
| ML19320D612 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Vermont Yankee File:NorthStar Vermont Yankee icon.png |
| Issue date: | 06/10/1980 |
| From: | Grier B NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I) |
| To: | Rich Smith VERMONT YANKEE NUCLEAR POWER CORP. |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8007210623 | |
| Download: ML19320D612 (1) | |
Text
l p neo UNITED STATES 4'
o,,
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION 5
y
_g REGIINI j
O j
$31 PARK AVENUE l
e xiNo oF PRUSSI A, PENNSYl.VANI A 19406 June 10, 1980 Docket No. 50-271 Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corporation ATTN:
Mr. Robert L. Smith Licensing Engineer 25 Research Drive Westborough, hossachusetts 01581 Gentlemen:
The enclosed IE Information Notice No. 80-26, " Evaluation of Contractor QA Programs", is forwarded to you for information.
No written response is required.
If you desire additional information regarding this matter, please contact this office.
Sincerely, Boyce H. Grier Director
Enclosures:
1.
IE Information Notice No. 80-26 2.
List of Recently Issued IE Information Notices CONTACT:
S. D. Ebneter (215-337-5283) cc w/encls:
Mr. Warren P. Murphy, Plant Superintendent Ms. J. Abbey, Technical Secretary Mr. J. E. Griffin, President Mr. L. H. Heider, Vice President 600g 210 lo23-
4 ENCLOSURE 1 UNITED STATES SSINS No.:
5835 NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Accession No.:
0FFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT 8005050064 WASHINGTON, D.C.
20555 IE Information Notice No. 80-26 Date:
June 10, 1980 Page 1 of 1 EVALUATION OF CONTRACTOR QA PROGRAMS Description of Circumstances:
Appendix B to 10 CFR 50 requires that each applicant and licensee establish and execute a Quality Assurance Program, and that each licensee "shall require contractors or subcontractors-to provide a quality assurance program".
-Further Appendix B requires each applicant and licensee to regularly review the status and adequacy of subcontractor programs.
The NRC is becoming increasingly concerned by continuing evidence that many holders of construction permits and operating licenses are not properly implementir.g these facets of their quality assurance programs.
Examples of
.this lack of effectiveness of contractor QA program implementation, and inadequacy of licensee overview of contractor QA program implementation are appearing in every facet of project activity.
Instances have been observed where architect-engineers have released documents for procurement with inappropriate material specifications.
Nuclear. steam system suppliers have overlooked erroneous assumptions in analysis of instrument system response to design basis transients.
Other cases have been observed where both AE's and NSSS have not followed through on commitments to review vendor detailed designs. Vendors' quality assurance programs have been found to contain errors of both omission and commission.
A containment tendon installation contract was awarded to a specialty contractor.
During a licensee audit some three months after work started it appeared that a contractor inspector was falsifying records by initialing inspection points not actually observed.
A subsequent-investigation by the licensee revealed that the contractor had required that QC inspections be performed only on a andom basis even though all records had QC signatures.
The signatures could mean that the activity was inspected or that record signoffs by others were reviewed; or that the data were recorded by the QC inspector.
It is apparent that the licensee had not appropriately reviewed the contractor's in<pection program prict to the start of work.
Inanotherinstance,-aftercompletionandacceptanceofamajorstructural steel installation, the licensee found that significant rework would be required to correct construction quality problems.
NRC inspection at the contractors fabrication facility disclosed that~in addition to work for that
~ licensee, the contractor had contracts for "high dcasity" fuel storage racks from:several operating licensees.
None of the NRC licensees had inspected the contractor s shop or examined his quality assurance programs.
Response to_Information Notice No 80-26 is not required.
The NRC expects appropriate action from all licensees and organizations engaged in nuclear activities 'and. actions will be examined in the ongoing NnC inspection program.
s
~
IE Information Notice No. 80-26 June 10, 1980 RECENTLY ISSUED IE INFORMATION NOTICES Information Subject Date Issued To Notice No.
Issued 80-25 Transportation of 5/30/80 Material Licensee Pyrophoric Urmium in Priority / Categories II-A, II-D, III-I and IV-DI; Agreement State Licensees in equivalent categories 80-24 Low Level Radioactive 5/30/80 All NRC and Agreement Waste Burial Criteria State Licensees 80-23 Loss of Suction to 5/29/80 All power reactor to Emergency Feedwater facilities with an Pumps OL or CP 80-22 Breakdown In Contamination 5/28/80 All power reactor Control Programs OLs and near term cps 80-21 Anchorage and Support of 5/16/80 All power reactor Safety-Related Electrical facilities with an Equipment OL or CP 80-20 Loss of Decay Heat Removal 5/8/80 All light water reactor Capability at. Davis-Besse facilities holding Unit 1 While in a Refueling power reactor OLs or cps Mode 80-19 NIOSH Recall of Recircu-5/6/80 All holders of a power lating-Mode (Closed-Circuit)
' reactor OL, Research Self-Conta.ined Breathin Reactor License, Fuel Apparatus (Rebreathers)g Cycle Facility License and Priority I Material License 80-18 Possible Weapons Smuggling 5/5/80 All power reactor
. Pouch facilities with an OL, fuel fabrication and processing facilities and Materials Priority I licensees (processors and distributors)
-8u-17 Potential Hazards Associated 5/5/80 All radiography With Interchangable Parts Licenses On Radiographic Equipment
_.