ML19337A577

Forwards IE Circular 80-21, Regulation of Refueling Crews. No Written Response Required

ML19337A577
Person / Time
Site:	Perkins, Cherokee
Issue date:	09/10/1980
From:	James O'Reilly NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION II)
To:	Dail L DUKE POWER CO.
References
NUDOCS 8009290293
Download: ML19337A577 (5)

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UNITED STATES 4

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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION n

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REGION 11 b[

101 MAplETTA ST., N.W., SUITE 3100 p

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ATL %NTA, GEORGIA 30303 SEP 101980 In Reply Refer To:

RII:JP0 50-491, 92 50-493 0-488 )

(50-I4.89l

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Duke Power Company ATTN:

L. C. Dail, Vice President Design Engineering P. O. Box 33189 Charlotte, NC 28242 Gentlemen:

The enclosed IE Circular No. 80-21, is forwarded to you for information.

No written response is required. Should you have any questions related to your understanding of the recommendations on this matter, please contact this office.

Sincerely, W"_

.- 4 James P. O'Reilly i

Director

Enclosures:

1.

IE Circular No. 80-21 2.

Recently Issued IE Circulars cc w/ encl:

J. T. Moore, Project Manager 80092904.T3 g

D cg em mn SSINS No.:

6820 e9 Accrscien No.:

av ev 22 8006190081 IEC 80-21 UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COTfISSION OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555 September 10, 1980 IE Circular No. 80-21: REGULATION OF REFUELING CREWS Description of Circumstances:

Recent inspections of refueling activities indicate that some licensees have misinterpreted the regulatory requirements applicable to fuel handling activi-ties. Therefore, it appears appropriate to identify those specific regulatory requirements that are applicable to core alterations which include reactivity manipulations that may result from the handling of fuel elements, control rods, etc.

A.

10 CFR Requirements 1.

10 CFR 50.2(f) and 10 CFR 55.4:

" Controls" when used with respect to a nuclear reactor means apparatus and mechanis.ms, the manipulation of which directly affect the reactivity or power level of the reactor.

2.

10 CFR 50.54(i):

Except as provided in 55.9 of this chapter, the licensee shall not permit the manipulation of the controls of any facility by anyone who _ i not a licensed operator or senior operator as provided in Part 55 of this chapter.

3.

10 CFR 55.3:

No person may perform the function of an operator as defined in this part except as authorized by a license issued by the Commission; 4.

10 CFR 55.4:

" Operator" is any individual who manipulates a control of a facility.

An individual is deemed to manipulate a control if he directs another to manipulate a control.

" Senior Operate;' is any individual desi nated by a facility F

licensee under fart 50 of this chapter to direct the licensed activities of licensed operators.

5.

10 CFR 55.9:

Nothing in this part shall be deemed to require a license for:

a.

An individual who manipulates the controls of a research or training reactor as part of his training as a student in a

IEC 80-21 Strtraber 10, 1980 Page 2 of 3 6

nuclear engineering course under the direction and in the presence of a licensed operator or senior operator; b.

An individual who manipulates the controls of a facility as a part of his training to qualify for an operator license under this part under the directica and in the presence of a licensed operator or senior operator.

B.

Te_chnical Specifications Standard Technical Specifications require that all core alterations be directly supervised by either a Licensed Senior Reactor Operator or a Senior Reactor Operator limited to fuel handling, who has no other con-current responsibilities during this operation. The NRC fr.terprets the term "directly supervised" to mean that the SRO is supervising the core alterations from the refueling deck.

We note that the Licensed Senior Reactor Operator limited to fuel handling classification was developed for specialized fuel handling crews.

In this case an individual identified as a Refueling Foreman is responsible for refueling activities subject to the following provisions:

1.

The foreman shall have a Senior Operator's License limited to the fuel handling duties.

2.

The foreman shall directly supervise (from the refueling deck) the movement of fuel in and out of the reactor.

3.

The unlicensed members of the crew shall participate in appropriate facility administered training programs and be facility certified to perform their duties.

4.

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Direct communication will be maintained with a licensed individusi in the control room when fuel movements over the core are being made.

5.

The foreman will exercise indirect supervision over all other fuel handling operations.

Based on the NRC regulations delineated in Item A above, the individual manipulating the fuel-handling equipment over the reactor must be an NRC Licensed Reactor Operator (RO) unless the facility Technical Specifications include provisions for the operation to be supervised by an SRO or SRO limited to fuel-handling as described in Item B.

During any core alteration, a licensed individual must also be observing reactivity monitors in the Control Room with appropriate communications established with personnel on the fuel handling equipment.

In addition, personnel participating directly in the core alternations must meet the qualification and training requirements committed to in the FSAR or fuel loading application, i.e., ANSI N18.1-1971 or ANSI /ANS 3.1-1978.

o IEC 80-21 September 10, 1980 Page 3 of 3 Recommended Action for Licensee Consideration Our routine inspection program for refueling activities is based on the above NRC requirements. Therefore, we recommend that all reactor licensees review procedures and practices to assure that the individuals responsible for and participating in refueling activities are in conformance with the above requirements.

No written response to this Circular is required.

If you require additional information with regard to tt.is subject, please contact this office.

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IEC 80-21 September 10, 1980 RECENTLY ISSUED IE CIRCULARS Circular Date of No.

Subject Issue Issued to 80-20 Changes in Safe-Slab Tank 8/21/80 All Part 50 and Part Dimensions 70 fuel facility licensees 80-19 Noncompliance with 8/26/80 All medical licensees License Requirements for Medical Licensees 80-18 10 CFR 50.59 Safety 8/22/80 All power reactor Evaluations for Changes to facilities with an Radioactive Waste Treatment OL or CP Systems 80-17 Fuel Pin Damage Due to Water 7/23/80 All holders of PWR Jet from Baffle Plate Corner OLs and PWR cps 80-16 Operational Deficiencies In 6/27/80 All power reactor Rosemount Model 510DU Trip facilities with an Units And Model 1152 Pressure OL or a CP Transmitters 80-15 Loss of Reactor Coolant Pump 6/20/80 All power reactor Cooling and Natural Circula-facilities with an tion Cooldown OL or CP 80-14 Radioactive Contamination of 6/24/80 All holders of power Plant Demineralized Water and research reactor System and Resultant Internal licenses (operating Contamination of Personnel and construction permits), and fuel cycle licensees 80-13 Grid Strap Damage in 5/18/80 All holders of reactor Westinghouse Fuel Assemblies OLs and cps 80-12 Valve-Shaft-To-Actuator Key 5/14/80 All holders of reactor May Fall Out of Place When OLs and cps Mounted Below Horizontal Axis 80-11 Emergency Diesel Generator 5/13/80 All holders of a power Lube Oil Cooler Failures reactor OL or CP 80-10 Failure to Maintain 4/29/80 All holders of reactor Environmental Qualification OLs and cps of Equipment s

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