ML19320D704
| ML19320D704 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | South Texas  |
| Issue date: | 06/10/1980 |
| From: | Seyfrit K NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV) |
| To: | Eric Turner HOUSTON LIGHTING & POWER CO. |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8007220098 | |
| Download: ML19320D704 (1) | |
Text
UNITED STATES
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611 RY AN PLAZA D IVE, SUITE 1000 ARLINGTON, TEXAS 76012 8, ' fs
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June 10, 1980 In Reply Refer To:
RIV Docket Nos. 50-498/IE Information Notice No. 80-26 50-499/IE Information Notice No. 80-26 Houston Lighting & Power Company ATTN: Mr. E. A. Turner, Vice President Power Plant Construction and Technical Services Post Office Box 1700 Houston, Texas 77001 Gentlemen:
No This IE Information Notice is being forwarded to you for information.
written response to this information notice is required.
If you have any questions related to the subject, please contact this office.
Sincerely,
,E hw
'6 KarlV.Sfyfrit Director V
Enclosures:
1.
IE Information Notice No. 80-26 2.
List of Recently Issued IE Information Notices 8007220 097
UNITED STATES SSINS No.:
6835 NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Accession No.:
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IE Information Notice No. 80-26 To All Part 50 Licensees Date:
June 10, 1980 Page 1 of 2 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 implementing 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 (AE) have released documents for procurement with inappropriate material specifications.
Nuclear steam system suppliers (NSSS) have overlooked erroneous assumptions in analysis of instrument system response to design basis transients.
Other cases have been observed where both AEs 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 random basis even though all records had QC signatures. The signatures could mean that tbe
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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 inspection program prior to the start of work.
In another instance, after completion and acceptance of a major, structural steel installation, the licensee found that significant rework would be required to correct construction quality problems.
NRC inspection at the contractor's fabrication facility disclosed that in addition to work for that licensee, the contractor had contracts for "high density" fuel storage racks
IE Information Notice No. 80-26 To All Part 50 Licensees Date: June 10, 1980 Page 2 of 2 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 NRC inspection program.
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IE Information Notice No. 80-26 June 10, 1980 LISTING OF RECENTLY ISSUED IE INFORMATION NOTICES Information Subject Date Issued To Notice No.
Issued 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 Operating Mode Licenses (OLs) or Construction Permits (cps) 80-21 Anchorage and Support of 5/16/80 All power reactor Safety-Related Electrical facilities with an Equipment Operating License (0L) or Construction Permit (CP) 80-22 Breakdown In Contamination 5/28/80 All power reactor Control Programs Operating Licenses (OLs) and near term Construction Permits (cps) 80-23 Loss of Suction 5/29/80 All power reactor to Emergency Feedwater facilities with an Pumps Operating License (OL) or Construction Permit (CP) 80-24 Low Level Radioactive 5/30/80 All NRC and Agreement Waste Burial Criteria State Licensees 80-25 Transportation of 5/30/80 Material Licensee Pyrophoric Uranium in Priority / Categories II-A, II-D, III-I and IV-DI; Agreement State Licensees in equivalent categories Enclosure
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